Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-07-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - DIRECT TALKS - TURKISH PM

[02] DOWNER - DIRECT TALKS - INTENSIFICATION

[03] PRESIDENT - FM - RESIGNATION

[04] CITIZENS - BLAST - PROTESTS

[01] PRESIDENT - DIRECT TALKS - TURKISH PM

The two community leaders met with the UNSG on July 7, with whom they agreed on the intensification of the talks.

Speaking to the press at the Presidential Palace, after the meeting with Eroglu on Tuesday, in the presence of UNSG Special Advisor, Alexander Downer, President Christofias said that we agreed that the intensive talks will be held twice a week, lasting all day, until the end of October, adding that there will be a break between August 7 to 21 and also during the UN General Assembly in September.

President of the Republic expressed hope the Turkish side to change behavior in order to have progress, noting that statements by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan are absolutely condemnable and cynical and if this is the line that the Turkish side will pursue, there will be no prospect for any progress.

President Christofias furthermore said that he senses that the UN are also offended by Erdogans statements, noting that the UN also wish for genuine progress during the talks.

Invited to comment on the information for a unilateral proposal on behalf of the Turkish side regarding the opening of Famagusta, President said that upon Erdogans illegal visit to the occupied areas, the UN and others in the international scene, would have expect a positive move on his behalf rather than incendiary statements.

He added that if this is Turkeys official stance, it means they want recognition of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime.

Erdogan who is due to visit illegally Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas, said that Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, adding that nobody should expect any move on behalf of Ankara regarding the fenced off area of Varosha.

Referring to his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, President Christofias said that both the UN and Eroglu expressed their condolences over the naval base blast on July 11, adding that there was also an exchange of views over the electricity supply from the occupied areas.

The procedure followed did not involve any official sides, however I expressed my appreciation for the fact that the Turkish Cypriots stated their willingness to supply us with electricity at this crucial time, without demanding any direct or indirect recognitions of authorities , President underlined.

President Christofias is engaged in direct talks with Eroglu, under the UN auspices, with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country under a federal roof. Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[02] DOWNER - DIRECT TALKS - INTENSIFICATION

Speaking after the meeting between Christofias and Eroglu on Tuesday, UN Secretary Generals Special Advisor on the Cyprus issue Alexander Downer said the leaders discussed at some length the programme that will take place now in the wake of the Geneva summit.

A series of all-day intensive meetings has been agreed which will begin from next week the 25th of this month and proceed through to the 21st of October, he said, adding that there will be in total 19 all-day meetings of intensive negotiations which will cover all of the chapters, all of the core issues which are part of these negotiations.

Asked about the pace of the all-day meetings, Downer said that the leaders will have two meetings per week with the exception of two weeks break from the 7th to the 21st of August and the third week of September when the United Nations General Assembly will take place.

[03] PRESIDENT - FM - RESIGNATION

The President was speaking at the Presidential palace, before departing for his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, in the framework of direct talks for a Cyprus solution. I will talk with Kyprianou and I will ask him to stay at his post the President stated, adding that its up to Kyprianou to decide whether he will stay or not.

Moreover, he noted that the allocation of responsibilities over the deadly incident will happen, but noted that the state cannot be left to anarchy.

If someone needs to be punished for the incident, this is up to the judiciary to decide, and not to the arbitrary will of anybody, the President said. He also noted that he listens to the calls asking for his resignation with patience, but it doesnt mean that I ascribe to these calls he said.

[04] CITIZENS - BLAST - PROTESTS

The protests began spontaneously on July 11 and took on a more organised nature over the days, becoming more massive, while demonstrations were also held in other towns across the island.

On July 11, the Police used teargas to disperse the crowd, which was demanding the resignation of President Demetris Christofias.

The protestors gather in the capital`s main square, lighting candles in memory of the victims, and then march to the Presidential Palace, where they make speeches, demanding that those guilty be punished and that the President resigns.

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