Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS TALKS STATEMENTS

[02] LEADERS TALKS UN

[03] EURO ELECTIONS - CANDIDACIES SUBMITTED

[04] BRITAIN - FLIGHTS CYPRUS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS TALKS STATEMENTS

The issue was discussed here today during a meeting between Christofias and Talat in the framework of UN-led direct negotiations for a Cyprus settlement.

Returning to the Presidential Palace, President Christofias said he expects an answer from the Turkish Cypriot leader concerning the opening of Limnitis crossing point, at their next meeting on Thursday, 21 May.

``I am expecting an answer next week from Mr. Talat to see if the Turkish Cypriot side persists on the issue of refueling``, he said.

Replying to questions, the President said he has not made any concessions during the ongoing talks, as he fended off criticism from political parties.

Asked if we are nearer to the opening of the Limnitis crossing point, President Christofias advised that ``the less we say, the better``.

He said he will meet Greek Cypriot community leaders of Astromeritis and Kato Pyrgos, in the area of Limnitis, when he returns from London, where he is going for medical reasons.

During today`s meeting the two leaders continued discussions on economic matters.

President Christofias said their advisers and the working groups on economic matters have done already a classification of the positions of the two sides and will intensify their efforts to find convergences, so that the leaders can review them.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with an aim to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem and reunite the island.

[02] LEADERS TALKS UN

UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun told reporters, after the 28th meeting in the framework of the UN-led direct negotiations, currently underway with a view to reach a negotiated settlement, that the leaders met for a tete-a-tete for about an hour.

During the time of their meeting, he added, the representatives continued their discussions on economic matters and the leaders then joined them. They agreed to meet again on Thursday morning, 21st May. For that meeting, they have asked the representatives to present the outcome of their discussions on economic matters so far, so that the leaders can review them and make decisions on the joint papers on economic matters, Zerihoun said.

[03] EURO ELECTIONS - CANDIDACIES SUBMITTED

Candidacies were submitted from 0900 (0600 GMT) hours to 1230 local time either directly by the candidate him/her self or by his/her supporters.

The official results of the European Parliament elections, to be held in Cyprus on 6 June, will be announced on Sunday, June 7, after the end of the voting in all EU member-states.

A total of 525.000 persons are on the electoral list in Cyprus, 10.000 of whom are overseas, 1.300 are Turkish Cypriot voters and 5.000 nationals of other EU countries and 7.400 are new voters.

A total of 33 polling stations will be set up abroad in 25 towns in different countries for the June elections, in which Cypriots will be called to choose six deputies to represent their country.

[04] BRITAIN - FLIGHTS CYPRUS

A spokesman for the British Department of Transport has told CNA it is impossible to conduct direct flights between Britain and Cyprus occupied areas because they are prohibited by the Chicago International Convention, which regulates the operation of civil aviation worldwide.

On Monday a hearing relating to an appeal by a Turkish Cypriot against the prohibition of such flights will begin before Britains Supreme Court. The appeal was lodged by CTA Holidays Limited, linked to the so-called Turkish Cypriot airways, after representations by the latter to the British Department of Transport to lift the prohibition. The Departments reply rejected the representations.

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