Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - STATEMENTS

[02] GREEK PM - BRUSSELS

[03] UNFICYP RESOLUTION CYPRUS REACTION

[04] CYPRUS MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - STATEMENTS

The European Councils conclusions are in general satisfactory for us, bearing in mind that the recommendations proposed by the European Commission included provisions, which I believe would have had a negative effect on the developments of the Cyprus issue in relation to Turkey, such as coupling of Ankaras EU obligations with the developments of the Cyprus problem, setting timeframes and many other, President Papadopoulos noted.

He added that Cyprus EU partners have shown understanding towards Cyprus concerns regarding the content of the Commissions recommendations thus averting any negative consequences.

With the understanding on the part of our EU partners, the negative provisions have been averted and a text has been adopted that satisfies us, he said.

The Cypriot President pointed out that every EU member state reserves the right to block the opening of any negotiating chapter for any candidate country, including Turkey, bearing in mind the circumstances under which the opening is recommended, the content of the chapter as well as, in the case of Turkey, Ankaras stance at that particular time.

He also expressed the view that it would not be possible to open a negotiating chapter with Turkey in the next days, noting the long procedures needed to open any chapters.

Regarding the European Unions direct trade regulation between the Turkish Cypriot community and the EU countries, he said that it has been agreed that work on this regulation begins in January, under the German EU presidency.

He recalled that within the framework of the Finnish EU presidencys initiative to avert a crisis between the EU and Turkey, there have been discussions regarding amendments of the Green Line Regulation that provides for trade of Turkish Cypriot goods via Cyprus legal ports.

The work has progressed very well during the Finnish presidency and this work will continue, he said.

Answering to questions he said that the government of Cyprus has asked for a meeting with Finland and Germany in order to continue the discussions on the direct trade regulation.

What has been agreed upon until now is that on the 17th of January we will begin work on the regulation, he added.

Replying to questions, he dismissed press information that he has made an agreement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the use of the Limassol port for trade of Turkish Cypriot goods.

I did not make any such agreement with the German Chancellor. And let me remind you that the export of Turkish Cypriot goods from the ports of Larnaca and Limassol, as provided by the Green Line regulation, has already been submitted as a written proposal by myself two years ago, he said.

President Papadopoulos added that what has been agreed, is that the EU would like to see work done for the Green Line Regulation.

He also said that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, is not really interested in the implementation of the Green Line Regulation, since its implementation would not enable him to claim that there is an economic embargo imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots.

EU member state, Cyprus is divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of its territory.

[02] GREEK PM - BRUSSELS

On the question of Cyprus and prospects for some developments towards a settlement, he said there is an ongoing attempt to resume the dialogue, which Greece supports.

We are in close contact and cooperation with the government in Cyprus and of course we want to see at some stage the conditions ripen in order to reach a just and viable solution, he added, as he replied to questions during a press conference here today.

Asked if Turkeys European course can contribute towards a political settlement in Cyprus, he said the most effective incentive for Turkey to adapt gradually its behaviour in line with the European norms is to see that country have a European prospective.

[03] UNFICYP RESOLUTION CYPRUS REACTION

The Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution, expressing full support for the process agreed by the leaders on 8th July, encourages active participation in bicommunal discussions as described in Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambaris letter of 15 November 2006, under the auspices of the SRSG, and calls for early completion of the preparatory phase so that a fully-fledged Good Offices process may resume as soon as possible.

In a statement, Cyprus Permanent Representative to the UN Andreas Mavroyiannis expressed the governments satisfaction of the adoption by SC Resolution 1728 renewing the mandate of UNFICYP for six more months, noting that the Resolution just adopted is a satisfactory one, that addresses the main issues and the renewal is for the Force to remain as it is right now, the same strength, the same numbers, the same concept of operations and the same mandate.

He also expressed the Cypriot governments appreciation to the Council for supporting the ongoing process and the effort to start technical discussions in order to prepare the ground for full-fledged negotiations as soon as there is sufficient progress.

[04] CYPRUS MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

The mayors of six more municipalities, those of Morphou, Kythrea, Lysi, Lefkoniko, Karava and Kato Polemidia, have already been elected uncontested.

Speaking during a press conference on the occasion of the end of the election campaign at midnight tonight, Chief Returning Officer Lazaros Savvides said he expects that the new Mayors will be announced around 22:00 (local time) on Sunday.

According to Savvides, this will be the first time that a total of 309 Turkish Cypriot voters will vote in a joint electoral role with the Greek Cypriots, while 3,728 voters (mainly British and Greeks) will also participate in the local elections, three years after Cyprus` accession to the European Union.

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