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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-09-04Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CHRISTOFIAS - SWEDEN - VISITPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, who is in Sweden on a two-day visit, began his contacts on Thursday during which he will have consultations with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.He will also have an audience with the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustav. According to an official press release, the Cypriot President will hold a series of separate meetings with Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, President of the Swedish Parliament Per Westerberg and leader of the Swedish Left Party Lars Ohly. [02] BAKOYIANNIS - CYPRUS TALKSGreek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis has urged the Turkish side to show the necessary political will during the negotiations, which began between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, to help find an agreed settlement.The Minister reiterated Wednesday her countrys support for a just, viable and functional solution in Cyprus to reunite the country under a federal roof. In a statement on the occasion of todays commencement of direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the Greek Foreign Minister expresses hope that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side f a c e this new process with the necessary political will. [03] UN SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS TALKSUN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon`s Spokesperson Michele Montas has said that the Secretary General assured the parties in Cyprus that the UN will provide unwavering support to the negotiating process, as requested. She also referred to the message Ban issued Wednesday to mark the formal launch of full-fledged negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.Speaking during her regular press briefing, Montas said that in his message, delivered by his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, ``the Secretary General warmly welcomed the launch and commended the leaders for their seriousness of purpose, sense of compromise and commitment to seeing the peace process to a successful conclusion.`` Montas said that the UNSG ``added that the UN supports and encourages both parties that they take this historic step together so that to reach a negotiated settlement to reunify the island for the benefit of all the people of Cyprus``. ``The Secretary General also assured the parties that the UN will provide unwavering support to the process as requested``, she added. She also recalled Downer`s statement at the launching ceremony that the two leaders in Cyprus ``own`` the process that started today ``and as result your continuing leadership is the critical element to make it succeed. [04] ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OPENAround 51 thousand pupils returned to schools as primary and pre-primary schools opened in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic.Students of tertiary and technical education will begin their school year on Monday, 8 September. Schools at the Turkish occupied village of Rizokarpaso however remained closed on Thursday since the Turkish Cypriot occupation regime did not give permission to the teachers, appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, to cross to the north, nor did the regime allow the transportation to the north of this years text books. According to the Minister of Education and Culture Andreas Demetriou, the 2008-2009 school year begins with good prospects since all teacher appointments have been made while construction work underway at schools will continue well into the year. He also said that text books for this year are already at schools. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |