Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPANISH PM - CYPRUS PRESIDENT - TALKS

[02] EUROPEAN LEFT - CYPRUS QUESTION

[01] SPANISH PM - CYPRUS PRESIDENT - TALKS

``We will give our full support to this process, we will encourage as much as we can this negotiating process and to the extent we will be asked or we can do something we will try to contribute to its successful development,`` Zapatero said during a joint press conference with Christofias.

He said that he welcomes this process in the framework of the basis set out by the relevant UN resolutions and the EU framework.

The Spanish Prime Minister described bilateral relations between Cyprus and Spain as excellent at the political level, noting that the Spanish diplomacy has deep roots in Cyprus.

He also underlined that trade relations between the two countries are developing at a good pace and expressed hope that they will continue to develop in this way.

Zapatero said that during his meeting with President Christofias they discussed about the EU Presidency, bilateral relations and the peace talks aiming at Cyprus reunification. He also said that he outlined to President Christofias the four important goals set out by the Spanish Presidency. These goals are the financial development and the EU financial future, external relations with the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Latin America, Russia and the inter-Atlantic relations, the broadening of EU citizens` rights, focusing on equality between the two sexes and the quick implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.

Zapatero also underlined Cyprus` important role in the Mediterranean region.

On his part, President Christofias thanked Zapatero for the interest he has shown in developments on the Cyprus question and noted that he informed him about the ongoing talks and the expectations with regard to the intensified talks to be held in January.

``We reiterated our commitment that we will do our outmost so that these talks bring the outcome that we desire,`` he added.

He also assured Zapatero that the government is ready for a settlement the soonest possible and that it proceeds to the talks with good will but also defending principles.

He explained that they have agreed with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to pursue a settlement providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation as provided by the UN Security Council relevant resolutions for a state with one and single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality.

Christofias thanked the Spanish Prime Minister for his full support to efforts made and noted that ``our goal is to lift occupation and safeguard human rights and the welfare of all citizens to a united Cyprus.``

He also told the Spanish Prime Minister that Cyprus supports Turkey`s full accession to the EU, something that, as he said, cannot be done without Turkey fulfilling its obligations towards the EU and Cyprus, which is an EU member state.

``As provided in the conclusions of the European Council in December, we expect Turkey to contribute substantively to our efforts for a settlement. Its contribution so far has been non-existent,`` he added.

Referring to bilateral relations between Cyprus and Spain, Christofias said that they exchanged views with Zapatero and acknowledged that relations have been excellent and friendly.

They also exchanged views on EU major issues regarding the Mediterranean, the Union for the Mediterranean and the Middle East. As he said, they also referred to the priorities, which are common with regard to the Spanish Presidency.

Christofias expressed the belief that the Spanish EU Presidency will be a successful one and noted that Spain is the first member-state to take over the Presidency under the new conditions created with the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.

He also assured that Cyprus would contribute to the fulfillment of the Presidency goals, which he welcomed.

The meeting was attended by the Foreign Minister of Spain and Cyprus.

[02] EUROPEAN LEFT - CYPRUS QUESTION

Speaking after his meeting with General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou, Bisky said, in a thinly veiled reference to Turkey whose troops continue to occupy Cyprus northern areas, that he cannot understand the blockade of some NATO members to the solution, which will reunite Cyprus.

He also said that his group at the EP is very active in its support for the solution process.

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