Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK PREMIER GAROYIAN MEETING

[02] PRESIDENT AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR

[03] PAPANDREOU REFUGEES MISSING

[04] CCCI TCCC INITIATIVES

[01] GREEK PREMIER GAROYIAN MEETING

Garoyian had a brief meeting Tuesday morning with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in the presence of President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, before the special session of the House of Representatives, held on the occasion of Papandreous official visit to Cyprus.

During the meeting, the Greek Prime Minister said that his visit would like to give an impetus to relations between Cyprus and Greece, to the Cyprus problem and to relations within the EU.

Garoyian said that in order to achieve Cyprus reunification, Turkey must abandon the hard-line and unyielding stance it has been following for years now, and realise that it is in its own benefit to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN resolutions and EU principles.

But what discourages us is the tolerance shown by many regarding Turkeys stance. While at tete-a-tete meetings they agree that Ankara has not fulfilled any of its obligations and does not contribute in a substantive manner to the solution of the Cyprus problem, when the time comes to assess Ankara, they use different pretexts to avoid responsibilities, he remarked.

He continued saying that Cyprus role, in collaboration with Greece and other countries, is to ensure that Turkey fulfills its obligations.

The Greek Prime Minister said that all should undertake their responsibilities, including the EU, the UN and Turkey.

Replying, Garoyian noted that for 35 years now, neither the EU nor the UN have succeeded in exerting the necessary pressure on Ankara.

He continued saying that they have created the framework for the solution of the Cyprus problem but they have not made any substantive moves.

The House President reassured that the Republic of Cyprus has the patience, strength and will to do the right thing.

Garoyian expressed Nicosias gratitude towards Athens for its contribution to Cyprus accession to the EU, saying that Greece is Cyprus main advocate.

If it were not for Greece, its government, Parliament and people, we would not have succeeded in our strategic goal. I hope to succeed, to reunite our people, the soonest possible, Garoyian said.

The Greek Prime Minister expressed Greeces gratitude, saying you have also supported us in difficult times and we thank you for that.

After their brief conversation, Garoyian and Papandreou exchanged gifts.

They then proceeded to the plenary where the Greek Prime Minister addressed a special session of the House of Representatives, in the presence of Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.

[02] PRESIDENT AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR

Such a solution would provide living proof that serious negotiations and the will to cooperate can overcome even the toughest kind of adversity. One Cyprus, whole and free, making the most of the limitless opportunities of this wonderful island for all of its inhabitants, he said.

Receiving the credentials, President Christofias called on the Turkish Cypriot community to change its stance at the UN-led direct negotiations in order to find a mutually accepted solution to the Cyprus problem.

Weiss highlighted the close relations between Cyprus and Austria and expressed his governments commitment to enhance further the already strong ties of friendship between the two countries.

Austria and Cyprus enjoy a long standing friendship that dates back to the first half of the 18th century. Austrian peacekeepers have been continuously present in Cyprus serving with UNFICYP for 45 years. More than 16.000 young Austrians honourable fulfilled their duties, three of them paid the ultimate price for their bravery, he noted.

[03] PAPANDREOU REFUGEES MISSING

In statements after meeting Papandreou, Alexis Galanos, head of the Committee of Turkish Occupied Municipalities, said the committee raised refugee issues as well as human rights issues and expressed the hope that his election will have a catalytic role on progress in the Cyprus issue.

He said Papandreou played a significant role in Cyprus efforts to join the EU, one of the greatest successes since the 1974 Turkish invasion, adding now there can be a completely new approach on this issue, especially on security matters.

In statements after meeting Papandreou, President of the Committee of Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons, Nicos Theodosiou told CNA that the committee had asked the Greek Premier to call on Turkey to implement the decisions of the ECHR relating to missing persons in Cyprus.

He said we stressed to the Greek Prime Minister that the exhumation and identification process is part of the investigation process, it is not the complete procedure. The relatives have a right to the truth and to information and we are trying to secure this.

[04] CCCI TCCC INITIATIVES

A press release, issued Tuesday by the CCCI, notes that the business directory will gather the contact details of businesses in both communities interested to cooperate with their counterparts in the other community.

All parties interested in buying, selling and/or forming business partnerships with a counterpart in the other community are kindly requested to provide their areas of interest and company details on the Chamber websites by Friday 30th October 2009 at the latest.

This initiative is part of the UNDP-ACT-funded project Economic Interdependence, implemented by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC), in collaboration with the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry (CTCI).

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