Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-06-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - LONDON VISIT

[02] GOVERNMENT - TURKISH CYPRIOTS - MEASURES

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - LONDON VISIT

Answering questions about his working visit to London, President Christofias said that we are trying to achieve normalisation in our relations and Britain must assume its responsibilities regarding the solution of Cyprus problem.

The President leaves Wednesday for London where he will meet British PM Gordon Brown and his Foreign Secretary. Britain is one of three guarantor powers of Cyprus independence according to the 1960 treaties that established the Republic of Cyprus (the other two are Greece and Turkey).

Britain is a guarantor power and certainly we will stress its responsibilities but also ours with regard to the effort towards the solution of the Cyprus issue and the reunification of our homeland, he pointed out.

He added that, our goal must be the normalisation of the relations between our countries, noting that he has already met the British Prime Minister with whom we set the foundation for tomorrows visit.

In conclusion, he said Cyprus-Britain relations must develop further.

[02] GOVERNMENT - TURKISH CYPRIOTS - MEASURES

Commenting on the work done so far by working groups and technical committees, engaged in talks to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations, Stephanou said that as long as the work goes on, we should let it move on. The Spokesman said that the top advisors to the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, will review the work done so far in a few days. He said that Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader, Mehmet Ali Talat will meet during the second half of June in an attempt to assess and review the work done in total, especially in the working groups which deal with issues of substance, such as property, territory, guarantees and governance.

Regarding the confidence building measures, he said that when the government is ready it will announce them. Answering questions, he stressed that confidence building measures or day to day issues aim to create or sustain a good climate and boost trust between the two communities. Government Spokesman clarified that the Cyprus problem cannot be resolved through measures or decisions. The Republic of Cyprus has to prove in practice and send this message to the Turkish Cypriot community that it is part of the Republic which takes care of all its citizens, he added.

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