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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-05-04Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] HOUSE PRESIDENT - FAMAGUSTA MAYORHouse of Representatives President Marios Garoyian assured Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos that the House supports and will continue to support efforts for the return of the fenced-off town to its legitimate residents.Speaking after a meeting with Galanos, Garoyian said they exchanged views about developments in the Cyprus problem, especially matters concerning Famagusta. Furthermore, he assured that ``we will stand by them in the significant efforts they are making to further promote the issue and oblige Turkey to return Famagusta to its legitimate residents.`` Galanos presented Garoyian with copies of letters he had sent to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and letters to the leaders of the EU member states briefing them about his letter to Erdogan and calling on them to intervene towards Ankara, demanding the implementation of UN Security Council and European Parliament resolutions, adding that the new House of Representatives in Cyprus should undertake initiatives to promote the issue. He noted that the content of the letters was in line with the Government`s policy, the proposals submitted by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and the unanimous resolution of the House of Representatives. Galanos noted that the issue of Famagusta exposed the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus and the violation of human rights, and served as an example of Turkish attitude. He added that the two trumps the Republic of Cyprus could use to expose Turkey were the issue of Famagusta and the destruction of the cultural heritage in the occupied areas. ``Despite the fact that the policy of Turkey is well known, we must do what we must and not allow ourselves, due to Turkish intransigence, to revert into apathy,`` he noted. Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. [02] GREEK FM - TURKISH CYPRIOT POSITIONSGreek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas expressed his grave concern over the positions submitted by the Turkish Cypriot leadership, for having as their point of reference the era of hardliner and ex-Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman Gregoris Delavekouras said today.Delavekouras, while briefing journalists in Athens, referred to Droutsas separate meetings with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Conveying Droutsas position on the prospect of a five-party conference on the Cyprus issue, Delavekouras said that the position of the Turkish Cypriot side does not leave much room for optimism for the future. He added that Turkey bears great responsibility for the current lack of progress in the negotiation process to find a solution to the Cyprus issue and said that a conference would be necessary for solving the external aspects of the Cyprus problem, like the security aspect and the issue of guarantees. [03] SLOVAK FM - VISITSlovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikulas Dzurinda will hold an official visit to Cyprus on May 5-7 at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Marcos Kyprianou.During his stay in Cyprus Dzuridna will be received by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and by House of Representatives President Marios Garoyian. Tomorrow Kyprianou will host official dinner in honour of Dzurinda, while on Friday the two Foreign Ministers will hold official talks with the participation of delegations from the Ministries of the two countries. Dzurinda will also visit the Slovak contingent in the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus and will hold meetings with UN officials in Cyprus. [04] PAPHOS - DESALINATION PLANT - INAGURATIONPresident Demetris Christofias inaugurated on Wednesday a desalination plant in Paphos, describing it «a desicive step towards the final solution of Cyprus` water shortage problem».Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Christofias said the government implements a comprehensive and responsible water resources management policy, which has resulted in the provision of water supply irrespective of rainfall. The Paphos dam has a daily capacity of 30.000 cubic metres. He said that today Cyprus has 107 small and big dams, with one more dam under construction in Solea area. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |