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Monday, 18 November 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-23Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT BARROSO SARKOZY NEW YORKThe Cyprus question and Turkeys EU accession course were discussed in a meeting Tuesday between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, on the sidelines of a UN meeting on climate change.According to reliable sources, President Christofias briefed Barroso on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the prospects for a solution, as the EU prepares to assess Turkeys accession course in December. President Christofias also said, during the meeting, that the European Commission can significantly contribute to the efforts for a solution, by taking advantage of the Turkeys evaluation and convincing Ankara to change its stance towards Cyprus. On the sidelines of the UN meeting on climate change, President Christofias had a friendly conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. President Christofias will attend on Wednesday the official opening of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, to be addressed by the UN Secretary General and the Presidents of Brazil and the USA. President Christofias will hold a series of bilateral meetings with various heads of state, including Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, the President of Bosnia Zeljko Komsic, the Lebanese President Michel Sulayman, the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and the President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic. On Wednesday evening, Christofias will attend a dinner US President Barak Obama and his wife will host for the foreign leaders. [02] UNSG NEW YORK- CYPRUS ISSUEUN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed optimism over talks held between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat with a view to solve the Cyprus question, noting that it was very important for the two sides to seize the momentum now.``Referring to a meeting held here between Ban and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a UNSG spokesperson said that ``on Cyprus, the SG said he appreciated Turkey`s support to Alexander Downer`s efforts and expressed optimism at the talks (42 discussions in the first round), noting that it was `very important for the two sides to seize the momentum now`.`` The spokesperson also noted that the SG thanked Turkey for its leadership on climate change and expressed his sympathies for the deadly impact of recent floods in Turkey. The SG welcomed recent steps toward the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, the spokesperson said. [03] FM NEW YORK MEETINGSCyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou has discussed the Cyprus issue with his counterparts from Georgia, Libya and Israel, Grigol Vashadze, Musa M. Abdussallam Kousa and Avigdor Liberman.On the sidelines of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, that is taking place in New York, Kyprianou held yesterday a series of separate meetings with Vashadze, Abdussallam Kousa and Liberman, during which he reviewed bilateral relations. The Cyprus FM has agreed to exchange visits with his counterparts from those countries. [04] INTERIOR MINISTER TURKEY ILLEGAL IMMIGRATIONTurkey must undertake its responsibilities on the issue of illegal immigration to Cyprus, Interior Minister Neoclis Silikiotis has said, adding that during the EU Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Brussels he presented evidence confirming that 40% of illegal immigrants who arrive in the southern government controlled part of the Republic come Turkey, through illegal ports of entry.In statements at Larnaca airport returning from Brussels after attending the Council, Sylikiotis said the ministers discussed issues concerning migration and asylum, the June Council conclusions and ways to implement them. He added that one of the issues discussed was forging re-entry agreements between the EU and countries, such as Libya and Turkey, which are transit points to the EU for economic and illegal immigrants. Already, Vice President of the European Commission, Jacque Barrot and Swedens Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billstrom are scheduling a visit to Ankara towards the end of the year to discuss this issue. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |