Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-07-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN SECRETARY GENERAL CYPRUS QUESTION

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

[03] UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN LAUNCH

[04] SHOTGUN - EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP CYPRUS - GOLD MEDAL

[01] UN SECRETARY GENERAL CYPRUS QUESTION

On his part, Christofias noted that the Greek Cypriot side wants to begin face to face talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, whom Ban is going to meet on Tuesday in Berlin.

Ban and Christofias met on Sunday in Paris, as they were both in the French capital to attend the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean. This was the first meeting between Ban and Christofias, after the latters election at the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus in February 2008. In statements to the press after the meeting, Christofias described it as very warm, noting that the UNSG reassured him that the process aiming to reach a Cyprus settlement belongs to the Cypriots and that the UN will play consistently and with objectivity the role of the facilitator in this process.

This satisfies us, Christofias added noting that he stressed to UNSG the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to work hard with patience and insistence within the framework of principles determined by the UN resolutions for a Cyprus settlement.

We have also reassured of our commitment for a settlement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, that was assumed since 1977 and has been reconfirmed by all the Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus until today, he added.

He also said the meeting satisfied him and that they agreed with the SG to meet again in September when Christofias will fly to New York to represent the Republic of Cyprus at the United Nations General Assembly session.

Asked whether Ban has expressed his will for the beginning of direct talks, Christofias said that he surely has expressed it and that is why he has appointed his special advisor, referring to the appointment of former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer as Secretarys General special adviser on the Cyprus problem.

He added that it is our will as well to begin face to face negotiations with Mr Talat (the Turkish Cypriot leader) and we will look into this issue when we return to Cyprus to make the final assessment of the work fulfilled by the working groups, with a view to see when and how we will begin, the negotiations.

Diplomatic sources have said that Ban expressed the wish the direct negotiations to begin the soonest possible and assured Christofias that the UN will not play the role of the arbitrator in the new process. He also expressed his satisfaction that there are two leaders in Cyprus who want a settlement.

On his part, Christofias noted the difficulties due to the political situation in Turkey and the difficulties Talat faces due to the stance of the opposition in Cyprus Turkish occupied areas.

Christofias and Talat will meet for the fourth time on July 25. Working groups and technical committees were set up after their first meeting in March this year with a view to prepare the ground for direct fully fledged negotiations between the two sides, to reach a settlement of the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

Addressing the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, Christofias said that the settlement of international problems which have been tormenting this region for years, through the respect of international law principles and the UN SC resolutions will conclude our vision for security and peace. He said that this region has been a model of cooperation aiming at financial development, based on social sensitivities and the respect towards the environment in conditions of security and peace.

Christofias elaborated on the issue of the management and saving of water reserves, a problem, he said, that Cyprus and other Mediterranean countries are facing, and which is expected to be further worsened due to climate changes and the protracted drought.

[03] UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN LAUNCH

A Joint Declaration issued at the end of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean says Europe and the Mediterranean countries are bound by history, geography and culture and more importantly are united by a common ambition: to build together a future of peace, democracy, prosperity and human, social and cultural understanding.

To achieve these common objectives participants agree to continue with renewed dynamism the quest for peace and cooperation, to explore the joint problems and transform these good intentions into actions in a renewed partnership of progress, it adds.

They stress that the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean aims to achieve a future of peace and shared prosperity in the entire region by implementing projects that will enhance the flow of exchanges among the people of the whole region.

[04] SHOTGUN - EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP CYPRUS - GOLD MEDAL

Norwegian Tore Brovold in skeet, who was this year`s gold winner and European champion, set records at 125/125 and 150/150. Norwegian Jensen Harald won the silver medal. Greek champion Nicos Mavrommatis secured 124/125 and 149/150, which are new Greek records.

The Cypriot team clinched the gold medal with 364/375, followed by the Czech and Italian teams with 363/375.

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