Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] COMMUNITY LEADERS - UN TALKS

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - MISSING PERSONS

[03] EU TURKEY REPORT - CYPRUS GOVERNMENT

[04] SERBIAN DEPUTY PM - VISIT TO CYPRUS

[01] COMMUNITY LEADERS - UN TALKS

The leaders meet in the framework of the second round of UN-led negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Zerihoun said, initially had at first a tete - a - tete meeting, in the presence of their representatives.

They then continued discussion on the chapter of governance, focusing on the executive. The atmosphere was good. They will continue discussions today and hopefully move ahead on the issues, he said.

He announced that today, the leaders will plant two olive trees during a special ceremony, prior to the start of their meeting.

Another event, organised by bicommunal civil society organisations, will also take place during which representatives will express their solidarity to the leaders and their support to the process.

Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - MISSING PERSONS

``Our efforts are sincere, but our work is difficult. Only if both sides demonstrate good will and if we move forward with unity we can overcome obstacles and be able to reunite our country, to achieve the withdrawal of Turkish forces and peaceful coexistence of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the President said as he unveiled a memorial to a Greek Cypriot missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

He also expressed hope that the negotiations will reach an agreed solution and will end the anguish of the families of missing persons, and assured that the government offers every assistance and facility to the Committee on Missing Persons to speed up the process of exhumation of remains of missing persons. "We are making every effort to force Turkey - on the basis of the decision by the European Court of Human Rights in the 4th Interstate Appeal of Cyprus - to open the records of the Turkish army and provide the necessary information and data which will help the CMP mission".

[03] EU TURKEY REPORT - CYPRUS GOVERNMENT

Stephanou`s comments came as the European Commission released on Wednesday two reports, the annual progress report on Turkey and the Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2009-2010, noting, inter alia, Turkey`s refusal to extend Customs Union to include the Republic of Cyprus. The Commission however refrained from making any recommendations for sanctions against Turkey. ``The government believes the Commission must recommend specific measures against Turkey, if it continues not to comply with its obligations,`` Stephanou said, adding the government will continue representations towards the EU.

Stephanou noted that the EU Foreign Ministers Council and the European Council in December will assess Turkey`s progress and will decide accordingly. ``The Commission`s progress report and the Enlargement Strategy constitute the signal for the commencement of deliberations for the assessment of Turkey`s compliance,`` he added. Furthermore Stephanou noted that the Commission`s documents record ``an absolute lack of progress with regard to the implementation of Turkish obligations.``

[04] SERBIAN DEPUTY PM - VISIT TO CYPRUS

According to an official press release issued here Wednesday, the visit takes place at the invitation of the Minister of Justice and Public Order Loucas Louca.

The Serbian official will have official talks with the Cypriot Minister at noon and meet the primate of the Church of Cyprus later on Thursday.

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