Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT TALKS- STATEMENTS

[02] UNSG SPECIAL ADVISER TALKS

[03] FM AUSTRALIAN FM- MEETING

[04] G/C-T/C PARTIES EDUCATION

[01] PRESIDENT TALKS- STATEMENTS

In statements after his 22nd meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of the direct negotiations aiming to solve the Cyprus problem, and asked whether or not the discussion on EU matters would have a better outcome than the discussion on the issue of properties, Christofias said that this is what we have always hoped for and aim at.

Asked to comment on the outcome of todays meeting, President Christofias referred journalists to the statement after the meeting, by Alexander Downer, the UN Secretary Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus.

I think the statement made by Mr. Downer is clear. We still have a long way to go, he said.

Asked if the contribution of EU experts is needed at this stage of the talks, President Christofias said that this will be considered during the course of discussions.

Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations with a view to solving the question of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] UNSG SPECIAL ADVISER TALKS

UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer has said that the leaders has first a tete-a-tete meeting for an hour and a half and then began discussions on EU matters.

``It was decided by the leaders that they would refer some of the technical, particular technical-legal issues to the experts, who will be meeting to discuss those further on both Friday and Monday. The leaders will meet again on Tuesday to review the work of the technical experts and have a further discussion on the EU matters,`` he added.

Asked if the EU is participating in anyway in this particular phase of the process, Donwer replied negatively, noting that the EU and none of the EU institutions are directly involved in the process at all.

[03] FM AUSTRALIAN FM- MEETING

During the meeting Kyprianou briefed Smith on the latest developments regarding the ongoing negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The two Ministers also discussed ways to further enhance bilateral relations, such as cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, water management and prevention of fires.

At the press conference, which followed, the Australian Foreign Minister thanked Cyprus for its contribution as Kyprianou announced financial aid of the amount of 100,000 Australian dollars by the Republic of Cyprus for the victims of the fire-devastated areas in the country.

[04] G/C-T/C PARTIES EDUCATION

Ambassador of Slovakia Anna Tourenikova, reading out the joint communique issued at the end of the meeting, said the leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties expressed opinion on the issue The role of education in the process for a solution in Cyprus as proposed by the hosting party the Turkish Cypriot United Cyprus Party.

The parities agreed that education should promote the peaceful coexistence of communities, reconciliation and multiculturalism. It should also eliminate mistrust, respect the different ethnic identity and open the path for the future of every Cypriot in a United Cyprus, the statement read.

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