Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS LIMNITIS WORKS

[02] EC LIMNITIS

[03] SPOKESMAN BRITAIN CYPRUS SOLUTION

[04] SURVEY CYPRIOTS SPORTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS LIMNITIS WORKS

Speaking at a ceremony which took place Monday on Limnitis road, on the northwest, to mark the start of construction work, President Christofias said we have been through many difficulties and it is very wrong to dismiss all these past efforts.

As we say in Greek one thing at a time, we move slowly to achieve this goal, to open the Limnitis crossing point, to facilitate the life of the people in this area. As far as I am concerned, this is a service to the people, he said, referring to the planned crossing point to facilitate movement to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas.

The President wished that soon this road will be used without any road-blocks, once the Cyprus problem is resolved and the country is reunited.

Present at the event were among others, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, UNSGs Special Advisor to Cyprus Alexander Downer, US Ambassador to Nicosia Frank C. Urbancic and representatives of the European Commissions Representation to Cyprus.

President Christofias described the project as a great step for the people of the area and stressed that the goal remains the same, that is a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

The President wished Talat every success in next months elections among the Turkish Cypriot community, saying that he would like to see him at the negotiating table after the April 18 elections .

Replying to questions, the President said that at tomorrows meeting with Talat, he will discuss the possibility of issuing a joint statement at the conclusion of this round of direct talks he is engaged in with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. Christofias also said that the issue will be discussed at the National Council, comprising parliamentary parties, before any decision is taken on the matter.

There is no commitment on our side on this, he pointed out.

Speeches were also made by Acting Director of DG Enlargement of the European Commission Axel Wallden, US Ambassador to Nicosia and UN Special Advisor for Cyprus.

Construction work on the Limnitis road will allow civilian traffic to flow again through the buffer zone running across the area. The opening will facilitate movement of members of both communities in the area, cutting travel time to Nicosia for many area residents dramatically.

The project involves the upgrading of the road, a section of 2.2 km located in the buffer zone and another section of about 4.5 km outside of it.

According to UNFICYP, when the road is opened later this year, the Limnitis crossing point will be the seventh such gateway facilitating movement between the two communities in Cyprus.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The leaders of the two communities have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.

[02] EC LIMNITIS

Referring to the ceremony which took place today on Limnitis road, on the northwest, to mark the start of construction work, Commissioner Stefan Fule welcomed the start of the works on the road between Kato Pyrgos and Limnitis with the financial support from the EU.

As he noted this will allow later in the year to open a new crossing point at the Green Line, offering new opportunities in the every day lives of many Cypriots. ``

According to a press release issued Monday by the EC, on 26 June 2009 the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat took the decision to agree on the opening of the Limnitis crossing point.

[03] SPOKESMAN BRITAIN CYPRUS SOLUTION

Speaking to London Greek Radio (LGR), he said the meeting with Bryant was very constructive.

We had the opportunity with Mr Bryant to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, as well as several other related issues, he said. I believe that Britain supports the efforts made by the President of the Republic to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem. A comprehensive solution that will end Turkeys occupation and reunite the country and its people in the context of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, he added.

Stephanou stressed that such meetings are useful in order to brief and to discuss several aspects concerning the Cyprus question.

[04] SURVEY CYPRIOTS SPORTS

According to the Survey, published by the European Commission on Monday, 16% of Cypriots and 3% of Greeks practicing sport 5 times a week or more, 13% of Cypriots and 7% of Greeks 3 or 4 times a week, 12% of the people of Cyprus and 8% of Greece play sport 1 or 2 times a week and 2% of Cyprus population and 3% of Greece 1 to 3 times a month.

The findings will be presented at a press conference in Brussels by Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for sport, and Michel Platini, President of UEFA, the European football governing body

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