Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] President: UN to put an end to Turkey's cynicism over Cyprus

[02] FM: EP resolution on progress report sends a clear message to Turkey

[03] EU in solidarity with Nicosia over "Friends of Styria" exclusion

[04] Cyprus participates in "Earth Hour" event

[01] President: UN to put an end to Turkey's cynicism over Cyprus

Speaking after a religious service, in Nicosia, commemorating the start of the national anticollonial struggle for independence against the British rule in 1955, the President said that the anniversary is the "climax" of the liberation struggle of the Cypriot people. He added that those sacrifices have not paid off, leading unfortunately to a large part of the country being under Turkish occupation. He also noted that unity in the interior was essential.

Commenting on references made by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who said that the continuation of Cyprus talks was futile while asking for a multilateral conference on the Cyprus issue, the President of the Republic said "the ball is in the field of the UN".

The international organization, he added, is aware of the principles and standards on which the Cyprus talks are based, and noted that Eroglu is violating those principles. If he continues to do so, he must be condemned, there is no other way, the President continued.

He added that instead of engaging in fruitless discussions, the UN has a duty to tell Turkey to stop with this attitude over Cyprus. "It may be a mighty country, but there is also international law and the international community has a mandate to implement it", the President underlined.

President Christofias further said Eroglu's statements were "out of order", and added that his threats were not intimidating anyone. He also said that the Greek Cypriot side is going to honor the basic principles of the process, its commitments to the Secretary-General and the content of the UN resolutions.

Asked whether he was aware of the scenarios the UN SG Special Advisor Alexander Downer recently presented to the Security Council members concerning the next steps in the Cyprus issue, the President said he did not want to comment on them but rather wait on Downer's final suggestion.

Finally the President expressed his concern that Turkey was being left to act in such a "cynical and arrogant manner" by some members of the Security Council and UN officials.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

[02] FM: EP resolution on progress report sends a clear message to Turkey

Speaking during a press conference, in Nicosia, the Minister noted that the resolution, passed on March 29, calls for the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from the island, and asks Ankara to stop the influx of Anatolian settlers to the occupied part of Cyprus.

Marcoullis also noted that the resolution makes reference to the legal compliance of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone with the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and asks Turkey to also sign the Convention.

[03] EU in solidarity with Nicosia over "Friends of Styria" exclusion

Speaking on Saturday, during a press conference, Marcoullis thanked the EU member states and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton for their display of solidarity on the matter towards Nicosia.

Many member states, including close allies of Turkey, have chosen not to take part to the meeting, the Minister said, adding that those who have decided to take part "should explain how they interpret the display of solidarity within the EU".

[04] Cyprus participates in "Earth Hour" event

Speaking in Nicosia at the "Earth Hour" event, at the Presidential Palace on Saturday evening, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias said that the environmental crisis is ever expanding by uncontrolled economic development in modern societies, adding pressure to ordinary people.

The government of Cyprus, he said, interprets the need to protect the environment as essential, giving priority to people, health, the natural environment, security, employment and quality of life.

Inequalities are widening, the poor become poorer, children continue to die of hunger and unemployment rises while few people are getting richer, the President said.

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