Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-07-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER - SYRIA - VISIT

[03] EDUCATION - DECREE - UNIVERSITY FEES

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - CYPRUS ISSUE

In statements at a ceremony for twinning the Municipalities of Pafos and Xania of Crete, Kyprianou referred to efforts to secure international recognition of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, in northern Turkish occupied Cyprus.

He pointed out that the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) by the regime, nine years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the subsequent occupation of 37 per cent of the island`s territory, was declared as ``legally invalid`` by the 1983 Security Council resolution 541. The Turkish Cypriot regime is recongnised only by Turkey.

``Upgrading the regime is part of attempts to normalize the present situation and to remove the incentive for the Turkish Cypriots to work for a solution to the Cyprus problem,`` Kyrpianou said.

Therefore, he added, ``the non-recognition of the regime is not satisfactory for us and we are concerned by any effort to turn the occupied areas into a Taiwan, a goal which Turkey often repeats.``

He expressed the view that situation, as far as the Turkish Cypriots are concerned, will be normalized only through the solution of the Cyprus problem and the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a federal state.

Responding to questions concerning recent developments in the Cyprus problem, Kyprianou said the negotiations have become more difficult after the leadership changed in the occupied areas.

Describing the property chapter, currently being discussed in the UN-led negotiations, as sensitive, Kyprianou added that unfortunately the proposals from the other side are not conducive to a constructive dialogue.

Turkey, he concluded, should assume its responsibilities and must actively contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions, as provided for in the EU conclusions.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Dervis Eroglu are engaged in negotiations to find a mutually agreed settlement that will reunite the country.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER - SYRIA - VISIT

Kyprianou`s contacts will cover bilateral relations, ways to further develop cooperation between the two countries in tourism and trade, and promote relations between Syria and the EU.

The Cypriot FM will exchange views on regional issues of mutual concern such as the Middle East peace process, the situation in the Gaza Strip and Iran. Kyprianou will also brief his interlocutors on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

[03] EDUCATION - DECREE - UNIVERSITY FEES

Demetriou has told a press conference that the dialogue with representatives from the private universities continues with a view to help these universities become non profit institutions. He said that the Ministry is also considering introducing a similar regulation to govern the fees at private schools, both at the primary as well as the secondary level.

The decree was issued following legislation passed by the House recently to regulate fees and other financial costs imposed by the universities. The legislation stipulates that students must be told before the start of their studies about the cost of approved fees and other financial costs they will incur throughout the duration of their studies.

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