Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS TALKS

[02] CYPRUS CANDIDATURE - EASO

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS TALKS

In statements after the conclusion of their meeting between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the framework of UN-led direct negotiations on the Cyprus problem, and asked whether progress had been achieved during the meeting, he said there are convergences, there are positive elements on the table regarding governance, but I cannot state that we have a final result.

President Christofias expressed the position that during their next meeting they will conclude the discussion on foreign relations and begin the second reading on the chapter on properties.

Invited to say what will happen in the event that they do not close the issue on the executive power, he said it will be referred to the package of issues which are not closed yet.

Replying to a question as to whether that means that there will be a new round of talks, he said that nothing can be excluded.

The President was also invited to elaborate further on the separate statements made earlier by himself and the Turkish Cypriot leader on the intervention of foreigners in the Cyprus problem.

He stressed that actions and interventions on behalf of foreign powers bear the greatest responsibility for Cyprus tragedy, the creation and complexity of the Cyprus problem.

On the other hand, he added, Talats position is known, not only does he favour the intervention of the international factor but also arbitration.

Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot side has accepted the Greek Cypriot sides revised proposals on the executive power, he said they did not reject it, they discussed it but I cannot state that they have accepted it.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

[02] CYPRUS CANDIDATURE - EASO

Minister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis presented Cyprus candidature to Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the EU member states in Nicosia, and representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament.

For Cyprus, the establishment of EASO is an issue of priority, given that Cyprus is faced with specific and disproportionate pressures due in particular to its geographic location and political and demographic situation, Sylikiotis said.

The Minister noted that the majority of asylum seekers arrive from the areas not effectively controlled by the Republic of Cyprus due to the Turkish occupation of 37% of Cyprus territory, the so called Green Line.

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