Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - MEDIA - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] ECOFIN - CYPRUS

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - EGYPT - MEETINGS

[04] TUTU - CARTER - BRAHIMI - CYPRUS VISIT

[01] PRESIDENT - MEDIA - CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking in Sofia to Bulgarian and foreign journalists, President Christofias expressed disappointment about the Turkish Cypriot leaders stance on the Cyprus issue.

As President Christofias noted, during the first two meetings he had in Cyprus earlier this year with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat, Talat had agreed on a bi-zonal bi-communal solution of the Cyprus problem, and he had accepted a federal state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality.

However, during the negotiations on the issue of governance and power sharing, Talat insisted on giving authorities to the federal entities; something that weakens the Cyprus issue and leads to confederation, Christofias added, noting that this is a very serious obstacle.

President Christofias pointed out that when Talat speaks publicly about a new partnership of states, he contradicts himself, and clarified that the Greek Cypriot side will not accept confederation as a solution to the problem.

Replying to a question concerning the Anan Plan, the 2004 UN proposed solution, President Christofias stressed that it was rejected by the majority of the Greek Cypriots because it was a foreign plan, drafted mainly by the US and Britain, which served the interests of Turkey and did not lead to a functional solution nor did it restore human rights.

Asked about the presence of illegal Turkish settlers, in Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas, President Christofias noted that Turkey has brought more than 160.000 Turkish people in the occupied areas since 1974, when its troops invade, and said that more than half the population of the Turkish Cypriots are now living in England.

President Christofias was critical of the illegal presence of Bulgarians in the occupied areas but welcomed the presence of thousands of Bulgarians in the southern government controlled part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Regarding Turkeys EU accession course, President Christofias said that Cyprus supports Ankaras road to Europe provided it meets the Copenhagen criteria, and its obligations to Cyprus, by opening up its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes, by recognising the Republic of Cyprus, and ending its illegal occupation.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in talks since early September, with a view to reach an agreement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] ECOFIN - CYPRUS

In his statement, Stavrakis said the government is ready to support and protect the banking sector and the bank deposits, should the need arise. We have agreed that we need to be ready to take appropriate action to support the banks and the depositors, if necessary Stavrakis said, adding that the agreement reached today includes specific guidelines which EU member states should apply if they have to intervene.

According to Stavrakis, any kind of intervention must be temporary, it must safeguard the interests of the taxpayer and aim at structural changes of banking institutions. Each EU member may take any necessary measures to maintain stability of their credit and financial systems either through cash flow from the Central Bank to the banks or through supportive moves to the banks and strengthening of plans to protect depositors. The government, he said, is monitoring closely developments in the financial sector in cooperation with the competent authorities.

Cyprus banking system remains healthy, he said, underlining though that if there is any problem, the government will take all the necessary measures to fully support both the banks and the depositors, within the framework of what has been agreed in ECO-FIN.

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - EGYPT - MEETINGS

Garoyian pointed out that countries which are committed to principles and values can convert the region of Eastern Mediterranean Sea into a region of peace and stability. During the meeting, Garoyian and his Egyptian counterpart signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Parliaments of Cyprus and Egypt.The Memorandum provides for cooperation between the two parliaments to promote solutions to regional and international problems, based on international law and relevant UN resolutions. In addition, the Memorandum provides for cooperation in the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Cypriot House President stressed that the Memorandum is a very positive step in further strengthening the two parliaments relations. It also lays the ground for a more systematic consultation, cooperation and coordination, in order the two parliaments to deal with the issues of peace, stability and prosperity in the region, such as the Middle East issue.

[04] TUTU - CARTER - BRAHIMI - CYPRUS VISIT

Commending the efforts of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, the Elders emphasise that they will not be involved in the current negotiations. Elders Chairman Archbishop Tutu said: We are here to say that the world wants this island to find peace we wish it with all our hearts. We encourage all Cypriots to look forward to the potential benefits that a peaceful resolution can bring. And we want to make sure that the current efforts of the Cypriot leaders to reach a lasting settlement are fully supported by the international community.

Todays young people are the ones who will live with the outcome of their leaders work. The first time in their lives that they will cast a ballot may even be to vote on the outcome of the current peace process. I hope that day is not far off. I am all too aware of the many years it has taken to get to this point, said President Carter, the second member of the Elders to visit Cyprus tomorrow. The former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi noted that the leaders, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat, should be commended for the important steps they have taken so far in their discussions to work towards a settlement. We support efforts by other members of the two communities to encourage dialogue. These are essential steps on the path to peace, he added.

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