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Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-09Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT - PARVANOV - TURKEYCyprus President Demetris Christofias stressed that if Turkey does not change its stance on Cyprus by December ``measures will be taken.``Replying to questions during a joint press conference after talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Parvanov, who is paying a two-day official visit to Cyprus, Christofias said that the European Commission`s progress report to be released on October 14 will record ``the truth`` regarding Turkeys compliance with its obligations both towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus. From there on whether the Commission suggests sanctions or not that is for the European Summit to decide in December,`` Christofias said, adding that Cyprus will ask from its EU partners to exert their influence on Turkey so it would become more reasonable and to assist the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem and to implement its obligations towards the EU and Cyprus. ``Our aim is not to punish Turkey but to oblige Ankara to correct its stance so that a solution to the Cyprus problem could be facilitated,`` he said, adding if Turkey does not meet its commitments, then everyone should sit down and think and must not let Turkey pass unscathed. On his part, Parvanov said that the assessment of every candidate state is being made according to the prescribed terms, which must be respected. ``That is what happened when Bulgaria was a candidate state and there is no reason why a different stance should be followed for other candidate states,`` he stressed. The Bulgarian President also added that his country is interested in Turkish membership to the EU, something which would expand the EU`s borders. ``Of course Turkey`s EU accession means that it should comply with all terms and conditions set out by the Community,`` he underlined. Turkey, which seeks EU membership, occupies since 1974 Cyprus northern part, refuses to comply with numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its troops from Cyprus. Ankara does not recognise the government of Cyprus and has so far refused to meet its EU obligations towards the Union and Cyprus, by normalizing relations with Nicosia and opening its ports and airports to Cypriot flagged vessels and aircraft. During the talks, Cyprus and Bulgaria signed a joint declaration on the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as a programme of cooperation in the fields of science, education and culture. [02] CYPRUS - TURKEY - SOLUTIONCyprus President criticised Turkey on Friday that instead of assisting the efforts to bring about a solution to the Cyprus problem, it threatens that it would seek ways of legitimizing the status-quo in Cyprus, created after the 1974 Turkish invasion, which resulted in the occupation of Cyprus northern third.Addressing the official diner, hosted in honour of Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov who is paying a two-day official visit to Cyprus, Christofias reiterated that the government continues to work for a permanent, viable and workable solution which would reunify the state in the framework of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality (of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) as interpreted by the UN Security Council resolutions. The solution must comply with the principles and values of the European Union and must be based upon the UN resolutions on Cyprus, the 1977 and 1979 High level agreements and the principles of the international law. ``We are ready for a solution. A solution which would reunify our country and would serve the interests of the people of Cyprus and not of foreigners,`` the President noted. He underlined the serious role and the responsibilities of Turkey, which instead of assisting the solution of the Cyprus problem, it constantly threatens the Republic of Cyprus with the legitimazation of the status-quo`` of the island. [03] SPOKESMAN - MAURERCyprus welcomed on Friday the appointment of EU technocrat, Leopold Maurer, as the Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso`s personal representative to the UN Good Offices Mission to Cyprus.``We would like to welcome this fact,`` Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said replying to questions. ``To our understanding, (the appointment) constitutes the expression of the upgraded interest and activation of the European Commitment and, more generally, of the EU in the Cyprus problem and the efforts for its solution,`` the Spokesman added. He also recalled that the Greek Cypriot side sought the activation of the EU and particularly the European Commission in the UN-led talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem. ``This is why we welcome this fact,`` Stephanou concluded. Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974. [04] GOVERNMENT - NIKIFOROSCyprus is ready to cancel the annual military exercise ``Nikiphoros`` if Turkey follows suit with the cancellation of military exercise ``Toros``, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Friday.Replying to questions during a press briefing, Stephanou recalled that during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias conveyed the Republic of Cyprus` readiness not to hold its annual exercise ``Nikiforos`` if Turkey decides not to organize ``Toros`` military exercise. ``This is the position of the Republic of Cyprus. This is Cyprus` proposal, as last year and we wait the response and the reply of Turkey`,`` he concluded. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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