Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-07-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] PETSALNIKOS - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] PETSALNIKOS - GAROYIAN

[01] PETSALNIKOS - CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking after a meeting in Nicosia with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, Petsalnikos said that he had pointed out to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that such a solution would be in the interests of Turkey, adding that it was time that efforts, through a serious dialogue, felled the last wall in Europe.

Petsalnikos noted that his trip to Cyprus was his first official visit abroad, and that he discussed the Cyprus problem and the latest developments with President Christofias.

He reiterated that Greece`s aim was ``the solution to be found through dialogue to be functional and viable, a solution that will be based on UN Security Council decisions, the principles, the values and the acquis of the EU.``

``The solution can be no other than a bizonal bicommunal federation, with political equality, as provided for in UN decisions, a single state with a single citizenship and above all an effective government,`` he said, adding that ``only then will the solution be functional and viable.``

Petsalnikos said that such a solution would be in the interests of the Greek Cypriots, the Turkish Cypriots, Greece, Turkey and all the countries of the region, and that ``the leadership of Turkey must realise that such a solution is in its interests, creating conditions of peace and development in the broader region.``

He said he had pointed this out to Erdogan during the latter`s trip to Greece a few weeks ago, adding that ``in this time and age, the wall dividing Nicosia and Cyprus has no future.``

``It is time for everyone`s efforts, through serious dialogue, without strangling deadlines and ultimatums, to at last fell the last wall in Europe,`` he added.

Asked about Turkey`s stance, Petsalnikos said that during their recent meeting, Erdogan avoided making any remarks on the Cyprus problem.

``I cannot draw conclusions on why he did this but I hope that Mr. Ergogan and the political leadership of Turkey as a whole acknowledge the necessity to reach a solution,`` he added.

[02] PETSALNIKOS - GAROYIAN

Speaking after a meeting with Garoyian, Petsalnikos said we had the opportunity to discuss in depth the latest developments in the Cyprus problem" and that he "conveyed, once more, the decision of the Greek government, the Prime Minister and all the political parties, to support Cyprus and the President of the Republic in the difficult ongoing negotiations.

Greece, he added, believes firmly in the need to find a just and viable solution, in the framework of UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles. The solution must provide for a strong and efficient government, to the benefit of the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Garoyian said that during the meeting they exchanged views on a series of issues, including the Cyprus problem, and that he had the opportunity to brief his counterpart on the latest developments in the issue.

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