Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[02] UNFICYP - REPORT

[03] COMMERCE MINISTER - DOHA

[04] BIDEN - CYPRUS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS PROBLEM

He added that his aim was a solution that will terminate the occupation and settling, reunify the territory, the people, the institutions and the economy, and will restore and safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people as a whole.

In a speech at the unveiling of a bust in honour of Tasos Markos who has been missing since the Turkish invasion, President Christofias said the Greek Cypriot side would continue making constructive proposals at the negotiating table, which would lead to reunification, and expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey would show the same political will.

President Christofias pointed out that a solution must provide for a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in UN resolutions, securing the unity of the state, with a single sovereignty, a single international identity and a single citizenship.

He said this was the basis agreed on with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in September 2008, adding that they also agreed that the solution would be the product of an agreement between the two communities in Cyprus, and would be placed before the people at separate simultaneous referenda.

President Christofias said with Dervis Eroglu as the new Turkish Cypriot leader, the Greek Cypriot side made clear that the negotiations must continue on the same basis.

[02] UNFICYP - REPORT

According to Security Council sources, the UN Secretary General considers the role of UNFICYP as vital and unique, and requests the renewal of its mandate for a further six months, until 15 December 2010.

References and suggestions concerning UNFICYP`s contingency planning are along the same lines as the previous report, as are references to the ``feeling of isolation`` among Turkish Cypriots, the violation of the status quo in Strovilia and Dherynia, and the issue of the fenced-off area of Famagusta.

There are also detailed references to various incidents that occurred along the ceasefire line concerning both sides. The report contains no reference to European court rulings on property issues.

Deliberations on the resolution, which should be adopted by June 15, are expected to begin after the British draft resolution is handed to the five permanent members, possibly on Tuesday.

[03] COMMERCE MINISTER - DOHA

The Forum will be under the auspices of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Qatar.

On the agenda of the Forum are issues of mutual interest, such as human rights and strategies to strengthen efforts to maintain world peace, stability and security.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Paschalides will be meeting counterparts and other officials. He will be returning to Cyprus on Tuesday.

[04] BIDEN - CYPRUS

Addressing delegates to the congress of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), during a meeting at the White House, Biden said Turkey must realise that it is not in its interests to maintain troops in Cyprus and expressed certainty that reason and realism will prevail in the end.

Biden assured that the US administration raises the Cyprus problem with Turkish officials, and has made clear that negotiations must continue between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus for a settlement.

He added that Turkish aspirations will not materialise if Cyprus continues to be divided and the religious rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are not restored.

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