Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] US BRYZA CYPRUS

[02] SPOKESMAN CYPRUS TALKS

[03] GREEK SPEAKER VISIT

[01] US BRYZA CYPRUS

Bryza who is currently visiting Nicosia, and met on Monday morning Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou also said the US government was pleased that the leaders in Cyprus, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, reached an agreement on the opening of Limnitis crossing point, noting that this is the most concrete, constructive step forward that we can all see in quite some time, adding that they look forward to this agreement being implemented as quickly as possible.

Bryza said he had a very in depth and constructive discussion with Iacovou adding that he is here to listen.

The US has no role in this process except that we care that there will be a settlement that is just, that is lasting, that helps reunify Cyprus into a bizonal, bicommunal federation. It was so valuable to get a deeper understanding of the continuing difficulties but also the progress that has been made in the talks so far and then to hear Mr Iacovous thoughts on how to move further, Bryza noted.

Asked if he is conveying any message from US President Barack Obama, Bryza said only the one that I just did. That our policy remains what I was just saying. That we seek to do whatever we can to help the sides reach an agreement that is their own, the Cypriot parties themselves create, that reunifies the island into a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

But we dont have any plan of our own, we dont have any initiative or launching, we dont foresee ourselves playing any new role, unless the parties themselves, beginning right here in Nicosia, said please do something, he added.

Asked if he is optimistic from what he has heard, Bryza said he is realistic adding that Iacovou is also a realist and so experienced as well.

He noted that he has listened to what UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer has said and added we are trying to plan for success, which means we would like to look forward and anticipate there will be an agreement by the end of the year. But not being part of the process, whether I said I was optimistic or pessimistic would have no meaning.

Invited to comment on the agreement on the Limnitis crossing point, he said we are very pleased about that. It is the most concrete, constructive step forward that we can all see in quite some time.

We congratulate Minister Iacovou for all the work he put into it and we look forward to it being implemented as quickly as possible. It is a step that will help people in a concrete way. We were just talking about how recently some people have died trying to make their way to the hospital because there wasnt a quick way to get to the hospital. So thank Goodness this is about to change for the better, he added.

Asked about the possibility for the opening of another crossing point, he said that is up to the parties. We did not discuss that and the USs opinion on that does not matter because we are not part of the negotiations. But if the parties can come to such an agreement that would be very positive, he added.

Christofias and Talat reached on June 26 an agreement for the opening of Limnitis crossing point and the access to and from Kokkina.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island.

For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis, on the northwest, have to travel to Paphos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia. Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter. In the recent past, several crossing points to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people.

[02] SPOKESMAN CYPRUS TALKS

Invited to comment on statements by British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Peter Millett, Stephanou said that we will decide how we will move forward, adding that now we are at a phase in which the leaders of the two communities discuss with their advisers the different negotiating chapters separately and we still have work ahead of us.

There are no strict deadlines in the process, he stressed, noting that the international community has endorsed the Greek Cypriot sides position that it is unproductive to have strict deadlines and a process of arbitration. Stephanou stressed that the Greek Cypriot side wants a settlement the soonest possible and that it knows that time is not working in favour of the prospect for a settlement.

[03] GREEK SPEAKER VISIT

According to the official programme of his visit, Sioufas and his entourage will be welcomed Monday afternoon at Larnaka airport by President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian.

On Tuesday morning a ceremony will take place at Morphou Municipality, where Sioufas will be declared honorary citizen of Morphou and receive the golden key of the town, which has been occupied by Turkish troops since 1974. The same day he will be received by President Christofias and hold a meeting with Garoyian.

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