Compact version |
|
Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
|
Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-02Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRUS SYRIA MEETING ASSADSyrian President Bashar al Assad has expressed his country`s support to the efforts aiming at reunifying Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.Al Assad received yesterday Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou who is visiting Damascus. An official press release notes that during the meeting Kyprianou briefed the Syrian President on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem, giving special emphasis on the three-point proposal submitted by the President of Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias aiming at speeding up the ongoing UN-led direct negotiations for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, which began in September 2008. Kyprianou also briefed Assad on Cyprus` and Greece`s joint proposal for an increase of the aid provided to the Gaza Strip via Cyprus. On his part, the Syrian President expressed his country`s support to the Cypriot reunification process. According to the press release, the meeting reaffirmed the very good relations between Syria and Cyprus and examined ways for their further development. Following the meeting with Assad, Kyprianou met with his Syrian counterpart Walid Al Muallem in a meeting that reviewed bilateral relations, as well as relations between the EU and Syria. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the Middle East peace process, other regional and international issues and decided to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. Kyprianou briefed his Syrian counterpart on the developments regarding the UN-led negotiations on Cyprus, as well as Nicosia`s positions concerning the content of the last resolution on Cyprus approved by the Organisation of Islamic Conference. The Cypriot President had announced in July three proposals on the Cyprus issue. The first suggests the linking of the discussion of three of the chapters of the Cyprus problem, those dealing with property, territory and immigration, for easing the resolution of the thorny chapter of properties and for expediting the dialogue. The second proposal urges Turkey to apply UN Security Council resolution 550, which calls for the transfer of the fenced off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations. Part of this proposal is the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices to benefit the Turkish Cypriots. The third proposal is to convene an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem. Cyprus, an EU member-state since May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. [02] LEADERS TALKS - NEW MEETINGCyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will continue their discussions on the property issue in a meeting they will have on Wednesday, 4 August at the United Nations Protected Area of Nicosia. The property issue was also discussed by the advisors of the two leaders, George Iacovou and Kudret Ozersay on Friday 30th of July.Speaking after their last meeting on July 28th, Alexander Downer, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on Cyprus said that property issue is one of those issues ``where the quality of the meetings inevitably varies from time to time, as you would expect in every single negotiation that ever takes place anywhere in the world``. [03] COMMERCE MINISTER INVESTMENTS - KUWAIT CHINAKuwait and China have shown interest in investing in Cyprus, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides has said.In statements Monday to CNA, Paschalides said that next October or November, he would be visiting Kuwait, heading a business delegation, where he will hold meetings aiming at examining investment opportunities from Kuwait to Cyprus. In addition, Paschalides told CNA that China has also shown interest in investing in Cyprus in the areas of tourism, real estate, container management and energy. [04] MORPHOU MUNICIPALITY - IAPMC CONFERENCECyprus will host in October a conference of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities (IAPMC).The conference will take place at the invitation of the Municipality of Morphou. Mayor of Morphou Charalambos Pittas told CNA that all 100 municipalities, members of the IAPMC, have been invited to participate in the Conference, which will take place 5 and 6 October in the coastal town of Limassol. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |