Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-02-08

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN CYPRUS - GOOD FAITH EFFORTS SUPPORT

[02] MEPs TURKEYS EU COURSE CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] CABINET MOU CYPRUS ARAB LEAGUE

[04] CHILDRENS RIGHTS FIRST COMMISSIONER PRIORITIES

[01] UN CYPRUS - GOOD FAITH EFFORTS SUPPORT

Montas echoed remarks by the UN Chief`s Special Representative for Cyprus, Michael Moller, in Nicosia.

Addressing the UNFICYP medal parade here, Moller wondered what more can UNFICYP do after 44 years on the island and added ``The answer to that question lies, as does the key to a settlement, not with us, but with Cypriots themselves.``

``Moller, said that, rather than launching a new initiative on its own, the UN will support good faith efforts on the part of both sides to restart talks and work for a solution,`` Montas said at a press briefing in New York.

She also said that ``Moller added that this year may indeed prove crucial for a solution, and that the time has come for serious negotiations.``

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UNFICYP has been on the island since March 1964

[02] MEPs TURKEYS EU COURSE CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking at a press conference following the end of a two-day meeting of the Bureau of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament in Nicosia, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament Joseph Daul referred to the importance of helping all EU neighbours in the Mediterranean achieve growth, adding that the EU`s aim was not to impose itself on them but to facilitate the harmonious functioning of the region. He added that Europe should have political positions.

Chair of the High Level Contact Group in the European Parliament for relations with the Turkish Cypriot community Francoise Grossetete said the Cyprus problem was a European question and referred to the action of the Contact Group, which will be visiting Cyprus again in May. Grossetete said it was difficult to link Turkey`s EU accession course to the Cyprus problem, adding that if a settlement is not found soon, the Greek Cypriots may be in danger of becoming a minority, due to the continuing inflow of Turkish settlers to the areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation.

[03] CABINET MOU CYPRUS ARAB LEAGUE

The MOU aims at the development of a political dialogue and cooperation in various fields.

An official press release, issued here Friday, says that the Memorandum of Understanding ``aims at the development of a structured political dialogue and joint cooperation in various political, economic and cultural aspects of mutual concern, in the framework of the UN Charter and the Charter of the Arab League, respect of international law and UN Security Council resolutions with a view to enhance regional and international security and stability.

[04] CHILDRENS RIGHTS FIRST COMMISSIONER PRIORITIES

Speaking at a press conference, Koursoumba said she aims to promote childrens views to those places where their voices cannot be heard, to inform public opinion and to enlighten society about childrens rights and ensure their implementation in practice in various aspects of society - the family, school.

Koursoumba added she would follow developments in the legislative and executive power and intervene where possible in order to ensure the implementation of the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child. The Convention, she said, will be translated into Greek, English and Turkish in a simple language. Answering questions, she said that complaints began pouring in at her Office and that a research will follow to establish the exact scale of the problems faced by children.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article