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Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-08-06Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] IACOVOU UN LIMNITISPresidential Commissioner George Iacovou has said that he is in touch with the United Nations in Cyprus, in anticipation of the Turkish Cypriot response to a Greek Cypriot request for safe passage to a Turkish occupied church, in Morphou town.The issue ensued following a request by Kato Pyrgos Community Council, near Limnitis, on the northwest, to allow people to pray at the church of Agios Mamas, in the occupied town of Morphou, on the northwest. Local residents have also warned that they will prevent Turkish Cypriots from crossing through the area, if Greek Cypriots are not allowed to go to the occupied church of Agios Mamas to pray. As soon as there is a development, we will announce it, he told CNA, adding that we dont know when we will have something new. It depends on others. We have regular contacts with the UN which are waiting for the Turkish Cypriot sides reply and once we have something, we will announce it. Asked if he discussed this issue with Ozdil Nami, aide of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Iacovou said that the UN is our contact point, adding that these issues are arranged through UN mediation. For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis have to travel to Paphos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia. Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter. In the recent past, several crossing points to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third. Kokkina, a coastal village in northeast Cyprus, was the centre of intercommunal clashes in 1964, when the Turkish air force bombed Greek Cypriot villages in the area. Kokkina is accessible only through the free areas of the Republic or by sea. Turkish Cypriots have been visiting Kokkina by land with the consent of the government of Cyprus. [02] PRESIDENT CYPRUS PROBLEMPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has pledged his commitment for a solution the soonest possible, acknowledging the struggle is hard, but stressing that the Greek Cypriot side will proceed to the September direct talks with an honest political intention.In a gathering organized in memory of Cypriot composer Marios Tokas, President Christofias reminded that the primary aim of his administration is to achieve a solution the soonest possible, a solution that will end the occupation and reunite the territory, the people, the institutions and the states economy. This can be achieved in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as provided by the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, President Christofias said, adding that a united federal, bicommunal, bizonal Republic of Cyprus will be a state with a single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality, within the framework of which there will be political equality of the two communities, as defined by the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. We are pursuing, he added, a solution that will be based on international and European law principles and safeguard human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people of Cyprus. [03] HOUSE OF CYPRUS ATHENS INTERVIEWFor 21 years now, the House of Cyprus in Athens has served as a point of reference and gathering of Cypriot artists.The House of Cyprus in Athens is situated in the heart of the Greek capital and operates as a multi-centre for a number of activities. Culture Attache and head of the House of Cyprus in Athens Eleni Antoniadou, in an interview to CNA, said the opening ceremony of the House was held in 1987 by the late President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou and the late Prime Minister of Greece Andreas Papandreou. The aim was to house the Cypriot Embassys Cultural Office. The cultural centre aspires to promote the cultural work of Cyprus as well as cooperation of Cypriot artists with their Greek colleagues. She said the House is part of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens. Its funds derive from the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as the Friends of the House of Cyprus association and many sponsors who offer valuable moral and material support. The House of Cyprus works closely with the Cypriot Education and Culture Ministry on various educational and cultural matters to provide information, certify documents and is in close cooperation with the Greek Ministry of Education and Culture. [04] ANORTHOSIS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUECypriot football club Anorthosis Famagusta FC is playing Wednesday against SK Rapid Wien for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.Anorthosis beat Rapid 3-0 in the first match held in Larnacas Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium July 30th. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |