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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-28Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CHRISTOFIAS - TALAT - MEETINGThe leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, held their 17th meeting on Wednesday, in the framework of the UN-led direct negotiations, which began last September with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.Asked how the five-hour meeting went, President Christofias said, we began``. Talat, when asked if he was satisfied with the meeting, said, we will see.`` During the meeting, which took place at the UN protected area of the old now defunct Nicosia airport, the two leaders began discussions on the issue of properties. President Christofias was accompanied by Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, head of the working group on governance Andreas Mavrommatis, head of the working group on properties Erato Kozakou Markoullis, member of the working group on properties Andreas Symeou, and aides Toumazos Tsielepis and Menelaos Menelaou. Their last meeting took place on January 16, when they concluded discussions on governance and power sharing. President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September last year, aiming at reunifying the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974. [02] UN - LEADERS - MEETINGThe UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said on Wednesday, after a meeting between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, that the leaders exchanged papers, which put down the principles that will guide their discussions on property.He added that the leaders will meet again on the 4th of February and will present initial reactions to each other`s papers. Zerihoun said that during their tete-a-tete meeting on Wednesday, the leaders decided to implement the understanding or agreement reached in the technical committees on cultural heritage, namely the establishment of an advisory board on the preservation, physical protection and restoration of immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus. [03] ECHR - PROPERTYThe European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled, by majority vote, that Turkey violates the property rights of eight Greek Cypriots, who own land and immovable property in Turkish occupied Cyprus.The Court has asked all of the applicants three from villages in the occupied district of Famagusta on the east and five from villages in Kyrenia district on the north and the Turkish government to submit, within three months from the date the Court judgment becomes final, their written observations. The Court also held that the heirs to these Greek Cypriots could continue the present proceedings, instead of the applicants themselves. The Court rejected Turkeys argument that domestic remedies have not been exhausted and therefore the European Court should not have accepted the applications. Turkey maintains that a self-styled properties commission, set up by the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus, is effective domestic remedy for property claims. [04] AUSTRALIA - THAILAND - NICOLAIDESThe Australian government has made representations to the government of Thailand over the sentencing and imprisonment of journalist and author Charis Nicolaides, an Australian citizen of Cypriot origin.Australian High Commissioner to Cyprus Evan Williams told CNA on Wednesday that Nicolaides is being treated as a consular case and that the Australian government is providing all the normal consular assistance it provides to its citizens overseas. ``The Australian government has made representations on his behalf to the government of Thailand`` on a ministerial level on behalf of Nicolaides and his family, Williams said and explained that ``this is the normal process, we write to them, eventually they will reply.`` Williams noted that, ``through our Consular Office at the Embassy in Bangkok, we are keeping a close eye on the issue.`` Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |