Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - WALL - DEMOLITION

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - 8 JULY AGREEMENT - EURO

[03] UN - LEDRA STREET

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - WALL - DEMOLITION

The President was speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Brussels after attending the informal EU summit. On Thursday evening the government of Cyprus went ahead with the demolition of the wall at the end of the central commercial Ledra Street, in the divided walled capital city of Nicosia.

In his statements, the President said that the government proposal given to the Turkish Cypriot side, included the opening of eight crossing points, noting that the government has decided for work to be carried out to open the crossing point at Limnitis which will ``help the residents of the remote and isolated area``.

Papadopoulos said the whole operation to demolish the wall late Thursday night, had been planned for some time now, adding that it was a unilateral decision on the part of the government.

Our proposal included eight crossing points and the most well known and debated crossing was that of Ledra Street, where the main issues were that of security in the region, the status of the area between the two checkpoints and the control of the area by the UN after the withdrawal of the Turkish troops, the President remarked.

Asked if he is optimistic the Turkish side will accept the preconditions set out by the government of Cyprus for opening Ledra Street, President Papadopoulos said that what had been the obstacle was the refusal of the occupation forces either to withdraw from the area or end their patrols under the bridge which was constructed by the Turkish Cypriot side.

To a question if the Ledra Street issue will be tabled at the technical committees, President Papadopoulos said the Ledra Street issue concerns security, adding that for many years now, security issues are examined during proximity contacts between UNFICYP and the Turkish forces and the Forces of the Republic of Cyprus.

Asked if the implementation of the 8 July 2006 agreement is making any progress, President Papadopoulos said that on Friday a new proposal was submitted by the Greek Cypriot side for the technical committees to start operating. The proposal, he added, is being examined.

However he refrained from giving out details, citing the media blackout on statements on the issue.

The Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

On 8 July 2006, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met in the presence of senior UN official Imbrahim Gambari and agreed to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and those that concern substantive issues.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - 8 JULY AGREEMENT - EURO

In statements on Saturday, the President said that the Greek Cypriot side wants to discuss in the framework of the July 8th agreement, property issues which are crucial and important.

We want to discuss property issues which are crucial and important because it is not possible for Greek Cypriot citizens to watch on a daily basis their properties being usurped, the pseudostate organizing fairs and propaganda events aiming to sell those properties, or proceeding with official announcements and at the same time continue discussions for other issues, as if nothing is happening on the property issue, he said.

He added that progress regarding the implementation of the July 8th agreement depends on the Turkish stance.

Referring to the opening of more crossing points to and from the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, the President said that on Monday work will begin at the Limnitis crossing point to prepare the crossing point.

On Cyprus bid to introduce the Euro on 1st January 2008, President Papadopoulos said that if Cyprus does not enter the Eurozone as planned, then it would be uncertain whether the country could accede the Eurozone at a later stage.

The President was commenting on concerns raised by left wing AKEL party regarding the social impact of the adoption of the Euro. AKEL, which participating in the government, says that Cyprus accession to the Eurozone should be postponed for one year.

[03] UN - LEDRA STREET

In a statement, Moller assures that UNFICYP is assisting both sides with the practical arrangements to move this process forward and to help implement the necessary measures to expedite progress.

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