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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-07-15Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRUPS - 1974 COUPCyprus has commemorated all those killed defending the Republic, during the 1974 military coup, on July 15, against the democratically elected President of Cyprus. The coup, engineered by the Greek military junta, then ruling Greece, was followed by the Turkish invasion five days later, which resulted in the occupation of Cyprus` northern third. The Cypriot political, religious and state leadership attended the annual commemoration ceremony, in the presence of President Demetris Christofias.``This day causes pain and indignation. Today we pay tribute to those who fought and fell defending the Republic to counter the fascist coup of the junta and EOAK B`,`` the President said in statements after the ceremony. Noting that the coup was the pretext for Turkey to invade Cyprus on the grounds of restoring constitutional order, the President recalled that ``very soon Makarios (the democratically elected President of Cyprus) returned to Cyprus, but for thirty five years now Turkey has been implementing old plans locked in drawers since the 1950s.`` The President said some so-called patriots have led the country to partition, with Turkey controlling its northern part. ``Ever since we are striving to restore the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus,`` President Christofias said, recalling that ``Makarios took a courageous decision, to see the Republic of Cyprus evolve from a unitary state to a federal one, with the basic goal to end the occupation and restore the human rights of all Cypriots,`` he said. [02] PRESIDENT - TALKS - TURKEYPresident Demetris Christofias believes that a political settlement in Cyprus is possible by December, if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership change course. President Christofias` comments came in the wake of positions expressed by Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in Ankara, that the current UN-led negotiations could conclude by December this year. Foreign officials speak of an ``international timeframe`` expiring in December, when the European Commission is expected to assess Turkeys accession course.``There is no international timeframe,`` the President stressed replying to questions, adding that ``if there is something which could be considered international, that is our agreement with the UN Secretary-General that there will be no timeframes and especially no suffocating ones and that there will be no arbitration,`` in the ongoing talks, which began in September last year. Stressing that he remains committed to this agreement, President Christofias expressed ``anger and regret`` at any suggestion that EU leading personalities or UN officials might be talking about timeframes. ``We want a solution soon,`` the President said, stressing that ``if Turkey needs a solution, it must first help itself. In my opinion, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership must change course and respect the fundamental principles of international law, in addition to showing respect for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, of the United Republic of Cyprus, which I hope will emerge out of the unitary state. ``If Turkey shows this respect and shifts its policy, it is possible to reach a settlement by December,`` Christofias said, warning everybody that they should remind Ankara, not Nicosia, of this coming December. Ankara, he added, must be reminded of its obligations towards the EU, Cyprus and the international community, which so far it has failed to meet. [03] HOUSE - NEW MPsThree new members of the House of Representatives have been sworn in to replace three MPs who have been elected to the European Parliament. Panikos Champas of left wing AKEL party takes the seat of MEP Takis Hatzigeorgiou, Andreas Kyprianou of right wing Democratic Rally Party (DISY) replaces MEP Eleni Theocharous and Stelios Ieronymides of center Democratic Party (DIKO) replaces MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou.The swearing-in ceremony took place in the 56seat House of Representatives in the presence of President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, during a special session to denounce the 1974 military coup and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. House President Marios Garoyian congratulated the new MPs and expressed the wish that their presence in Parliament would be creative and substantive. I hope that your knowledge and experience will contribute to the achievement of the goals the Parliament has set out and at the same time you will serve Cypriot society and the Republic of Cyprus, he said. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |