Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS UN STATEMENTS

[02] PAPANDREOU UNSG MEETING

[03] GAROYIAN SYRIA VISIT

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS UN STATEMENTS

He noted that Turkey holds the key for a solution of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem, which should be solved before convening an international conference on the international aspects of the problem, and expressed fear that new deadlocks would appear.

Speaking to Greek reporters on his arrival in New York to participate in the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, President Christofias said the year 2010 was the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that he would be promoting the Cyprus problem at the UN General Assembly.

He pointed out that he was not satisfied with the course of negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem and that ``the change in the Turkish Cypriot community brought a leader who, in close contact and cooperation with Turkey, is submitting proposals and insisting on positions that surely do not lead to breaking the deadlock.``

``On the contrary, I fear that we will be led to new deadlocks,`` he said, adding that there has been no positive response to his own proposals.

President Christofias said Turkey was not ready for a solution by the end of the year, despite statements in that direction, and expressed the Greek Cypriot side`s determination to reach a settlement, based on UN resolutions, high level agreements, providing for a single federal state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international identity, with a united economy and institutions.

``We are far from meetings such aims,`` he said, adding that he would be meeting with the UN Secretary General to assess the situation and discuss further moves.

President Christofias said the negotiations under UN auspices with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for a settlement would continue.

Replying to questions, President Christofias said an international conference on the Cyprus problem would deal with the international aspects of the issue, which is why Turkey should help solve internal problems first.

``Turkey holds the key for a solution of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem. I do not underestimate Mr. Eroglu at all. However, while I speak with Mr. Eroglu, I have the intense conviction that I am talking with Turkey in its absence,`` he added.

President Christofias assured that the aim was to safeguard the rights of all Cypriots, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Replying to other questions, President Christofias said ``we patiently continue the negotiations and try to find a common language, to reach new convergences, in order to make progress or at least indicate who is responsible for the lack of progress.``

He added that in the negotiations with former leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat, progress had been made, although not to the desired extent. ``With Mr. Eroglu no progress has been made,`` he pointed out.

Furthermore, President Christofias expressed gratitude to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demetris Droutsas and all political powers for their support.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

UN-led negotiations for a Cyprus settlement began in September 2008 between President Christofias and Talat, and continue with Dervis Eroglu, who succeeded Talat.

[02] PAPANDREOU UNSG MEETING

The statement was made by the Secretary-Generals Spokesman after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met on Sunday at the UN Secretariat, on the margins of the 65th UN General Assembly.

In his remarks after the meeting, Papandreou offered full support to the efforts made by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias to solve the Cyprus issue.

Rejecting the idea artificial deadlines, Papandreou said Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan should realize this.

The two men also talked about the 2010 Summit on the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, the Middle East issue, Iran as well as the issue of the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM).

I have stressed once again that the I believe that President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias is a man who has every will and practically shows it daily, to achieve a solution to the Cyprus issue, to reunify Cyprus, through the UN decisions and acquis communautaire, Papandreou remarked.

Papandreou said that Greece fully supports President Christofias initiatives adding that outside pressure and intervention which are non-productive, do not help to promote a serious and substantive dialogue between the two communities.

[03] GAROYIAN SYRIA VISIT

In statements at the airport of Damascus, where he was welcomed by his Syrian counterpart Mahmoud Al Abrash, Garoyian underlined that the relations between the two countries are strong, friendly, and that year by year are becoming even stronger. ``My visit here in Damascus proves how well established are these relations between our countries, our people and the two Parliaments``, he added.

Garoyian noted that since Syria is a country that plays an important role in the Middle East and Cyprus an EU member state, the two countries can contribute to the prevailing of peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the broader region, something that will be at the best interest of the people of the two countries as well.

On his part, Al Abrash expressed his satisfaction over Garoyian`s visit to Syria, as this visit ``proves the deep relations between the two countries.``

``These relations will become even stronger``, he said.

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