Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-04-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus President determined to find a federal solution

[01] Cyprus President determined to find a federal solution

2220:CYPPRESS:15

Cyprus President determined to find a federal solution

Nicosia, Apr 22 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos stressed tonight that he continues to seek a bicommunal, bizonal federation within the philosophy of the Annan plan, noting that documents such as this do not disappear but are revived.

In a live televised interview two days before a referendum on a UN plan for a solution, he said that there is a strategy for the day after and pledged to take such measures and make such moves to ensure that the Turkish Cypriots would get those benefits they would have had if they were in the European Union, if the outcome of the referendum is negative.

Clarifying previous positions on the Annan plan, he said it legitimacies some aspects of the Turkish occupation (such as the presence of Turkish settlers and Turkish troops) with the agreement of the Greek Cypriot side.

He said he and his associates continue to work to pinpoint to elements in the plan that should be looked at when a new effort resumes.

''What we have achieved so far is not satisfactory, nobody is overenthusiastic with the plan, the repercussions of a yes vote will be irreversible, if a no vote is wrong, it can be rectified,'' he said.

Commenting on remarks by EU Commissioner Gunter Verheugen that he felt cheated, Papadopoulos said he had never given any pledge to anybody that he was ready to accept any solution, and stressed also that he not only respects Verheugen but also thanks him very much for the efforts he had made for Cyprus' accession.

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