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Thursday, 19 December 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-03-23Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS TALKS - PROPOSAL - CENSUSThe Greek Cypriot side has submitted a precise proposal for a census in both communities that will be monitored by the United Nations and under its aegis, said here Wednesday President of the Republic Demetris Christofias.The President noted, however, the opposition of the Turkish Cypriot side towards such action. President Christofias made the statement after todays talks at the UN Protected area in Nicosia. The meeting lasted one and a half hours and the two leaders decided to meet again on Wednesday, 30 March, said UNFICYP Acting Spokesperson Rolando Gomez. Gomez added that Alexander Downer, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, was unable to deliver post-meeting remarks as he was engaged in a meeting. The leaders would meet on 30 March and their Representatives will meet on Tuesday, 29 March, he added. In his remarks at the Presidential Palace, President Christofias said he and Eroglu continued the discussion on citizenship. We have submitted a very specific proposal, to hold a population census in both communities that would be undertaken by the UN, Christofias said. He added that there is a special UN census department, and recalled that the UN Secretary-General had stated, during their last meeting in Geneva on 26 January, that he was ready to help towards this. If we really want to talk about a solution to the citizenship issue, i.e. the settlers problem at the end of the day, we really have to have this census done, President Christofias remarked. The President underlined that if we do not know the numbers and how many Turks from mainland Turkey have the so-called citizenship, we are not able to get into the depth of the issue. We are ready, the UN has said it is ready to help towards this, but unfortunately, we have again problems with the Turkish Cypriot side. President Christofias said the problem will be further discussed with Downer, since he represents the SG and we will try to persuade the Turkish Cypriot side-since the UN are willing to undertake this project-to accept an impartial census of the population to enable us to know where we stand and how we will deal with the citizenship issue, he concluded. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third. The leaders of the two communities are currently engaged in UN-sponsored talks to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue. [02] GOVERNMENT - LIBYA ISSUEThe Republic of Cyprus has exercised its sovereign rights and has complied with international regulations as regards the permission it granted to three aircraft from Qatar to land at Larnaka Airport due to a fuel shortage.The Spokesman said that the government of Cyprus has a clear position on the Libya issue, adding we do not wish to be involved. The three Qatari aircraft, which had landed Tuesday at Larnaca international airport, two Mirage fighters and a transport plane, left Cyprus the same day. The Spokesman explained that the military aircraft from Qatar requested to land at the Larnaka Airport to refuel. Initially, the Republic of Cyprus, exercising its sovereign rights, had denied permission for landing but when the aircraft asked for permission for an emergency landing due to fuel shortage, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Cyprus, operating under international rules and regulations, had given the permission. The Civil Aviation acted according to international regulations and as soon as the aircraft finished refueling they departed, Stephanou went on to say. [03] FM - CHINESE VICE FM - MEETINGForeign Minister Marcos Kyprianou has conveyed to China`s Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying the Republic of Cyprus appreciation and gratitude for Chinas support to the UN and in the Security Council.Kyprianou who met on Wednesday Ying said they discussed bilateral and other issues as the relations of China with the EU and regional issues. Kyprianou said they acknowledged the excellent level of relations between the two countries especially in the political field, noting that there are many prospects in the financial, commercial, investment issues that will be promoted by the competency Ministries, in coordination with the respective foreign ministries. The Foreign Minister also said that he reconfirmed Cyprus position in favour of the further development of cooperation between EU and China, in the framework of mutual respect and discussion between two partners and not in a competitive spirit. [04] CYPRIOT PARTIES - CYPRUS SOLUTIONGreek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, attending bicommunal party meetings, have reaffirmed their support to the agreed basis of the solution, which is bizonal bicommunal federal solution with political equality, one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international identity as defined by the relevant Security Council resolutions.According to a joint communique, issued on Wednesday after a meeting of the leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot which participate in the regular bi-communal meetings at the Ledra Palace, under the auspices of the embassy of the Slovak Republic in Cyprus, the parties also expressed opinions and exchanged views on the issue the vision of the democratic party for a federal republic of Cyprus as proposed by the hosting party, the Greek Cypriot democratic party DIKO. The next regular meeting of the leaders and representatives of the political parties will be held on April 13, in the morning at Ledra Palace. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |