Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-11-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS GOVERNMENT - OBAMA

[02] EU TURKEY CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] RUSSIA - FRANCE - CYPRUS INDEPENDENCE

[04] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY - CYPRUS

[01] CYPRUS GOVERNMENT - OBAMA

In statements after a Council of Ministers meeting, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said that the government notes that Obama is the first African American President in US history, adding that ``his programme and his declarations promise a new era for the USA, which will bring more social justice in the country and a normalization of its relations with the rest of the world.``

With regard to the Cyprus problem, Stefanou said the government hopes that the Obama Administration will honour the declarations he has made during the presidential campaign.

``Obama has made specific declarations which we welcome. From there on, we hope that these declarations will be fulfilled,`` he added.

The statement issued to the Greek American Community stated that ``as president, Barack Obama will show U.S. leadership in seeking to negotiate a political settlement on Cyprus. He believes strongly that Cyprus should remain a single, sovereign country in which each of the two communities on the island is able to exercise substantial political authority within a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation.``

``There must be a just and mutually agreed settlement of difficult issues like property, refugees, land, and security. A negotiated political settlement on Cyprus would end the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and repair the islands tragic division while paving the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region``, Obama added.

``We ask nothing more than respect of the values of international law and UN resolutions on Cyprus. We will insist on this, bearing in mind the realities existing both in the USA itself and in the world,`` the Spokesman said.

If international law and UN resolutions on Cyprus are implemented ``we will have a solution to the Cyprus problem which will benefit our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,`` Stefanou concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[02] EU TURKEY CYPRUS ISSUE

Rehn told a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday that this implies a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Referring to Turkey`s progress towards EU accession, Rehn said ``the year 2008 was marked by strong political tension in domestic politics,`` adding that ``the constitutional court cases highlight the need for urgent revision of the rules governing political parties and also for a wider constitutional reform.`` ``I welcome the reform of article 301 on the freedom of expression and the adoption of the law on foundations, both of which need to be properly implemented,`` he said. Rehn called on Turkey ``to reenergise its reform efforts to advance fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,`` noting that ``the country has every chance to make 2009 an important year in its EU accession process, by accelerating the momentum of legal and democratic reforms.``

``Last but not least, we also expect that Turkey will contribute to a favourable climate to achieve a comprehensive settlement on the reunification of Cyprus. The year 2009 should be decisive here. The EU can accept any solution agreed by the two communities, as long as a united Cyprus respects the Union`s founding principles of liberty, democracy and the rule of law, and is able to speak with one voice and carry the obligations of EU membership,`` Rehn pointed out. He added that ``this implies a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.``

[03] RUSSIA - FRANCE - CYPRUS INDEPENDENCE

In his message to Christofias, Medvedev expressed confidence that there will be a further strengthening of these relations for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

Our countries are bound by firm ties of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, Medvedev noted, adding that he is convinced that our fruitful and constructive interaction will continue to be a secure basis for strengthening peace and security in the European continent and the Mediterranean region.

In his message to Christofias, Sarkozy expressed the wish that there will be a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus question that will reunite Cyprus.

I wish that there will be a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement, in the framework of the new negotiating process that you have undertaken with determination, under the UN aegis, that will allow the unification of the island, he noted.

Sarkozy reiterated the importance he attributes to the strengthening of ties between the Republic of Cyprus and France and to the deepening of their cooperation both at bilateral level and within the European family.

President Christofias has been engaged in talks with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[04] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY - CYPRUS

The delegation comprises members of the presidium of the European Socialist Party, as well as members and officials of the Socialist Group at the European Parliament.

During their stay in Cyprus, they will have talks with the leadership of EDEK about the Cyprus issue and the coming elections for the European Parliament. They will meet Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou. The delegation will also meet the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

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