Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TALAT - DIRECT TALKS

[02] FM - UNSG - MEETING

[03] MARONITE ARCHBISHOP - POPE`S VISIT - INTERVIEW

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TALAT - DIRECT TALKS

The meeting, which will take place at the official residence of the UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Tayie Brook Zerihoun, is expected to be the last before the April ``elections`` in the northern Turkish occupied areas of the Republic.

During their last meeting on March 16, the leaders of the two communities focused on issues concerning the EU.

Replying to questions on Monday, the President said that at todays meeting with Talat, he will discuss the possibility of issuing a joint statement at the conclusion of this round of talks.

President Christofias also said that the issue will be discussed at the National Council, comprising parliamentary parties, before any decision is taken on the matter.

There is no commitment on our side on this, he pointed out.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The leaders of the two communities have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, to reunite the island.

[02] FM - UNSG - MEETING

During their meeting, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Nations on Cyprus contribution to the UN Stand-by Arrangement system. In statements after the signing ceremony, the Cypriot Minister said that Cyprus contribution to the UN Stand-by Arrangement system is small but it is a token of appreciation to all UN peace efforts for Cyprus.

Le Roy thanked Cyprus for its participation in the UN Stand-by Arrangement system and noted that this proves the excellent cooperation between the UN and the Republic of Cyprus. The Foreign Minister also met Monday with Archbishop Dimitrios of America, to whom he conveyed the warmest regards of President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias.

[03] MARONITE ARCHBISHOP - POPE`S VISIT - INTERVIEW

``It is a wonderful time. The Pope, the successor of St. Peter is an international personality and of course, he is the guarantee of love and peace amongst the churches``, he said. ``He comes to Cyprus as the Pastor of a Church but also as a head of a state because the Vatican is a state, it has all the nature of a state. So he visits Cyprus, bringing messages of peace, reconciliation, justice, reuniting even the life of the Catholic community here in Cyprus, making this wonderful testimony of humanism with the Orthodox Church, living actually the meaning of brotherhood and of friendship with the Orthodox church, giving messages to all cultures, religions having a very intensive and deep discussion with the President of the Republic, the government``, he added.

Archbishop Sweif stressed that the Pope`s visit to the island has different aspects and dimensions. The whole world, he said, will follow up the visit of the Pope to Cyprus and the various celebrations for his welcome, his meeting with the President of the Republic, the Archbishop of Cyprus, the Maronite Community, the Armenian community, all the churches here in Cyprus.

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