Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] LEADERS - CYPRUS TALKS

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT - GREECE

[03] VENIZELOS - TURKEY - EU

[04] CYPRUS - CO2NNECT - PRIZE

[01] LEADERS - CYPRUS TALKS

Speaking after the meeting, Yasser Sabra, Coordinator of the UN Good Offices Mission, said that the leaders met tete-a-tete for an-hour-and-a-half. They were accompanied by their representatives, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami. When they came out they said that they had discussed economic matters, and they also requested their representatives to continue discussion on this issue, he added.

Asked if there was any progress in the meeting, Sabra said the atmosphere of the discussion was good.

To questions about the meetings of the two leaders in each others home, he said this was a question for the leaders to answer. They are discussing these issues themselves and I leave it to the leaders, he stated.

Sabra also said that the leaders will meet again on December 14 and 21. The representatives will be meeting tomorrow to discuss economic issues, he added.

Replying to a question on the agenda of the next meeting between the leaders, Sabra said that it will be decided on Thursday during the meeting of the representatives.

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT - GREECE

Speaking after a 40-minute meeting in Athens with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, Garoyian said they had the opportunity to exchange views and thoughts regarding various issues, with emphasis on the Cyprus problem and Turkey`s evaluation by the EU.

Garoyian expressed gratitude for the support of Greece to the struggle of the people of Cyprus, as long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved and Turkey continues to disregard international law and EU principles and values.

``We will continue to work hard to reach a solution the soonest possible,`` Garoyian said, noting that ``there is much work to be done yet by all of us, so that Turkey is obliged in the end to abandon its stance.``

Later on, Garoyian met former President of the Hellenic Parliament Demetrios Shioufas, who assured that Greece`s support to Cyprus remained steadfast and unwavering.

[03] VENIZELOS - TURKEY - EU

Addressing a meeting in Nicosia with the House of Representatives` Committees on Defence and External Affairs, Venizelos assured that Greece would continue to support the Republic of Cyprus and that the new government of PASOK would strive to meet its obligations for defence and foreign policy with a strategic national framework.

``The change of government in no case means a change in the national strategy,`` he said, adding that ``neither geographical nor historical facts change.``

Venizelos said his contacts in Cyprus have been very important, adding that during his meeting with Minister of Defence Costas Papacostas and National Guard officers they discussed their cooperation and defence policies in detail, as well as the structure of the armed forces and the upgrading of contingency plans.

He also referred to his meetings with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and political party leaders, and pointed out that his talks so far in Nicosia have been exceptionally fruitful. Venizelos said President Christofias briefed him in detail on the course of talks to solve the Cyprus problem, as well as on the positions of the Greek Cypriot side and prospects to reach an agreement.

[04] CYPRUS - CO2NNECT - PRIZE

According to a Ministry of Education and Culture press release, the Saint John Lyceum in Limassol won the prize for a project titled ``Stop the madness, save the planet``.

The team comprised students Kalia Theodorou, Michalis Papapanayiotou and Constantinos Savvas, under the guidance of Physics teacher and Assistant Headmistress Maria Loizou Theodosiou.

The campaign was organised by the partners and members of the EU programme Comenius Lifelong Learning ``SUPPORT: partnership and participation for a sustainable tomorrow``.

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