Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN TURKISH SIDE PILGRIMAGE

[02] KYPRIANOU BAKOYIANNIS MEETING

[03] SPOKESMAN SYRIA

[04] CYPRUS TURTLE PROJECT

[01] SPOKESMAN TURKISH SIDE PILGRIMAGE

``I do not think anyone can doubt that the problem arose from the manner in which the occupation `authorities` handled the matter there and that it was a way that would in the end annul the purpose of the pilgrimage,`` he said.

Replying to questions, Stephanou said the government is in contact with the UN and through the UN with the Turkish Cypriot side in all such cases, and that organised groups that undertake their own initiatives make arrangements with the help of the government.

Stephanou noted that there was no agreement in writing concerning the pilgrimage and that the Greek Cypriot side had kept its side of the agreement.

He pointed out that as long as the Cyprus problem exists, there will be problems.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] KYPRIANOU BAKOYIANNIS MEETING

According to a press release issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens, Bakoyiannis, speaking after a meeting with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou, said that decisions on Greeces stance would depend on the response of Turkey towards the demands of the EU.

Kyprianou said that a solution to the Cyprus problem should be to the benefit of all Cypriots, and that Turkey must become actively involved in efforts for a solution.

Furthermore, Bakoyiannis thanked the Republic of Cyprus for its generous help in efforts to put out recent fires in Attiki, adding that no one could forget Cyprus` help in putting out the fires of 2007 and the reconstruction of Artemida village.

[03] SPOKESMAN SYRIA

Stephanou referred to the official visit of President Christofias to Damascus earlier this week, and said that President Christofias went to Syria with the main aim to promote the enhancement of the bilateral relations and to discuss possible problems in the relations of the two countries.

We believe that as a result of President Christofias visit to Damascus, any problems or shadows in the bilateral relations will begin to erase. The further development of the bilateral relations, as it has been ascertained during the official visit, is a common wish, Stephanou said, noting that the signing of ten interstate agreements and protocols between the two countries proves that wish.

[04] CYPRUS TURTLE PROJECT

The Green Turtle and the Caretta Caretta are the two species of turtles nesting in Cyprus. Both species are threatened by extinction in the Mediterranean and have been declared as priority species by the European Union.

Myroula Hadjichristophorou Senior Officer of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research told CNA that the Turtle Conservation Project is potentially the most successful in the Mediterranean, since is the only one that marks an increase in the turtle population.

Green Turtles nest on the coast beaches of Lara/Toxeftra and Caretta in Lara/Toxeftra area but their main nesting beaches are in the Polis/Limni/Lialia area in Chrysochou Bay.

The last few years an important increase in the number of nests has been observed in both areas. In Lara Loxeftra there are 200 nests from both species of turtles and in Polis/Limni area there are 350 nests only from Caretta Caretta, Hadjichristophorou said.

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