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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-03Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] SPOKESMAN - ILLEGAL SETTLERSThe issue of Turkish settlers, in Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas, must be resolved in line with the principle that unlawful settlement is a war crime, a direct result of the illegal invasion and continuing occupation, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has stressed. He also said that the government is willing and determined to discuss the issue of Turkish settlers at bicommunal working groups because this is one of the major concerns.The Spokesman was responding to questions regarding the Turkish Cypriot reaction to a government suggestion to set up a technical committee to discuss the issue of illegal settlers, brought to the islands occupied areas since the 1974 Turkish invasion from mainland Turkey in an effort to change the demographic character of the country. Our long standing position on this issue is that the solution of the Cyprus problem must bring an end to illegal settlement, in addition to terminating Turkey`s occupation, he said, noting that the Turkish Cypriot side has rejected a Greek Cypriot suggestion to set up a team to deal with the issue of settlers. He said however that in the process which began between the islands two communities, under UN auspices, several groups can be set up to complement the work of the existing seven technical committees and the six working groups to deal with issues of substance of or every day issues that may arise. Noting that the government participates in this process on the basis of agreed positions, he said that the solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation is a mutually agreed solution, adding that the relevant UN Resolutions are decisions and positions of the international community. We base our efforts on these and they guide us so as the dialogue we have begun can lead us somewhere, the Government Spokesman said. He concluded that the Greek Cypriot side has accepted the logic that a certain number of Turkish settlers will remain in Cyprus for humanitarian reasons. Seven technical committees and six working groups have been set up to deal with various aspects concerning the Cyprus problem, as agreed by the leaders of the two communities, President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, on March 21st. According to their agreement, the two leaders will meet 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. [02] UCJ - WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAYThe Union of Cyprus Journalists, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, calls for the modernisation of legislation which includes restrictive provisions for the press. The Union also advocates strengthening the rights and freedoms of the media and the right of the freedom of expression.In its message to mark todays World Press Freedom Day, the Union of Cyprus Journalists notes that to that end the Board of Directors of the Union will hold consultations with the office of the House President and the Law Office of the Republic and looks forward to a meeting with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias. The UCJ honors the memory of the hundreds of journalists and media representatives who have lost their lives on assignment, expressing solidarity with the thousands of journalists who are imprisoned or facing persecutions and threats. A UCJ press release calls for an end to links with the media, which could jeopardise and threaten democratic institutions, in order to ensure journalistic independence. The Union supports respect for regulations and institutions relating to the professional and union rights of the journalists. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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