Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS ISSUE - 1st MAY

[02] KYPRIANOU - STEINMEIER -MEETING

[03] AUSTRALIA - CYPRUS

[04] CYPRUS - OLYMPICS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS ISSUE - 1st MAY

In his speech at a gathering to mark May 1st, International Workers` Day, organized by the Pancyprian Workers` Federation (PEO), President Christofias said that our policy aims to encourage the two communities in Cyprus to undertake the initiative and work together, in order to achieve a solution that would benefit the people of Cyprus.

A solution that would be agreed by Cypriots, for Cypriots, he added.

Referring to the current situation in the Cyprus Problem, President Christofias pointed out that the main target of the working groups and technical committees set up is to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations on the Cyprus question between the leaders of the two communities. Unfortunately, the massages which are conveyed by the other side are not encouraging, he added.

Christofias has also stressed that the Turkish National Security Council and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, are still supporting that the solution should be based on two states and on the political equality of those states.

President Christofias made it clear that our side remains consistent to a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution and reiterated that the negotiations should be based on the High- Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, on the UN-brokered agreement in July 2006, and on the March 21 agreement. We will continue, in a good will, the discussions at the working groups and technical committees, he said.

Regarding internal administration issues, President Christofias pointed out that the Governments main target is to create a fairer society.

To that end, he noted that the workers and their reasonable needs are at the core of the Governments attention.

Christofias referred to the Easter allowance granted to pensioners and recipients of public assistance benefits, as the first step towards the implementation of that policy.

Regarding the Cyprus industrial relations model, President Christofias said that it is based on the free collective bargaining, and on the tripartite cooperation between the workers federations, the industrialists federations and the government.

It is a model, he stressed, that ensures labour peace, and helps the social partners to overcome their problems.

President Christofias expressed his optimism on the issue of the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. I am optimistic that the discussions will soon be concluded, and will provide a final solution on the issue, he said. At the same time, he pointed out that the issue is one of the Governments top priorities.

On the issue of the Automatic Cost-of-living Adjustment, President Christofias reiterated that the Government will support the institution.

On the occasion of May 1st, International Workers` Day, Christofias said the fact that Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and foreign workers attend the celebrations of PEO, symbolizes the unity and the solidarity of the working class.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed March 21st to instruct their aides to set up technical committees and working groups to deal with various aspects concerning the Cyprus problem.

To this end, seven technical committees and six working groups have been set up.

On March 21st, the two leaders agreed also to meet again in three months to review the work of the working groups and technical committees, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices for a solution.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] KYPRIANOU - STEINMEIER -MEETING

Steinmeier was speaking after a meeting in Berlin with his Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou, who was on an official visit to the German capital.

In his remarks, Kyprianou said that Cypriots are at the early stages of the new effort and any steps should be taken meticulously and wisely as the procedure will take time.

According an official statement, the two ministers examined the Cyprus problem, the procedure which began for its solution on the 21st March following the meeting between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat as well as bilateral affairs.

They also examined European and international issues as well as the EU-Turkish relations, the EU-Russian relations and cooperation within the UNIFIL framework and the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia.

[03] AUSTRALIA - CYPRUS

In a press release, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith confirms the appointment of Evan Williams as Australia`s High Commissioner to Cyprus.

Williams will replace Garth Hunt, who has been High Commissioner since April 2004, and is expected to take up his appointment in June 2008.

[04] CYPRUS - OLYMPICS

Chinese Ambassador in Nicosia, Zhao Yali, has said that his country is ready to organise the Beijing Olympic Games and announced that President Christofias will attend the opening ceremony of the Games.

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