Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - DIRECT TRADE

[02] DROUTSAS - DAVUTOGLU - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - BELGIAN MPs

[04] CYPRUS - EU MINISTERS OF HEALTH - MEETING

[01] SPOKESMAN - DIRECT TRADE

His remarks came in the wake of reports that a regulation governing direct trade is being promoted through the European Parliament, a move which Nicosia objects to.

We have in our hands political and legal weapons in the framework of processes followed within the Lisbon Treaty - to address the issue of direct trade, the Spokesman said.

Stephanou said that the government will address this issue in cooperation with the political parties, Cypriot members of the European Parliament and other powers with which it cooperates.

Responding to a question, Stephanou explained that following the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament and the European Council must decide in common on certain issues.

Therefore we are directing our efforts towards the EU institutional instruments, the European Council and the European Commission, but also of course towards the European Parliament, he explained.

Replying to other questions, the Spokesman said there is no hostile climate against the Greek Cypriot side, noting that President Demetris Christofias has received the congratulations of many EU officials on his initiatives and his policies on the question of Cyprus.

The President, he pointed out, is working for a political settlement in Cyprus to reunite the country divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Stephanou said that as long as the Cyprus problem is pending, there will be problems.

The message we get is that we should continue our efforts towards a solution based on principles, which will end the Turkish occupation and reunite the country, and therefore kill the source of these problems, he added,

President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are engaged in UN-led talks to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country.

[02] DROUTSAS - DAVUTOGLU - CYPRUS PROBLEM

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara after meeting with Turkish FM, Ahmet Davutoglu, Droutsas underlined that Greece supports the ongoing negotiations in Cyprus under the auspices of UN and it will contribute with all its power to this procedure.

For us, the solution must come from the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots themselves. They must share their common future in Cyprus and for that they must allowed to negotiate freely, he stressed.

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - BELGIAN MPs

Berni Collas, member of the German-speaking community in the Belgium Senate, representing the Liberal Party for Freedom and Progress and the director General of the Senate Stephan Thomas are paying a visit to Cyprus from 8-12 April, and met today with the House President.

According to an official press release, Garoyian said that the Greek Cypriot side went to the UN-led negotiations with good will to find a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on the relevant UN resolutions and on the principles and values of the EU.

[04] CYPRUS - EU MINISTERS OF HEALTH - MEETING

According to an official announcement, the meeting will take place on April 11 and 12 in Paphos. The official meeting of the three delegations will start on Monday morning, followed by a press conference.

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