Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-06-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT UNFICYP RESOLUTION

[02] NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

[03] UN DOWNER CYPRUS TALKS

[04] FM KYPRIANOU LONDON CONTACTS

[01] GOVERNMENT UNFICYP RESOLUTION

Stephanou said that the resolution is acknowledging the need to continue the presence of UNFICYP in Cyprus, while the current situation is ongoing.

He added that the resolution also takes into account the UNs facilitating role in reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, and notes that the main responsibility for the process lies with the Cypriot people.

The resolution clearly acknowledges the basis for a Cyprus solution, as well as all relevant UN resolutions, Stephanou said, noting the special reference to Security Council resolution 1251 of 1999, which provides a full account of this kind of solution. The Government Spokesman explained that this solution provides for a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, with a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship, with political equality, as described in the relevant UN resolutions, guaranteeing the countrys territorial integrity and independence.

Such a solution prohibits the secession of part of the country or the union with another country, he said.

Stephanou reiterated the will of President Christofias to continue working for a mutually accepted compromise the soonest possible, by maintaining a resolute stance on principles and by showing the necessary display of realism.

He went on by saying that the solution will be based on the relevant UN resolutions, the principles of international and European law and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 between the two communities.

Commenting on a reference in the report, on slow progress in the negotiations, Stephanou said that it has been said many times that the pace could have been much faster, if the Turkish Cypriot side was cooperating with the Greek Cypriot side and was submitting positions that are within the framework of the agreed basis of the negotiations. This basis is the bi-zonal bi-communal federation, the Government Spokesman noted.

Our goal is the solution of the Cyprus problem, Stephanou said, adding that the President of the Republic is working towards this aim.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

[02] NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

Asked if the National Council will inform the members of the Council on the course of the negotiations or will determine the strategy to be followed, Stephanou said that President Christofias will inform them about the course of the talks so far and will discuss about the Geneva meeting.

Invited to comment on a statement by Eroglu for a meeting on 7 and 8 of July in Geneva and asked if there will be a meeting on July 8 as well, Stephanou replied negatively.

[03] UN DOWNER CYPRUS TALKS

Speaking after a meeting with President Demetris Christofias, Downer pointed out the significance of the meeting on July 7 in Geneva between the UN Secretary General and the leaders of the two communities, noting that it would not be the end of the process but the aim was to breathe life into the negotiations.

Asked about this second meeting with the President ahead of the Geneva meeting, Downer said that ``we are talking about a variety of things, not just about the Geneva meeting but the negotiations themselves.``

``There is a meeting of the leaders this Thursday, and this afternoon and I think on Friday the representatives are meeting, so obviously it is important that we talk about that and obviously a range of other issues, but certainly we touch on the question of the meeting on July 7 and everybody is working on how we can make this meeting a successful and productive meeting and help us chart the way forward,`` he said.

Asked if he had a better view now about what the two sides would like, Downer said he has ``a pretty good view`` and that he has spoken with both sides several times ``about many issues and I have also taken the opportunity to discuss this issue of the meeting on July 7 in Geneva, and obviously I have talked with New York about it as well.``

[04] FM KYPRIANOU LONDON CONTACTS

Emiliou said he briefed Lidington on the positions of the Greek Cypriot side in the Cyprus problem, during a meeting they had Monday in London.

Mr. Lidington, stressed the need for achieving a speedy solution to the Cyprus problem in order to avoid disastrous consequences from passage of time without a solution, Emiliou pointed out.

Asked about the forthcoming meeting of July 7 in Geneva, between the UN Secretary-General, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Emiliou said that the meeting is important because it will take place after the elections in Turkey. He added that Cyprus Government expects from the new strong government in Ankara to take the necessary steps to give new impetus to the process.

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