Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - DIRECT TALKS

[01] PRESIDENT - DIRECT TALKS

President Christofias noted Sunday that we have a process of Cypriot ownership without timeframes or arbitration, adding that any procedures which fall outside the mandate of the UN Security Council can not be accepted by the Greek Cypriot side.

In his address Sunday at the Maronite Church in Nicosia, where he attended celebrations for Saint Maronas Day, the Cypriot President said that the government acknowledges that the Maronites of Cyprus are concerned about the Cyprus problem and want a solution of the problem that would contribute to the maintenance of their identity.

He pledged that he works for the achievement of an agreed solution that would be to the benefit of all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.

The solution, he said, must end the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and Ankaras policy to illegally bring to the island Turkish settlers.

The solution must safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as outlined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the President noted.

He went on to say that the solution must come from Cypriots themselves and make them owners of their homeland.

We have secured a procedure of Cypriot ownership without any arbitration or technical timeframes, he said, adding that the Greek Cypriot side will defend the continuation of this agreed procedure and will not agree to any manipulation of the Turkish Cypriot side or others to change this procedure into a four or five party conference that will remind us of a new Burgenstock.

Any procedures that fall outside of the mandate defined by the UN Security Council can not be accepted by our side, he stressed.

Referring to the Maronites of Cyprus, the Cypriot President said that they are part of the people of Cyprus and have suffered the consequences of the Turkish invasion in 1974.

Maronites of Cyprus play a very positive role in the development of our society and culture, he said, adding that part of the governments priorities is the welfare and the progress of the Maronites, including the survival of enclaved Maronites who live in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus and the restoration of their churches and other historic sites in the occupied areas.

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