Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-24

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 UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[02] CHRISTOFIAS BAN ERDOGAN

[03] UNSG LEADERS CYPRUS

[04] TENNIS NATIONAL TEAM DAVIS CUP

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The speech will be delivered at 1030 New York time and then the President will hold bilateral meetings with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Maltas Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

President Christofias will visit the Holy Archbishopric for a meeting with the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Archbishop Demetrios, and attend an event organized by the Cyprus Trade Office in New York, in collaboration with the Cyprus-American Chamber of Commerce.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, the President yesterday met Swedens Prime Minister and President of the European Council Fredrik Reinfeld, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen.

President Christofias briefed all leaders on the progress of the UN-led negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue, explaining that the Greek Cypriot side is urgently looking for a solution that will be based on the agreed framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as defined by the relevant UN resolutions.

He said to achieve this aim Turkey should change its stance.

During his meeting with President of the European Council Fredrik Reinfeld, Christofias underlined that, in view of the evaluation of its EU course in December, Turkey needs to respect the obligations it has undertaken towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus and not to create more problems for its accession course.

Turkey, he added, cannot continue unimpeded on its accession course without fulfilling its obligations.

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

The EU has opened accession talks with Turkey on 3 October 2005. One of the conditions specified was for Ankara to extend a 1963 association agreement to the Unions ten new member states. This group includes the Republic of Cyprus, which is not recognised by Turkey.

In July 2005, Turkey signed a protocol extending its customs union to the EU-10 states, but at the same time Ankara issued a declaration saying that its signature did not mean its recognition of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey also refuses to open its ports and airports to Cyprus.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS BAN ERDOGAN

During their half-hour meeting in the presence of Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe and UN officials, President Christofias underlined that the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution sooner than anyone else, however it will not accept artificial and strict deadlines and mediation.

Today I had the chance to underline this with the Secretary General and the permanent five, the Cypriot president said on Wednesday.

President Christofias added that during a lunch hosted by the UN chief, he had the chance to have a good discussion with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan, to whom he underlined that Turkey is the key to a solution to the Cyprus issue.

I told the UN, just as I told Mr. Erdogan, that Turkey is the key to a solution to the Cyprus issue. And that Talat must be helped by Turkey to change his stance. I analysed our positions on the property issue, where there is a difference of views, the positions on the settlers issue, security and governance. And I clearly stated that I have made offers to the Turkish Cypriot community and I am waiting for their response, the Cypriot leader said.

President Christofias also raised the issue of the attitude of certain UN envoys, noting they have a responsibility to defend and implement UN resolutions.

[03] UNSG LEADERS CYPRUS

A UN Spokesman, referring to President Demetris Christofias meeting with the Secretary-General, said Ban thanked President Demetris Christofias for his participation in the Climate Change Meeting.

On the current political process, according to the Spokesman, the Secretary-General said that both he and his Special Adviser, Alexander Downer, were encouraged by the progress so far.

The Spokesman noted that Ban commended the President`s commitment -- as well as that of Ěr Talat -- and urged him to continue to demonstrate his leadership and political wisdom in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

[04] TENNIS NATIONAL TEAM DAVIS CUP

At the moment, the Cypriot team is in the 50th place in the Davis Cup world ranking, with 348.75 points

The team was placed in the strong group for the first time in its history at the draw for the 2010 games in all divisions which was held on Wednesday in Geneva.

The winner of the game between Cyprus and Egypt will face the winner of the game between Denmark and Portugal. The losers of the two games will face each other with the objective to remain in the second division.

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