Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-02-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT SERBIA - VISIT

[02] PRESIDENT - PfP

[03] GAROYIAN - TURKEY

[04] CYPRUS SUNSHINE CUP FIRST RACE

[01] PRESIDENT SERBIA - VISIT

The programme of his meetings begins with the official welcoming ceremony, at ``Srbija`` Palace.

President Christofias will have a half-hour tete a tete meeting with his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic, followed by official talks.

The talks will focus on deepening further existing excellent bilateral relations and on strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. The talks will also cover the Cyprus problem, Serbia`s relations with the EU and other bilateral and international issues.

In statements before his departure on Sunday, President Christofias said that Cyprus and Serbia are traditionally friendly countries and the late Presidents Archbishop Makarios III and Yugoslav President Josip Tito were two of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement.

We stood by Serbia when it was facing problems and Serbia and its people have been supporting the people of Cyprus over the years with positions of principle in our struggle for freedom and reunification of our country, the President remarked.

This visit, he added, will be a good opportunity to analyse our positions on the Cyprus issue and listen to our Serb friends on the problems they are facing with Kosovo and we are also at their side in their effort to join the European Union.

The talks between Tadic and Christofias will be followed by the singing of a number of Agreements and Memoranda of cooperation, which will further consolidate the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

President Christofias will attend a working lunch hosted by Serbia`s Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

He will attend a ceremony for the opening of the new premises of the Cypriot embassy in Serbia and will meet President of the Serbian National Assembly Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

On Tuesday, President Christofias and Cvetkovic will address the opening of the Serbian-Cyprus Business Forum organised by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while later on he will give a lecture at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade.

President Christofias stated on Sunday that the Forum will further develop trade and exchanges between the two countries.

On Tuesday Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou will meet his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic, while Cypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides will meet Serbian Minister of Commerce and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic. Paschalides will also meet Serbian Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic.

President Christofias returns to Cyprus on Tuesday.

[02] PRESIDENT - PfP

His remarks came after a resolution approved by the European Parliament, which calls upon Turkey to cease hindering the cooperation between EU and NATO and encourages Cyprus «to review its political position on its membership of the Partnership for Peace».

Replying to a question whether he would revise his position on PfP accession after the EP resolution and encouragement from Cypriot parties, the President said ``of course not.`` He referred to decisions taken by former Presidents Tassos Papadopoulos and Glafcos Clerides not to apply for accession to PfP and wondered why now his government is being urged to apply for PfP membership.

[03] GAROYIAN - TURKEY

Commenting on an interview by Kenan Akin who shot dead Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou in August 1996 during an anti-occupation demonstration, Garoyian said that ``unfortunately Akin remains unrepentant as Turkey continues to provoke and behaves in a very arrogant way, under the protection of some of its powerful allies.``

It is for this reason that unfortunately Turkey continues to hinder efforts to achieve a correct, functional and viable settlement, leaving the Cyprus question pending since 1974, he pointed out. Ankara, he added, continues to provoke the international community and breach international law and EU principles and values.

[04] CYPRUS SUNSHINE CUP FIRST RACE

Sunday`s first race, covering a distance of 47 km from Tohni to Kalavasos, ended in victory for Emil Lindren from Sweden, who finished the race in 01:53, leaving Greek Pericles Elias in second place and Swiss Christof Bischof in third place.

In the women`s elite category, Swedish Alexandra finished in first place with 02:14:44, followed by Italian Engen Elena Gaddoni in second place and German Melanie Spath in third place. Cypriot athletes Marios Athanasiades, Vassilis Adamou and George Fattas finished in 16th, 37th and 46th place respectively.

The next race will take place on Machairas Mountain in three stages. Stage one begins on February 27.

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