Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-10-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - DIRECT TALKS

[02] DOWNER - TALKS - NEW YORK

[03] SPOKESMAN - NATURAL GAS - LICENSING

[04] HOUSE PRESIDENT - BELGIAN AMBASSADOR - MEETING

[01] PRESIDENT - DIRECT TALKS

Speaking after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in the context of direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem, President Christofias expressed hope that on Friday, when the last meeting before the meeting of the leaders of the two communities in New York with the UN Secretary General takes place, he would be able to be more optimistic.

President Christofias said that during Wednesday`s meeting they reviewed the positions of the two sides on core issues, noting that differences remain regarding the executive powers and that the Turkish side has withdrawn from what had been agreed on with former leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat.

``Our agreement with Mr. Talat led to the full implementation of the four freedoms in the federal Cyprus, with a transitional period in between. In the property chapter, there are also significant differences, as in the EU chapter. We are very close on issues concerning the legislative power,`` he said.

President Christofias expressed hope that the Turkish side would attend the meeting on Friday with revised positions, which would not lead to ``two states``, a position that ``cannot be accepted by the Greek Cypriot side.``

``So, I am not thrilled today, on the contrary, while we are heading towards New York, the message I can give is not hopeful today. I hope that on Friday I will be able to do so,`` he concluded.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks are currently underway in an effort to reunify the island.

[02] DOWNER - TALKS - NEW YORK

The leaders will meet again on Friday October 21 in view of their meeting with the UNSG Ban Ki-Moon scheduled to take place in New York on October 30 and 31. The leaders had a long meeting today and they discussed quite a few of the issues. There was a lot of focus on governance and power-sharing, there was some discussion about European Union matters and there was extensive discussion also about the property issue, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General Alexander Downer told the press after todays meeting which lasted almost five and a half hours.

Referring to the meeting in New York, Downer said that the SG will be there for at least part of both of those days, adding that we will provide the Secretary General with a report on the progress thats been made in these negotiations in advance of the meeting in New York.

[03] SPOKESMAN - NATURAL GAS - LICENSING

In statements to the press, Stephanou described the issue as a very sensitive one, which has political, economic, legal and technical aspects and implications, as well as aspects related to national security.

Stephanou noted that the Government evaluates all data and takes decisions according to the law during the process of implementation of its plans in relationto the natural gas issue.

Stephanou said that Public Gas Corporation (DEFA) has been handling the issue of natural gas since 2007. DEFA presented its proposal last year. The Spokesman said that Cyprus President Demetris Christofias had then requested that the political parties had been briefed on this proposal and give their own opinion about it.

[04] HOUSE PRESIDENT - BELGIAN AMBASSADOR - MEETING

According to an official press release, during the meeting Omirou briefed the Belgian Ambassador on the latest developments over the Cyprus issue and the ongoing negotiations between the Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglou.

Speaker of the House expressed disappointment over the lack of substantial progress in the negotiation procedure due to Turkeys intransigence.

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