Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-01-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CNA

[02] HOUSE - LEDRA STREET

[01] PRESIDENT - CNA

Speaking to foreign media correspondents in Cyprus, during a lunch hosted by CNA in their honour, in response to their questions, he said I believe people with good will can find a solution without depriving either Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots of their rights, pointing out that a reunified Cyprus, as defined by the UN, is the best thing for the Cypriots and stressing the crucial importance he lays on the property issue in the effort for a political settlement.

On discussions aides to the leaders of the two communities are having, in the context of the July agreement between the President and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat, Papadopoulos said the Greek Cypriot side emphasizes the need for preparing the ground for any meeting between himself and Talat, as provided by the July agreement, while the Turkish Cypriot side favours such a meeting, without apparently proper preparation.

The President said he has been in touch with the new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon through correspondence, as he replied to Bans letter but would not disclose anything about the content of the letters exchanged.

Questioned on the possible opening of a crossing point at the end of one of Nicosias main commercial streets, Ledra street, Papadopoulos stressed that the Greek Cypriot side does not put forward any new terms, recalling his proposals of December 2005 which point to the need for safe passage of Cypriots through the crossing, while at the same time they refer to the idea of demilitarizing the area within the walls surrounding the capital Nicosia.

On a UN-proposed solution plan, the Annan plan, which the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriots rejected in a referendum in April 2004, the President said no UN document fades away, noting that the said plan cannot be presented again as it stands. He noted however that it does contain certain useful provisions on various issues and clarified that the new basis of substantive negotiations towards a solution will emerge through the current talks his aide and Talats aide are having, under UN auspices, as a result of the July agreement he reached with Talat.

On the economic front, Papadopoulos said there will be no devaluation of the Cyprus pound when the country joins the eurozone, expected in January next year, and on recent developments in the banking sector, he said the government cannot get involved in this and there is very little it can do to prevent such developments, adding that there are independent authorities in place to oversee such matters.

Asked if he would run for re-election in next years presidential race, he said he had not taken a decision on the matter.

In his opening remarks to foreign correspondents, the President outlined his positions on the question of Cyprus, the ongoing talks between his aide and Talats aide, the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, the issue of opening a crossing point at the end of Ledra street, Turkeys accession course to the European Union and Cyprus joining the eurozone, expected in January next year.

[02] HOUSE - LEDRA STREET

The position was outlined after a meeting the leaders held under House President Demetris Christofias with the participation of representatives of President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos who provided detailed information on the issue.

There is a common view, said Christofias, that we all want Ledra Street to open, just like other crossings, including the Limnitis crossing point and that necessary measures should be taken to make this real.

He said the Presidents representatives informed the leaders on the political developments and the military situation in Ledra Street as well as the surrounding area.

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