Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-03-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - STATEMENT - 8 JULY AGREEMENT

[02] CYPRIOT FM TURKEY

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - STATEMENT - 8 JULY AGREEMENT

In a written statement, President Papadopoulos also proposes a meeting between Talat and himself one week after the commencement of the work of the Technical Committees and working groups.

President Papadopoulos statement is as follows:

``In the past few days positive developments have taken place during the course of discussions being held between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities which aim at implementing the July 8 Agreement on the basis of the recommendations made in the letter of Mr. Gambari of 15 November 2006. Problems that arised during the course of the discussions have been successfully addressed. In particular, a common understanding has been achieved on the issue of which Technical Committees and working groups will be set up. The precise content of the discussions of each working group has also been defined. As has been agreed, the Technical Committees will discuss issues ``which affect the daily lives of the people``. A common understanding has also been achieved as to the way how and the time when the Technical Committees and working groups will be set up.

The recommendations included in the letter of Mr. Gambari constitute a sound basis for initiating the process and implementing the July 8 2006 Agreement. The Agreement gives a complete negotiating framework, which provides for discussions on all issues, at all necessary levels, including that of the leaders of the two communities.

As was clearly defined by the set of principles of the July 8 Agreement, the aim is to achieve a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, respecting the political equality as this has been defined by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

I call on the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, to immediately and jointly start implementing the July 8 Agreement on the basis of the recommendations included in Mr Gambari`s letter, based on the common understanding which has already been achieved at the level of our two representatives.

I have repeatedly stated that it served no practical purpose to have meetings between the leaders unless they have a specific object matter to discuss and unless such meetings serve the agreed aims of the negotiation. Consistent with this position, I further propose to the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to meet a week after the first Working Groups and Technical Committees are set up and start their work, according to Mr Gambari`s recommendations.

I sincerely believe that the commencement of the 8th July process can soon yield results.``

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

[02] CYPRIOT FM TURKEY

Lillikas also said that the meetings of the leaders of the two communities must take place at the right time, as the UN Secretary General had suggested and with a specific objective so as to send the right messages.

Any expectations and hopes created over the last few days, he said, especially after the submission of our compromise proposal, have faded with the refusal of the Turkish Cypriot side to consent and agree for the immediate implementation of the Agreement, Lillikas said.

We will abstain from entering a public game of attributing responsibilities because we want to keep at least some hopes alive and keep the door open for any possible developments towards the right direction, he added.

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