Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-09-21

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - ERDOGAN - CYPRUS QUESTION

[02] SPOKESMAN - UNSG - MEETINGS WITH PAPADOPOULOS AND TALAT

[03] COMMISSIONER BARROT - CYPRUS - MARITIME CONFERENCE

[04] EUROSTAT - ASYLUM SEEKERS - CYPRUS

[01] SPOKESMAN - ERDOGAN - CYPRUS QUESTION

Speaking at a dinner hosted for the foreign ambassadors in Turkey, Ergodan said that his country ``will not make any concessions on Cyprus``, even if these concessions are required by Turkey`s EU course.

``This unacceptable and provocative attitude on behalf of Turkey is not helpful in creating the preconditions for achieving some progress on Cyprus,`` Palmas said commenting on the Turkish PM`s remarks.

As Palmas noted, ``Mr Erdogan and the other ruling institutions in Turkey continue their provocative and unacceptable statements. Turkey operates as a lawless state in the international community, which is not respecting international organizations, not even the EU which it aspires to join.``

Invited to comment on Turkish press reports that Turkey is changing its stance on Cyprus, aiming at the permanent division of the island, Palmas reiterated that the Turkish policy aims at creating conditions for a two-state solution.

He also recalled that Ankara accepted the Annan plan in 2004, which effectively satisfied Turkey`s views. ``Fortunately Cyprus President and the people resisted that unacceptable plan we had before us in 2004,`` Palmas added.

On April 24, 2004, the Greek Cypriots rejected by 76% the Annan plan, named after the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, while the Turkish Cypriots approved it by 64,9%.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] SPOKESMAN - UNSG - MEETINGS WITH PAPADOPOULOS AND TALAT

Papadopoulos is scheduled to meet with Ban on Sunday, while Talat will meet the UN SG on October 16.

``We must be patient until these meetings take place and of course the UN SG will determine whether the preconditions exist so that will be able to assume a more active role,`` Palmas said replying to questions, adding that right now there is a rather reserved approach by the UN SG on Cyprus, which ``at a certain point is rational.``

[03] COMMISSIONER BARROT - CYPRUS - MARITIME CONFERENCE

Commissioner Barrot will meet Sunday with the Minister of Communication and Works Maria Malahtou-Pampalli to discuss maritime matters of mutual interest.

Barrot will attend the Conference`s opening ceremony on Sunday evening and on Monday he is going to deliver the Keynote address about ``EU`s View on Shipping New Image.``

[04] EUROSTAT - ASYLUM SEEKERS - CYPRUS

According to a report released by Eurostat, in 2006 there were almost six applications (5.9) per thousand population in Cyprus, whereas this figure stood at 10.3 in 2005, 13.2 in 2004 and 6.2 in 2003.

This figure is the highest in the EU 27, which records an average of 0.4 applications per thousand inhabitants. Eurostat figures also show that Cyprus received by far the largest number of applications for asylum in the period 2003-2006 in relative terms

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