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

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY - COMMUNICATION TRICKS

[02] EU COMMISSIONER FAMAGUSTA

[03] QATAR NEUROLOGY INSTITUE DONATION

[04] COMMERCE MINISTER TOURISM INCREASE

[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY - COMMUNICATION TRICKS

Speaking here Wednesday, Stephanou said that statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu for a multilateral conference on the Cyprus issue, reveal intentions for deviation from the agreed process and from the agreed basis of the Cyprus problem for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation,

These statements reveal intentions for using the danger tactic of the artificial timeframes and the arbitration, which we have never accepted and we will never accept, he noted.

Commenting on an announcement, which denies that a meeting and a discussion between President Christofias and Turkish Chief Negotiator with the EU Egemen Bagis in Brussels took place, issued by the Turkish Ministry of Presidency, Stephanou said that a short meeting and a discussion between President Christofias and Bagis took place in Madrid, as Christofias has stated, and not in Brussels.

Spokesman said that during that meeting they discussed the issue of Varosha. President Christofias has demanded the return of the sealed-off city of Famagusta (Varosha) to its legitimate inhabitants, as provided by the UN relevant resolutions, which Turkey denies to implement.

This constitutes a sample of the Turkeys negative stance on Cyprus issue. Turkey ignores and does not implement the UN resolutions and does not fulfill its obligations towards the EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, he stressed.

Stephanou pointed out that if Turkey wishes a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of 2010, it should abandon the communication tricks and in practice respond and contribute for a solution, that will be based on the UN resolutions, on the principles of the International and European law and on the High Level Agreement between the two communities of 1977 and 1979.

He also noted that Davutoglus statement for a multilateral conference on Cyprus issue, just like the one took place in 2004 in Burgenstock, Switzerland, falls within that communication policy.

Commenting on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Stephanou said that he should respect the agreement and avoid the so called blame game and focus on the negotiations.

He noted that Eroglu continues to blame the Greek Cypriot side and the President Christofias for the course of the negotiations.

If Eroglu wishes to intensify the talks, he should respond to the Greek Cypriot sides position for discussion of the property issue, along with the chapter of the territorial rehabilitation and the issue of settlers, he concluded.

Talks between the two communities in Cyprus began in September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

[02] EU COMMISSIONER FAMAGUSTA

Chountis, during a relevant discussion, asked the Commissioner about his reaction on the proposal of the Cyprus President Demetris Christofias for the opening of the Famagusta port, under the UN authority.

There is a number of issues that directly or indirectly have been raised in the negotiations table for the solution of the Cyprus problem. There are other issues that possibly have not been raised in the negotiations, but are interrelated. One of those is the issue you have raised (Famagusta). Commissions role is to call the two parts and the countries are interested or related to the problem, to do their utmost in order to find a solution, to be creative in the finding of a solution, Fule said, noting that the Commission will support a possible solution of the issue of Famagusta.

Negotiations aiming to solve the problem of Cyprus divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory, began in September 2008.

[03] QATAR NEUROLOGY INSTITUE DONATION

According to an announcement, Qatar`s Ambassador to Cyprus Mubarak Bin Rahman Al Nesser visited on Wednesday the Institute and handed over to Christos Phylactou, Chairman of the Board of Directors, a cheque of 350.000 euro as a donation of the state of Qatar to the Institute.

Al Nesser expressed the appreciation of the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Mozah for the scientific and the social contribution of the Institute. He also stressed that his countrys donation is a symbolic expression of support towards a close and mutual cooperation between Cyprus and Qatar.

Phylactou expressed great gratitude and appreciation of the Institute to the state of Qatar. Elsi Christofia, spouse of the President of the Republic, High Patroness of the Institute, praised the relations of friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and Qatar.

[04] COMMERCE MINISTER TOURISM INCREASE

Speaking to the press after a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Paschalides called all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to further increase tourist arrivals in Cyprus.

``Tourist arrivals in June 2010 amounted to 275.280 persons, compared to 260.291 in the corresponding month of 2009, recording an increase of 5.5%`` Paschalides said and added ``this is a positive development and the rise in tourist arrivals continues.``

He underlined that ``this does not mean we solved the problems of tourism or we should be complacent,`` noting that all stakeholders should intensify their efforts to increase the tourist flow in Cyprus.

``We are optimistic that the rise will be bigger in the next months,`` he added.

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