Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - UN - TURKEY - REPRESENTATIONS

[02] US CYPRUS ISSUE

[01] CYPRUS - UN - TURKEY - REPRESENTATIONS

In a letter, which is dated 5 June 2009 and was circulated on Tuesday as a document of the General Assembly and of the Security Council, Hadjimichael strongly protested the violations by Turkey and called for their immediate cessation.

He said Turkeys policy of non-observance of rules and regulations governing international aviation continues to gravely jeopardize flight safety and perpetuate insecurity and apprehension on the island.

Furthermore, he added, Turkeys persistent provocations, aimed at consolidating the de facto division of Cyprus and further strengthening the illegal secessionist entity in the occupied areas, seriously undermine all efforts towards reunification and reconciliation``.

Such policies and actions, he noted in the letter, ``provide ample demonstration of the irresponsible behaviour of a country that now serves as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations.

Hadjimichael said it was ``encouraging to see that in the recent report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operations in Cyprus (S/2009/248), there was a reference to some of the aforementioned violations by Turkey``.

``The Government of Turkey should heed the call of the international community, abide by the Charter of the United Nations and respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, thus contributing to the creation of the required conditions for the achievement of a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem``, the Cypriot diplomat noted.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island`s northern third.

[02] US CYPRUS ISSUE

Gordon said the resolution of the Cyprus problem would have a tremendous impact on the region by strengthening peace, justice and prosperity on the island, advancing Turkeys EU accession, improving NATO-EU cooperation and removing a source of friction between two NATO Allies, Greece and Turkey. As President Obama said, we are willing to offer all the help sought by the parties as they work toward a just and lasting settlement that reunifies Cyprus into a bizonal and bicommunal federation, he added

With regard to Turkey, Gordon said the US supports Turkeys aspirations for eventual membership in the EU as Turkey advances reforms that will make it an even stronger partner.

``We encourage the EU to reach out to Turkey to demonstrate real prospects for membership. Doing so will serve as a catalyst for additional internal reforms. We are also encouraging Turkey to make additional needed reforms required to meet membership criteria, reforms that will strengthen Turkeys democracy and economy,`` he added.

``We encourage Turkey to take steps that will bolster its relations with its neighbors by re-opening the Halki Seminary and normalizing relations with Armenia, including a candid exploration of the two countries sometimes tragic history,`` Gordon said.

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