Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] No UN call for an international conference, says President

[02] Focus to remain on property at Cyprus talks

[03] Conference on air safety begins in Limassol

[01] No UN call for an international conference, says President

Speaking here Tuesday after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in the framework of the ongoing direct negotiations, President Christofias said that they discussed the property issue.

Asked if the meeting had any positive results, Christofias said that he could not say they had achieved progress. “No. We will continue on the property issue during the next meeting” on March 8, he added.

President Christofias said that the Turkish Cypriot side must provide more data on the issue of property.

Asked if there is a possibility the UNSG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer may submit bridging proposals on the property issue, President Christofias said the Greek Cypriot side is not aware of such an eventuality. “We have no information on that”, he added.

On the future of the negotiating process, President Christofias said that we need to be more patient and avoid speculation.

“I believe it may be somewhat strange for the UN Secretary General to take the risk and call an international conference while there is lack of the necessary progress and no solution to the internal aspects of the problem, as such a meeting will fail, because we will not participate in an international conference if these conditions are not met. This is clear”, he stressed.

Asked if he has any idea what Downer`s position will be in his report to Ban Ki-moon on the Cyprus talks, President Christofias said he would not like to speculate. “I believe that we will not have any surprises”, he concluded.

[02] Focus to remain on property at Cyprus talks

In a short statement to the press after the conclusion of the meeting between the leaders of the two communities on Tuesday, Downer said that “the two leaders met for a couple of hours today and they focused their discussion once more on the issue of property.”

He added that they will be meeting on March 8 and will continue their discussion on the issue of property.

Replying to a question as to how the meeting went, Downer said “it’s going fine.”

“The personal relationships are good, there are obviously differences of view, otherwise there wouldn’t be a negotiation,” he added.

[03] Conference on air safety begins in Limassol

The Conference is co-organized with Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

Addressing the Conference, Minister of Communications and Works Efthymios Flourentzos underlined that air safety and regulations are of a great importance for the Cypriot authorities. He noted that Cyprus might be a small country, however it is a member of the bigger European community and EUROCONTROL and it contributes towards aviation safety.

In statements to the press, Communications Minister said that Cyprus’ records as regards air safety issues stand at a very good level. He stressed however that these records are affected by the air traffic controllers’ strike on Friday. A total of 20 flights to and from Cyprus international airports of Larnaka and Paphos will be affected by the strike.

Director of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Leonidas Leonidou in his statements referred to the great significance the Conference has for Cyprus. According to Leonidou, the aim of the conference is to bring together Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) CEOs from across Europe. He said that Cyprus will be part of the Blue Med Project and aims to play an important role in the Mediterranean region.

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