Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR - CREDENTIALS

[02] SPOKESMAN - PROPERTIES

[03] UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS - LAW

[04] CYPRUS - EURO COIN

[01] RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR - CREDENTIALS

Presenting his credentials, the new Ambassador noted that he arrived in Nicosia at a crucial moment in the political life of Cyprus. ``The launch of the fully-fledged inter-communal negotiations under the UN aegis opens up a new prospect towards achieving comprehensive, lasting and viable settlement on the basis of the United Nations Security Council resolutions for the benefit of all Cypriots - Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots``.

The fact that the negotiations have started at all is in itself a strong evidence of the political courage displayed by the leaders of the two communities, he added. ``We sincerely hope that the newly started dialogue will bring positive results and culminate in the final settlement of the long-drawn problem. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council Russian, together with our partners, is ready to contribute effectively to the ongoing negotiating process which belongs to the Cypriots themselves``. Russia firmly believes that a just and functional solution can be achieved only without external interference, let alone pressure and imposed arbitration and asphyxiating timetables, added.

Referring to the role of Cyprus as EU member state, Shumskiy said he believes that Cyprus is capable of making important contribution to maintaining peace and security in Europe. ``The existing security architecture of Europe, unfortunately, failed to stand the test of the recent events in the Caucasus.

Accepting the credentials, President Christofias stressed that Russia is a most valuable friend of Cyprus and referred to the Russian community in Cyprus and the Cypriot investors in Russia. My visit to Moscow in mid November, will give new impetus to shared targets in a variety of fields, he said.

``On this occasion I would like to reiterate that Russia has always been for Cyprus a true friend and an ally that projects the correct parameters of the Cyprus problem in all international fora. In our quest for reunifying our island and its people, Russian solidarity and support continues to be indispensable,`` the President said.

President Christofias underlined that when he assumed the Presidency, earlier this year, he declared that the primary target of his Government and himself is to strive for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, mutually agreed by the two communities and based on the principles of a single sovereignty, single citizenship, and a single international personality with political equality as defined in the relevant UN resolutions.

``This solution must be based on international law, the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, and the principles upon which the European Union is founded. It must be a solution by the Cypriots for the Cypriots who will finally approve it, in simultaneous referenda. We must all learn from the mistakes of the recent past and thus refrain from artificial timetables and arbitrary methods,`` he added.

[02] SPOKESMAN - PROPERTIES

Stephanous remarks came in response to a statement by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that foreigners who buy immovable property in Cyprus occupied areas are not running any political risk.

The Spokesman also said that while the process for a Cyprus settlement is going on, there should be statements to help and not to hinder the negotiations or create doubts as to any intentions.

There are decisions of the ECHR which say that the legal owners of the occupied Greek Cypriot properties are the Greek Cypriots who own these properties and so the purchase and usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties and their sale is illegal, Stephanou said, recalling that according to Cypriot legislation the usurpation of property owned by others constitutes a criminal offence and the owners have the right to apply to the court to claim their rights, he explained.

Subsequently, he added, the purchase of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas is illegal and all those who buy or want to buy occupied properties must know this.

[03] UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS - LAW

To mark the occasion an event was held on Thursday, attended by Attorney General Petros Clerides, Minister of Education and Culture Andreas Demetriou, the Presidents and members of the House of Representatives Law and Education Committees, presidents of courts and judges.

In a press release issued on Friday, the University of Cyprus notes that 36 Law Department students were also present and had the opportunity to talk with the official guests and exchange views with professors.

[04] CYPRUS - EURO COIN

According to an announcement by the Central Bank of Cyprus, this is the first Cyprus collector coin in euro issue to commemorate the accession of Cyprus to the euro area in January this year.

The coin depicts Cyprus connected with a ring to Europe, īn a transfigurated map. The design was prepared by Nicolas Loucas and the coins were minted by the Mint of Finland.

The issue is limited to 15,000 pieces.

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