Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-05-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - HOME FOR COOPERATION

[02] CABINET - PALESTINIANS

[03] BEN GURION - FLIGHTS

[04] FIREFIGHTERS - ISRAEL

[01] PRESIDENT - HOME FOR COOPERATION

President Christofias pointed out that rapprochement, between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, cannot by itself lead to the solution of the Cyprus problem, since the current situation in Cyprus demands active involvement and the political will of others in order to pave the way for a solution.

However, rapprochement is a necessary precondition for a solution and will safeguard its viability. This is exactly the reason why I personally, for many decades now, have been working for rapprochement and for the building of the necessary trust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, he said.

President Christofias said that the Home for Cooperation is being inaugurated today, stressing however that our common home is our island, Cyprus. He expressed hope that the reunification of the island would happen soon, thus creating a better future for the whole of the people of Cyprus, for our children and grandchildren.

Christofias also said that the joyful days of peaceful coexistence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and the common struggles of the past would show the way for the creation of a better future for the younger generations, with the right solution, which will substantively reunify Cyprus and its people.

The President reassured that he remains fully committed, and he is working tirelessly for a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution with political equality, as defined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which will safeguard the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all Cypriot citizens.

This is also the only solution which can create a better future for us and for our children. Partition is a catastrophe for the people of Cyprus, a catastrophe just as much for the Greek Cypriots as it is for the Turkish Cypriots, he said.

President Christofias said that his Government vision is for a federal Cyprus, free and reunited, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins will create and prosper in peace and security with economic development and a constructive presence in the European Union. He also expressed his hope that a reunited Cyprus will truly be a bridge between the Middle East, North Africa and Europe and will contribute to stability and development in the sensitive region of the southeastern Mediterranean.

We are working hard, relying on the common basis mutually agreed between the leaders of the two communities prior to the commencement of the direct negotiations. Despite the difficulties and the problems which we face, we will not abandon but on the contrary, we will intensify our efforts and will continue to undertake initiatives to realize our vision, he added.

The President said that Home for Cooperation, can significantly contribute to meetings between Cypriots, to joint creation, joint questioning and to the common struggle for a solution to the Cyprus problem and for the reunification. He added that it offers the opportunity to non-governmental organisations and individuals from the two major communities, but not only, to work and create, with the main aim to contribute to the implementation of the vision for the solution and reunification.

[02] CABINET - PALESTINIANS

An announcement, issued by the Palestinian General Delegation in Cyprus, says that the General Delegation of Palestine in Cyprus was upgraded to Diplomatic Mission of Palestine in Cyprus.

The Head of Mission is also upgraded from General Delegate of Palestine to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Republic of Cyprus, presenting credentials to the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

[03] BEN GURION - FLIGHTS

Spokesman for Cyprus` airports Adamos Aspris said that ``the landing of an additional number of planes in Cyprus for refueling is continuing, after a problem arose in the refueling mechanism of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.``

He added that ``since the problem arose yesterday afternoon in Israel, a total of 42 airplanes have come to Cyprus, of which 39 landed at Larnaka International Airport and three at Paphos International Airport.``

``Out of the 42 airplanes, 36 refueled and have already departed for their destinations, while the other six are expected to take off very soon,`` he said.

[04] FIREFIGHTERS - ISRAEL

The training session took take place at the Petah Tikva Fire Service near Jerusalem, in the framework of the joint declaration signed between the fire departments of Cyprus and Israel in September 2010, which provided for the exchange of expertise and experience, inter alia.

The Cyprus Fire Department, in the framework of the joint declaration, is planning a training session in tackling road accidents and releasing injured persons, and will be inviting Israeli firefighters to participate.

In the context of the same joint declaration, six Israeli firefighters attended a training programme in Cyprus in November 2010 on operation procedures in the use of respiratory apparatuses, back draught, flashover, fire gas ignitions, and regular ventilation.

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