Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-04-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus welcomes Russian FM`s announcement

[02] Sylikiotis: Our priority is to transfer natural gas and produce

energy

[03] Commission official certain Cyprus to hold successful EU Presidency

[04] Limassol hosts 7th Session of the Mediterranean Student Network

[01] Cyprus welcomes Russian FM`s announcement

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Monday that Russia's position is based on the UN Security Council resolutions, which condemn the illegal declaration of the pseudostate in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

The Russian position, he added, is based on UNSC resolutions 541 and 550.

"We welcome Russia's clear positions of principle", he said.

Stephanou stressed that Russia's stance reaffirms its firm positions on the Cyprus issue, noting that they strengthen Cyprus' struggle to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

He reiterated that the solution of the Cyprus problem should terminate the illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkey, should give an end to Ankara's policy of illegally bringing settlers to the island and should reunify the country and its people.

The Spokesman said that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be achieved in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant UN SC resolutions for one state with one sovereignty, citizenship and international personality.

Invited to comment on press information according to which a four party conference on the Cyprus problem will take place during the Cypriot presidency of the EU, Stephanou said that the Cyprus process does not provide for any conference on all issues of the Cyprus problem.

The Republic of Cyprus, he added, will not accept the violation of the agreed process of the Cyprus problem, saying that the government is making representations to those who work against the agreed process thus covering Turkey's actions.

In a statement, Russian Deputy Director of Press and Information Department Zacharova Maria, notes that the so called state in the – since 1974 - Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, is an illegal state and warned Russian citizens against buying territory there.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of its territory.

UN resolution 541 (1983) adopted by the Security Council on 18 November 1983 considers the declaration by the Turkish Cypriot authorities issued on 15 November 1983 to create an independent state in northern Cyprus, as incompatible with the 1960 Treaty concerning the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

The UNSC, in its resolution deplores the declaration of the Turkish Cypriot authorities of the purported secession of part of the Republic of Cyprus, considers the declaration referred to above as legally invalid and calls for its withdrawal.

It also calls upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, calls upon all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus and calls upon all states and the two communities in Cyprus to refrain from any action, which might exacerbate the situation.

UNSC resolution 550 (1984) reaffirms its resolution 541(1983) and calls for its urgent and effective implementation. It also condemns all secessionist actions, including the purported exchange of Ambassadors between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot Leadership, declares them illegal and invalid and calls for their immediate withdrawal.

UNSC resolution 550 reaffirms the call upon all states not to recognise the purported state in occupied Cyprus set up by secessionist acts and calls upon them not to facilitate or in any way assist this secessionist entity.

[02] Sylikiotis: Our priority is to transfer natural gas and produce energy

In statements to the press, Sylikiotis recalled that structured intensive talks are already underway between a contact group comprising Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Commerce, Finance, Interior and Agriculture, four experts and Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority with Noble Energy.

Last December Cypriot President Demetris Christofias announced that exploratory drilling carried out by Houston-based Noble Energy in block 12 of the island`s exclusive economic zone revealed a gross mean average of 7 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas.

He noted that two meetings took place last week and that Noble has presented a development programme. He added that on April 17 Noble will present its whole development programme, which will refer to the ways of drilling natural gas and transferring it onshore.

Sylikiotis expressed hope that intensive dialogue will wrap up approximately in a month so that they will be able to know based on date when the natural gas will be transferred and in case this will not be done to discuss for another interim solution.

[03] Commission official certain Cyprus to hold successful EU Presidency

Speaking after a meeting with President of the Democratic Party (DIKO) Marios Garoyian, Markopouliotis said there were ``good omens`` for the Cypriot Presidency.

He said that in the few days he has been on the island he has found that ``will, the most fundamental component for success, is present,`` noting that ``Cyprus wants to carry out a good Presidency and we are sure it will.``

Markopouliotis expressed the Representation`s readiness to assist in any way, both from Brussels and Nicosia.

[04] Limassol hosts 7th Session of the Mediterranean Student Network

The Session takes place in Limassol between 7-10 April and is chaired by the Pancyprian Federation of Student Unions.

Representatives of foreign student associations were briefed, during the meeting, about cooperation programs between universities in the Mediterranean region, university infrastructure in Cyprus and the opportunities for the students.

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