Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-09-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - P5 - NATURAL GAS

[02] FMS - GREECE - TURKEY - MEETING

[03] CHURCH - RETURN - STOLEN FRESCOES

[01] PRESIDENT - P5 - NATURAL GAS

President Christofias hosted Friday in New York a luncheon for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou and Cyprus` Permanent Representative to the UN Minas Hadjimichael.

According to diplomatic sources, discussion was constructive and the five permanent members considered as interesting the position of President Christofias for joint exploitation - with the Turkish Cypriots - of natural resources after the solution of the Cyprus problem, as well as that any revenue from natural gas would benefit the Turkish Cypriot community even without a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based Noble Energy, off Cyprus south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkeys moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

UN-led talks are currently underway between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to reach a negotiated settlement that would reunify the island.

[02] FMS - GREECE - TURKEY - MEETING

The two Ministers met Friday in New York on the sidelines of the 66th session of UN General Assembly. According to diplomatic sources they discussed bilateral relations, the Cyprus issue, the Palestinian issue and generally the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Diplomatic sources said the Greek Foreign Minister stressed during the meeting the need to reduce tension in the Mediterranean after Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

The Turkish Foreign Minister claimed that Turkey responded to a unilateral action by the Greek Cypriots and didnt seek further tension.

The two Ministers also discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and preparations made from both countries to carry out the next Cooperation Council between Greece and Turkey.

[03] CHURCH - RETURN - STOLEN FRESCOES

The frescoes will be returned by the Menil Foundation in Houston, Texas, USA, in accordance with the terms of the relevant loan agreement, between the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus and the Menil Foundation, which expires on February 14, 2012.

``The return of the frescoes, which were illegally detached from the St. Themonianos Church by Turkish looters, after the violent Turkish invasion in 1974 and the continued illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by the Turkish armed forces, as well as the destruction and looting of the religious heritage of our country, all in violation of International Law and Human Rights, constitutes a symbol of hope for the entire Cypriot people and strengthens its faith in the justification for its struggle for freedom and return to its ancestral homes``, the press release says.

The Church of Cyprus notes that the return of the frescoes has been a personal vision and goal of Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, and was achieved after the concerted efforts of the Church of Cyprus and the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus expresses hope that this act of honour by the Menil Foundation shall constitute an example for many other organizations, museums, foundations and even private individuals to follow.

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