Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-09-17

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] BAGHDATIS CHAMPION CHINA OPEN

[02] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNAN

[03] HOUSE SPEAKER EU TURKEY

[01] BAGHDATIS CHAMPION CHINA OPEN

This is Baghdatis first ATP title in his career and the first time that the 3 seed Cypriot beat 4 seed Ancic.

[02] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNAN

Papadopoulos who arrived on Saturday in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, said ``Annan had exhibited particular interest for the preparation of the July 8 meeting which essentially implemented all agreed in Paris last February``.

President Papadopoulos and Talat agreed on July 8th 2006, during a meeting in the presence of UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

President Papadopoulos expressed certainty that Annan will want to be briefed about the perspectives which in my opinion exist. I do not know if this will be the last meeting. If there is progress no one can exclude a new meeting with the Secretary General. I mean if there is progress in the implementation of the July 8 agreement. Just as UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari helped in making the agreement, surely he will have a particular interest to see the implementation of the agreement which was achieved in his presence``, Papadopoulos pointed out.

To a question that following leaks in the Turkish press that after UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller had submitted proposals to the parties regarding the work of the technical committees, the procedure has changed in such a way that prospects are indeed created, President Papadopoulos clarified that in the 17 meetings with Moller and in the remaining direct meetings ``ideas are exchanged, thoughts are made, each side is sounded out.

That is exactly what occurred at the last meeting before the talks were interrupted, he noted adding that we had said from the beginning that we are not willing to be involved in a so-called `blame game``.

``That is why you should have noticed by now that out despite what the Turkish side is saying, either it makes accusations or accuses us of delaying tactics, we will not answer or be involved in this game, the President stressed.

The fact is, President Papadopoulos said, that the implementation of the agreement to set up and operate the technical committees which will prepare the issues which we consider issues of substance has been not been achieved.

``Nor of course committees have been set up for discussion of issues that affect the day to day life of the people, as it is said, since the July 8 agreement provides that work in the two fields should be carried in parallel, the President added.

President Papadopoulos pointed out that is not possible for anyone to hope for the resumption of substantive talks if the issues are not well prepared. ``So, if the committees are not formed to properly prepare the issues in order to hold substantial talks, then the negotiations will not proceed, and this is an implicit development``, he added.

He pointed out that if he is to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat without good preparation, what will follow in a few weeks is the complete collapse of the talks, something which may favor the Turks who want to show that the Cyprus problem can only be solved with the creation of two separate states.

Regarding Turkey` s EU bid, President Papadopoulos said ``Turkey has an obligation to implement the commitments it has undertaken before Europe, and these commitments are irrelevant with the Cyprus issue``.

Papadopoulos reminded that the Cypriot government has exhibited flexibility and this was proven with its well known proposal for the opening of Famagusta Port under EU administration.

He pointed out that this will have to be connected with the return of the fenced-off area of Famagusta and with the statement for an end to the embezzlement of Greek-Cypriot properties in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

``This proposal with details, was submitted in writing, first under the Luxembourg Presidency, later under Austria`s Presidency and with the agreement that what was promoted by Austria would bind the Finnish Presidency as well as the German presidency. We insist on this proposal``, President Papadopoulos concluded.

On Monday, the Cypriot President will attend a lunch hosted by Kofi Annan for heads of state or government and will meet the UN SG on Tuesday morning.

The President will also meet UN Security Council members and as well as head of state or government and will give a press conference at the UN headquarters.

He will also give a speech at the New York University and will also meet the leadership of overseas Cypriots. The President is accompanied by Foreign Minister George Lillikas.

[03] HOUSE SPEAKER EU TURKEY

Christofias was speaking to CNA from Salonica where he had a meeting last night with President of the Socialist International and leader of the Greek Socialist Party (PASOK) George Papandreou, whom he informed on the latest Cyprus developments in order to coordinate our efforts to face developments in the European Union in relation with Turkey``.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article