Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-11-02

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] PRESIDENT OCCUPIED AREAS FUNERAL

[03] CZECH HOUSE SPEAKER CYPRUS - VISIT

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

President Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot side has the political will to reunify Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

We work with the necessary flexibility to create those circumstances that would lead to a mutually agreed solution, he added.

Addressing an event to mark 100 years of the Akanthous Municipality, one of the nine Turkish occupied municipalities in Cyprus, President Christofias referred to the role of the international community.

Since the solution of the Cyprus problem depends to a great extent on Turkeys political will, we deem as necessary the involvement of the international factor, so as to use its influence on Ankara with determination in order to show the necessary flexibility and positive approach, he said.

The Cypriot President assured that the Greek Cypriot side will work with consistency to achieve a just solution of the Cyprus problem, to the benefit of all its citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

He noted that the initiatives undertaken by the Greek Cypriot side have paved the way for the resumption of the negotiations aiming at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The solution, he added, must free Cyprus from the Turkish occupation and restore human rights.

We seek to determine the future of our country together with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, to reach a solution that would serve Cyprus interests, through a process with no suffocating timeframes or arbitration, he stressed.

President Christofias added that we expect all to act with the same spirit of good will and compromise.

The Cypriot President reiterated that the solution must be based on the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, which provide for the termination of flows of settlers coming illegally to Cyprus, as well as the demilitarization of the island.

The state, he noted, must have one and only sovereignty, one international personality, political equality, as outlined in the relevant UNSC resolutions.

President Christofias also stressed that the solution must be based on EU principles and values.

The solution, he said, must reunify the island, its people, its economy and institutions, in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, and be based on the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began last September direct negotiations with a view to reunify Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of the islands territory.

[02] PRESIDENT OCCUPIED AREAS FUNERAL

President Christofias, accompanied by first lady Ersi, crossed over to the Turkish occupied areas for the first time since he assumed office last February. Expressing his deep sorrow, President Christofias said that the loss of Zehra Ozgur and her husband, almost three years ago, is a great tragedy both for their family and Turkish Cypriots, as well as for all people of Cyprus.

The funeral was also attended by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. After the pray, President Christofias and Talat walked together to the cemetery where they put some soil to the grave of Zehra Ozgur, who was buried next to her husband, Turkish Cypriot politician Ozker Ozgur, who struggled throughout his life for the reunification of Cyprus.

[03] CZECH HOUSE SPEAKER CYPRUS - VISIT

According to an official press release, participating in the delegation are Vice President of the Czech Parliament Vojtech Filip, member of the Democratic Party (ODS) Jiry Hanus, President of the Social Democratic Party (CSSD) Michal Hasek, President of the Christian Democratic Party (KDU-CSL) Pavel Severa, President of the Communist Party Pavel Kovacik and President of the Bohemia and Moravia Communist Party (KSCM).

During his stay in Cyprus, Vlcek will be received by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias. He will also have a series of other meetings.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article