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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-01-27Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] LEADERS - INTENSIVE TALKSThe leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, continue here today their discussions on governance and power sharing, as part of their effort to find a negotiated settlement.Today, is the last day of the second round of intensive talks. The first round took place 11, 12 and 13 January while the second round began Monday and will end today. In statements to the press on his return to the Presidential Palace after the conclusion of yesterdays meeting, President Christofias said discussions will continue today on the chapter of governance and power sharing. Speaking after Tuesdays meeting, UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer, said that the two leaders will make a decision about when would they next like to meet and that they will have more to announce today after the second intensive round is finished. Asked about reports that UN Secretary-General is coming to Cyprus on Sunday, he pointed out that the Secretary-Generals travel arrangements are ultimately determined in New York, not by the UN offices in Nicosia. When the Secretary-General next departs from New York a statement of that kind will be issued by his office in New York, he said. President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. [02] BRITAIN CYPRUS TALKSThe United ingdom ``welcomes the intensification of negotiations in search of an agreed settlement for the benefit of all Cypriots`` and ``urges all parties to approach the negotiations in a spirit of compromise,`` British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Chris Bryant has said.Replying to a question by British MP Andrew Dismore regarding the talks between President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a Cyprus settlement, Bryant said ``discussions so far have taken place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, with the aim of seeking greater convergence in the governance and power sharing chapter.`` ``The leaders have the support of the international community. We hope they will capitalise on this unique opportunity to find a solution,`` he added. Dismore also asked about Bryant`s discussions with his Turkish counterpart on January 12 January and the Minister of Europe`s recent visit to Turkey in relation to Cyprus and Turkey`s EU accession process, to which Bryant said ``the Secretary of State and the Turkish Foreign Minister welcomed the intensified settlement talks in Cyprus.`` [03] BRYANT CMPBritish Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Chris Bryant has said that the United Kingdom fully supports the work of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP), has made direct donations, and donates to the annual budget via the EU.To a question by British MP Andrew Dismore what the budget is for the UN Committee on Missing Persons in 2009-2010 and what recent assessment he has made of the progress the Committee has made in respect of its work in Cyprus, Bryant said, ``I visited the Committee last November and saw for myself the vital work it does in giving closure to the families of the missing persons and in promoting bi-communal cooperation in Cyprus.`` ``So far 596 sets of remains have been exhumed and the remains of 196 individuals identified and returned to their families,`` specifically 145 Greek Cypriot and 51 Turkish Cypriot, he said, adding that ``this is an essential humanitarian task.`` Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |