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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-09-08Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PELENDRITOU - PARALYMPICS - GOLDCyprus` Paralympic Swimmer Karolina Pelendritou won the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke SB12 in the Beijing Paralympic Games.The Cypriot athlete, who set a new world record in the second heat with 1.16.82, finished first in the finals with 1.17.58. [02] FM CYPRUS QUESTIONForeign Minister Markos Kyprianou has urged the Turkish Cypriot side to proceed to negotiations for a Cyprus solution with good will to reach a solution that would serve the interests of all Cypriots and not the interests of third countries. In an interview with the Athens News Agency and the Macedonian News Agency on the occasion of his visit to Athens, the Foreign Minister also stressed that the Greek Cypriot side has exhausted its limits and cannot accept a solution based on two states through virgin birth.Only when the Turkish Cypriot side shows good will at the negotiating table for an honorable negotiation to the benefit of the Cypriot people and not to the benefit of third countries, could differences which exist between the two sides be bridged, he said. Direct negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem began September 3rd. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met September 3rd in the presence of UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser for Cyprus Alexander Downer to mark the commencement of direct talks between them, aiming at reunifying Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied one third of the islands territory. The Foreign Minister noted that the reference on two constituent states does not constitute the starting point of the process, as often stated by the Turkish Cypriot side. He said that the federative solution would be a partnership between the two communities and would be comprising two constituent states and not two independent states. [03] DOWNER ATHENS - MEETINGSUN Secretary Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer and Australias envoy on Cyprus David Ritchie would be holding meetings with Greek and Turkish government officials to discuss Cyprus problem and the new process, started on September 3, aiming at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.Downer departed Sunday from Larnacas Airport headed for Athens where he would meet today with Greeces Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis. On Tuesday, he will fly to Ankara to hold contacts with Turkish senior government officials. Downer will return here on September 10 to attend the second meeting between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to be held in the framework of the direct talks, scheduled on September 11. As it is expected, he would leave Cyprus to return in Australia on September, 12. [04] GREEK PM DIRECT TALKSGreek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has welcomed the launch of direct negotiations between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat aiming at reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.Karamanlis called on Turkey to encourage the Turkish Cypriot leadership to work towards a functional, democratic solution. ``We welcome the recommencement of the dialogue and call on Ankara to encourage the Turkish Cypriot leadership towards a functional, democratic and European solution for a reunified Cyprus, free of occupation troops,`` the Greek PM said in an address at the International Fair of Thessaloniki. He also reiterated that Greece works for the normalisation of the Greco-Turkish relations, adding ``we support the European prospects of our neighbouring countries, making clear that full membership means their full compliance to the principles, the values and the EU prerequisites.`` Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |