Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-09-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[02] PRESIDENT - RUSSIAN FM - MEETING

[01] PRESIDENT - UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

In his speech before the UN General Assembly in New York, President Christofias referred to his set of proposals, which ``will benefit all sides and can create the necessary political climate that will push forward the entire process,`` adding that ``unfortunately the new Turkish Cypriot leader and the Turkish leadership have rejected these proposals.``

President Christofias noted that this year, Cyprus celebrates 50 years of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and 50 years of participation as a full member of the UN, adding that in 2004, the Republic joined the EU.

He referred to the history of the Republic up to 1974, when Turkey invaded the island and occupied its northern third. ``The people of Cyprus have suffered enough. It is time to overcome the problems, to achieve reconciliation between the two communities and to reunite our country and our people for the sake of peace and of the future generations,`` the President pointed out.

President Christofias expressed the appreciation of the people of Cyprus to the UN Secretary General, the Security Council and the UN as a whole for their continued and unwavering interest in Cyprus.

He furthermore referred to efforts over the years to solve the Cyprus problem and the historic compromise for the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, defined not as numerical equality but as effective participation of both communities in all organs of government.

The President pointed out that the united federal state would be one, with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, would respect fundamental human rights and basic freedoms in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions, and the principles and values of the EU.

He said that since his election in 2008 he has been actively engaged with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community in a Cypriot-owned process within the framework of the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General, in order to reach a mutually acceptable, agreed solution on the constitutional and other internal aspects of the problem.

``Two years into the process, and despite the difficulties, some progress, although not such as anticipated, has been achieved on certain issues. At the outset of this process, we agreed with the Secretary General that there would not artificial deadlines or outside interventions in the form of arbitration or submission of ready-made solutions,`` he said.

President Christofias noted that ``we have worked through the summer and we have, in the last few weeks, further intensified our meetings,`` adding that, ``in order to achieve results soon, I have submitted a package consisting of three proposals.``

``First, I have suggested linking the negotiation of the chapters of property, territorial adjustments and settlers, in order to give impetus to the process. I have also proposed that when we are close to reaching an agreement on the internal aspects of the problem, we could hold an international conference under the auspices of the Secretary-General and with the participation of the Permanent Members of the Security Council, the Guarantor Powers, the EU, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities to discuss the international aspects of the problem. The third element of my proposal concerns Famagusta,`` he said.

President Christofias pointed out that ``the set of my proposals will benefit all sides and can create the necessary political climate that will push forward the entire process,`` adding that ``unfortunately the new Turkish Cypriot leader and the Turkish leadership have rejected these proposals.``

Making a special reference to his proposal on Famagusta, a ghost-town since 1974, President Christofias said his proposal, if accepted, would have benefits for all sides.

``In addition to the return of the fenced city to its rightful inhabitants under UN control, my proposal includes the restoration of the medieval part of the city where our Turkish Cypriot compatriots live, as well as the opening of the port of Famagusta to external trade under EU supervision, a measure directly aimed at benefiting the Turkish Cypriots. Such a development would also benefit Turkeys accession negotiations with the EU and would provide an excellent example of harmonious coexistence and cooperation between the two communities,`` he said.

President Christofias also proposed from the podium of the General Assembly that the National Guard and the Turkish Army cancel again this Autumn their annual military exercises.

``Turkeys leadership has been assuring the international community that it wants a solution of the problem by the end of 2010. We are still waiting for their words to be transformed into action. The same expectation was repeatedly voiced by the European Council as well as in a recent resolution of the European Parliament. The EU calls upon Turkey to work on the basis of UN Resolutions and to meet its obligations towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey still fails to recognise,`` he said.

He added that ``Turkey must respect the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and must contribute to the achievement of an agreement which will reunite Cyprus and its people.``

``Our vision is a reunited Cyprus, common homeland of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, without any foreign troops or settlers and with the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its people,`` he said and reiterated his commitment to do his outmost in this direction.

``From this podium, I repeat my call to the Turkish leadership to meet me, parallel to the negotiating process, so that I can share with them my vision for a solution of the Cyprus problem, which would serve the interests of the Cypriots, of Turkey, of Greece as well as of peace and security in the region,`` he said.

Furthermore, President Christofias referred to the challenges faced by the world and also welcomed the re-launching of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, adding that Cyprus, together with Greece, has proposed the creation of a humanitarian sea corridor to the people of Gaza utilizing Cyprus` proximity to the area and its good relations with all sides.

``The challenges faced by the international community, are increasing. Climate change, poverty, malnutrition and lack of access to basic health care, terrorism, wars, the threat of further nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism, the economic crisis and political instability in many regions of the world require that we undertake a renewed and more effective effort to protect humanitys achievements. The future is in our hands. We will only succeed if we achieve a more just distribution and better redistribution of the worlds natural resources and wealth,`` he pointed out.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third territory. Cyprus UN - led talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

[02] PRESIDENT - RUSSIAN FM - MEETING

Speaking after a meeting with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that takes place in New York, Lavrov rejected the imposition of any kind of foreign solution in Cyprus or strict timeframes.

During the meeting, Christofias and Lavrov discussed about the forthcoming official visit of Russian President to Cyprus, which will be held early October.

In his statements, President Christofias said that Lavrov is a very good friend of Cyprus, who struggles for the implementation of the UN resolutions of Cyprus.

A Minister, friend of Cyprus, who supports a solution to the benefit of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. A solution that will be based on the UN resolutions, the UN Charter, the High Level agreements between the leaders of the two communities that provide for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and for a united Cyprus, he said.

Referring to the forthcoming visit of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to Cyprus, President Christofias noted the importance of the visit for Cyprus and its people.

Lavrov stressed that the Russian Federation works for the implementation of the rule of law, saying that this is firmly linked with our positions on the Cyprus issue``.

``The international law, regarding the Cyprus issue, is fully incorporated to the UN Security Councils resolutions, which clearly state that any kind of solution should be found on the basis of the principles of the UNSCs decisions, which provide for a mutually acceptable solution of the problem.

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