Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-11-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] HOUSE PRESIDENT CONFERENCE - ESS

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUE GUARANTEES

[03] BRITAIN - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[04] CYPRUS TALKS SETTLERS

[01] HOUSE PRESIDENT CONFERENCE - ESS

Speaking at a dinner hosted in honour of the delegates to the 4th Conference of Parliament Speakers of European Small States, in Nicosia, Garoyian said small countries are vulnerable due to their small size and that international law remained their closest ally in the struggle for respect of the independence and territorial integrity of all states.

Garoyian pointed out that Cyprus feels especially vulnerable, and referred to the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island and its consequences, as well as ongoing talks, with an aim to reach an agreed and mutually accepted solution on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, a single international identity and a single citizenship, with political equality, as defined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side was showing good will and was maintaining a constructive stance, while ``Turkey, which holds the key to the solution and imposes its irrational demands`` on the Turkish Cypriot side, ``insists on its intransigent positions, which indicate its will for a solution of two states.``

Garoyian explained that it was totally unreasonable that Turkey was promoting its EU accession course and that no pressure was being exerted on it to meet its obligations towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus, or help solve the Cyprus problem, which would be ``in the benefit of Turkey as well.``

``As long as we do not see any progress being made by Turkey towards fulfilling its commitments regarding its accession negotiations, as long as Turkey continues to disregard EU principles, international law and human rights conventions, especially in Cyprus, Turkey cannot continue its accession negotiations without consequences. The December milestone will constitute not only an evaluation of Turkey`s progress by the European Council but an assessment of the credibility of the EU concerning its capacity to defend its own principles and values,`` he pointed out.

Garoyian said the Republic of Cyprus remains committed to the aim of reaching a just and viable solution but pointed out that ``we need all the help we can get from countries that think in the same way as us and share the same values, we need our friends, who remain committed to the principles of international law, to remind everyone at every opportunity that double standards cannot be accepted.``

Referring to Monday`s part of the Conference, Garoyian said it was ``constructive and interesting,`` and expressed certainty that Tuesday`s discussions would lead to a substantive joint declaration that will reflect the common aims, expectations and guidelines.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUE GUARANTEES

Speaking after a meeting with British Minister for Europe Chris Bryant, Kyprianou also expressed hope that the UK would be constructive in that discussion, and reiterated the position of the Republic of Cyprus that guarantees were unnecessary and outdated.

``Today are talking about the reunified Cyprus, a full member of the EU, implementing the acquis communautaire, and we do not see the purpose of guarantees from any third countries. Participation in the EU alone is a satisfactory guarantee,`` he added. Referring to Turkey`s EU accession course, Kyprianou said Turkey was obliged to abide by the commitments it has made towards the EU and that failure to meet them bore consequences.

[03] BRITAIN - CYPRUS PROBLEM

Speaking after a meeting on Monday in Nicosia with Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou, Bryant said ``it has been Britain`s long held belief that Turkey has to abide by its commitments under the Ankara Protocol but it also would be a significant asset if it would be possible for Turkey to accede to the EU.``

``It is far more important that Turkey, for security in the region, for economic prosperity of the region, looks to the West rather than looks to the East. And that is why we want to make sure that the process of Turkish accession to the EU is pursued but is pursued rigorously, with Turkey maintaining its commitments and standing in its commitments and honoring its commitment, a message that we put across very strongly,`` he said.

He added that Foreign Secretary David Miliband made this point a couple of weeks ago when he was visiting Ankara.

[04] CYPRUS TALKS SETTLERS

The meeting will start at 1000 local time at the UN Protected Area of the now defunct Nicosia international airport.

After the last meeting, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun has said that the leaders will take up the issue of aliens, citizenship, immigration and asylum.

Referring to the previous meeting, Zerihoun said that Christofias and Talat discussed organizational matters. They had a very thorough and constructive discussion on the process, on the substance. They did some stock-taking, some retrospect analysis and discussion for which both of them are very satisfied, he said.

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