Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS PARADE STATEMENTS

[02] POPE BENEDICT XVI OFFICIAL VISIT CYPRUS

[03] FINANCE MINISTER COMMONWEALTH MEETING - ECONOMY

[04] APOEL CHELSEA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS PARADE STATEMENTS

I will not accept, under any circumstances, mediation and strict timeframes. And this message goes to every direction, including the UN Secretariat, President Christofias has said, speaking after the military parade in Nicosia to honour the 49th anniversary of the nations independence.

Invited to comment a statement made by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, that the delay in the Cypriot owned process opens a window for mediation, President Christofias said that it is up to Talat not to delay the process.

President Christofias stressed that if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side are in a hurry to solve the Cyprus problem due to natural timeframes, they should show the necessary understanding, change their stance and submit positions that fall within the framework of the UN relevant resolutions and the High Level Agreements between the two communities in Cyprus.

They should also respect the international conventions on human rights, be in line with the European acquis as well as to respect the principles and values of the European Union, he added.

President Christofias stressed that the Greek Cypriot side does not protract the direct negotiations process. Our intention is to find a solution the soonest, but we cannot violate fundamental principles, he added.

President Christofias congratulated all National Guard units that participated in the parade and pointed out that the National Guard plays an important role in preserving the peace, independence and integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

President Christofias also congratulated the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Latins and Armenians, because as he stressed, the Republic of Cyprus is an achievement of all the people of Cyprus.

In addition, he underlined the need for adopting reasonable positions in the talks, and for respecting the High Level Agreements in order to achieve as soon as possible, a viable, functional solution of the Cyprus problem.

Christofias wished that during the second round of negotiations the two leaders will achieve the target of reunifying the island, under a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal roof.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island.

[02] POPE BENEDICT XVI OFFICIAL VISIT CYPRUS

According to an official announcement, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, has accepted the invitation extended to him by the President of the Republic, Mr. Demetris Christofias, during his visit to the Vatican, last March (27 March 2009), to visit Cyprus.

[03] FINANCE MINISTER COMMONWEALTH MEETING - ECONOMY

In statements to journalists on the sidelines of the meeting, Stavrakis said that one Prime minister, three Prime Minister Assistants, 35 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from more than 50 countries of the Commonwealth are participating in the Meeting.

He noted that the main conclusion deriving from the first sessions is that the global financial crisis has affected all Commonwealth countries, both big and small ones.

The second conclusion, he added, is that all Finance Ministers are facing the same kind of pressures namely large budgetary deficits due to state revenue reduction and increased costs needed to support the real economy.

He went on to say that ``there are also some other yet important issues such as over lending to the poor countries of the Commonwealth, noting that the Meeting would look into ways to alleviate those countries.

The Finance Minister also talked about an effort underway so that Commonwealth is represented in major bodies and meetings such as the G20 Meeting and the International Monetary Fund, with a stronger and more unified voice.

``Certainly, this will be a very desirable development when you think that we are talking about a group of 50 or so countries``, he added.

[04] APOEL CHELSEA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Nicolas Anelka scored in the 18th minute, giving Chelsea an early lead in the game.

In the second half, APOEL played very well and had a couple of chances to make even.

The first chance to came in the 65th when Savvas Poursaitides` low shot was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Constantinos Charalambides almost shocked Chelsea with an equaliser in the 85th minute but his header missed the target.

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