Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus President Papadopoulos confers with President, Prime Minister, on Cyprus developments

[01] Cyprus President Papadopoulos confers with President, Prime Minister, on Cyprus developments

The talks come on the heels of a five-point agreement reached Saturday in Nicosia by President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehment Ali Talat, during a three-hour meeting with UN Undersecretary General for foreign affairs Ibrahim Gambari, that provides for the immediate commencement of talks at technical level on day to day issues, essential aspects of the Cyprus problem, and confidence-building measures (CBMs).

Papadopoulos and Talat agreed during the meeting with Gambari that the technical committees on the Cyprus problem should begin their work by the end of July and that the leaders themselves would meet from time to time to review the process.

Gambari's, who had previously visited Ankara and Athens, told reporters after the three-hour meeting on Saturday that a number of very important issues were discussed and that the two leaders expressed their commitment to the unification of Cyprus based on a bizonal bicommunal federation and political equality.

He added that there was recognition of the fact that the status quo is unacceptable and its prolongation will have negative consequences, and that a comprehensive settlement is desirable and should not be further delayed. Gambari said there was agreement that the process should begin immediately involving bicommunal discussions on issues affecting everyday life and comparatively substantive issues. He also noted that there was commitment to ensure that the right atmosphere prevails for this process to be successful.

Papadopoulos and Papoulias initially held a private discussion for about 15 minutes, and were then joined by Greek and Cypriot foreign ministers Dora Bakoyannis and George Lillikas, respectively, for another 20 minutes, followed by an expanded meeting of the delegations of the two countries, chaired by the Presidents.

The Cyprus president then went into a meeting with Greek prime minister Karamanlis, who greeted him at the entrance of the Maximos Mansion (government headquarters), where they will be later joined by Bakoyannis, Lillikas, Greek ambassador to Cyprus Dimitris Rallis and other ministry officials, and Cyprus' minister to the President and government spokesman Christodoulos Pasiardis, director of Papadopoulos' diplomatic office Tasos Tzionis, Cyprus' permament representative to the EU Nikos Aimiliou, and Cyprus ambassador to Greece George Georgis.

Pictured are President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias (L) and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos (R), in an ANA-MPA file photo during an official dinner hosted by Papoulias in the Cypriot President's honour in Athens in March. (ANA-MPA/Margarita Kiaou)

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