Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - ADDRESS

[02] GREEK PRESIDENT VISIT

[03] GERMAN AMBASSADOR CYPRUS

[04] CNA-PIO SEMINAR MEDIA

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - ADDRESS

The President said that there are no regrets for making a good will gesture to the Turkish Cypriots by accepting a bizonal bicommunal federation as the solution in Cyprus but warned that he is not prepared to make any concessions to foreigners.

He also said that as far as the people of Cyprus are concerned, he will not relinquish rights and freedoms which European citizens enjoy in their own countries, nor will he accept permanent restrictions of these rights.

President Christofias noted that he envisages a reunited Cyprus where all Cypriots live and work together for the common good of the country.

In his address to the Cypriot people, on the occasion of tomorrows 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, President Christofias said that Turkey continuously vows that it wants a settlement by the end of this year, unfortunately its actions are far from its public declarations and its behaviour proves that it really is not ready for a settlement.

The President noted that irrespective of difficulties we are fully ready for a settlement. We reject categorically partition and we are determined to fight against it.

He called on Turkey to take a decision for further steps and meet its obligations towards the EU, noting that we are ready for this.

The President described his recent proposals at the ongoing UN-led peace talks as proof of the Greek Cypriot sides determination to achieve a settlement the soonest. He said they are balanced and realistic, adding that they provide for benefits and incentives to all interested parties, including Turkey.

If Turkey accepts them, then the talks with the Turkish Cypriot community will accelerate and the momentum for a settlement will be created, he added.

President Christofias acknowledged that the negotiations are not moving forward the way we would like and that there are problems both with the positions and the approaches of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkeys policy towards Cyprus and the Cyprus problem.

We shall insist, as it is our duty to do so, on a settlement based on UN Security Council resolutions, the 1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements, the agreement with the former Turkish Cypriot leader for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as provided by the UN for a single state, a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single personality. We shall insist until the end because this is the only way the country and our people will be reunited and Turkeys occupation will end, he stressed.

President Christofias also said that the settlement of the Cyprus problem requires consistency to principles and showing realism.

The courageous and historic compromise of a bizonal, bicommunal federation is a good will gesture towards our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, which we do not regret. Nonetheless, we have no intention of making any concessions to foreigners and we have no intention of relinquishing for the people of Cyprus rights and freedoms which European citizens can enjoy in their countries nor are we prepared to be subject to permanent restrictions and prohibitions, the President stressed.

The President underlined that we are striving to achieve a just, viable and functional settlement under the circumstances that will end the Turkish occupation and will reunite our country and the people, in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Referring to the current negotiations for a solution, he said the negotiating process is not proceeding as he would have liked to see it move.

I cannot hide the fact that we encounter problems with the positions and the approach of the Turkish Cypriot side and with Turkeys policy on Cyprus, he acknowledged.

Today, he noted, 50 years after independence, we draw lessons from our recent past but we move on to the future which will be hopeful and bright only if it is common for all of us Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armeniasn and Latins, he stressed.

Outlining his vision, the President said he wants to see his homeland reunited and its people working together for the collective good of the country.

We look forward to a time when it will not matter who we are serving or who is serving us be they Greek or Turkish in our homeland, he added.

He called on everyone to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cyprus independence and defend the Republic of Cyprus united.

In July, the Cypriot President announced three proposals on the Cyprus issue. The first provides for linking discussions on property with discussion on territory and immigration, in a bid to facilitate the resolution of the thorny chapter of properties and expedite 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 has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third territory. UN - led talks are currently underway between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to find a negotiated settlement to reunite the country under a federal roof.

[02] GREEK PRESIDENT VISIT

According to the programme, the Greek President, who arrives Friday midday, will attend an official dinner hosted by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias.

Later on, President Papoulias and his entourage will participate in an official ceremony that will take place in Nicosia to celebrate Cyprus 50th independence anniversary.

During the day, Papoulias will hold a series of separate meetings with former first lady Fotini Papadopoulou, the spouse of late former Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides, Yiola Michaelidou, the Pancyprian Union of Refugees, the Committee of the Occupied Municipalities of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, as well as the Pancyprian Organisation of the Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons.

[03] GERMAN AMBASSADOR CYPRUS

In a statement to CNA, on the occasion of the Day of German Unity and the 50 years of diplomatic relations with Cyprus, the German Ambassador noted that Germany considers Cyprus its friend and partner in the EU.

Germany was reunited after 45 years of separation. Germany, with that particular experience, wholeheartedly supports the reunification of Cyprus, our friend and partner in the European Union, he said.

The German Ambassador pointed out that this political challenge is also a European one, adding that there is no reason to think why it could not be brought to a successful conclusion.

Furthermore, he told CNA that the German experience is that peace is achieved at a cost and requires a spirit of sacrifice, explaining that all Germans pay to this day the solidarity tax which finances the reconstruction of the eastern part of the country.

[04] CNA-PIO SEMINAR MEDIA

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias assured that on the eve of the 50 year anniversary since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus he intends to patiently and persistently continue his efforts to achieve his life-long goal, which is to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem thus reuniting the country within the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, with a single indivisible sovereignty, a single international personality and a single nationality as is provided in relevant UN resolutions.

Cyprus has been de facto partitioned since the 1974 Turkish invasion and since 2008 UN led negotiations have begun between Cyprus President and the Turkish Cypriot leader in an effort to achieve a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

Minister of Interior Neoklis Sylikiotis, who was reading the Presidents speech on his behalf, said that we will continue to strive for a solution which will restore and ensure our peoples human rights and basic freedoms whether they are Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenian, Maronite or Latin.

Referring to the issue at hand, President Christofias noted that the government wishes that journalism functions truly as the fourth executive, adding that it should not be part of either the political or the financial power.

Conflict of interest should not be an issue as far as the press is concerned, he said, but rather the press should be on the side of citizens rights and should make an effort to provide spherical, accurate and reliable information thus enabling citizens to form their own opinion and to participate in shaping political and social affairs.

Addressing the seminar, CNA Board of Directors Kostakis Konstantinou said the Cyprus News Agency files an average of 100 news items on a daily basis on its website, used by other media or subscribers to the service both in Cyprus and abroad as a primary source of news for their publications and their news items.

Attributing to CNA the term mother of all news, whether directly or indirectly, both for the Cypriot media and citizens as a whole is no figure of speech, he said, adding that there is free access to all important news items whilst at the same time subscribers to the various services CNA offers have increased greatly.

CNA will continue to enrich its services keeping up with current demands whilst at the same time continuing to open up to society in general, putting into practice the belief that information is a social obligation, he said.

PIO Director Eleonora Gavrielides said the PIO has changed since its establishment, noting that since the accession of Cyprus to the EU in 2004 and mainly due to the fast paced emergence of new developments in the communications sector and technology in general, the PIO is now facing the challenge of restructuring its services and the way it functions.

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