Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - GAZA JOINT STATEMENT

[02] SPOKESMAN GAS OCCUPIED AREAS

[03] CHRISTOFIAS - TALAT - MEETING

[04] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CUBA

[01] SPOKESMAN - GAZA JOINT STATEMENT

The Spokesman was replying Tuesday to questions on the joint statement, issued Monday by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat condemning the attack against Gaza and calling on the international community to bring the violence to an immediate end.

The joint statement, Stephanou said proves that a lot of issues unite the two communities, which can have common positions, approaches and concerns. This strengthens the policy and the hope for the reunification of our country and our people, as well as for a common future in a common country, which will be achieved through a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem, he said.

The Government Spokesman added that government policy on the Cyprus issue is to stress the issues which could bring the two communities together.

``Our policy on the Cyprus issue is that we choose to stress and outline the issues which could unite Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, without at the same time ignoring what divides us, without ignoring other problems, in particular the occupation of Cyprus by Turkey, he stressed.

He clarified that the joint statement does not undermine the President of the Republic of Cyprus, nor does it mean that the government relinquishes its sovereign rights.

Stephanou noted that the Republic of Cyprus, the citizens of which are Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, is represented by the President and the government.

The Republic of Cyprus has expressed its view on the situation in Gaza with positions and with initiatives undertaken by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he pointed out.

Replying to questions, Stephanou said that the international community recognises only one state in Cyprus, the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus.

The leaders joint statement, issued Monday, says that the two leaders condemn the attack against Gaza and the disproportionate use of force applied by Israeli forces, which has led to huge loss of life of innocent civilians, including women and children.

They urge the international community to use its influence to bring the violence to an immediate end, the statement adds.

The statement was issued after Mondays meeting of the two leaders held here in the framework of the UN- led negotiating process, which began in September with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September this year, aiming at reuniting the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[02] SPOKESMAN GAS OCCUPIED AREAS

Replying to questions about the issue, Stephanou explained that the request came through a company, which asked the Republic of Cyprus for gas supply.

He added that the issue has a humanitarian aspect, since hospitals in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus are being supplied with gas.

``We believe that such moves enhance trust between the two communities. They also highlight the fact that the Republic of Cyprus consists of a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot community and that the Republic can protect and serve both Greek Cypriots as well as Turkish Cypriots, he pointed out.

Asked if there are any assurances that the gas will not be used by the Turkish occupation army, Stephanou said: I repeat that the assurances we had were that the supply is for particular humanitarian reasons.

[03] CHRISTOFIAS - TALAT - MEETING

This was achieved during their first meeting of 2009, in the framework of direct negotiations, which began last September in order to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

UN Secretary Generals Special Representative in Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun said after Monday`s three-hour meeting that the leaders, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have reached full agreement on the issue of harmonisation and cooperation between the federal government and the constituent states or federal units.

[04] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CUBA

In his message, President Christofias says that the relations of the two countries have always been friendly, based on principles and mutual respect, rooted in the Non-Aligned Movement.

He also expresses the gratitude of the government and the people of Cyprus for the continuous support of Cuba.

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