Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-08-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS

[02] CHRISTOFIAS - OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS

[03] PAPADOPOULOS - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[04] GREEK FM - BEIRUT

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS

Opening the three-day conference in Nicosia of the Central Boards of PSEKA and POMAK, President Papadopoulos said the government recognises and appreciates the role of overseas Cypriots, who ``have never tired caring and fighting, in every corner of the world, for the restoration of justice in Cyprus.``

He pointed out that ``it is difficult for disjointed and isolated efforts to bring about the sought after results`` and that it was of utmost importance to make collective efforts, methodically and united.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos said a process was agreed on between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the presence of UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, on 8 July 2006, to prepare the ground for a Cyprus settlement.

``The agreement of July 8 reaffirms our commitment to the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, and clearly provides for the simultaneous and in parallel discussion, by technical committees and teams of experts, of issues concerning and affecting the day-to-day life of the people and issues of substance of the Cyprus problem,`` he said.

The President said he could not predict the developments and would refrain from expressing optimistic or pessimistic evaluations, adding that the Greek Cypriot side will do everything it can towards implementing the July 8 agreement.

``I once again reiterate our commitment to a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. The status quo is not a solution. Neither, of course, is a fragile and frail settlement that will seemingly close the Cyprus problem, leaving it in reality in suspension. A functional and viable solution is only a political arrangement that will reunite the country, the society, the institutions and the economy, an arrangement that will guarantee the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the whole of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and arrangement that will be based on UN principles and EU values,`` he said.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS - OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS

In an address at the opening of the three-day conference in Nicosia of the Central Boards of PSEKA and POMAK, which was read out by MP Aristophanis Georgiou due to Christofias` absence abroad, the House President noted that ``we remain steadfast and firm on the basis of a settlement set out by the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979 between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities, UN resolutions on Cyprus and the principles of international and European law.``

``We aim at a solution that will abolish Turkey`s occupation of the island`s northern part and will reunite Cyprus under the umbrella of a bizonal, bicommunal federation,`` he said, adding that ``we aim at a solution that will restore and guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.``

Christofias pointed out that overseas Cypriots and their organisations are the best ambassadors of Cyprus abroad, adding that ``we need to multiply our efforts today to solve the problem.``

[03] PAPADOPOULOS - CYPRUS PROBLEM

``Our position is clear. We are constructive. There are difficulties, but we hope the Turkish Cypriot side will cooperate for the speedy commencement of the work of the committees, which is necessary for the preparation of the political negotiations,`` he said in statements on the sidelines of the three-day conference in Nicosia of the Central Boards of PSEKA and POMAK.

Asked if arrangements had been made for him to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, President Papadopoulos said ``the July 8 agreement says that the leaders of the two communities will meet from time to time to monitor the work of the committees, to give instructions and to hold negotiations on the ground being prepared by the committees, when and as needed.``

The President wondered what was more important, to have a meeting or to have a reason for a meeting.

[04] GREEK FM - BEIRUT

On Wednesday afternoon, Bakoyiannis will be traveling to Jordan and will be in Israel on Thursday.

Last night, Bakoyiannis had a working dinner with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, as the latter`s residence.

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