Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] FRANCE - TEISSIER - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] UN - CYPRUS - HADJIMICHAEL

[03] UN - CYPRUS - MAKRIYIANNIS

[01] FRANCE - TEISSIER - CYPRUS ISSUE

Teissier also noted that countries aspiring to join the EU should meet EU values, namely democracy, freedom and peace.

He also expressed gratitude to Cyprus for the assistance it provides to French soldiers returning from Afghanistan via Cyprus, and for its support and facilities to French citizens during the crisis in Lebanon in 2006.

Teissier furthermore said he looked forward to a closer cooperation between France and Cyprus.

Papacostas, who met Teissier on the sidelines of the International Defence and Security Exhibition ``DEFENSYS 2010`` in Salonica, Greece, expressed gratitude to France for supporting the Republic of Cyprus in all international forums regarding the Cyprus problem.

He said that, despite efforts made to solve the Cyprus problem, there has still not been a positive result, and pointed out that the Turkish side was aiming at a confederation, despite UN resolutions calling for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, citizenship and international identity.

Papacostas said the people of Cyprus would never accept a solution providing for a confederation, which would be neither functional nor viable.

He added that a solution must provide for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island and that President of the Republic Demetris Christofias was making efforts, despite the difficulties and obstacles by the Turkish side, to reach a settlement.

Papacostas furthermore referred to the excellent relations between Cyprus and France in all sectors, including defence, and expressed certainty that relations would continue to be upgraded.

[02] UN - CYPRUS - HADJIMICHAEL

Addressing the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, Hadjimichael said that ``UN resolutions must be honoured, not least by a country that today sits at the UN Security Council,`` noting that ``this is of vital importance, not just for Cyprus, but also for the credibility and moral standing of this organisation.``

Hadjimichael referred to 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which resulted in the occupation of the island`s northern third and massive human rights violations, adding that ``these violations were repeatedly reported and condemned by a plethora of UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.``

He also referred to the ``methodical and deliberate plan to alter the demographic composition of the island and thus prejudice the settlement of the Cyprus problem has been put in place, with the continuous arrival of settlers from Turkey,`` as well as the ``systematic and widespread destruction of religious and cultural heritage in the occupied part of Cyprus,`` which is ``yet another example of Turkeys efforts to falsify history.``

[03] UN - CYPRUS - MAKRIYIANNIS

Exercising his right to reply to the Turkish Representative, who had earlier repeated Turkish positions on the Cyprus problem, Makriyiannis said that, while Turkey should behave constructively, as a UN Security Council member, instead it reiterates untrue allegations and falsifies historical facts, in an effort to deviate from the substance of the issue.

Makriyiannis referred to a plethora of UN resolutions on Cyprus, which deplore the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation of part of Cyprus, as well as decisions by international organisations and courts concerning Cyprus.

He noted that actions are stronger than words, and called on Turkey to submit proposals at the negotiating table for a Cyprus settlement in line with UN resolutions and the basis of negotiations that has been agreed on.

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