Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM CYPRUS LIBYA MEETING

[02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CENSUS

[01] FM CYPRUS LIBYA MEETING

During the meeting, the Cypriot side put forward some proposals taking into consideration the decisions of the recent EU Foreign Ministers Council. Kyprianou told journalists after the meeting that Al Obeidi said his country would study those proposals. The meeting took place at the initiative of the Libyan Foreign Minister, who traveled earlier to Malta, Greece and Turkey.

In statements after the meeting, Kyprianou said that the Libyan FM expressed his countrys wish for the achievement of a political solution in Libya. Kyprianou stressed he conveyed the need for an immediate cease fire on behalf of all sides, in order to protect civilians.

He also conveyed the positions of the European Union and pointed out that Nicosia encourages the continuation of the efforts based on the initiative of the African Union and the road map, until a mutually agreed solution is found.

Asked whether the Libyan FM said that the leader of Libya Muammar Gaddafi would be ready to step down, Kyprianou said that this was not discussed, adding that Al Obeidi focused on the initiative of the African Union.

The Libyan FM reiterated Libyas commitment to the African Union initiative as well as on the wish for the achievement of a political solution, Kyprianou pointed out.

He added that during the meeting, the Cypriot side submitted some proposals.

``We did discuss ideas, we put forward some suggestions on the table which the Libyan side will study. I think they will help but I can not mention the content until they are discussed``, he said, adding that the Cypriot proposals have taken into consideration the EU positions.

Kyprianou said they had an open exchange of views, adding that Cyprus expressed its views with sincerity. We have no ultimate goals, we can explain the EU positions on those matters, he pointed out.

Regarding the humanitarian aid in Libya, Kyprianou said that his Libyan counterpart gave his countrys commitment to continue working with the EU and other international organisations to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the people.

During the meeting, Kyprianou underlined that the UN Security Council resolutions must be respected and fully implemented.

Despite the fact that the recent efforts of the African Union to establish a cease fire in Libya have failed, the international community should continue its efforts for the achievement of a solution through dialogue, that would meet the expectations of the people of Libya, Kyprianou stressed.

The EU positions, as outlined in the recent EU Foreign Ministers Council, are clear, Kyprianou said, adding the unity and the territorial integrity of Libya must be safeguarded.

Cyprus, being an EU country and a country in the region will continue offering its good offices, he went on to say.

The Cypriot FM said that he briefed his EU counterparts as well as EU`s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, on the meeting.

We have a very close cooperation with Mrs Ashton on issues concerning this region, he concluded.

The Libyan Foreign Minister did not make any statements and referred journalists to the statements of the Cypriot FM. Asked whether he was satisfied with the meeting, he replied yes.

[02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CENSUS

``With regard to the issue of the census we would like to clarify that no agreement has been reached on the matter``, Stephanou said in a written statement issued here today.

He recalled that the Greek Cypriot side has submitted certain proposal ``on the basis of which we request the continuation of the discussion.``

``We insist on our proposal,`` Stephanou added.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot side`s proposal provides that ``the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) or another international organization (OSCE, or the Council of Europe) organize, supervise and carries out a simultaneous census in the whole of Cyprus,`` Stephanou pointed out that ``we de not believe that the census carried out in the occupied areas are credible as has been repeatedly asserted by Turkish Cypriot organizations and parties.``

The Spokesman also noted that the Greek Cypriot side`s proposal also provides ``that the census should be carried out according to UNFPA`s internationally accepted standards and specifications and that the UNFPA should confirm and announce the census results``.

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