Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] LEADERS MEETING ECONOMIC ISSUES

[02] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] DOWNER UNSG CYPRUS

[04] APOEL FC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

[01] LEADERS MEETING ECONOMIC ISSUES

Speaking after the meeting, Yasser Sabra, Coordinator of the UN Good Offices Mission, said that the leaders met tete-a-tete for an-hour-and-a-half. They were accompanied by their representatives, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami. When they came out they said that they had discussed economic matters, and they also requested their representatives to continue discussion on this issue, he added.

Asked if there was any progress in the meeting, Sabra said the atmosphere of the discussion was good.

To questions about the meetings of the two leaders in each others home, he said this was a question for the leaders to answer. They are discussing these issues themselves and I leave it to the leaders, he stated.

Sabra also said that the leaders will meet again on December 14 and 21. The representatives will be meeting tomorrow to discuss economic issues, he added.

Replying to a question on the agenda of the next meeting between the leaders, Sabra said that it will be decided on Thursday during the meeting of the representatives.

President Christofias and Talat began talks in September 2008, under UN auspices, to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUE

Addressing a meeting in Nicosia with the House of Representatives` Committees on Defence and External Affairs, Venizelos assured that Greece would continue to support the Republic of Cyprus and that the new government of PASOK would strive to meet its obligations for defence and foreign policy with a strategic national framework.

``The change of government in no case means a change in the national strategy,`` he said, adding that ``neither geographical nor historical facts change.`` Venizelos said his contacts in Cyprus have been very important, adding that during his meeting with Minister of Defence Costas Papacostas and National Guard officers they discussed their cooperation and defence policies in detail, as well as the structure of the armed forces and the upgrading of contingency plans.

[03] DOWNER UNSG CYPRUS

In a statement after a meeting between Ban and Downer, the spokesman also said that the Secretary General expressed his appreciation for Downers leadership and hard work.

``The Secretary-General met with Alexander Downer, his Special Adviser and discussed the status of the talks between the leaders. Mr. Downer shared his assessment that good progress is being made in the talks and expressed a cautious optimism. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Mr. Downer`s leadership and hard work,`` the spokesman noted.

[04] APOEL FC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

APOEL scored the game`s first goal six minutes into the match. Constantinos Charalambides attacking down the left cut the ball across to Marcin Zewlakow, who from the penalty area was calm and scored.

Chelsea responded to the goal with a period of attacking pressure. The pressure paid off for the British team as they equalised in the 19th minute with Michael Essien. Seven minutes later, Didier Drogba scored again for Chelsea. Chelsea looked comfortable in the second half but Nenad Mirosavljevic equalised in the 87th minute. Obi Mikel made a mistake in midfield to present Mirosavljevic with the ball. The Serbian drove at the heart of the Chelsea defence and scored.

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