Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-03-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - LEDRA STREET

[02] IACOVOU - COMMITTEES

[03] CELEBRATIONS - GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - LEDRA STREET

In statements after a parade which took place in Nicosia to commemorate the Greek National Day of 25th of March 1821, President Christofias expressed hope that difficulties which arose regarding the opening of Ledra Street will be overcome.

Asked whether the Turkish occupation army reneged on the opening of Ledra, the Cypriot President said I will not comment on the issue now and referred journalists to statements made earlier Tuesday on the issue by Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou.

The issue of Ledra Street, he said, is an open one adding: I wish and hope we will have good news soon. We insist that the opening of the crossing point should take place on the basis of the issues agreed via the UN.

Asked whether the opening of Ledra Street will be clarified during the illegal visit of Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Yasar Bugukanit, to the occupied areas of Cyprus, he said he expects nothing from Bugukanits presence in Cyprus.

I do not expect anything from Bugukanit. I am sad over his visit here, he concluded.

President of the House of Representatives Marios Karoyian commenting on the same issue said that the Turkish army`s position regarding the opening of Ledra Street proves yet again its intransigent stance.

In statements in the coastal town of Paphos where he represented the government at today`s events to commemorate Greece`s National Day, Karoyian referred to the role of the international community.

The international community, he noted, has to exert pressure on Ankara to change the intransigent stance it has been following for years now.

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed 21 March 2008 that Ledra Street will, as soon as technically possible, open and function in accordance to the established practices at other crossings. The crossing point at Ledra street will facilitate movement to and from the northern Turkish occupied part of the island.

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

[02] IACOVOU - COMMITTEES

Iacovou, who met with the Turkish Cypriot leaders aid, Ozdil Nami, was asked whether an agreement has been reached for a number of technical committees.

Yes, he replied but refrained from naming the committees citing the "strict confidentiality regarding the content of the negotiations.

[03] CELEBRATIONS - GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

In Nicosia Archbishop Chrysostomos II led a doxology at Saint John`s Cathedral in the presence of Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, Greeces Ambassador in Nicosia Demetrios Rallis and other officials.

President Christofias congratulated Greece for its Independence Day and expressed Cyprus` gratitude towards Greeks and the Greek political leadership for their support to the people of Cyprus

Speaking after the parade held in front of the Greek Embassy in Nicosia, President Christofias said that the 1821 Revolution has been one of the greatest ones in the 19th century, inspired by the French Revolution.

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