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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-02-26Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] SPOKESMAN NEGOTIATIONSGovernment Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that the basis on which direct negotiations between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are held is crystal clear and provides for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as provided by the UN relevant resolutions, and a state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality.Stephanou also noted that decisions concerning the negotiations and the way they move on are taken by the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus, Christofias and Talat, reiterating that the process belongs to the Cypriots. He said that Christofias has taken initiatives that have terminated immobility in the Cyprus question, adding that immobility and deadlocks favour the division of the island and Turkeys goals for the establishment of a second separate state on the island. Stephanou also noted that the basis of the negotiations has been adopted by the UN and that the positions outlined by the Greek Cypriot side are based on UN resolutions and international and European law principles. The Spokesman said that during their next meeting, on the 5th of March, Christofias and Talat will continue the discussion of the property issue and that the two leaders will decide further steps. Invited to comment a statement by Talat on agreed criteria regarding the property issue, the Spokesman recalled that President Christofias has submitted Greek Cypriot side`s framework of principles concerning the property issue. Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September last year with a view to solve the question of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. [02] US REPORT HUMAN RIGHTS CYPRUSThe United States does not recognise the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, in northern Turkish occupied Cyprus, nor does any country other than Turkey, a US State Department report on Cyprus says, noting the substantial number of Turkish troops on the island.The 2008 report on human rights in Cyprus, part of the annual US State Department report, dismisses Turkish Cypriot claims that mosques in the southern government controlled part of the country are neglected, and points out that the Cyprus government routinely carried out maintenance and repair of mosques in the area under its administration. The government of the Republic of Cyprus generally respected the human rights of its citizens, however there were problems in some areas, including police abuse and degrading treatment of persons in police custody and of asylum seekers, violence against women, discrimination against members of minority ethnic and national groups and trafficking of women to the island, particularly for sexual exploitation. Regarding the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic, which are under the title The area administered by Turkish Cypriots, the report notes that since 1974 the northern part of Cyprus, with a population of approximately 256,000 persons has been run by Turkish Cypriot administration that proclaimed itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in 1983. [03] BRITISH MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUEBritish Minister for Europe Caroline Flint called upon Turkey to practically support ongoing direct negotiations which began last September between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.Flint, who gave a lecture on British-Cypriot Relations at the London School of Economics said that the UK is ready to contribute to the successful outcome of the negotiations. I am certain that Turkey wants to see progress for its EU accession negotiations and this can not be done without normalising its relations with Cyprus, she underlined. A lasting solution, she added, would generate a sense of security, leading to the withdrawal of Turkish troops and the development of a new relationship with Turkey based on peace and common interest. Asked about the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, which occupy 37% of Cyprus` territory since the Turkish invasion of 1974, Flint said that in the framework of a future agreement, the withdrawal of troops, including the UN, should constitute an element of peace and stability on the island. [04] CYPRUS RALLY 2009 - MARCHThe Cyprus Rally 2009 will be the most interesting and demanding World Rally Championship (WRC) event of the year, stated Thursday Vice Chairman of the Cyprus Rally Organising Committee and Member of Parliament Marinos Sizopoulos.Speaking at a press conference to announce the details of the Cyprus Rally 2009, to take place 13 15 March, 2009, Sizopoulos commented on the positive international coverage that Cyprus will receive as a result of this highly regarded event. Such exposure is extremely valuable for the Cyprus tourism industry, he said, noting that some 15.000 tourists will attend the Rally and the estimated profit for Cyprus will be 25 million euros. The Cyprus Rally is organised by the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA). After two years of participating in the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), this year the Rally will again be part of the World Rally Championship (WRC), as Round 3 of the WRC Calendar. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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