Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM - CHINA - CYPRUS TALKS

[02] MINISTRER - CYPRUS PEACE EFFORT

[01] FM - CHINA - CYPRUS TALKS

Speaking at Larnaca Airport, on departure for a visit to China, Kyprianou added that this would allow progress to be achieved fast, in discussions at the six working groups, comprising experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, which deal with core issues of the Cyprus problem, including governance, property, territory, security.

It is particularly important to ensure that any other alternative proposals put forward at the working groups aim at a unified federal state and not two separate states, he said.

Kyprianou noted that the Greek Cypriot side is not satisfied with the progress made so far at the working groups, adding that Christofias and Talat could discuss ways to support this process at their meeting on Tuesday.

The Turkish Cypriot side had some disagreements about the basis of the solution in Cyprus, he explained. This has to be clarified to help make headway at the working groups, he said.

Stating that in some issues progress has been made but in others there is big gap, Kyprianou mentioned that the Turkish Cypriot side wants a failed UN proposed solution plan (Anan plan) as the basis of the solution. So, it shouldnt be a surprise if they put forward, as it is their right to do, parts of this plan as their own proposals. This however does not mean we are obliged to accept such proposals, he added.

Replying to questions, he said Turkey without any doubt hold one of the keys to the solution of the Cyprus problem, in that it maintains troops in the areas of Cyprus it occupies since 1974, it has brought illegally into these areas more than 100,000 settlers, it provides economic and financial support to the Turkish Cypriot regime and as such it has a fundamental leverage.

We do not have direct contact with Turkey (which does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus) and Ankara is not at the negotiating table. Subsequently, we ask our friends and the international community to encourage Turkey to adopt a more positive attitude. It is also important to see the five permanent members of the UN Security Council acting in concert, as a team, in New York as they do here on the island, he concluded.

Referring to his meetings in China, he said he would be seeing his Chinese counterpart, the Vice President of the government dealing with foreign policy and other officials to discuss developments in Cyprus, bilateral issues, cooperation in trade and the economy and Chinas relations with the European Union.

China is a member of UN Security Council and a friendly country which has supported us in difficult periods, he concluded.

[02] MINISTRER - CYPRUS PEACE EFFORT

We know that the final solution wont be ideal, it will be a compromise. We insist though that it should be functional and viable. It must not relinquish fundamental principles, on which President Christofias focuses with firmness and consistency to secure that the solution will allow us to live in peace and safety, he said. The solution, he pointed out, must free Cyprus from Turkeys occupation and put a halt to the influx of illegal settlers.

We want a solution to reunite Cyprus and its people in a bizonal, bicomunal federation with one sovereignty, one citizenship and one personality, to ensure respect of human rights and basic principles for all Cypriots, he added. He said Greek and Turkish Cypriots must work together to find a mutually acceptable solution that will serve first and foremost their interests, adding that the international community must also help by directing its efforts towards Ankara to convince its government that a Cyprus solution will also serve its own interests.

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