Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS SARKOZY MEETING

[02] PRESIDENT SYRIA

[03] WHO OFFICIAL H1N1

[04] PAFOS LAKME OPERA

[01] CHRISTOFIAS SARKOZY MEETING

The Cypriot President departs Wednesday from Syria, where he held a state visit, to Paris, where he will meet with President Sarkozy.

Next week, President Christofias will be in Rome where he will meet with Premier Berlusconi.

Asked if Turkeys EU accession course would be high on the agenda during President Christofias meetings with Sarkozy and Berlusconi, Stephanou said of course it will be high on the agenda, just like the Cyprus question and any other issues related to it.

He noted that President Christofias has launched an international campaign since the first day he assumed office with a view to end the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and solve the Cyprus problem which is the main problem faced in our country.

Regarding the Presidents meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly later this month, Stephanou said that the President will have a series of contacts but did not elaborate further on the issue.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September last year with a view to reach a settlement that will reunite the country. The second round of the UN-led talks will begin on Thursday.

[02] PRESIDENT SYRIA

Christofias said that his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, has accepted an invitation to visit Cyprus next year. I firmly believe that the warm, friendly and traditional relations between Syria and Cyprus are renewed he added.

He noted that Cyprus, based on principles, expressed its support to the struggle of the Syrian people on the issue of the Golan Heights and the settlement of the Palestinian problem. He added that the Syrian side expressed full support to the position for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem, through talks, and to the termination of the unacceptable situation in Cyprus, the occupation and the division of the island.

He noted the great satisfaction expressed by Assad as regards Cyprus positive stance concerning the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on the Golan Heights, and said that Cyprus will hold the same position this year.

The Turkish Cypriot occupied regime had demanded that the Greek Cypriots show identity cards or passports at Limnitis crossing point. Michaelides said that the Pyrgos Community Council demanded that pilgrims pass through the crossing point without displaying any papers, as it had been agreed between Commissioner Iacovou, Turkish Cypriot leaders advisor Ozdil Nami and UNSGs Special Representative to Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun.

[03] WHO OFFICIAL H1N1

There is no need for that and it has in fact its dangers because we do not know how the vaccine will behave, what will be the side effects, so there is no need to go ahead and vaccinate all people said Tuesday Deputy Regional Director at the WHO Nata Menabde speaking at a press conference in Limassol.

Menabde, who is in Cyprus attending a seminar on climate change and its impact on health, told reporters that the WHO is very concerned, about the new pandemic, because it concerns a new virus and they do not know how it will behave or how it may change in the future.

The WHOs official said that Cyprus from the very first days of pandemic followed all the guidelines that were issued by WHO, as well as international recommendations.

In terms of being prepared Cyprus has done a lot, very successful activities already and the current way the surveillance system is functioning, is very good, very promising and there is a clear picture of what is happening in the island, she said.

[04] PAFOS LAKME OPERA

In a press conference Tuesday, the producers of the opera, promised to present a lyric spectacle with grand chorals, ballet, intense passion, sumptuous sets that carry the audience to the exotic place where the story takes place, rising to high intensity and complicated finales.

Speaking at the press conference, Chairman of Pafos Aphrodite Festival, Mayor of Pafos Savvas Vergas, stressed the importance of the Festival in the field of culture and also as an event that enriches and enhances Cyprus tourism product.

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