Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-11-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT DIRECT TALKS

[02] ZERIHOUN NEGOTIATIONS

[03] EP VICE PRESIDENT CULTURAL HERITAGE

[04] CZECH HOUSE PRESIDENT TURKEY CYPRUS

[01] PRESIDENT DIRECT TALKS

Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace after his sixth meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the UN protected area, in the framework of direct negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem, President Christofias said he was very well aware that when he undertook the presidency of the Republic, things would not be easy. I am very well aware of it. Some people are in a hurry. I have said this before. A lot of patience is required and nerves of steel, which I believe I possess.

Asked if there was progress in Mondays discussions, the President said when I consider that the time has come to tell the people if we have progress or not, I will do so.

Invited to comment statements that Talat is sending the notes of the talks to Ankara, the President replied that he was under no illusion that this was taking place. Why should I be saddened by this? Do you think we were under the illusion that Mr. Talat was not informing Ankara on what is going on?

President Christofias said that he will continue to have tete-a-tete meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader because it is something useful and which helps relieve tension between the two sides. Explanations are given on issues which have taken place and I think that this is useful, he added.

UN Secretary Generals Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun announced after todays meeting that the two leaders will have two meetings again next week, one on Tuesday November 11 and the other on Friday November 14.

[02] ZERIHOUN NEGOTIATIONS

In a statement to the press, after their three hour meeting, UN Secretary Generals Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said the two leaders will have two meetings again next week, one on Tuesday November 11 and the other on Friday November 14.

Invited to say if there has been a narrowing of the gap on the executive, Zerihoun said he could not get into details, adding that indeed they are dealing with these issues. There are many complicated issues you know better than I, and they are moving forward, I can assure you about that, he added.

[03] EP VICE PRESIDENT CULTURAL HERITAGE

Mauro, who met here Monday President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian, discussed with him the Cyprus issue as well as the destruction of the cultural heritage in the areas of Cyprus, occupied since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

According to an official press release, noting the fact that there is no sufficient knowledge on behalf of European citizens about the destruction, Mauro stressed the need to intensify efforts and actions aiming at informing the citizens of the European states about it.

[04] CZECH HOUSE PRESIDENT TURKEY CYPRUS

Vlcek, who is in Cyprus for a three-day official visit, heading a parliamentary delegation and a group of businesspeople, discussed Monday with President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian the Cyprus issue, Turkeys EU course, bilateral relations, as well as the Czech Republics assumption of the next EU Presidency.

The Czech official said that one of the main reasons of his visit is to listen to the positions of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the Cyprus issue, the possibilities for a viable and just solution as well as to offer help and contribution towards this direction, while referring to Turkey, he said that Turkeys EU accession could help efforts to reach a solution, provided that Turkey fulfills all obligations it has undertaken, including the a priori recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

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