Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-06-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - LONDON VISIT

[02] UNSG - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[03] CYPRUS - DONORS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - LONDON VISIT

He added that the memorandum of cooperation between Cyprus and Britain will determine the basis on which bilateral relations will continue as well as the role of the United Kingdom in efforts towards a Cyprus settlement.

Speaking at Larnaca Airport before departing for London for a working visit, President Christofias said he would be meeting Brown and that "the prospect is to sign a memorandum of understanding and cooperation."

He expressed certainty that "the outcome of this visit will be positive for Cyprus and positive for the relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus."

"We know there were differences. We will try to solve the problems that have arisen and establish a permanent and continuous dialogue between the governments of the two countries on issues of mutual interest concerning the Cyprus problem, Turkey`s EU accession course and in general the whole mesh of relations between the United Kingdom and Cyprus," he pointed out.

Replying to questions, President Christofias said "the United Kingdom considers that this time the Cypriots will have to play a leading role, and we believe that the Cypriots should play a leading role."

"Britain is a permanent member of the Security Council, is a guarantor power, and thus it naturally plays a role," he said, adding that "we want Britain to play the role the other countries are playing in a creative manner."

He noted "this is the message we want to give and I believe that through the memorandum of cooperation the basis will be determined on which the construction of our relations will continue, and any role of the United Kingdom regarding efforts to solve the Cyprus problem."

[02] UNSG - CYPRUS PROBLEM

The Secretary General also said that now a window of opportunity for Cypriots to finally resolve the Cyprus problem is clearly open and reiterated his intension to appoint a special adviser at the right time.

It is particularly heartening that over the past months, the two leaders have already taken decisive steps towards their shared objective of resuming negotiations aimed at a comprehensive settlement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his report on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus.

Ban strongly encouraged the parties to build on the present momentum and continue using the current preparatory period to identify to the greatest extent possible areas of convergence as well as disagreement, while preparing options, where feasible, on the more sensitive elements for the two leaders to consider once formal negotiations begin.

[03] CYPRUS - DONORS

Director of the institute, Greek-American surgeon Andrea Tzakis, said all three countries have relatively small populations and low percentages of organ donors, and as a result patients who are suffering from serious liver and heart failure have no chances of surviving without compatible organ transplants.

He noted that, by joining forces through a joint archive, Cyprus, Greece and Israel hope to significantly improve the chances of patients to receive a vital organ.

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