Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-02-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN NATIONAL COUNCIL BRIEFING

[02] EURO MPs TALKS

[03] HAITI FINANCIAL AID

[04] UN CHIEF - CYPRUS - VISIT

[01] SPOKESMAN NATIONAL COUNCIL BRIEFING

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Thursday that the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, the National Council, which is composed of two members from all parliamentary parties, will be briefed Friday by President Christofias on the developments regarding the Cyprus problem and the ongoing Cyprus talks.

He also said that there are some convergences as regards the Cyprus negotiation, adding, the political parties will be briefed tomorrow in detail.

The Spokesman was also invited to comment on a statement made by UNSG Ban Ki moon that President Christofias told him that he would issue some sort of plan for further negotiations, despite the illegal elections in Cyprus occupied areas to be held in April.

To avoid misinterpretations, I should say that he was referring to the next meetings between President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat for the continuation of the negotiations, the Spokesman said.

Invited to comment on a statement by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that there has been some approach towards the Turkish positions but this has not been announced, Stephanou said that Talat is not telling the truth, adding when we make statements, we should be very careful with the statements we make.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

[02] EURO MPs TALKS

In a statement after a meeting the members of the group had here today with Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, Coordinator of the group, European Parliament Vice-President Libor Roucek said that they support a settlement providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation as outlined in the various UN proposals.

We are having discussions with our friends from the Greek Cypriot community, from the Turkish Cypriot community. We want to familiarise ourselves with the views of most major parties of both sides, he added.

[03] HAITI FINANCIAL AID

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the government had already announced financial aid of 100 thousand EUR for Haiti.

He added that the additional aid would be in the form of ``various items, such as tents, dry food, serum, tinned meat.``

An earthquake measuring 7 degrees on the Richter scale hit Haiti on January 12.

[04] UN CHIEF - CYPRUS - VISIT

Ban, who briefed the UN Security Council about his recent visits to London, Ethiopia and Cyprus told journalists that ``Leaders made good progress, but talks need to go farther, faster. My Special Advisor Alexander Downer will work to keep up the momentum of this Cypriot-led process.I do believe a solution is within reach but it will require even more courage, compromise and commitment,`` he added.

Responding to a question, Ban said he was very much encouraged by such a strong commitment by both leaders to continue their negotiations. ``And I was again, very much encouraged and touched by the strong support of the people from both sides who were chanting, in unison, shouting `resolution now`,`` he added.

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