Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] BRITAIN CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT ISRAEL - ARMENIAN PATRIARCH

[03] EGYPTIAN FM - CYPRUS

[01] BRITAIN CYPRUS ISSUE

Presenting his credentials to President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, Kidd repeated the UKs readiness to support Cyprus process and to help bring a result nearer.

On his part, Christofias repeated the governments concerns over the positions of Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, noting he is waiting for constructive proposals by the new leader and continuation of the negotiations in the framework of the same procedure, from the point they were interrupted in March 2010.

Presenting his credentials, Kidd said that there is a particular intensity to the relationship between Cyprus and the United Kingdom. There is the normal range of business that ties together any two countries inhabiting the same continent, belonging to some of the same organisations, and then there are substantial, established communities of Cypriots living in Britain and British people living here in Cyprus.

He recalled the unique commitments each country has made to the other, derived from the Treaties under which Cyprus established its Independence, noting that these provide a 50 year old, framework for co-operation, which should be an opportunity, not a constraint, to building even closer links between our countries to our mutual benefit.

Kidd said he hoped to contribute to achieving three things in particular. First, that a settlement of the intercommunal issue that has been elusive for so long. Cyprus needs it, and you are entitled to expect the UK to support you in looking for it. We agree on the criteria that need to define it, as set out in our Memorandum of Understanding. The settlement process stands at an important juncture, as a new Turkish Cypriot negotiating team takes its seat at the table. Without transgressing the important principle that the settlement is for the Cypriot parties to reach, as it will be for them to live in, the United Kingdom remains ready to support the process in any way that can help bring a result nearer.

Kidd said the parties` efforts so far have shown their commitment and courage but even more will be needed in the future. I look forward to making my contribution to supporting them in whatever way can help them achieve ambitious outcomes.

Secondly, the High Commissioner said he hoped to promote development of the work we do together, and the help we can given to each other, as members of the European family seeking to tackle some of the challenges facing our world: the environment, terrorism, energy security.

Kidd said Cyprus` EU Presidency in 2012 will be an important moment in addressing all these.

Thirdly, the British High Commissioner referred to broadening and strengthening bilateral engagement, as we move into what we would call the Third Generation since Independence. He urged Cyprus and Britain to try to build more fully into our relationship the fruits of our countries` growth.

Accepting the credentials, President Christofias said the UK is one of Cyprus` main trading partners and British companies play an active role in a number of public sector projects in Cyprus. A positive step towards the facilitation and increase of investments between our two countries is the Cyprus-UK Business Association launched in 2008. We are also pleased by the fact that a large number of Britons visit Cyprus every year and a significant number, which is increasing year after year, have chosen to reside permanently in Cyprus.

He also referred to the large Cypriot community in Britain that plays an important role in the economic and political life of British society, and the large number of Cypriot students who pursue their education in British universities.

President Christofias said the United Kingdom was inexorably linked with Cyprus when it became a guarantor of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is also a partner in the EU and a fellow member of the Commonwealth.

Noting this solid foundation can be further promoted, the President recalled the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in June 2008 marked a real turning point in contributing to the relations between the UK and Cyprus, providing an umbrella framework in our coordination on the Cyprus issue, towards the end-goal of reunification and on all aspects of our bilateral relations.

President Christofias referred to the negotiation procedure that would be for the Cypriots and by the Cypriots, without artificial timetables and arbitration, aimed at finding a mutually agreed and acceptable solution, to be put forward for approval by the two communities of Cyprus in simultaneous and separate referenda.

He said that for 18 months, together with the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, they made progress on some important aspects of the Cyprus problem. It had been hoped that more progress could have been achieved. Unfortunately, he added, Talat was not autonomous, nor flexible, being under the thumb of Turkey, which oft-led to unconstructive positions submitted by the Turkish side.

Christofias said he is waiting to see the positions of Talat`s successor, Eroglu and despite indications to the contrary, he will retract from his oft-declared and long-held belief in the existence of `two peoples` and `two separate states`, which would create a new partnership in the form of a loose confederation.

He also said we await constructive proposals by Mr Eroglu, a reaffirmation of the agreed basis, as well as a continuation of the negotiations in the framework of the same procedure, from the point they were interrupted in March 2010.

President Christofias also underlined that Turkey has to prove that it wants to solve the Cyprus problem and must also give the new Turkish Cypriot leader the green light for effective negotiations for a real reunified, federal Cyprus.

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT ISRAEL - ARMENIAN PATRIARCH

The House President said that the Armenian Patriarch showed interest in the Cyprus problem and asked for more information on the current situation and the latest developments in efforts to reunite the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

He added that they also had the opportunity to discuss issues concerning Hellenism generally as well as the Armenians abroad. Garoyian said that at the meeting it was emphasized that there are many ways to cooperate and help and support each other at various levels.

[03] EGYPTIAN FM - CYPRUS

Speaking after the meeting, the Egyptian Minister said ``it was a very warm meeting,`` and that he conveyed to President Christofias ``the greetings and regards and support from President Mubarak, Egypt and the Egyptian people.``

``I briefed him on the situation in the Middle East and the current situation between the Palestinians and the Israelis. I listened to his views on how he intends to pursue establishing understanding with the Turkish Cypriots and to find a way out from the current situation,`` he added.

Asked what had to be done for a nuclear-free Middle East, the Egyptian Minister said ``we have to have a conference, an international conference, whereby the nuclear powers, as well as the regional countries, would meet and discuss how to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons.``

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