Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras and EC President Juncker discuss Cyprus negotiations over the phone.

[02] Cyprus government spox reports progress on territorial issues during Geneva talks

[03] Prosecutor argues against deportation for another two Turkish servicemen in Greece

[04] Two arrested on separate international arrest warrants at Athens airport, central Athens

[01] PM Tsipras and EC President Juncker discuss Cyprus negotiations over the phone.

According to the press release, there was emphasis on the need to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, compatible with Cyprus' EU member-state status, as well as on the EU's crucial role in the negotiations and the importance of resolving the issue for Europe and Euro-Turkish relations.

BRUSSELS (ANA/ C. Vasilaki) The effort beginning in Geneva on Thursday could be the "last chance" for the reunification of Cyprus, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday.

"The time has come for the reunification of the island," Juncker said in a press conference with Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in Valetta, where he was present for the official launch of Malta's stint in the EU's six-month rotating presidency.

He expressed hope that the talks on Cyprus will have a happy outcome within the next days and hours, repeating that the leaders of the island's two communities were doing "excellent work". The European Commission president said he had discussed the issue on Wednesday with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and also noted his own "personal interest" in the Cyprus issue, saying it was his "duty" to be present during the talks.

[02] Cyprus government spox reports progress on territorial issues during Geneva talks

"...this is the first time after 1974 that we are in the very last minute before an exchange of maps on the basis of what has been agreed between the two leaders," he said.

Christodoulides said that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will be meeting again at 17:45 local time to continue talks on territorial issues and, if they agree, then each side will submit its own map and these will be examined by experts if they reflect what has been agreed.

The spokesman said Wednesday's discussion will also cover governance issues and reported progress on the manner in which the constitution will be modified.

Christodoulides was critical of the leaks appearing in the press, calling them irresponsible, and asked the media to show greater caution.

"Because some behave irresponsibly, because some actions are intended to create problems, because there is no logic to these actions, I would ask that you be careful so that there are no problems," he said.

[03] Prosecutor argues against deportation for another two Turkish servicemen in Greece

[04] Two arrested on separate international arrest warrants at Athens airport, central Athens

The Iranian was arrested in Athens by Attica Security Police organised crime officers, on the basis of an arrest warrant issued in Belgium, as a member of an international criminal organisation involved in migrant trafficking from Iran to Europe. The 42-year-old from Kazakhstan was detained by police at Athens international airport on the basis of a warrant issued in his own country, for charges of forming and participating in a criminal organisation, homicide and illegal acquisition, possession, transportation and distribution of weapons.

Both men will be led before an Athens Appeals court prosecutor.

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