Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-02-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM - TURKEY - EU

[02] NATIONAL COUNCIL SPOKESMAN

[03] FINLAND - CHURCH - CYPRUS

[04] THOK - TRAMES - PARTICIPATION

[01] FM - TURKEY - EU

Speaking at a round table discussion at the EU House in Nicosia, entitled The EU a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Kyprianou said that Turkey links its EU obligations, which concern the Republic of Cyprus, with the Cyprus problem, ``thus exerting pressure on itself``.

``Turkey has the choice, either to comply (with these obligations) in order to proceed with its EU course, or to help towards reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem. If Turkey does neither of those steps, very soon we will have a deadlock``, he warned.

The Foreign Minister said that Turkey as well as the EU are approaching a point, when they will have to think seriously about Ankaras EU course.

He added that by the end of this year, Turkey will not be able to continue with its EU accession course, due to the fact that Cyprus and France have frozen some negotiating chapters, in addition to other chapters which face technical problems and cannot open in the next two years.

Kyprianou reiterated Cyprus support towards Turkeys EU accession course, but noted that this support is not without conditions.

Those conditions, he said, are included in the EU-Turkey Negotiating Framework as well as in other EU official decisions and recently in the December conclusions of the Foreign Ministers Council.

As to the question whether the EU can become a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Kyprianou said that the solution that will be achieved in Cyprus must not only comply with UN Security Council resolutions, it must also be in line with EU principles and the acquis communautaire, because, as he said, Cyprus will continue being an EU member state and will have to be able to function as one.

Other speakers included former Foreign Minister Erato Markoullis, Rector of the University of Nicosia Michalis Attalides, Democratic Rally MP Christos Stylianides, Democratic Party Spokesman Fotis Fotiou, Vice President of the EDEK Social Democrats Movement Sophoclis Sophocleous and OPEK Chairman Larkos Larkou.

The event was co-organised by OPEK and the European Parliament Office in Nicosia.

The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and since then occupies one third of Cyprus territory.

Despite numerous UN resolutions, Turkey has not withdrawn its military troops from Cyprus.

Turkey, which aspires to become an EU member state, refuses to comply with its EU obligations, including the ones concerning the Republic of Cyprus.

As a result, the EU froze in 2006 eight EU Turkey negotiating chapters. In addition, Cyprus issued a unilateral statement in December 2009 in which it is stated that Nicosia has decided to freeze six more negotiating chapters.

[02] NATIONAL COUNCIL SPOKESMAN

Speaking after Fridays session of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, which is composed of two members from all parliamentary parties, Stephanou said that President Christofias authorized him to make that statement, noting that there has not been a common statement on behalf of the National Council, because one of the political parties did not wish a common statement to be issued.

Replying to a question, Stephanou said that during the intensive talks, between the leaders of the two communities, significant progress has been reached, not because of a shift in the stance of the Greek Cypriot side, as Mehmet Ali Talat claimed.

The political parties have been briefed today, on what areas these convergences were reached and I believe no one can claim that our side has endorsed unacceptable positions that fall within the framework of the Turkish proposals, he said.

[03] FINLAND - CHURCH - CYPRUS

The Archbishop arrived Friday in Cyprus for a week-long official visit, at the invitation of Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II.

On Saturday morning, Archbishop Leon visited the Archbishopric in Nicosia, where he received a warm welcome by the Archbishop of Cyprus, the clergy and the people of the island.

In his address at the doxology which followed the formal welcoming ceremony, the primate of the Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos II expressed his regret that Archbishop Leon could not visit the churches and the holy places in the northern part of Cyprus due to the continuing Turkish occupation.

However, he expressed the hope that such visits, including one to the church of the founder of the Church of Cyprus Apostle Varnavas, in Turkish occupied Cyprus, would take place during a future visit of his Beatitude to the island.

[04] THOK - TRAMES - PARTICIPATION

According to an official announcement, THOK says that its first participation in the programme was in 2006 by philologist, Constantinos Georgiou and in 2009 the play of Gilles Granouillet My Mother who Sang on a Lighthouse translated and directed by Georgiou was presented.

The national theatres of Albania and Slovenia also participate in TRAMES 2010. Cyprus Theatre Organisation will participate with the play of the Canadian author Carole Frechette ``La petite piece en haut de l` escalier``, which has earned five nominations for the ``Grand prix de literature dramatique 2009 award.

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