Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-08-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

[02] OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] PRESIDENT EDWARD KENNEDY - CONDOLENCE

[04] LIMASSOL WINE FESTIVAL OPENING

[01] OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

In their resolution to President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), welcome the sincere effort made by President Christofias for the solution of the Cyprus problem and express their support to Cyprus ``during this new difficult effort which aims to reach a just and viable solution of our national problem.

They urge the Cypriot government and the National Council the top advisory body of the President for the Cyprus problem to continue working with unity so that an agreed Cypriot, just, viable and functional solution can be achieved at the negotiations, in the UN framework, without suffocating deadlines or arbitrations.

They also urge the international community to exert pressure on Turkey to proceed with a constructive spirit at the second phase of the Cyprus negotiations that will begin September 3rd, a year after the commencement of the first phase.

In their resolution, they state that the solution of the Cyprus problem should include the termination of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights, the full implementation of European principles, EU and international law, the UNSC resolutions on Cyprus and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979.

The solution, they add, must safeguard the unity, sovereignty, and independence of Cyprus, without foreign troops, or intervention rights, demilitarized, with one and single international personality, sovereignty and citizenship.

Overseas Cypriots urge Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to abandon their intransigent stance so that obstacles can be overcome and they consider as unacceptable that Turkey, a country aspiring to join the EU, occupies part of Cyprus, a country member of the EU.

In their resolution, they state that the so called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is a result of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and condemn applications of Greek Cypriot refugees to the so called compensation committee in the Turkish occupied areas.

They also reaffirm their commitment to enhance their actions until the final vindication of Cyprus.

Cypriots of the diaspora have also adopted resolutions for Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon, heads of state of the UNSC five permanent member states, heads of state and government of Australia, Canada, Turkey, as well as President of the European Commission, current President of the rotating EU Presidency, Swedish Prime Minister, as well as a message for the Turkish Cypriots.

In their resolution sent to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, they call upon the government of the UK and the international community to impress upon the Turkish side the need to constructively participate in the coming second phase of the intercommunal talks in order to reach a successful conclusion, by adhering to the UN resolutions and the agreed basis of creating a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal state with political equality among the two sides as defined in the UN resolutions, and that this state will have a single sovereignty, a single citizenship, a single international personality, as well as to impress upon Turkey to fulfill its obligations emanating from the UN Charter, the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (541/1983 and 550/1984) and EU law, especially in view of Turkeys status as an EU candidate country.

They also call upon the government of the UK to work for the immediate and unconditional implementation by Turkey of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights which found Turkey responsible for the continuous violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Greek Cypriots, such as the decisions of the Fourth Interstate Case of Cyprus vs Turkey, the case of Loizidou vs Turkey and other relevant cases, similarly respect to be extended to the decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Communities such as the decisions in the case of Apostolides vs Orams which reaffirms the right of ownership of the legal owners.

Meanwhile, in a message to their Turkish Cypriot compatriots, the overseas Cypriots call upon Turkish Cypriots, including overseas Turkish Cypriots, to join hands with them to free Cyprus from the Turkish occupation and to reunify the country.

We urge you, at the second round of the Cyprus negotiations that will begin September 3rd, to achieve progress and overcome differences so that we can achieve a viable and functional solution, the message notes.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Peace talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country.

[02] OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of the 16th Annual Conference of the Central Council of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the Conference of the Executive Council of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), that took place in Nicosia from 24 to 28 August, Presidents of POMAK, PSEKA and NEPOMAK, expressed their satisfaction over the outcome of the Conference.

President of POMAK Haris Sophoklides said that the delegates of the Conference gained a lot from the briefings that the political leadership of Cyprus provided to them. We believe that our presence here in Cyprus is very important and that we will help our country abroad, he stressed. President of PSEKA Philip Christopher said that the Conference took place in a crucial period for the future of the Cyprus problem. He noted that the briefings on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue made by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou and Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou, were very important and useful.

[03] PRESIDENT EDWARD KENNEDY - CONDOLENCE

According to an official announcement, in his letter, President Christofias stressed that Senator Kennedy was a great defender of freedom and human rights. President Christofias also noted that Senator Kennedy was a firm supporter of the struggle of Cyprus for a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

Senator Kennedy was also a genuine friend of Cyprus and since the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus in 1974 he was, together with you, Mr Biden, one of the most firm supporters of our just struggle for the achievement of an overall solution of the Cyprus problem, based on rule of law and the respect of human rights, the Cypriot President stressed.

[04] LIMASSOL WINE FESTIVAL OPENING

The Wine Festival was officially opened Friday by Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Antonis Pashalides, who said that the government, through programmes it implements, supports Cypriot wine producers, according to EU policies.

He added that the Wine Festival contributes to the promotion of the Cypriot wine and the island`s tradition. The Wine Festival contributes to the promotion of the Cypriot wine, promotes the rich tradition of our country and offers the opportunity to meet our wine makers, he said.

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