Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-05-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - QATAR - SHEIKH

[02] CYPRUS GOVERNMENT - TURKISH FM - ILLEGAL VISIT

[03] CYPRUS - ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT - INTERNATIONAL MEETING

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - QATAR - SHEIKH

This was stated by President Christofias, who heads the Cypriot delegation, on an official visit to Qatar.

Christofias said he asked the Emir to exert his influence on the Turkish leadership with which he maintains friendly relations, with a view to help efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus question.

He extended an invitation to Qatars leader to visit Cyprus, which he accepted.

The Cypriot President expressed the belief that his visit will be a turning point in relations between Qatar and the Republic of Cyprus and noted that he considered his visit very important both on political, financial and cultural terms.

Christofias said there is an identity of views with regard to efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the basis of the settlement and the fact that the peace process must take place in the UN framework and under UN auspices.

He noted that Qatar supports firmly UN resolutions and the two communities engagement in a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution.

The President said they discussed about the course of the Cyprus peace talks and he asked the Emir to exert his pressure because he has very friendly relations with the current Turkish leadership, with a view to help reach a mutually accepted settlement, based on principles.

Referring to bilateral relations, Christofias said there has been ample will to develop financial, cultural and sports ties between the two countries.

He said that three agreements were signed on Wednesday while another nine will be concluded very soon and will be signed by the competent ministers of the two countries.

Christofias also said they discussed the situation in the Middle East and exchanged views, noting that Qatar is undertaking certain peace initiatives.

We reconfirmed Cyprus position of solidarity with the Palestinian people and the settlement of two states, a Palestinian state with territorial integrity of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the state of Israel, he added.

He noted that they discussed relations between Cyprus and Lebanon, which he described as very close.

As he said they talked about the global financial crisis, noting that Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world and the biggest investment power.

Christofias noted that the Emir expressed his countrys readiness and will to invest in Cyprus which he considers as a friendly country.

The President returns home on Thursday.

[02] CYPRUS GOVERNMENT - TURKISH FM - ILLEGAL VISIT

``The Republic of Cyprus is a single state and undivided as an EU member state and party to international organisations and therefore visits (to the occupied areas) by any members of the Turkish leadership are not consistent with international law,`` Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said, from Doha, when asked to comment on todays visit.

The President stressed that the occupation of Cyprus is illegal and opposes and violates international law.

[03] CYPRUS - ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT - INTERNATIONAL MEETING

Furthermore, the support of Cyprus to the peace process was reaffirmed, along with the commitment of the UN to reaching a negotiated political settlement of the conflict.

Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, representing President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, said ``the firm commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to a peaceful and negotiated settlement of international disputes and more specifically to the peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict in a just and viable way is once again reaffirmed by its readiness to host the present meeting.``

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