Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-20

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - LONDON - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] DEFENCE MINISTRY - EU SEMINAR

[03] TOURISM - REVENUE

[04] CoE DEVELOPMENT BANK - CYPRUS - LOAN

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - LONDON - CYPRUS ISSUE

Pointing out that his most pressing priority is to establish peace and reconciliation in Cyprus, he warned that the continuation of the islands division, as a result of the continuing Turkish occupation of its northern part, is a certain recipe leading to permanent division, a prospect he described as certain catastrophe for the people of Cyprus.

The President, acknowledging that he had expected more progress at the ongoing UN-led peace talks for a solution, stressed that negotiations must continue until there is a settlement as there is no other option to achieve this goal.

It is necessary for Turkey to fully realise that the illegal occupation of EU territory in Cyprus is not in accordance with its European aspirations and the goal for full accession, he said in a speech to mark the 30th anniversary of the Cypriot Community Centre in Haringey, London.

President Christofias said that from the very first day of assuming his duties as President, in February 2008, he had taken steps towards the objective of ending the division of the country and achieving the peaceful re-unification of Cyprus.

He added that those steps concern the creation of the prerequisites for the commencement of the dialogue with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community and the promotion of good-will measures which act as a catalyst in the efforts to find a solution to the problem.

A solution, he continued, of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality as described in United Nation resolutions, noting at the same time that the United Federal Republic of Cyprus will be a state with an undivided sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship.

A solution, he said, that will lead to the withdrawal of occupation troops, terminate the illegal colonisation, reunify society, the institutions and the economy and will, finally, restore human rights for all Cypriots.

President said in his speech that our efforts have borne fruit and after an agreement with Mr. Talat (leader of the Turkish Cypriot community) on the basis of the solution of the problem we began, last September, a process of direct talks, noting that we were under no illusions concerning the difficulty of this effort.

He went on to say that progress has been achieved. However, we had expected greater progress than the progress that has been achieved so far. In fact, important differences still exist on a number of fundamental issues.

Nevertheless, he added, we are not discouraged and we will not abandon our effort. We have the necessary patience and the good will to continue until we achieve the desired result. There is simply no alternative.

President Christofias pointed out that the key factor for a solution remains Turkey, who despite her public pronouncements of support to the process of direct talks, is not helpful.

He underlined that there is a clear contradiction in Ankara: Turkish officials reassure the international community that they are in favour of the process to resolve the Cyprus question under the auspices of the United Nations while simultaneously they work towards promoting the policy of confederation between two equal states.

In addition, he continued, Turkish officials, among them the Foreign Minister Mr Davutoglu, threaten the Republic of Cyprus, a behaviour not in the least compatible with Turkeys declarations that she wants a solution. This behaviour is contradictory and harmful.

He stressed that it is necessary for Turkey to fully realize that the illegal occupation of EU territory in Cyprus is not in accordance with her European aspirations and her goal for full accession.

Despite the difficulties, President said, I continue to believe, as always, in our just and common struggle. We will continue to work diligently towards reaching a solution by the Cypriots for the Cypriots, a solution that will truly reunify our homeland and that will safeguard the human rights of all Cypriots.

He noted that let there be no doubt of my commitment to this peaceful vision. A solution based on principles. On the relevant UN resolutions, on the principles of international and European law, on the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979 between the leaders of the two communities.

Moreover, he said that there are many references by Mr Talat to the body of work of the United Nations, referring to previous plans to resolve the Cyprus question or to ideas and documents that from time to time were submitted and were accepted by the two communities as a basis for negotiation but were finally rejected either by one or the other community. The President stressed that these do not constitute the so-called body of work of the United Nations for the simple reason that they were rejected by the communities.

What constitutes the body of work, he explained, are the resolutions and decisions of the international organization which determine the basis and the framework for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

It is the resolutions and the decisions of the UN which define that the solution must provide for the withdrawal of the foreign troops as for example resolution 3212 of the General Assembly of the UN, but also Resolutions 353, 360, 789, 1251 and other resolutions of the Security Council.

It is the resolutions that provide for the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federal state which will have one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality as set out in resolutions 750, 774, 939 and in subsequent resolutions.

Those are resolutions 541, 550 of the UN which unanimously condemn as an illegal and secessionist action the declaration of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus and explicitly state that only one state exists in Cyprus, the state of the Republic of Cyprus, which is internationally regognised.

It is resolution 186 of 1964 that clearly states that the Republic of Cyprus continues to exist, irrespective of any domestic problems.

It is resolution 550 of the Security Council, resolution 37/253 and other resolutions of the UN General Assembly refer to the occupation of a part of the Republic of Cyprus, President Christofias underlined.

He, also, said that the Court of Justice of the European Communities has recently vindicated our positions which are based on the principles and values of united Europe towards the restoration of the human rights of the entire people of Cyprus.

Referring to the Cypriot Community Centre, he said that it has proved to be very successful, adding that most important, for many reasons, is the fact that the Cypriot Community Centre has become a living symbol of peaceful and harmonious unity between all the sections and religious denominations among us Cypriots: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites, Latins.

He continued saying that the Centre proves conclusively every day, and has been doing so for many years, that the values and norms that bring us together as Cypriots most definitely far outweigh the very few that may divide us.

In addition, he said that this self-evident lesson taught by the Centre for our common benefit is truly inspiring, noting that it is incumbent upon all of us, politicians and citizens alike, and it is of crucial significance that we draw the unmistakable lessons from this experience and apply them always in our daily lives.

He underlined that the example of this peaceful and harmonious spirit enjoyed by all of you here at the Centre is nowhere more in need of emulation than in our common home, the ancestral land of your forefathers and yourselves.

It is precisely this spirit that I have always felt bound by in my political and personal life and I would like to reassure you, once again, that I am 100% committed to fighting consistently for the good of all Cypriots without any exception, he added. He stressed that peace, reconciliation and harmony must prevail in Cyprus for the common good. As I have repeatedly stated, this is my most pressing priority as President.

To allow the continuation of the brutal division of our homeland is the surest recipe for permanent division, which is a certain catastrophe for our country and our people, the President warned as he concluded his speech.

[02] DEFENCE MINISTRY - EU SEMINAR

Some 75 representatives from 20 countries, including Russia, the EU, various European organisations and the UN will attend the meeting. The Minister of Defence Costas Papacostas will open the seminar.

The European Security and Defence College is a virtual institution for strategic level training within the area of European Security and Defence Policy.

[03] TOURISM - REVENUE

Tourist arrivals during the same period showed a 10,9 % decline, compared with the 2008 corresponding period, registering 1.478.712 this year from 1.660,506 last year. In August, revenue from tourism reached 234,8 m. euro, compared with 278 m. the same month in 2008, recording a drop of 15,6%.

The average per person spending, while on holiday in Cyprus, also dropped to 805,1 euro, from 847,3 in August 2008 while each tourist spent daily an average of 72,1 euro instead of 74,3 euro the year before. In August this year, 291.583 tourists arrived in Cyprus, compared with 328.100 in 2008.

[04] CoE DEVELOPMENT BANK - CYPRUS - LOAN

The new sewerage plant will solve serious environmental and operational problems in the Nicosia sewerage system, caused by old technology which still in place, and it will be a relief for the residents of various suburbs of the capital as well as the northern Turkish occupied part of the capital.

The loan provides for 21 m. euro for the construction of the new bicommunal plant, 24 m. to complete the tarmac on certain roads in greater Nicosia and 23 m. for the partial funding of the sewerage system in other areas of Nicosia. The total cost of the bicommunal plant is estimated at 26,5 m., of which 21 m. will come from the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article