Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-11-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT SIOUFAS - MEETING

[02] GAROYIAN CYPRUS ISSUE LIECHTENSTEIN

[03] FM INDIA ATTACKS

[01] PRESIDENT SIOUFAS - MEETING

President Christofias, who held a meeting Thursday in Athens with President of the Greek Parliament Demetris Sioufas, said that Cyprus is too small to be divided but big enough for all its people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.

I will do my utmost to persuade the Turkish Cypriot leader that only we, Cypriots, have common interests and we must, at the end, rule this place. Away from foreign interventions, occupations, but in the framework of the EU, to fully restore human rights for all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, he said.

The Cypriot President, who is currently paying an official visit in Greece - the first official visit since his election last February, noted that the two communities used to live peacefully together for centuries but fell into many traps set by foreigners.

We have to find our good old selves and live again in peace, he added.

Referring to the ongoing talks, which began September between himself and the Turkish Cypriot leader with a view to reach a solution in Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, President Christofias said that the talks have given great expectations to the people of Cyprus, and not only to the people of Cyprus, and I am sure that in the end we will not betray those expectations.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side, ``which has proceeded to the talks with good will and flexibility``, faces problems with the Turkish Cypriot side, and added that Ankara is to be blamed for causing those problems.

Nevertheless, he noted that the Greek Cypriot side continues to be optimistic.

With the support of Greece, the EU and the international community, we will be able to free our people and our country, he said.

In his statements, Sioufas expressed the Greek Parliaments, the Greek parties and the Greek peoples steadfast support to the common goal to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem, a just, viable and functional solution.

He stressed the need to abolish the only remaining wall in Europe so that the two communities and their citizens can coexist peacefully and in harmony.

Sioufas expressed his support to the dialogue, which began between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus so that a solution is reached in the framework of the UN decisions and the EU acquis communautaire.

The Greek Parliament will continue supporting the Cypriot government and the people of Cyprus with the same determination, he stressed.

Sioufas rewarded President Christofias with the gold medal of the Greek Parliament. On his part, the Cypriot President gave him a silver replica of the ancient ship of Kyrenia.

[02] GAROYIAN CYPRUS ISSUE LIECHTENSTEIN

In statements, Thursday before departing to Liechtenstein, where he will participate in the 3rd Conference of the Presidents of Parliaments of Small European States, Garoyian stressed that the President of the Republic of Cyprus has the duty and the obligation to promote Cyprus international relations and conclude agreements with other states.

Garoyian was commenting on Talats criticism on Cypriot President Demetris Christofias recent official visit to the Russian Federation, where he signed a joint political declaration with the Russian President.

[03] FM INDIA ATTACKS

The Ministry issued Thursday a press release, in which it expresses the sympathy and the deepest and sincere condolences on behalf of the government and the Cypriot people to the government of India, the Indian people and the families of the victims.

At these difficult times for India, the Republic of Cyprus expresses its solidarity and support to the struggle of the government of India to eliminate international terrorism and notes the need for a more active engagement of the international community in the campaign against terrorism, the press release ends.

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