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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-12-08Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] KYPRIANOU - WESTERWELLE - MEETINGMinister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou paid an official visit to Berlin on Wednesday, at the invitation of his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle, whom he briefed on recent developments in the Cyprus issue, and affirmed the government`s commitment for a solution, noting that Turkey must contribute to efforts to reach a settlement.Kyprianou and Westerwelle also exchanged views on Turkey`s EU accession course, in view of the forthcoming European Council, and Kyprianou pointed out that Turkey can hope for EU membership as long as it fulfills all its obligations. The two Ministers furthermore reviewed bilateral relations and confirmed their very good level, examined ways to further strengthen relations in the sectors of research, the economy and tourism, and discussed other issues of mutual interest, such as the Middle East and the Western Balkans. Kyprianou also met with Christoph Heusgen, the Diplomatic Adviser of Chancellor Angela Merkel, in the framework of preparations for Merkel`s visit to Cyprus in January. The Cypriot Minister will be returning to Cyprus on Thursday. [02] GREECE - CYPRUS ISSUEPresident of the Hellenic Republic Carolos Papoulias has stressed that Greece is standing by the Cypriots in their efforts to solve Cyprus issue.Papoulias was speaking during a meeting he had in Athens with the Mayor of the Turkish occupied Municipality of Lapithos Athos Eleftheriou. Papoulias referred to the efforts to solve Cyprus issue and to the hopes for a solution. He noted that there are difficulties, which you, the people from the occupied areas are facing, expressing hope that better days will come. We are supporting you. We are and we will be standing by you every moment, he added. Eleftheriou thanked President Papoulias for his support and the support of the people of Greece to the efforts aiming at finding a just, viable, and functional solution to the Cyprus problem. [03] CYPRIOTS - ISRAEL - FIREThe ten members of the fire-fighting helicopter ``Akritas`` and the airplane of the Forestry Department returned to Cyprus on Wednesday, after a three-day fight with the flames on Mount Carmel on the Haifa borders in northern Israel.During the operation, the members of the Cypriot mission saved a four-member family and were honoured by Israeli President Shimon Perez for their assistance. Captain of ``Akritas`` helicopter Elias Savva said that ``on the first day we arrived in Israel we made four flights.`` ``There were quite a few aircraft over the area where the fire was raging and the helicopter and the plane of the Forestry Department were the first foreign forces to reach Haifa. For three continuous days we worked at Carmel,`` he said, adding that they also lent their expertise to the Israelis. [04] UN ENVOY - BRIEFINGUN Security Council members are expected to be briefed on Wednesday by UN Secretary Generals Special Representative to Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim on the Secretary General`s report on the UN peacekeeping operations in Cyprus.The briefing will take place during a closed session of the Security Council. Meanwhile, the five Security Council Permanent Members continue their consultations on a draft resolution on the renewal of UNFICYPs mandate. A diplomatic source has not ruled out an agreement among the five representatives on a final text that will be delivered to the other SC member states by tonight. The resolution is expected to be adopted on December 14. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |