Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] KAROYAN - NEW HOUSE PRESIDENT

[01] KAROYAN - NEW HOUSE PRESIDENT

Speaking before the House plenary, after his election to the House Presidency, Karoyian thanked all the parties which backed his candidacy and expressed understanding for the decision of the right-wing Democratic Rally party to abstain from the vote.

Karoyian assured that he will work for a just, functional and viable settlement of the Cyprus question on the basis of UN resolutions and decisions, the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, providing for a bizonal bicommunal federation, the July 2006 agreement providing for substantive negotiations towards a settlement, the principles of international law and the principles on which the European Union is founded.

He said that his aim is a settlement which will lift the repercussions of the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation of Cyprus northern part, reunite the state, the people and the institutions and create the conditions for the harmonious and peaceful co-existence of all the legal inhabitants of the country, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins under conditions of security, progress and cooperation.

Noting that critical battles lie ahead for Cyprus and that new moves are expected on the Cyprus question, he said that the House of Representatives in cooperation with the President of the Republic and the government will assume its own share in efforts to promote our goals and our positions for achieving a just, functional and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Furthermore, he pledged to work towards unity, noting that he looks forward to the cooperation and help of all parliamentary parties.

He referred to the EU, noting that Cyprus more active engagement in EU institutions has allowed us to aspire to become substantive players contributing to European developments.

Karoyian said that his attention will also focus on issues related to the improvement of the functioning of the House at all levels.

He praised the work of his predecessor, new President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, who as he said had made important steps towards the promotion of the role of the Legislative and of modernising its structures and procedures.

I will make every effort to continue along this path with a view to enhance the role of the House of Representatives, he concluded.

Karoyian was elected to the post of President of the House of Representatives by majority vote.

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