Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CYPRUS QUESTION - EU

[02] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY - VIOLATIONS

[03] COMMISSION - CYPRUS - COHESION POLICY

[04] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - EUROPE DAY - GATHERING

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CYPRUS QUESTION - EU

In statements on the sidelines of a gathering on the occasion of Europe Day, President Papadopoulos said that some might want the agreement to collapse, however we believe that it is the only procedure available nowadays.

Asked if the EU has fulfilled all its obligations towards Cyprus, President Papadopoulos said yes, pointing out however that it depends what the term EU obligations towards Cyprus means.

He said the EU has no obligation to solve the Cyprus problem and that the correct framework of negotiations is the UN.

God forbid we abandon this framework which contains many useful resolutions and the basis for the solution of the Cyprus problem, with the futile, in my opinion, hope, that another framework will be found to solve the Cyprus problem, he stressed.

He added that by keeping the procedure to solve the Cyprus problem under the UN aegis, the EU has a word and say since the three protagonists, Greece, Cyprus and the UK, are its members, and the fourth protagonist in the Cyprus problem, Turkey, which earnestly wants to enter the EU.

He said it is natural for the EU to know that any solution found must comply with the acquis communautaire.

Asked if it is possible for the July 8 procedure to continue when the Turkish Cypriot side is enticing foreign investors to purchase land in the occupied area of Morfou, President Papadopoulos said that it is for this reason the Greek Cypriot side states that the property issue is one of the fundamental issues which will be discussed at the working committees.

At the same time, he said that we must not disregard such actions which poison the atmosphere and might prejudge the conclusion of the property issue which is an issue which must be solved within the framework of an overall settlement.

President Papadopoulos further said that we challenge the return of the properties. I never said that Mr. (Mehmet Ali) Talat can take the two thirds and we will settle for the one third, just as it was provided in the Annan Plan.

Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis, speaking after the cabinet meeting said on the occasion of todays Europe Day, the Republic of Cyprus reitereates its dedication to the European principles and values and pledges to promote these within the framework of an overall effort.

He said that Cyprus, as a full and equal member of the EU, actively and constructively participates in all issues which deal with Europe.

He also said that further than that, Cyprus looks forward to the territorial, social, economic and institutional reunification, through a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem which will secure peace, human rights, welfare and progress of all lawful citizens of the island.

Pashiardis noted that in the effort to find such a solution, the united Europe has a say and role and this is determined by those principles and values on which the European structure is based on.

On July 8 2006, Papadopoulos and Talat at the presence of the then UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrabim Gambari reached an agreement providing for the concurrent establishment of working groups to address substantive aspects of the Cyprus problem and technical committees to deal with the day-to-day problems that affect the people, as well as Confidence Building Measures.

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

[02] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY - VIOLATIONS

As regards the Turkish intention to launch tenders for research regarding possible hydrocarbon deposits in the sea area around Cyprus, Pashiardis noted that Turkey has no reservations on committing illegal actions.

We are not worried by the announcement of this intention as an effort for intimidation. What worries us is the difficulty faced by Turkey to withdraw from its addiction to illegality and to comply with international legality.

[03] COMMISSION - CYPRUS - COHESION POLICY

In their National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) the Cypriot authorities describe how they are going to invest EU funding of 612 million that they will receive over seven years to deliver growth and jobs to their regions. The adoption procedure has now been completed and the European Commission issued its decision on elements of the Cypriot plan, including priorities, indicative annual allocations, and list of operational programmes.

Cyprus` priorities for 2007-2013, as set out in the NSRF, are to strengthen the productive base of the economy and to provide support to enterprises, to promote the Knowledge Society, RTD and Innovation, to enhance the life-long learning system and the increase of employment and training opportunities for young people, to invest in environment, transport and energy infrastructure and to develop sustainable communities

Cyprus intends to translate the broad priorities contained in the NSRF into two operational programmes. The first Sustainable Development and Competitiveness - will receive funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion fund, the second entitled Employment, Human Capital and Social Cohesion will receive funding from the European Social Fund.

[04] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - EUROPE DAY - GATHERING

He was speaking during an all day gathering at the International Conference Centre organized by The European Institute of Cyprus on the occasion of Europe Day, to celebrate the anniversary of Cyprus` accession to the EU and the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, under the general title ``All Together``.

Addressing the gathering, President Papadopoulos said that EU countries are characterized by diversity, but all joined by the common values and principles that make up the EU.

Recalling the Berlin Declaration of 25 March 2007, President Papadopoulos said that we need to learn how to live and work together within the EU for the prosperity of all for the peace and the solidarity of our members, and perform our obligations as true members of the EU.

I am glad to say, that Cyprus has performed its obligations within the EU to the full. We participate in all the multilateral and all the other subjects which are carried out daily within the EU, the Cypriot President remarked.

President Papadopoulos also said that the month when Cyprus joined the EU as a full member, Cyprus came home when it joined the EU because it was European even before Europe started.``

Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos said that the EU has a role and a say in whatever effort to find a solution which will be compatible with the acquis communautaire and values.

Pledging Cyprus commitment to the Gambari agreement of July 8 2006, President Papadopoulos said we expect solidarity and support from the EU in getting this process. So our goal is the implementation of the July 8 agreement which will pave the way for a really truly reunified Cyprus and by reunification we mean the unification of territory, society, its institutions and above all its economy. We hope that the values and principles of the EU and the UN Security Council resolutions strong foundation and prosperity of Cyprus and all its people and communities, he concluded.

In his speech, Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus Themis Themistocleous described the day as a special Day for Europe, noting that what Europeans most expect from the Union are constructive policies which can result an effective institutional reform, to strengthen its capacity to act. He noted that institutions must be effective tools in delivering policies.

Speeches were also delivered by the Çead of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus Tasos Georgiou, who described the day as the most historic day for Cyprus, and the Head of the European Institute of Cyprus Dr Neophytos Chrysochos.

In his address, Ambassador of the EU current Presidency, Germany, to Cyprus Rolf Kaiser recalled that in the past, a border was a border, where documents were scrutinized, but nowadays, the only sign indicating that an EU citizen has crossed national borders is the name of the country and a sign to reduce speed.

He said that freedom of movement is the strongest symbol of Europe.

On July 8 2006, Papadopoulos and Talat at the presence of the then UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrabim Gambari reached an agreement providing for the concurrent establishment of working groups to address substantive aspects of the Cyprus problem and technical committees to deal with the day-to-day problems that affect the people, as well as Confidence Building Measures.

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

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