Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS TALKS

[02] BRITAIN - MILITARY EXERCISES

[03] CHRISTOFIAS - NIKIFOROS

[04] PRESIDENT - ECONOMY

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS TALKS

In statements at Larnaca airport before leaving for Brussels, where he will attend the European Council to be held October 15-16, and responding to a question on direct negotiations on the Cyprus question, Christofias said that there can be no assessments about the possible results of this effort after only a few meetings between him and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

A lot of meetings will take place because there are a lot of pending aspects of the Cyprus questions, which are difficult ones, due to Turkeys stance, he added.

Christofias said that he will defend the fundamental principles on which the settlement of the Cyprus question will be based, the rights of the people, to have a really united Cyprus, a federal Cyprus as provided by the High Level Agreements, with political equality, as has been defined by the UN.

The Cypriot President said that a lot of discussions will have to take place so that all these are implemented and it is through these potential disagreements and different views that he hopes that they will reach a settlement that will serve the well-perceived interests of the Cyprus people and not of the foreigners.

[02] BRITAIN - MILITARY EXERCISES

President Demetris Christofias announced on Monday his decision to cancel Nikiforos, the National Guard annual military exercise while the Turkish Cypriot side announced late Monday its decision to cancel the military exercise Toros.

Minister for Europe, Caroline Flint, in a statement, commented on the decision by the leaders in Cyprus to cancel military exercises and parades. "I applaud the decision of the two leaders in Cyprus to cancel the military exercises and parades that were due to take place later this month, and in November, she said.

Flint said this is a very positive development which shows what can be achieved through trust and co-operation. I encourage the leaders to continue to conduct negotiations in the same constructive manner`.

[03] CHRISTOFIAS - NIKIFOROS

In statements at Larnaca Airport before departing for Brussels to take part in the European Council, President Christofias was invited to comment on the reaction to the cancellation of the annual military maneuver code named Nikiforos, noting it is one of the prerogatives of the Republic of Cyprus to decide whether it will hold or not the exercise.

It is among the prerogatives of the Republic of Cyprus to hold or not the maneuver, the President said, adding it increases our diplomatic capabilities.

If our aim is to have a good and well equipped army and boast that we are armed, to have two states and be able to defend our selves at the so called borders of the two states, then that is one issue. If the aim is that Cyprus, an EU member, should in its entirety be reunited and foreign troops leave, and a solution must be found with the Turkish Cypriots so that they (Greek Cypriots) can return to their homes and properties in a fair and viable solution, then that is another issue.

For this reason, President Christofias said, we should arm ourselves in the field where we are most powerful, meaning the diplomatic field. Christofias said that if a solution will be peaceful through negotiations, then the measures we are taking, I believe, arm us better in this field.

[04] PRESIDENT - ECONOMY

In statements at Larnaca airport before his departure for Brussels to participate in the European Council, President Christofias expressed the wish this crisis would not hit our country.

We feel, at the moment at least, intact he noted and expressed the belief that the global financial crisis would leave Cyprus completely intact.

Of course, he added, there is also the real economy which is an issue EU must address, because, he continued, economy does not mean sell and buy money, it also means industrial production, services as well as many other things.

He stressed that we will examine the possible indirect effects on our real economy as regards tourism, constructions and various other issues.

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