Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-07-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS PROBLEM - NEGOTIATIONS

[02] COMMONWEALTH - CYPRUS - MINISTERS

[01] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS PROBLEM - NEGOTIATIONS

Invited to comment on Turkish Cypriot press reports that a solution is possible by the end of the year, Stephanou noted that this is not the first time that such positions have been expressed.

This does not depend only on the Greek Cypriot side. This depends on both sides, in the sense that there are no timetables and there is also the provision that the settlement will be put for approval at simultaneous and separate referenda, Stephanou stressed.

He noted that this is provided by the agreement between the two communities and with the UN Secretary General and by a UN resolution, that the solution must be mutually acceptable and agreed and that it must be put to separate and simultaneous referenda.

Stephanou said that for the time being no one can tell where the negotiating process stands and what the prospects are to reach an agreed settlement. It is clear, he added, that if the positions submitted at the negotiating table are not in line with the basis of a solution, then it will be difficult to reach an agreed settlement.

He noted that there is no timetable before us, despite the fact that we have said that we want a settlement the soonest possible, because time does not work in favour of a settlement and the reunification of Cyprus, in the framework of a bicommunal, bizonal federation.

The lapse of time works in favour of division, Stephanou pointed out, noting that this is why we are working very intensively to reach a settlement.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

[02] COMMONWEALTH - CYPRUS - MINISTERS

The Council of Ministers has already authorised the Minister of Finance to make the necessary arrangements for organising the meeting in Cyprus.

During the meeting, the Ministers of Finance of Commonwealth members will have the opportunity to discuss the global financial crisis and the reaction of the member states separately and collectively, through their participation in international organisations.

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