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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-03-08Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT - FAMAGUSTAThe issue of Famagusta has great significance because it is a test whether the Turkish side is actually ready to move towards the reunification of Cyprus and to end the occupation, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has stressed.Speaking during a reception given at the Presidential Palace on the occasion of the International Women`s Day, President Christofias said that if Turkey ``does not take this step, everyone may doubt about the good intentions of Turkey``. Referring to the initiative on the issue of Famagusta undertaken in July 2010, he added that a special proposal was also made. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha (the fenced off area of Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. Famagusta was captured by the advancing Turkish troops during the second phase of the Turkish invasion, in mid August 1974. Since then, it has remained sealed off, under the control of the Turkish military. [02] CYPRUS TALKS - LEADERS - MEETINGPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will meet again on Wednesday to continue discussions in the framework of UN-led direct negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The meeting is expected to take place at the official residence of the UNFICYP Chief of Mission in the United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) Lisa Buttenheim and is scheduled to begin at 11:00 local time (09:00 GMT).The President of the Republic and the Turkish Cypriot leader discussed on Friday the chapter of governance and power sharing. Speaking to the press after the meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim said that the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere. Peace talks began in September 2008 between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Talks continue now with Eroglu, who succeeded Talat in April last year. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. [03] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - STATEMENT - TURKISH PMThe Greek Cypriot side is eager to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, therefore it works intensively, and with consistency, on the agreed basis of a solution between the two communities, showing the necessary realism, in order for a solution to be reached the soonest possible Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has stressed.Speaking here Tuesday, and commenting on Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogans statements that the Greek Cypriot side has been dilatory in the negotiations, Stephanou pointed out that this is completely untrue. The solution cannot be reached with statements and positions that conflict with the UN resolutions for Cyprus and with the principles of the international and European law, he noted, adding that the Turkish leadership often makes such statements. Statements for the existence of two separate stated in Cyprus and for the existence of two people in the island, he explained. In addition, he stressed that the solution cannot be reached with general and without content declarations, which the Turkish leadership often makes. He noted that the European Council, in its conclusions in 2009 and 2010, ascertains Turkeys contradiction in statements and actions, as regards the Cyprus issue. For that reason, he added, the European Council calls on Turkey to work on the basis of the UN resolutions, for a solution. Asked about the meetings between the members of the negotiating team of the Greek Cypriot side and the UN experts, Stephanou said that the members of the team, comprising Nikos Emiliou, Toumazos Tselepis and Michalis Sarris, would hold meetings with the UN experts on Thursday and Friday. [04] CING - DOWN SYNDROME - NEW DIAGNOSISCyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING) announced a new Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis for Down Syndrome. The new method refers to a maternal DNA blood test during pregnancy, which provides a safer and more effective prenatal diagnosis.Dr. Phillipos Patsalis, Chief Executive Medical Director of CING, speaking to the press, explained that the new method uses a small amount of blood from the pregnant women, whereas the invasive procedures currently used for prenatal diagnosis such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (in the 11-12th week of gestation) or amniocentesis (in the 16th week of gestation), involve the use of a needle. Both procedures are associated with a considerable risk of fetal loss which is estimated to be 1% of the pregnancies, Dr. Patsalis added. The study for the new prenatal diagnosis, involved the collection of blood from 80 pregnant women, of which 34 were from pregnancies carrying a fetus with Down syndrome and 46 pregnancies carrying a fetus with normal constitution. All normal and all Down syndrome cases were correctly identified providing 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity. As Dr. Patsalis explained, the new method can be offered to all pregnant women, it provides effective prevention of Down Syndrome, the application is relatively simple, the cost is affordable and even cheaper than the current methods used and the results can be obtained within 4-5 days. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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