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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-28Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS PROBLEMThe situation in the Cyprus problem is difficult, President Demetris Christofias has said, stressing the need for unity on the domestic front.Speaking at an event organized by the Community Council of Eptagonia village, he said the situation is ``difficult``, adding that ``unity is being sought and is also wanted. The President referred to a meeting on Friday with the Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, saying that the Belgian FM expressed satisfaction with the proposals he (the President) had put forward at the negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus for a political settlement. The proposals can accelerate the current direct negotiating process and can provide solutions to many issues. I hope these proposals will be a good basis for discussion at the National Council (comprising parliamentary parties) and for building the unity necessary to promote a solution, he said. In his speech, the President Christofias referred also to government efforts to cope with the economic crisis. We are trying to curtail unemployment. Unemployed people pay the highest price in this crisis, he said, noting that his administration gives emphasis on providing assistant to the pensioners and to those who need help. President Christofias has recently put forward a three-tier proposal in a bid to help make headway at the talks he is currently engaged with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Dervis Eroglu. The first proposal provides for linking discussions on property to territory and immigration, citizenship, aliens and asylum. Property and territory are considered to be two of the most hotly contested issues at the talks President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are engaged in. The second proposal calls for the implementation of Security Council resolution 550 which provides for the return of the fenced off area of Varosha, now under Turkish occupation, to the UN. The objective of the proposal is to restore the town and return it to its legitimate inhabitants. The proposal envisages also the opening of the citys port for trade for Turkish Cypriots, under EU supervision, as well as the restoration of the walled city of Famagusta (old part of the city). The third one proposes the convening of an international conference on Cyprus, once the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side are within reach of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem. The conference is to be called by the UN, and apart from the Republic of Cyprus and the islands two communities, the EU, the five permanent members of the Security Council and Cyprus three guarantor powers will attend (Greece, Turkey and Britain are the guarantor powers according to the 1960 Constitution). Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks are currently underway between President Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country under a federal roof. Talks will resume on Tuesday after a short break for the summer. [02] CYPRIOTS ABROAD - JEWISH LOBBYCypriot overseas organisations have underlined the importance they attribute to developing their cooperation with Jewish lobbies abroad, as part of efforts to promote a political settlement in Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.At the same time they reiterated their support to Cyprus President Demetris Christofias recent proposals on the Cyprus problem and his efforts to reach a settlement providing for one state, with a single citizenship, a single citizenship and international personality, in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as provided by UN resolutions. They also stressed the need for unity on the domestic front and assured that they will continue working for a Cyprus settlement, in unity and unanimity. Speaking during a press conference about the results of the Conference of the Executive Councils of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the 5th Annual Conference of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), PSEKA President Philip Christopher said that there are crucial moments ahead of which we must make the most of. [03] INTERIOR MINISTER - CHINAOfficial celebrations to mark Cyprus National Day, celebrated on October 1, have taken place in Shanghai, in the framework of the International Exhibition EXPO 2010. All events were dedicated to the 50th anniversary since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. The government of the Republic is organising a series of events in many capitals to mark 50 years of existence as an independent state, member of the UN and the EU. Cyprus joined the Union in May 2004.Cyprus Interior Minister Neocles Sylikiotis, head of the Cyprus delegation to EXPO 2010, speaking during the ceremony stressed that the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus constitutes a historic achievement of the people of Cyprus. He also referred to afflictions that have befallen on the people of Cyprus in these 50 years. Speaking about the 1974 Turkish invasion and continuing occupation, Sylikiotis stressed the need to find a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest possible. The solution, he pointed out, must be based on the principles of international law, UN resolutions, EU principles and values, and should be within the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. It must also safeguard and secure the single sovereignty, the single citizenship and the single international personality of the state - with political equality, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions. [04] LIMASSOL - WINE FESTIVALThe 49th Wine Festival, an annual fiesta hosted by Limassol Municipality to celebrate wine and wine-making in Cyprus, has opened in Limassol, on the southern coast, much to the delight of locals and foreign residents but also of visitors to the island. Wine is, according to archaeological finds, Cyprus oldest known drink. It was produced on the island more than 5,500 years ago.In his address at the opening ceremony, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalides said that the Ministry attributes particular importance to the promotion of Cypriot wine at markets abroad through various events and functions. He also said that improving wine products, coordinating efforts to organize Cyprus Wine Routes and upgrading the Wine Festival are expected to contribute to enriching Limassols tourist product. Paschalides noted the contribution of the Cyprus Tourism Organization in efforts to support and promote the festival, an annual event which he described as an institution known to many abroad. The government, he added, will continue to support efforts by Limassol Municipality to improve its infrastructure, such as the construction of a modern marina, the revival of the citys historical centre and the overhaul of the old port and the sea front. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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