Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL - TURKEY - EU

[02] ECHR - TURKEY - GREEK CYPRIOT MISSING PERSONS

[03] CYPRUS - ITALY - COOPERATION PROTOCOL

[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL - TURKEY - EU

The National Council concluded on Friday a four-day meeting, during which it discussed developments on the Cyprus issue and the stance of Cyprus during the assessment of Turkeys EU course in December by the European Council.

In a press release issued after the meeting, read out by Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, the Council reaffirmed its insistence in finding a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN resolutions on Cyprus and the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979 for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as provided by UN Security Council resolutions. The settlement must achieve the unity of the territory, the people, the institutions and the economy.

It also said that the settlement must abide by international law, the European principles and values, the acquis communautaire, as well as the international conventions for human rights.

The National Council noted that the united Republic of Cyprus must have a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship, and must constitute an evolution of the Republic of Cyprus. The settlement must provide for the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops and settlers, and the ultimate goal must be Cyprus demilitarization with the withdrawal of the British Bases.

According to the press release, a census must take place before the settlement of the Cyprus problem, by a reliable international organisation. The National Council supports the position and the efforts which President of the Republic Demetris Christofias is making in the negotiating process, for the urgent need for a census, and for recording the ownership and the use of land. It also supports efforts by the President of Cyprus to pursue a moratorium on the illegal use of properties that belong to refugees and the attribution of the so-called citizenship of the puppet regime in the areas under Turkish occupation.

The National Council stressed that there must be restoration of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that there can be no guarantors or guarantees for the united Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state.

The restoration of the fundamental freedoms and the human rights of all Cypriots, including the right of refugees to return to their homes and properties, is also a necessary precondition for a settlement. The illegal constructions on Greek Cypriot properties belonging to refugees undermines the implementation of this principle and creates a new fait accompli, which aims at securing political gains in the framework of the discussion for a comprehensive settlement, the National Council noted, stressing the need for the restoration and respect of the four freedoms and for ruling out any permanent derogations from the acquis communautaire.

The National Council said that the settlement of the Cyprus problem must be achieved through an agreement between the leaders of the two sides and not be imposed from outside. Only such an agreement can be referred to a referendum. There can be no form of arbitration or imposition of deadlines, it added.

Furthermore, the National Council rejects any form of settlement that will legalize the status quo or will constitute a two-state settlement.

The Council decided to set up an advisory subcommittee with the participation of the political parties with a view to work on positions and proposals that will help the President of Cyprus at the negotiating process.

With regard to EU-Turkish relations, the Council discussed the strategy that the Republic of Cyprus will follow in view of the evaluation of Turkeys EU course in December. According to the press release, the aim is to use the milestone of December with a view to promote the settlement of the Cyprus question.

Turkey has undertaken obligations towards the EU and its member states, which concern inter alia the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus question, and with which it must comply, otherwise Turkey will not be able to continue unhindered, without sanctions in its accession course, the Council said.

It noted that on the basis of the positions of Cyprus with regard to the EU-Turkish issues, Cypriot political parties and the Parliament will undertake certain roles, with a view to use the December milestone, Europe and other countries which can play their own role.

Turkey, a country aspiring to become an EU member, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and keeps its ports and airports closed to Cypriot vessels and aircraft.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to reach a settlement of the question of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] ECHR - TURKEY - GREEK CYPRIOT MISSING PERSONS

In its judgment, the Court said Turkey is guilty of the continuing violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights on account of Turkeys failure to effectively investigate the fate of the nine men who disappeared in 1974.

The Court announced that there was a violation of Article 3, noting that the treatment to which the relatives of the missing persons were subjected could only be categorised as inhuman treatment.

[03] CYPRUS - ITALY - COOPERATION PROTOCOL

The protocol was signed by Cypriot Minister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis and the Italian Deputy Minister responsible for civil protection.

On Monday, Sylikiotis and his Italian counterpart Roberto Maroni will put before the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council the issue of the implementation of the conclusions of the June European Council, which inter alia concern the readmission agreements with Turkey and Libya, the redistribution of burdens and the establishment of a European bureau on asylum issues.

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