Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-10-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL SPOKESMAN - TURKEY

[02] COMMISSION TURKEY CYPRUS

[03] CYPRIOT FM - NORWAY

[04] CYPRUS - EUROPA DONNA - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL SPOKESMAN - TURKEY

Pashiardis comments came a day after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan`s statements that his country does not intend to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and airplanes if the so-called economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is not lifted.

The National Council, (top advisory body to the President), convened today, under President Tassos Papadopoulos who informed members on the latest developments regarding the July 8 agreement and Turkey`s EU accession course, in view of the European Commission`s Progress Report on Turkey to be published on November 8.

``When Erdogan declares that the so-called isolation should be ended so that Turkey will open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and airplanes, essentially he calls on us to recognise the pseudostate, so that Ankara abides by its European obligations,`` Pashiardis said.

``In short we are being called on pay a heavy political cost so that Ankara will settle its debt to the EU,`` he said, adding that ``only Turkey could submit such absurd demand and only an irrational Cypriot government would satisfy it,`` Pashiardis added.

He also reiterated that the so-called isolation ``is a slogan which has nothing to do with reality, nor with Ankara`s sincere concern for the Turkish Cypriots but it relates with the Turkish side`s concern to politically upgrade the pseudo state.``

``Instead of recognising the Republic of Cyprus, as the EU demands, Turkey demands from the Republic of Cyprus to recognise the pseudo state,`` Pashiardis added.

Replying to a question whether there is a stalemate in the July 8 agreement, Pashiardis said that there is no stalemate, adding that efforts to promote the agreement are continuing ``despite the fact that no meetings between the representatives of the two leaders took place for several days now.``

``The deliberations are taking place through the United Nations,`` Pashiardis added, reiterating that ``our side is always at the disposal of UN SG`s Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller`s and always ready to cooperate with sincerity and the necessary good will for the full and unconditional implementation of the July 8 agreement.``

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third.

[02] COMMISSION TURKEY CYPRUS

Rehn, in a visit to Ankara to mark the first anniversary of the start of Turkey-EU entry talks, said that since the signing of the additional protocol expanding Turkey`s Customs Union to the ten EU member states on July 2005, Turkey has not taken steps towards its implementation.

From Brussels, Enlargement General Director Michael Lee called on Turkey to open its ports to all EU member states, including Cyprus.

Speaking during a gathering organised by the European Policy Centre and the Turkish Industrialists Union, Lee recalled that the EU, through its counter-declaration on October 3 2005, demanded from Turkey to remove the obstacles on free movement of goods and open its ports to all member-states, including Cyprus.

[03] CYPRIOT FM - NORWAY

An official press release said Lillikas, in Norway for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Stohre, also had separate meetings with the country`s Petroleum and Energy Minister Odd Roger Enoksen and with Norwegian Parliament President Olav Akselsen.

In his meeting with Stohre, Lillikas discussed bilateral relations and the prospect for further enhancement of the cooperation between Cyprus and Norway.

Lillikas also informed Stohre on the present situation of the Cyprus problem and discussed prospects for achieving progress. The two Ministers also discussed Turkey`s EU bid and the EU - Turkey relations.

[04] CYPRUS - EUROPA DONNA - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

Speaking during a press conference to present the Europa Donna Cyprus` Breast Cancer Awareness Week, both Health Minister Charis Charalambous and the Association`s President and MP Stella Kyriakidou said that awareness on breast cancer is more imperative than ever, since more than one million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer world wide in 2006.

Kyriakidou said that more than 400 incidents of breast cancer are being diagnosed in Cyprus per year.

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