Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - CYPRUS PROBLEM - TURKISH SIDE

[02] MATSAKIS - HUNGER STRIKE

[03] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - INAUGURATION OF EU HOUSE

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - CYPRUS PROBLEM - TURKISH SIDE

I think it is well known. They are doing all they can to avert the agenda and procedure which is clearly set out in the Gambari letter. All references contained in Mr. Talat`s (Turkish Cypriot leader) letter are contrary with the letter and the spirit of the Gambari letter, which sets out in detail and clearly the procedure, Papadopoulos noted.

The President made the statement when he was invited to comment on a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul during his illegal visit to the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus, that the Turkish side is doing all it can for the July 8 Agreement.

Invited to comment Guls statement that Turkey will always be at the side of the Turkish Cypriots even if the EU does not fulfill its promise to the illegal regime for trade with the north, the President replied this is what we have been saying. That direct trade estimated at eight million euro will not improve neither the economic situation, nor help the general economic position of the Turkish Cypriots.

It is obvious, he added, that they claim the trade with the areas not under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, for purely political reasons. ``This is what Mr. Gul said, but in a more diplomatic manner, the President added.

Referring to the Turkish sides stance on the opening of Ledra Street, President Papadopoulos said that the least that we can say, it is a paradox for Talat to claim that the removal of the occupation troops or the Turkish Cypriot policemen who are under the orders of the Turkish general of the occupation forces, is a threat to security.

He pointed out that the threat to security is their presence and not their removal.

The President pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side has not placed any new preconditions or new reasons for the opening of the crossing point and continues to support the opening of not only the Ledra Street crossing point but of also other crossing points which were proposed in 2005.

We are demanding what is self-evident, to set out the regime of the buffer zone. Is it under UNFICYPs control or just as the Turkish Cypriots are demanding, under their control? And if it is under UNFICYPs control, just as the whole of the buffer zone should be, then they have no right or position, nor the Turkish troops or Turkish Cypriot police have any say,`` he added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

[02] MATSAKIS - HUNGER STRIKE

Matsakis, was arrested Thursday by British Sovereign Bases Police in Akrotiri, as two arrest warrants were pending against him since last year, for causing willful damage and writing slogans on cars and wars within the British Bases area. The Cypriot government has demanded the immediate release of Matsakis and has made representations demanding his immediate release.

President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos expressed the hope that there will soon be developments on Matsakis arrest.

[03] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - INAUGURATION OF EU HOUSE

The EU House in Nicosia will house the offices of the Commission and the European Parliament.

The ceremony was also attended by House President Demetris Christofias, European Union Health Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou, Euro MPs and EU officials, Head of the Representation of the EU Commission in Cyprus Themis Themistocleous, head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus Tasos Georgiou, ministers, ambassadors, Cypriot deputies and other officials.

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