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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-05-14Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS SOLUTION - PRINCIPLESPresident of the Republic Demetris Christofias has said that during talks for a solution to the Cyprus issue, he is defending principles, pointing out that without them there cannot be a viable and functional solution to the islands division.In a speech at the reburial of the remains of Andreas Kesta, killed during the July 1974 military coup against the government of Cyprus, at the church of Agios Nicolaos in Limassol, President Christofias said that Cyprus is stronger at the international field nowadays, something that helps the ongoing efforts. This, he noted, was the result of continuous initiatives which the government is undertaking on an international level, which has yielded results, averted negative approaches and created positive prospects. Without being disorientated by the difficulties we are facing, we continue with persistence - respecting the agreed procedure and the basis of the negotiations - to pursue vindication of the struggles and sacrifices of our people. Justice will come only when Turkeys occupation ends and the country is reunited, the President stressed. Referring to the conclusions of a parliamentary committee research on the File on Cyprus, recently approved by the House of Representatives, President Christofias said the report brought to light documents and testimonies surrounding the great conspiracy and substantiates everything that the political forces in Cyprus and the people have been saying for years, that the crime against Cyprus and its people was premeditated and NATO, Turkey and the Greek junta played an important role in committing the crime. President Christofias said the primary obligation toward the countrys heroes is to reverse and avert plans for Cyprus division, noting that division is tantamount to the destruction of the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The only viable solution that will free and unite the island is a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as defined by Security Council resolutions. The solution should secure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriot citizens, and must respect international and European law, he stressed. UN-backed direct negotiations between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for a solution to the Cyprus problem began in September 2008. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. [02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - ÅÅÆ - STATEMENTGovernment Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has described as ``unacceptable and dangerous`` remarks the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has reportedly made that he considers a cause of war the exploitation of Cyprus sub-sea natural resources by Greek Cypriots.US company Noble Energy received in October 2008 a concession from the government of Cyprus to explore Block 12 for possible reserves of hydrocarbons, in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, which borders reserve-rich Leviathan in Israels EEZ. Invited to comment on statements attributed to Eroglu, published in Volkan newspaper, that war will break out, if the Cyprus government goes ahead with oil and natural gas exploration, the Spokesman said that if Eroglu has indeed made such statements, then these are truly unacceptable and dangerous. He stressed that the Republic of Cyprus has a sovereign right to manage its EEZ and any talk or threats have no place in such a sensitive issue. The Spokesman added that the government is very careful and is silently working to safeguard its sovereign rights. We hope that Eroglu does not continue to maintain this very dangerous pattern of remarks which do not help and merely create problems, he added. [03] INTERIOR MINISTER - COPEAM - NEW MEDIAMinister of Interior Neoklis Sylikiotis, addressing the 18th Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM), referred to the contribution of new media in the democratization process of media and societies in the wider region, during the recent political uprisings. The conference takes place in the eastern coastal city of Ayia Napa, in Cyprus and the Ministers speech was read by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior Lazaros Savvides.Sylikiotis noted in his speech that recently, the use of new media resulted, in some cases, to regime change in the region, adding that COPEAM and its participating public media organizations must be pre-occupied with the new challenges that are emerging at todays historical crossroads. He added that the conference theme - A shared Mediterranean audiovisual landscape. New challenges for COPEAM after 15 years of action- highlights the contribution of COPEAM, amongst other issues, to the ongoing democratization process of the media sector and of the societies of the participating countries. The Minister said that the aim of COPEAM must always remain the same, including further democratization of media and societies, granting greater access of the citizens to the media and the safeguarding of freedom of expression and information. The COPEAM conference brings together public broadcasters and other media organizations from countries of the Mediterranean basin. This is the first time Cyprus is hosting the conference. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |