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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-12-08Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS TALKSCyprus President Demetris Christofias has said that that Greek Cypriot side is ready to show the necessary flexibility with a view to creating the necessary preconditions that will lead to a mutually accepted settlement of the Cyprus question.He also said that he is determined to defend principles and values which are internationally safeguarded. We do not compromise with division or the notion of the existence of two peoples on the island and no one has the moral right for such compromises, Christofias stressed, adding that direct negotiations on the Cyprus question which began on September 3 this year opened a window of hope. We have proved internationally our sincere intention and political will to reunite our country, he said, noting that we refuse to compromise with unacceptable and new given solutions. Cyprus President said that we remain firm on our principles, on a settlement that will end Turkeys occupation and terminate illegal immigration by Turkish settlers, a solution which will restore and safeguard human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people, including the right of the refugees to return to their homes and properties. Christofias noted that we expect that the other side will also show the same spirit of cooperation, adding that we stand at the beginning of a difficult effort. Based on our long-standing and friendly relations with Mehmet Ali Talat (Turkish Cypriot leader) and the Republican Turkish Party, we expected a more optimistic course at the negotiations. But we are not disappointed. With prudence, political maturity and defending principles we will struggle for a settlement that will come from the Cypriots - Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and serve only the interests of the Cypriot people, he added. Christofias reiterated that we are struggling for a settlement on the basis on UN resolutions for Cyprus, a settlement that will provide for the demilitarization of a United Federal Republic of Cyprus, with a single and undivided sovereignty, an international personality, a single citizenship and political equality, as provided by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and a settlement that will certainly abide by EU principles and values. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Christofias and Talat have been engaged in talks since September to find a mutually acceptable solution that will reunite the country. [02] FORMER PRESIDENT HEALTHิhe state of health of Former President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos remains critical, Cyprus Minister of Health Christos Patsalidis has said. Speaking on Sunday after a meeting of the medical board, which examined Papadopoulos` condition, Patsalidis said that the situation remained the same as before and doctors did not consider it necessary to issue a new report.According to the medical report issued Saturday, the former President, who was admitted to Nicosia General Hospitals Intensive Care Unit on November 22, is still facing severe breathing difficulties. He is suffering from lung cancer. Patsalides added that ``the doctors continue with the same treatment, there is a constant communication and exchange of views with doctors and professors from abroad for a more comprehensive assessment of the situation, which remains critical.`` [03] SLOVAK MINISTER - VISITSlovak Deputy Prime Minister for Legislation and Minister of Justice Stefan Harabin is on a three-day official visit to Cyprus. Today Harabin will hold official talks with Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order Kypros Chrysostomides.He will also meet Attorney-General Petros Clerides and Supreme Court President Petros Artemi. The Slovak Minister will visit the headquarters of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in Nicosia. Harabin will depart from Cyprus on Wednesday, December 10. [04] CYRPUS - UK - MoUCyprus and the UK will sign here today a Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of scientific research and development on Monday. The memorandum will be signed at the Planning Bureau by Minister of Education and Culture Andreas Demetriou and British High Commissioner Peter Millett.The memorandum provides for strengthening relations and cooperation between the two countries in the field of scientific research and development. It entails setting up a joint Cyprus Britain Committee, which will be made up of officials from the two countries and will define the fields of cooperation, create positive climate to ease communication between academic institutions from both countries, promote contacts between researchers, exchange information and implement common, scientific programmes. The memorandums coordination will be undertaken by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation and the British High Commission in Nicosia. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |