Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS FM - BRUSSELS - MEETINGS

[02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN - CYPRUS

[01] CYPRUS FM - BRUSSELS - MEETINGS

Kyprianou said that the recent mobility on the Cyprus problem was the main issue on the agenda of his meeting with Solana. Kyprianou briefed Solana on the forthcoming meeting between the President of the Republic of Cyprus Demitris Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, as well as regarding a visit a UN delegation will pay to Cyprus, and outlined the positions of the Cyprus government.

Kyprianou discussed with Rehn about the next steps on the Cyprus problem as well as issues pending between Cyprus and the Enlargement Commissioner`s office. Kyprianou and Rehn agreed to initiate a series of meetings in order to address all these issues.

According to Kyprianou a meeting will take place at technical level during the next days aiming at settling the issue regarding the implementation of the EU Aid Regulation for the Turkish Cypriots.

After his meeting with Rehn, Kyprianou said our fundamental principle is that legality should be maintained and any action in Cyprus by the European Commission must be taken with the consent of the EU member state, the Republic of Cyprus. Kyprianou underlined that we both agreed that there is a way to implement the Regulation, without breaching the fundamental principles set out by Cyprus.`` He added that he found response to this issue and that if Cyprus if fully satisfied it has no reason to insist on its relevant appeal to the European Court of Justice.

Regarding Turkeys EU accession process which was also on the agenda of his meeting with Rehn, Kyprianou expressed the view that Cyprus has no objections as this process advances, noting however that this process must move on without any concessions on behalf of the EU. He noted that Cyprus` views related with particular chapters of the accession negotiations must be taken into consideration.

During the meeting with the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lulzim Basha, the two Ministers discussed recent developments on Kosovo and the bilateral relations between Albania and Cyprus. In statements after the meeting Kyprianou recalled Cyprus President Demitris Christofias` recent statements that Cyprus must enhance its relations with Albania. The two Foreign Ministers agreed that Kyprianou will pay a visit to Albania, with a view to prepare a meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

[02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS ISSUE

Stephanou said that the positions of the Turkish side are contrary to the decisions of the UN as well as to the expectations for the resumption of a substantive dialogue on the basis of the July 8 Agreement, aiming at breaking the deadlock with a view to resume negotiations and achieve an overall mutually accepted settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Stephanou said that the issues brought up by the Turkish side, as the existence of ``two peoples and two states`` in Cyprus and that the new state in Cyprus must not be a continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, are not optimistic and undermine the efforts to create the appropriate political climate, in view of the meeting of Cypriot President Demetris Christofias with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

He said that no exact date has been set for the meeting of the leaders of the two communities, that will take place between March 17 and 24. He also added that during Wednesday`s meeting between the Cyprus Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Turkish Cypriot leader adviser Ozdil Nami this issue will be discussed.

``The President of the Republic will go to his meeting with Talat with good will and ready to work hard``, Stephanou said.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Former President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of then UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs 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.

[03] EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN - CYPRUS

During his visit to Cyprus, Diamandouros will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou, Minister of Justice and Public Order Kypros Chrysostomides, Minister of Interior Neoklis Silikiotis, President of the Supreme Court Christos Artemides and with Cypriot Ombudswoman Eliana Nicolaou.

A meeting with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias is also expected to be arranged.

Speaking to CNA, Ombudswoman Eliana Nicolaou said that during her meeting with Diamandouros, they will discuss issues of cooperation as well as the organisation of an international conference by her Office in 2009.

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