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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-16Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS TALKSPresident of the Republic Demetris Christofias said Friday`s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the context of direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem, brought them much closer to agreeing on issues regarding deadlock resolving mechanisms for the legislative and the judiciary.Returning to the Presidential Palace after the meeting, President Christofias said that ``a good step forward was made in the hierarchy of laws.`` He added that the aides of the leaders of the two communities, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, would be meeting next week to conclude work which has already started, namely to record the overall results of the talks on governance. Furthermore, head of the working group on governance and power sharing Andreas Mavrommatis and member of the negotiating team Toumazos Tsielepis will be meeting with two representatives of the Turkish Cypriot side in order to wrap up the issue of deadlock resolving mechanisms for the legislative and the judiciary. Replying to questions, President Christofias said explained that the Turkish Cypriot side today presented its own text in response to a proposal by the Greek Cypriot side. We have to study this carefully, he added. ``As I have said, we are very close and what remains to be done is for the experts to reach a common proposal on the wording,`` the President said. Asked if the chapter on property was the most crucial, President Christofias said ``all chapters are crucial,`` noting that both sides have to rely on the basis of what has been agreed and discuss matters in a creative manner. This, at least, is the effort to get results, he pointed out. Invited to make an initial evaluation of the chapter on governance, President Christofias said ``we are making our own assessment, but cautioned saying that one should not be in a hurry to draw conclusions. What I am saying is that things are not bleak, there are issues in which we have made progress and there are issues which are still open and there are disagreements,`` the President stressed. The President noted that his next meeting with Talat is scheduled for January 28, when they will begin discussing the issue of property. [02] DOWNER - CYPRUS TALKSThe UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer has said that the leaders of the two communities discussed deadlock resolving mechanisms, among other issues, during their meeting on Friday in the framework of direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem, noting that ``it was a very good meeting and good progress was made.``Speaking after the meeting, Downer said the leaders of the two communities will meet again on January 28 and will start discussing the issue of property. He added that the leaders` aides will meet again next week and will start a preliminary discussion on property. [03] FREE GAZA - BOATFree Gaza Movement activists might attempt once more to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, after their past two attempts to do so have failed because of Israeli reaction.The Free Gaza Movement boat, Arion flying the Greek flag, which set sail Wednesday for the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians returned last night to Larnaca port in Cyprus, on the south coast. The boat, carrying international peace activists, doctors and journalists, as well as a four-member crew, was forced to return to Cyprus after it was harassed by three Israeli ships, 92 nautical miles off Larnaca coast. [04] CYPRUS - FOOTBALLVice President of UEFA and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA Marios Lefkaritis said on Friday that the issue of membership of the Turkish Cypriot football association in the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and the unification of football on the island cannot drag on forever and there is nothing more to be discussed.Lefkaritis was commenting on a press release of the Turkish Cypriot so-called association, issued on Thursday, that it was not possible to accept relevant proposals put forward by FIFA and UEFA, although an agreement had been previously reached. In remarks to CNA, Lefkaritis said that, after Thursday`s developments, there is ``nothing more to be discussed.`` He clarified that he was speaking in his UEFA and FIFA capacities and not as a representative of CFA, noting that the whole case has cost ``many hours and much expense.`` Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |