Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM UNFICYP

[02] US AMBASSADOR UNFICYP

[03] CYPRUS LIBYA PROTOCOL

[04] MINISTER HYDROCARBONS

[01] FM UNFICYP

Kyprianou said that all draft resolutions are the subject of consultations, and noted that «our goal is to have objective and fair resolutions both legally and politically».

«We believe that the peace-keeping force has fulfilled an important assignment in Cyprus both as regards security and politics and has yet a very important role to play to resolve the Cyprus problem», the Foreign Minister said, suggesting that there should be no alteration of the role or the size of the Force, as long as the Cyprus problem is still pending.

He also said that as long as negotiations on the Cyprus question are going on the resolution must not contain a wording that can lead to misinterpretations or question the presence of UNFICYP in Cyprus before a solution of the Cyprus problem.

«If the goal is to adapt the role of UNFICYP after the settlement, which is rational, because if you solve the Cyprus problem needs for the presence of UNFICYP will change, then there must be a clear reference that we are talking about this issue» he said.

He also noted that the UN will make an evaluation of all peacekeeping missions for both administrative and financial purposes as well as to determine their effectiveness.

However, he noted, the issue of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus must be addressed in view of the particular circumstances that exist.

As he pointed out the Cypriot government considers UNFICYPs presence as indispensable contrary with Turkey, the Permanent Representative of which made representations recently to change UNFICYPs role.

Kyprianou also pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus pays beyond 1/3 of the cost of the peace-keeping force and covers with the Greek government more than half of the cost. He also said that Cyprus is ready to discuss the financial dimension of the issue.

Responding to a question, Kyprianou said that «nothing needs to change and we believe that given the current situation in Cyprus the role of UNFICYP must continue as it is and only if a solution is found it will be able to change this, and this must be reflected in the resolution.

Asked if there is an attempt by the US and Britain to impose unofficial timetables regarding the negotiations on the Cyprus question, Kyprianou said it would not be right to give interpretations on existing approaches and to comment on the attitude of other countries, at least at this point.

He noted that each country speaks for its own policy and noted that there is an agreed procedure which does not provide for any timetables and should be respected.

«Beyond that we make all the necessary representations to the UN and the Security Council members, he concluded.

UNFICYP, one of the longest serving UN peace missions, arrived on the island in March 1964 after intercommunal fighting broke out. Its mandate is renewed every six moths.

The Cyprus government has lodged a strong demarche with the United Nations in connection with moves by Britain and the US to link UNFICYPs presence with progress in the ongoing direct negotiations, which are held since September 2008, under UN auspices.

[02] US AMBASSADOR UNFICYP

In statements Wednesday, Urbancic also said that the US will not seek to set any deadlines regarding the ongoing direct negotiations process which began September 2008 between President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat with a view to reunify Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Asked whether he believes that the framework of the UNFICYPs mandate has to remain the same, he replied: If the question is does UNFICYP somehow influence the basis of the existence of the state, the answer to that is no. There is no attempt by the US or anybody else that I know to change those terms.

[03] CYPRUS LIBYA PROTOCOL

The Protocol was signed Wednesday by Cypriot Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis and Minister of Justice of Libya Abdel Jalil.

In statements to the press, Stavrakis said that in addition to the cooperation described in the Protocol, an effort is being made to sign an agreement with Libya on the avoidance of double taxation. ``Our aim is to attract foreign companies which invest in Libya, which could make their investments through Cyprus``, the Cypriot Minister said, pointing out that ``Cyprus has the lowest taxation in Europe.

[04] MINISTER HYDROCARBONS

Invited to comment on US Ambassador Frank Urbancics statements, according to which an American energy firm will begin exploring for oil and gas in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, on the southwest coast of the island, Paschalides said that Cyprus wants to attract investments from the United States.

He added that Americans intend to invest even more in Cyprus, assuring that the works for the exploitation of the mineral wealth of Cyprus is progressing normally. He pointed out that both Greek and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from this process.

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