Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT DIRECT TALKS

[02] US CYPRUS TALKS

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT DIRECT TALKS

Speaking at the annual memorial service and unveiling ceremony of the statue of hero Nikos Solomou who lost his life during the coup detat of 1974, President Christofias referred to the Turkish Cypriot side as well as to Turkey, expressing hope that they will show the same goodwill that would allow progress in order to reach a solution that would reunify Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

We would like to believe that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey show flexibility and goodwill for a reasonable settlement as well as cooperation so that talks reach a happy ending to the benefit of us all, of peace and of course to the benefit of the EU in which we will be members together with the Turkish Cypriots.

President Christofias said that in some issues there is convergence of positions between the two communities in Cyprus, but added that there are still important and serious matters in which there are substantive disagreements.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, decided Friday to start full-fledged negotiations on September 3rd, with a view to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.

We co-decided with the Turkish Cypriot leader the commencement of direct negotiations in September with the aim to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible. We took this decision after assessing, with the leaderships of the political parties, the situation at the working teams and technical committees which examine various aspects of the Cyprus issue.

He added that despite the fact that there is still a lot to discuss and agree upon, we deem that progress has been achieved, because we agreed the basis of the talks.

The Cypriot President said that there has been a convergence of positions in some issues regarding important aspects of the Cyprus problem and this means progress.

But he added that I have to state once again that there are still important and serious matters in which there is substantive divergence of views and disagreements.

He reassured that the Greek Cypriot side is going to the negotiations with all good will to reach a reasonable and honorable compromise, that will safeguard at the greatest possible extent the interests and rights of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Our positions are reasonable and just, they are based on our philosophy to reunify our country, our people, our institutions and our economy.

The positions of the Greek Cypriot side, he added, are based on the UN resolutions for Cyprus, on international and European law and of course on the agreed basis for the solution, namely a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Our goal is one state, with a single sovereignty emanating from the people of Cyprus, one citizenship and personality, one state with political equality between the two communities according to the UN resolutions, he concluded.

[02] US CYPRUS TALKS

A press statement by US State Department Acting Deputy Spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos noted that the United States stand ready to support the two leaders and the UN in this process.

We applaud the United Nations announcement that Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have agreed to start direct negotiations on September 3 under UN auspices aimed at the reunification of Cyprus, Gonzalo said.

He added we strongly support the stated goal of these negotiations to find a mutually-acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem that will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

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