Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TURKEY - EROGLU

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TURKEY - EROGLU

Speaking on the sidelines of events to mark Labour Day, President Christofias said Turkeys communication policy is very well known and it should cease its tricks.

The President was invited to comment on statements made by Turkeys Minister responsible for the Economy Ali Babacan, who was quoted as saying during the Economist conference in Athens that Turkey would like to see a solution to the Cyprus issue before the end of 2010.

He called on Eroglu, who last month replaced Mehmet Ali Talat as leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, to come forward (to the talks), surely on the basis of common sense and to honour all that was agreed by his predecessor as a foundation for the negotiations and the convergence that was achieved.

Only then we will be able to satisfy Turkey by the end of the year, he said, adding however, that the point is not to satisfy Turkey but the people and our conscience.

We want a solution yesterday, said President Christofias, quoting former President George Vassiliou.

The President pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution before the end of the year, but the point is how Turkey is leading the negotiators and what instructions is giving them.

He expressed hope that a solution must serve the people of Cyprus in its entirety, should be fair under the circumstances, viable and functional and this is why we will continue working day and night and we will maintain a creative stance during the resumption of the talks, he added.

Invited by journalists to comment on the positive and negative repercussions of Cyprus joining the EU, on the occasion of six years since its accession, President Christofias said accession has many, more positive consequences.

Christofias said that although accession to the EU also creates difficulties, at the same time it creates a possibility to arm the Republic of Cyprus, which is a full EU member.

The President said this does not mean there are no problems, citing the issue with the regulation for so called direct trade with the Turkish occupied north and other issues, which as he said, violate the Accession Treaty and Protocol 10.

However, the EU is something which provides prospect for our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, the President said, remarking that he is referring to the people and not those who wish to divide the island once and for all.

Referring to Labour Day and Cyprus EU accession anniversary, President Christofias pointed out that the government is struggling to remain consistent to its pre-election pledges and government programme policy.

President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began in September 2008 UN-led talks for a mutually agreed settlement to the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The process was interrupted on March 30 ahead of the so-called ``elections`` for a new leader that were won by Eroglu, known for his long-held divisive positions on the Cyprus problem.

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