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Tuesday, 23 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-04-24Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] BRITISH MINISTER - CYPRUS QUESTIONBritish Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, described the relations between Britain and Cyprus close, noting that there is a range of issues to be discussed during his meeting Wednesday in Cyprus with the Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas.Speaking to CNA, Hoon said they will discuss ``first and foremost obviously the situation on the island``. ``I want to continue to explore ways in which we can make progress in resolving what is obviously a long term and difficult problem. Look at that in the context of the EU throughout last year with Turkeys ambition to join the EU. I recognise that resolving the problems on the island is a fundamental part of that``, he added. Responding to a question on the occasion of the anniversary of the referenda on the Annan plan for a Cyprus settlement, he said that it is vitally important to look forward and not backwards. ``It is important that we learn from that history but equally that we look forward from that history to find ways that we can more safely live together``, he noted. Invited to say whether Britain can go further and identify those responsible for the impasse with regard to the 8 of July Agreement and whether it can use its influence for its implementation, he said ``É think we can make progress in implementing that agreement``. ``I dont think at this stage to putting fingers at any one party. What is important is that there should be good will and cooperation. And I hope in a small way I can assist in that``, he added. Regarding the issue of direct trade he said that dealing in one issue in isolation might appear unfair to the other party, while there are a range of issues to be resolved. Therefore, he added, we have to make a comprehensive way forward, that means every one has to give a little but in the interest of that we will make progress. Concerning the question of direct flights with Cyprus Turkish occupied areas, Hoon said that he rejected such a proposal. ``We accept there are serious legal obstacles on the way but that does not mean necessarily for all time that there can not be direct flights. That is something we will have to look at in the context of progress elsewhere,`` he said. He avoided answering a question on Britains financial commitments to Cyprus with regard to the British Bases on the island, saying that he did not want to get into detail in relation to the Sovereign Base Area. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory [02] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS PROBLEM - ANNAN PLANThe only table where the Annan Plan rests is on the post mortem table to ascertain the reasons for its death, said Tuesday Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis, noting that the Annan Plan cannot return as it is, nor with shallow changes.Speaking on the third anniversary of the rejection by the Greek Cypriot community of the UN Secretary-Generals plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, Pashiardis said that the effort is to implement the July 8 Agreement and that the best justice for the people of Cyprus is to find a proper, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. Today marks three years since the day that the majority of Cypriot Hellenism rejected the Annan Plan. Surely it is not an anniversary to celebrate, despite the fact that the no of 76% of Greek Cypriots averted a disastrous development for Cyprus, the Spokesman said. He said it would have been a blessing if the writers of the plan made sure that they offered a functional and viable solution which would have satisfied the concerns of the Greek Cypriots and would have really reunited the people and country, making us accept it. [03] PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS - SLOVENIA - OFFICIAL VISITCypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos departs for Slovenia Wednesday for a four day official visit at the invitation of his Slovenian counterpart Dr. Janez Drnovsek.President Papadopoulos will be accompanied by Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Michaelides. [04] GERMAN EU PRESIDENCY - CYPRUS - EUROThe German EU Presidency reaffirmed that the decision regarding the Republic of Cyprus accession to the Eurozone will be based on the same criteria that had been applied to all countries.A written statement by the German Presidency said ``the Presidency advocates that the decision whether the Euro can be introduced in Cyprus will be based exclusively on the criteria laid down in the EC Treaty, as it was the case with all previous demands of countries requesting to join the Eurozone. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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