Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-03-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM - CYPRUS QUESTION - TURKEY

[02] FRANCE - CHRISTOFIAS-TALAT MEETING

[01] FM - CYPRUS QUESTION - TURKEY

He also said that the government will make fresh efforts to improve contact with member states of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in a bid to avert any negative development for Cyprus.

On efforts to open a crossing point to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas, at Ledra street at the centre of the capital, Kyprianou said that this issue will be discussed at Fridays meeting between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and expressed hope that the opening of the crossing point will be announced on Friday.

Responding to questions, the Minister said he believed that now the climate in Europe is positive for Cyprus and that the good will of the Greek Cypriot side as regards a political settlement as well as the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community is acknowledged.

This positive climate, he explained, will facilitate attempts to explain our concerns and observations on various EU initiatives relating to the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus or the Turkish Cypriot community.

On relations between the EU and NATO, Kyprianou said that Turkey is hindering cooperation and creates problems to organisations to which Cyprus belongs.

Turkey must not be allowed to act in this manner. Ankara is trying indirectly to have a decisive role in decision taking within the EU, something which member states cannot accept, he noted.

Asked if there are any indications of a shift in the positions of the Turkish side on Cyprus, Kyprianou called for patience, noting however that recent remarks by Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side are not encouraging.

We will have to wait until Friday to see if these are tactical manoeuvres or if indeed there are problems of substance and then we shall deal with them appropriately, he added.

Responding to questions, he said the most recent OIC resolution does not include anything new but he described is as worrying. The resolution calls for the lifting of what the Turkish Cypriots call embargo.

The Minister acknowledged that Turkey has a lot of leverage within the OIC and added: we will try to engage more actively with members of the Organisation - it is up to them to implement the resolution and I believe we could have a better chance to avert any fait accompli.

On the political crisis in Turkey, Kyprianou said that these practices do not abide by the European standards, noting that the government is monitoring developments with concern.

The Turkish government, if faced with such problems, will not be able to handle as it should the Cyprus question or it might use the situation as an alibi for the positions it may adopt, he added.

[02] FRANCE - CHRISTOFIAS-TALAT MEETING

Replying to questions after meeting Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kypros Chrysostomides, Galey recalled France`s, a UN Security Council permanent member, ``permanent and very clear`` support to all the efforts aiming at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

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