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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-04Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - PARIS - CAIROOfficial statements by the Turkish Cypriot and the Turkish side cause concern, Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou has said, adding that such statements often give the impression that the other side was forced to sit at the negotiation table for a Cyprus settlement and now it is trying in every way to torpedo the ongoing dialogue.Speaking at Larnaca airport on departure to France and Egypt, the Foreign Minister expressed hope that the objective and the strategy of the Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot side is not tï torpedo the talks. I hope they will respond positively to the good will expressed by the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and the Greek Cypriot side, he said. The Minister wondered whether these negative remarks, coming from Turkey and repeated by the Turkish Cypriot side, are actually tactical moves or a negotiating strategy or in fact their substantive positions, in which case one wonders how the talks that have begun can progress. Teams of experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities have been engaged in discussions for the past week or so with a view to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two community leaders. In the past several days, Turkish officials have referred to the creation of two states in Cyprus, the stationing of Turkish troops even after a political settlement has been agreed, the maintenance of Turkeys guarantees on Cyprus and the non return of illegal setters from Turkey, who have flooded the northern Turkish occupied areas of the Republic since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Asked about the work of the bicommunal teams, Kyprianou said that «we should expect problems, we should be ready for difficulties, it is not going to be an easy process, and that is why suffocating deadlines must not be imposed, if we are to have the chance of a settlement. Referring to his visits, Kyprianou said he will hold talks with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner on bilateral issues and EU matters in view of the assumption of the Unions Presidency by France on 1st July. We will also discuss the Cyprus issue since France is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and also a country which has always stood by Cyprus, Kyprianou added. The Minister will then travel to Cairo for talks with the Egyptian Government and his counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit on the Cyprus issue and bilateral concerns. Egypt is a friendly country since the establishment of the Cyprus Republic. What concerns us and what we ask of Egypt and other friendly countries is help as regards problems we face at the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Kyprianou noted. Turkey, a Moslem country, is trying to upgrade the status of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, in occupied Cyprus, within the Organisation. The UN has described the regime as legally invalid and urged UN members not to facilitate it. In June the Foreign Minister plans to visit Tirana and Moscow. [02] CHRISTOFIAS - LARGE FAMILIESCypriot President Demetris Christofias has assured that he will implement fully his pre-election programme and continue the dialogue to improve the life of families with many children. Families with many children and five-member families provide solid support to the Cypriot society, the President said during an event in honor of 220 mothers who have given birth and raised seven children or sent four sons to serve in the National Guard.The government with its own contribution offers 100.000 euro to honor these mothers, expressing its love and respect to them,`` President Christofias said. He assured the families of his support, noting that the priorities and needs created by the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus have not allowed the state to stand by these families and generously face their problems. The President said the government will set up a unified forum, with the help of the families, with a view to implement a comprehensive programme on demographic policy and amend legislation for a grant to purchase a car for large families. He also said there will be a review of policies relating to special needs these families have to meet, including paying electricity bills, students grant, free transfer of soldiers and the purchase of a house. [03] 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. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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