Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT - CYPRIOTS - EGYPT

[02] BRAZIL - CYPRUS TALKS

[03] SPOKESMAN - TURKISH STANCE

[01] GOVERNMENT - CYPRIOTS - EGYPT

Andreas Zenonos, head of consular affairs at the Foreign Ministry, told CNA on Wednesday that Cypriot embassy officials in Cairo would contact the families concerned.

He expressed the readiness of the embassy to provide them with any information or help needed in case they finally decide to return to Cyprus.

Zenonos said that the embassy of Cyprus in Cairo had also been contacted by a UN official who was on holidays in Egypt with his family, asking for help to come back to the island.

He said that 14 Cypriots and two foreign nationals living in Cyprus returned yesterday, via Athens, to Larnaka Airport from Egypt where they were, while another 8 Cypriots decided to stay in Athens.

He noted that the travel advice issued by the Foreign Ministry asking those wishing to travel to Egypt not to do so is still valid, since the situation remains critical.

Zenonos clarified that the Cypriot embassy in Cairo is operating normally and is at the disposal of Cypriots in Egypt for any information or help they might need.

He also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the Cyprus embassy in Cairo to better manage the whole situation.

In the past few days Cyprus has received, as it has done on previous occasions during regional conflicts, foreign national who had fled war zones.

[02] BRAZIL - CYPRUS TALKS

Presenting his credentials to President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, the Ambassador said the historic initiative of exchanging Resident Embassies in the two countries` respective capitals ``is symbolic of our willingness to expand the profile of the ties already existing between our two countries.``

``The Republic of Cyprus has counted on the support of the Brazilian government in defending its territorial integrity and independence, as well as in the search for a peaceful solution for the reunification of the country. In this context, Brazil has participated, since 1995, in the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP),`` he said.

The Ambassador also noted that ``Brazil expects that its overall relationship with Cyprus will be positively affected by her status as member of the EU, one of Brazil`s major economic partners in the world,`` adding that there were several sectors for cooperation between our the governments and opportunities to be explored by private investors and entrepreneurs.

[03] SPOKESMAN - TURKISH STANCE

He also pointed out that if the Turkish Cypriot side had maintained a constructive stance, then it would have been possible to get closer to an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem very soon.

Stephanou noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, ``breaking his promise to end the blame games, continues to make statements accusing the Greek Cypriot side and the President of the Republic Mr. Demetris Christofias`` regarding their meeting in Geneva with the UN Secretary General.

He said Eroglu has been claiming that the Greek Cypriot side went to Geneva last week without a plan, dismissed his and thus there was no result.

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