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Monday, 18 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-08-21Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] IACOVOU - CYPRUS TALKSGeorge Iacovou, Presidential Commissioner, has expressed hope that the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus will announce the opening of Limnitis crossing point after their next meeting on 3 September. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual meeting of overseas Cypriots, he said that next week he will meet Ozdil Nami, advisor to the Turkish Cypriot leader, to discuss the opening of Limnitis crossing point to facilitate movement to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas.Iacovou and Nami will also talk about the procedure of direct negotiations, which will actually begin with the second meeting between the two leaders, on September 11. The first meeting is expected to deal with procedural matters. Replying to questions, Iacovou said governance will be the first topic of discussion, noting that no further decisions on the agenda of the talks have been taken. We have our views on how we should proceed to direct negotiation, but we will also exchange views with Nami on that, Iacovou added. Earlier at the Conference, Iacovou briefed delegates to the Nicosia conference on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and progress achieved so far by the Working Groups and Technical Committees, which comprise experts from both communities, who have been meeting since March this year to discuss various aspects of the Cyprus question, including governance, security, economy, health and EU matters, property and territory, with a view to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two leaders. [02] FOREIGN MINISTER - TURKEY - EUForeign Minister Markos Kyprianou has urged Ankara to change its policy on Cyprus or face possible consequences in its European aspirations. We are entering a very crucial phase, the start of direct negotiations. We expect that Turkey, as demanded by the EU, will back these talks not only verbally but substantially, he said speaking to the press.He pointed out that Ankara has an obligation to meet its commitments to Brussels and Cyprus as well. Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus` northern areas since 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and refuses to allow entry to Cypriot aircraft and vessels to its airports and ports. The EU has repeatedly asked Ankara to change this policy and normalise relations with Cyprus, as an EU member. The Minister recalled that Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004, has given its consent to Turkeys European prospect of accession but has so far seen no good will gesture in return. Good will has its limits and we need to see a response from Turkey. If Ankara does not adopt the stance we anticipate, then it will leave us no option but to review our position and see whether we too wish to continue displaying good will, he added. You cannot have a one-way approach, the Minister concluded. [03] ACTIVISTS - GAZA STRIP MISSIONForty-five activists, from all over the world, prepare to leave Friday from Larnaca heading for the Gaza Strip, to take humanitarian aid to Palestinians and declare their support for their human rights. The team of activists comprises people from Greece, Britain, the USA, Germany, Spain, Italy, Palestine and other countries.Speaking at a Press Conference in front of the two ships of the mission Ayios Nicolaos and Kyriakos K., Petros Yiotis, journalist and head of the Greek team, said that our mission is to reach Gaza, not only to take humanitarian aid but also to declare that the Palestinians, prisoners in that huge open air prison, have the same human rights with people from the rest of the world. They also have the right to use the Mediterranean Sea freely, just like the people who come from other Mediterranean countries do, Yiotis added. Referring to the difficulties the activists could face, Yiotis stressed the messages they receive from the Israeli government are warnings to them that they will not be allowed to reach the exclusive military zone Israel has declared. Nevertheless, we are ready to take the risk and go there, because according to international law, we are not the ones who break the law, they are, he added. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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