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Saturday, 21 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-02Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] EU CZECH PRESIDENCYThe Czech Republic took over January 1st, for the first time since it joined the EU in 2004, the European Union six-month rotating presidency from France. In an interview with CNA, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Cyprus Jan Bondy has stressed that Turkey has to fulfill all its obligations in the framework of its negotiations with the European Union. Brussels, he said, would like to see Ankara be supportive of the process for a Cyprus settlement.The Ambassador advocated a united Cyprus, he backed the ongoing dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities and pointed out the importance of confidence building measures. Education, he remarked, is a good starting point to find a common language between islands two communities. The Czech presidency is planning to open two new chapters in Turkeys accession negotiations, taxation and social policy and employment, he added. On the priorities set out by the Czech Presidency, Bondy referred to a competitive Europe, tackling energy and climate change and an open and secure Europe. With regard to the Cyprus problem, Bondy noted that we are very supportive of the process of direct negotiations to solve the issue. We are not the moderator. That is the UN and not the EU, and we are hoping that in the next period there will be some more decisions to find a fair solution, he noted. [02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - NEW YEAR`S MESSAGEPresident Demetris Christofias has assured the people of Cyprus that he will continue to strive with determination for a political settlement, in line with UN resolutions and European law, and has called on the Turkish Cypriot leadership to continue and intensify efforts for a solution, with goodwill and mutual understanding.In a message to the people of Cyprus for the new year, President Christofias says that his first wish is for 2009 to be the year of the solution of the Cyprus problem, the termination of the Turkish occupation and colonisation, the reunification of the island and its people, in the framework of a unified bizonal bicommunal federal Republic of Cyprus. President Christofias notes that there are difficulties in achieving this goal but points out that ``we have no other choice, division does not suit anyone, neither the Greek Cypriots nor the Turkish Cypriots, division is destructive for everyone.`` We will continue to strive with determination and consistency on the principles of the solution of the problem, as we have been doing since the first moment we assumed the presidency of the Republic, he said. Christofias was elected to the presidency in February 2008. [03] CYPRIOT FM - EU GAZAForeign Minister Markos Kyprianou has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, adding that it is very important to send humanitarian aid to those in need as soon as possible. He also invited the European Union to use Cyprus as a means for the dispatch of humanitarian aid to Gaza.Addressing on Tuesday the extraordinary meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, Kyprianou said there cannot be a military solution to the situation in Gaza and called on the EU to support Egypt, the Arab League and the Palestinian Authority in their efforts to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation. The Minister said the EU must display immediate solidarity with the victims of the hostilities in the Gaza Strip and proposed that Cyprus is used for the dispatch of humanitarian aide. The government of Cyprus, he stressed, is very willing to facilitate in every possible way the efforts of the EU presidency and the EU for an immediate ceasefire and an overall solution. Earlier on Tuesday, the Cypriot Minister discussed the latest developments in Gaza with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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