Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-06-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] LIDINGTON - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[02] POPE - FAREWELL

[03] UNFICYP MANDATE

[01] LIDINGTON - CYPRUS PROBLEM

Lidington was speaking in the context of a discussion at the House of Commons on the policy of the new Conservative government, during which former Minister for Europe Chris Bryant expressed hope that "the Minister will push forward as much as he possibly can."

"We are ready to help if there is anything that we can do. Britain, obviously, plays a key role in trying to develop peace in Cyprus," Bryant added.

In his reply, Lidington noted "the complexities of the dispute in Cyprus," adding that the British government was "intent on being energetic in supporting the relevant parties in seeking an agreement leading to the reunification of the island."

"That would be the best thing to both communities," he pointed out.

Asked by MP Gisela Stuart what the position of the British government would be if the UN said Cyprus was a European problem, Lidington said "we are not in that position yet."

"Talks have resumed between the government in Nicosia and the representatives of the Turkish Cypriots and I greatly hope that they have a more positive outcome that has been the case in the past couple of years," he added.

[02] POPE - FAREWELL

In his farewell address at Larnaka Airport, he said he has also listened to Cypriots from the northern part of the country who wish to return in peace to their homes and places of worship and was deeply moved by their pleas.

The Pope believes that Cyprus can play a particular role in promoting dialogue and cooperation.

Describing his visit as a brief but fruitful Apostolic Journey, the Pope thanked the President and expressed gratitude for all that he and his government and the civil and military authorities have done to make his visit such a memorable and successful one.

The Mediterranean, he said, is a rich mosaic of peoples with their distinctive cultures and their beauty, their warmth and their humanity. In spite of that reality, the Eastern Mediterranean is at the same time no stranger to conflict and bloodshed, as we have tragically witnessed in recent days. Let us all redouble our efforts to build a real and lasting peace for all the peoples of the region, he noted.

[03] UNFICYP MANDATE

The preamble notes that the Council strongly urges the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to increase the momentum in the negotiations to ensure the full exploitation of this opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions and on the basis of the leaders joint statements of 23 May and 1 July 2008.

The Security Council, it says, emphasizes the importance attached by the international community of all parties engaging fully, flexibly and constructively in the negotiations and echoes the Secretary-Generals view that a solution is well within reach, while it looks forward to decisive progress in the near future, building on the progress made to date.

It welcomes the hope expressed by the two sides in Cyprus on 21 December 2009 that negotiations would be concluded by the end of 2010.

The Council also welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping operations, including those of UNFICYP, under close review and notes the importance of contingency planning in relation to the settlement, including recommendations as appropriate for further adjustments to the UNFICYPs mandate, force levels and concept of operations, taking into account developments on the ground and the views of the parties.

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