Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIDES - LEADERS` MEETING

[02] KAROYAN - PACE MEETING

[01] CHRISTOFIDES - LEADERS` MEETING

Christofides` statement came in response to ``various comments made regarding the joint statement issued after the meeting of President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat,`` on Friday.

In his four-point statement, Christofides notes that ``the statement specifically refers to the form of the solution to the Cyprus problem, as approved in a series of UN resolutions.``

``The aim (of the meeting) was to reaffirm the basis on which the dialogue is taking place. It is clear that our position on a single sovereignty and nationality remains unchanged and firm,`` the Undersecretary to the President adds.

He also says that ``it is evident that the same process as the one followed so far will be followed in matters of military confidence building measures,`` adding that ``the matter has been discussed in the past with the UN sharing this position.``

Regarding the term political equality, Christofides notes that ``this has been determined by the UN resolutions, as well as the terms bizonality and bicommunality.``

During the meeting it was decided that the assessment of the work of the working groups will be made in June at the scheduled meeting of the leaders of the two communities, he adds.

On March 21, President Christofias and Talat, in their first meeting after the Christofias` election to the Presidency, decided to set up a number of technical committees and working groups to discuss day-to-day matters and substantial issues of the Cyprus problem respectively. A total of 13 technical committees and working groups has been set up and commenced work.

In their second meeting in the presence of the UN Head of Mission in Cyprus last Friday, the two leaders ``reaffirmed their commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.``

``This partnership will have a Federal Government with a single international personality, as well as a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status,`` the joint statement says.

The two leaders also ``instructed their Representatives to examine, within 15 days, the results of the technical committees,`` and decided ``to come together again in the second half of June to make a new assessment.``

[02] KAROYAN - PACE MEETING

Speaking on Saturday at Larnaca Airport, on his return from Strasbourg where he participated on the 2008 Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Karoyan noted that Cyprus` proposal for the next Conference of Speakers and Presidents of Parliament to be hosted here, has been accepted both by the Presidency and the member states of the Council of Europe.

It is a development that makes us happy and reflects the respect that the Cyprus parliament has earned within the Council of Europe. It is an honour for the Cyprus parliament and the people of Cyprus as well, Karoyan pointed out.

Referring to the outcome of the 2008 Conference, Karoyan expressed satisfaction. The issue of cooperation between national parliaments and civil society was among the main issues of the Conference, he added.

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