Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] BIDEN PSEKA CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] CYPRUS TALKS UNSG MESSAGE

[03] EUROVISION SONG CONTEST SEMI FINALS CYPRUS

[01] BIDEN PSEKA CYPRUS ISSUE

Deliberations of the PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus) conference wrap up today with a meeting at the White House. Representatives of Greek Cypriot refugee organisations, of enclaved Greek Cypriots (living in the northern Turkish occupied part of the island) and relatives of missing persons have already had meetings with members of Congress and the US Administration.

During yesterdays contacts, members of the US House of Representatives and the Senate reiterated their support for a viable and just solution of the Cyprus issue, while many expressed their concern over the so-called election of Dervis Eroglu to the post of Turkish Cypriot leader, noting his hard-line positions are similar to those of Rauf Denktash.

Many members of Congress referred to Greeces financial predicament and expressed their solidarity with the Greek governments efforts to recover from the crisis.

Last night, during an official dinner, representatives paid tribute to the veterans of the Cypriot cause in the US, who passed away before seeing Cyprus free of the Turkish occupation and reunited. They pledged to continue the struggle for this cause.

Speaking at the event, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou conveyed the greetings of President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and the government and thanked PSEKA and the associations that participated in the conference for their continuous support for an end to the violent division of the island.

I assure you that at this critical juncture, your solidarity, your altruistic efforts and commitment to an end to the division of Cyprus and to permanent peace and justice have never been so vital and necessary for Cyprus``, the Spokesman noted.

Stephanou referred to the first meeting of President Christofias and Eroglu on Wednesday, in the context of the UN-led peace talks, noting that the main concern and high priority of the President and the government is the solution of the Cyprus issue. A solution that will be achieved by the Cypriots for the Cypriots, which will reunite its territory, the people, the institutions and the islands economy.

He said that the solution framework is very well known and it is oultined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the high level agreements between the islands two communities. The solution, he pointed out, is a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as defined by the relevant resolutions, with a single sovereignty, international personality and nationality.

The solution, he added, must put an end to the occupation and the presence of illegal Turkish settlers in occupied Cyprus and must restore and secure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Cyprus.

Stephanou also said that the key to the solution remains in Ankara.

``Without Ankara being constructive and agreeing with the current process and framework for a solution, it is hard to see how we can proceed. We want not only words but also action from Turkey``, he said, pointing out that reasonable Turkish interests will be accommodated through a solution.

The Cypriot Spokesman called on the international community to address itself to Turkey to implement UNSC resolutions and to exert influence on Ankara to implement the will of the international community, as defined in the resolutions.

He described the repercussions of the continuing division as negative not only for the people of Cyprus but also for US interests, noting that a solution to the Cyprus problem will strengthen security in the unstable region of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, which is vital to US interests.

He pointed out that President Christofias and the government attach great significance to relations with the US, which are based on the values and principles of international law, justice and human rights and assured that Cyprus seeks to enhance these ties.

We are at a critical juncture for the future of Cyprus. It is a time for hope but also realism because the road is long with many challenges. Irrespective of how hard it is, this will not stop us from trying to achieve the goal which all Cypriots want, the reunification of the island and its people, he concluded.

[02] CYPRUS TALKS UNSG MESSAGE

UN Secretary Generals Special Adviser Alexander Downer said that the meeting was held in a warm and positive environment. He read a message of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon on the resumption of Cyprus talks, which was welcomed by the two leaders and made introductory remarks to each other and they began to discuss the property issue.

They confirmed existing convergences (on the property issue) and they will continue discussing the property issue from where they left off before the talks broke up earlier this year, added Downer.

The two leaders will meet again next Thursday at 10 in the morning. Their two representatives George Iacovou and Kudret Ozersay will meet on Monday afternoon at 14.00 at the specially designed venue at Nicosia airport.

[03] EUROVISION SONG CONTEST SEMI FINALS CYPRUS

Cyprus participates in the contest with the song Life looks better in spring, performed by Jon Lilygreen and The Islanders.

In the second semi-final, 17 countries will compete for the last ten spots in the grand final on Saturday.

The participating countries in tonights semi-final are: Lithuania, Armenia, Israel, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Netherland, Romania,Slovenia, Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Turkey.

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