Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS - LIMNITIS

[02] CYPRUS FM - OSCE

[03] 򹫭 VIRUS - NEW CASES

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS - LIMNITIS

In an address read out for him at the opening of a Wine Festival in London organized by the Cypriot Community living in the British capital, President Christofias noted that a large part of our land is still under Turkish occupation, in violation of international law and international and European conventions for the protection of human rights.

I want to assure you``, he pledged, ``that we struggle to get rid Cyprus of the foreign military presence, the return of refugees to their homes and properties, the reunification of the state, its people and institutions, and the economy based on international law and principles and values on which the European Union was founded.

Referring to the direct talks, aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, he said he continues the negotiations with good will, defending principles.

We negotiate for achieving a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation, in the framework of which Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots would be politically equal.

However, the Cypriot President clarified, that does not necessarily mean numerically equal, because it has to be taken into account the weight of each community in the whole population.

Christofias stressed that despite the fact that the Cyprus talks are difficult, we have the patience and persistence and we show the necessary flexibility to reach a mutually acceptable compromise, which will safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the united federal Republic of Cyprus, the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.

He reaffirmed that we remain adhered and committed to achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. The path for this, as you know, is fraught with obstacles. We hope that our interlocutors and Turkey as well, will understand and demonstrate the necessary goodwill to reach a solution.``

The Cypriot President pointed out that ``the Turkish leadership should realize that if they want to move forward with the accession course, it is necessary for the country to fulfill its obligations towards the European Union and Cyprus. Otherwise, Turkey will find us as an obstacle on its European course.

He noted that the contribution of the Cypriots living in London in this struggle is decisive and urged them to continue informing ``the citizens of this country, with an aim to stop the illegal usurpation of the Greek Cypriot properties in the occupyied territories and the government of the United Kindom adopts policies that would be based on principled positions and UN Security Council resolutions``.

On the Limnitis crossing point, Christofias underlined that with patience, perseverance and devotion to principles, we managed to achieve the objective which is the opening of Limnitis. The agreement to open the crossing point is a positive development that revitalizes the optimism for a solution to the Cyprus problem and the vindication of our people.

The Cypriot President acknowledged that the opening of crossing points is certainly not the solution of the Cyprus problem, although it strengthens the feeling of confidence between the two communities and helps create a good climate on the background of the negotiations.

[02] CYPRUS FM - OSCE

The 56-member Organisation will discuss security issues, including a new ``European security architecture`` proposed by Russia. The Foreign Ministers will also try to overcome Russian-Western differences regarding Georgia.

The OSCE meeting will follow Saturday`s NATO-Russia Council. The NATO Foreign Ministers meet their Russian counterpart in their highest level contact since the Georgia war.

[03] 򹫭 VIRUS - NEW CASES

A press release issued by the Ministry of Health informed that six more cases of the disease were confirmed after laboratory examinations.

According to the announcement, five Cypriots and one English woman were found yesterday with the virus.

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