Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN CYPRUS TALKS

[02] FM TURKEY EU

[03] ELDERS CYPRUS ISSUE

[04] MARITIME CYPRUS CONFERENCE

[01] SPOKESMAN CYPRUS TALKS

Asked to comment on Greek Cypriot press reports, suggesting that the UN wish to submit proposals and ideas in the process, Stephanou said that there is no official proposal for UN ideas.

What we know and follow, is what was agreed between the two communities in 1977, 1979, and it has been reaffirmed between the two leaders in the preliminary period, prior the beginning of the negotiations, namely that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be based on the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with political equality, as defined by the UN relevant resolutions, and will provide for one state with single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality he said.

On that basis, the two communities in Cyprus, we try through the direct negotiations, to define the content of the solution, based on the principles of the International and European Law, and the UN resolutions, which should guide everybody, the UN included, he said.

Stephanou also stated that the second phase of the negotiations has just begun, and all should show patience, as regards the results of that phase.

The second round begun yesterday, and according to what Mr. Downer has said, the two sides made some proposals in an effort to bridge some gaps. So, now we are in a crucial stage of the negotiations and nobody, home and abroad, should draw the conclusion that we are heading into a new deadlock and as a result someone should push the process forward, he said.

Government Spokesman noted that the UN and the international community have admitted that the process followed in 2004 with the arbitration that brought the Anan Plan, failed, and that it was an ineffective process. He also stressed that the position of the UN and the international community on the ongoing direct negotiations is that this process is a Cypriot owned process. This means that the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides will decide on how they proceed in the talks in order to find a mutually accepted solution in the Cyprus problem, Stephanou said.

He also pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side is very careful on what has been proposed, because of the bad experiences in 2004.

Replying to a question on the issue of Limnitis, Spokesman said that by saying that they would leave it behind, President Christofias meant that this issue should not causes any problems to the negotiations.

Of course we are interested in that issue as we are interested in all the confidence building measures in the way that those measures really build confidence and not deconstruct, he concluded.

President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat began direct talks on September 3rd 2008 with an aim to reach a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country under a federal roof.

During the 40 meetings of the first round of talks, the leaders have discussed six chapters: governance and power sharing, EU matters, security and guarantees, territory, property and economic matters, writing down the agreed and disagreed issues.

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

[02] FM TURKEY EU

Replying to questions, Kyprianou said that the Foreign Ministry has begun a campaign to inform Cyprus EU partners on its positions regarding Turkeys EU accession course ahead of its assessment coming December.

``Our position is clear, there must be consequences for Turkey if it does not comply with its EU obligations, he underlined.

He said that the Foreign Ministry is examining all possible scenarios regarding Turkeys moves ahead of its assessment by the EU and said that the government of Cyprus will finalise its position depending on the developments.

[03] ELDERS CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking at a press conference at Ledra Palace, the two said President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are optimistic and determined to move forward for a solution.

In her remarks, Brundtland told the press that they are encouraged by what they have heard by the discussions with both leaders, by the very clear sense that they had a successful second phase starting meeting yesterday. That feeling we got very clearly from both leaders, that they are both optimistic and are determined to move forward and to get the necessary common solutions that are necessary for a settlement.

[04] MARITIME CYPRUS CONFERENCE

Constantinides was speaking at a press conference held Friday on the occasion of the Maritime Cyprus 2009 Conference, which will take place September 27-30, 2009, at the Evagoras Lanitis Centre in Limassol.

During the press conference Constantinides, as well as representatives of the Department of Merchant Shipping and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, presented this years conference. In his speech, the Chairman made an extensive analysis on Cyprus shipping, noting that Cyprus is one of the leading shipping centers in the world.

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