Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - RETURN FROM GREECE - SATISFACTION

[02] KAROYIAN - NEW HOUSE PRESIDENT

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - RETURN FROM GREECE - SATISFACTION

Referring to his forthcoming meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, to take place 17 to 24 of March, Christofias said that before this meeting Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou will meet with Talats advisor Ozdil Nami to ascertain whether all issues are settled with a view to move forward with the meeting with Talat.

Christofias described his meetings in Greece as very important, noting that he exchanged views with the Greek political leadership on the current developments on the Cyprus question and coordination between the two governments as well as coordination within the EU framework.

Asked whether the issues concerning the Turkish occupation army and the status which the buffer zone will have to enable the opening of Ledra Street, have been solved, the President of the Republic said that we are in consultations.

Invited to comment on statements which the Turkish Cypriot leader made in Ankara on the Annan plan, Christofias said that we will look into all these.

Our position is explicit and it is the UN position as well. The UN Security Council has endorsed the 8 July Agreement as the starting point for further negotiations, he said, and added that Talats signature is under this agreement which is the only valid agreement for the process and the substance right now.

He recalled that there are also the High Level Agreements, but noted that the 8 July Agreement is the most recent Agreement which has the signature of the leaders of both communities.

I will honour the signature of my predecessor, Mr (Tassos) Papadopoulos, and I expect from him (Talat) who has his signature on this text to honour it, he added.

Furthermore he noted that we are not discussing the Annan plan, nor does the UN Security Council or any other international organization.

Invited to say how optimistic he is that Talat will respond to the obligations deriving from his signature on the 8 July Agreement, President Christofias expressed hope that he will respond.

He noted that if the Turkish Cypriot community considers itself isolated then the Turkish Cypriots must consider how this stalemate can be terminated, with respect to the High Level Agreements, the 8 July Agreement, the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, to which they are partners according to the 1960 agreements and how this partnership will evolve from a united to a federal state.

Responding to another question, Christofias said the he is planning to meet with Cypriot political party leaders and call for a meeting of the National Council to examine developments.

The Cypriot President also congratulated the new House President Marios Karoyian who was elected Thursday by majority at the plenary session.

The July 8 Agreement is a UN-brokered accord between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, providing for preparatory discussions leading to substantive negotiations towards a settlement.

[02] KAROYIAN - 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.

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