Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - TURKEY - CYPRUS TALKS

[02] CYPRUS - OMAN - FMs

[03] POLICE - ARCHBISHOPS - TOMBSTONES

[01] PRESIDENT - TURKEY - CYPRUS TALKS

Speaking at the memorial service in Chania, Crete, of Eleftherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece 1910 1915, and Sophocles Venizelos, son of Eleftherios who served as Prime Minister in the 40s and 50s, President Christofias said that convergences have been reached in various aspects of the Cyprus problem in the context of the UN led direct negotiations.

He added that important differences still remain, which are under discussion with the Turkish Cypriot side.

Noting that it would be to Turkeys benefit to solve the Cyprus problem, he urged once more the international community and the EU to exert a more effective pressure on Ankara to change its stance.

President Christofias described as positive the recent statement of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said he accepted a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

We expect to see words become deeds, he stressed, referring to Erdogans statements.

Referring to the ongoing UN led Cyprus talks held since 2008 between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, he said that we have achieved convergences in various aspects of the Cyprus problem, but there are still some important differences which are under discussion.

He expressed readiness to reach an honorable compromise with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots that would safeguard the interests of the two communities, as well as the unity of our common homeland, free from the Turkish occupation.

The Cypriot President warned that time consolidates division in Cyprus, reiterating that he wants to reach a solution the soonest possible.

However, he stressed that we will not sacrifice the content of the solution for the sake of time.

President Christofias said he was deeply moved to be in Crete and thanked the National Research Foundation Eleftherios Venizelos for the honor to invite him to speak at the annual memorial service of Eleftherios and Sofocles Venizelos.

He conveyed the warm greetings of the government and the people of Cyprus to the people of Crete and all Greece, expressing gratitude for the continuous and unreserved support and solidarity of Greece for justice in Cyprus.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct talks, under UN auspices, since September 2008 with a view to finding a negotiated settlement to reunite the country.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and since then occupies 37% of Cyprus territory.

[02] CYPRUS - OMAN - FMs

Bin Alawai, who held a meeting Saturday in Oman with his Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou, expressed his countrys disagreement with the fact that Cyprus remains divided, after the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Kyprianou, who paid Oman an official visit at the invitation of Yusuf bin Alawai bin Abdullah, briefed his counterpart on developments regarding the UN led Cyprus talks, aiming at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.

He also conveyed a personal message of friendship and cooperation on behalf of President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias to the Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said.

[03] POLICE - ARCHBISHOPS - TOMBSTONES

In statements to CNA, Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said that the man arrested at 11 o clock in the morning and admitted that he has removed the tombstones from the graves of the Archbishops.

Katsounotos also said that from the preliminary investigation it seems that the remains of Archbishop Kyrillos II were transferred in the past by the Church of Cyprus and were buried in a different place at a village of Limassol district.

As regards the remains of Archbishop Sophronios III, Katsounotos said that it is under investigation whether the remains were removed by the 34-year-old man last night or had been removed in the past.

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