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

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS UK VISIT

[02] KAROYAN - CYPRUS - BRITAIN

[03] KYPRIANOU - ALBANIA

[01] CHRISTOFIAS UK VISIT

Christofias said he was satisfied both with the climate and with the results of his meetings while referring to the memorandum of understanding which he signed with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown he said that the signing of this memorandum creates the preconditions to open an new chapter and can become a turning point for the further development of the relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus, he noted.

He said that his meeting with Brown took place in a friendly climate, a climate of understanding that has been expressed in the document that we have signed, the memorandum of understanding. This document outlines a comprehensive policy both of Britain and of Cyprus on the Cyprus question , on questions regarding our joint action in the EU concerning issues related to our bilateral relations, he added.

Christofias said that his meetings with the British Foreign Secretary, the leader of the opposition and the Commonwealth Secretary General were also fruitful.

Invited to comment statements by the spokesman of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Hasan Ercakica, who said that the memorandum is unacceptable and that it includes ideals and approaches contrary to the agreements of March 21st and March 23rd, President Christofias noted that Ercakica is spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot community and that he himself has visited London as President of the Republic of Cyprus and concluded an agreement between two equal EU member states.

I regret that the memorandum between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom does not satisfy Mr. Ercakica and Mr. Talat. But this concerns them and the way they see a possible settlement of the Cyprus question, he said.

Christofias noted that it is clear that we have a long way ahead of us, that we disagree on the basis of a Cyprus settlement. The basis on which the Cyprus problem will be solved is that described by the UN resolutions, the high level agreements and the memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom has reaffirmed nothing much or nothing less, he added

Invited to say if the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side will affect the course of the work of the technical committees and the working groups, Christofias said that normally it must not. If they persist on this position surely we will have problem but normally we should not, he added.

Invited to comment a statement by Nicolas Sarkozy, who said that it is high time that the wall of Nicosia falls, that no one can be satisfied as long as this wall still exists, and that France will do its outmost in the framework of the UN so that current initiatives move forward, Christofias aid that what Sarkozy has said is right.

He said that given the fact that the French are not satisfied with this situation and the existence of this wall I wish and hope that there are no Cypriots which are satisfied. And I wish and hope to join our forces so that this unacceptable situation in Cyprus, with the presence of so many occupation troops which have created this division wall and maintain it, is terminated, he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Technical committees and working groups, set up after the March 21st Agreement between the two leaders, are meeting in order to prepare the ground for fully - fledged negotiations.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met May 23 and reviewed the work achieved at the bicommunal committees and teams.

They also agreed to come together in the second half of June to make a new assessment of the work being done by the bicommunal teams of experts who are dealing with various aspects of the Cyprus question.

[02] KAROYAN - CYPRUS - BRITAIN

Karoyan said that the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding is a positive development with regard to Great Britain, which as a guarantor power has obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus, and according to which it must abide by the international law, implement it and promote policies that will reunite Cyprus, its people and institutions.

He also noted that the memorandum refers to a bizonal, bicommunal federation based on political equality as provided by the UN resolutions, to a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality. There is a framework by which we are satisfied if one takes into consideration the Cooperation Protocol Turkey has signed almost two years ago with Great Britain, he added.

[03] KYPRIANOU - ALBANIA

Speaking after a meeting in Tirana with Basha, with whom he signed a bilateral agreement for international road transports, Kyprianou said the solution of the Cyprus problem and the normalisation of relations between Cyprus and Turkey will open up great prospects for the whole region, adding that the Greek Cypriot side will be open-minded with an aim to reach solution providing for a bizonal bicommunal federation.

Kyprianou expressed his ``satisfaction and happiness for being here today as the first Cypriot Foreign Minister to visit Albania,`` noting that ``it will definitely not be the last visit.``

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