Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-04-17

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] LILLIKAS - CROSSING POINTS

[02] SEMINAR - MISSING PERSONS

[01] LILLIKAS - CROSSING POINTS

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of the Kato Pyrgos, Kokkina and Limnitis area had stated last week that they will be organising a demonstration on April 29, demanding the opening of the crossing point, and would be presenting the UN and the leaders of the two communities with a relevant resolution.

Lillikas wondered why the inhabitants of the area were to demand the opening of the crossing point from the government, which was all for it. ``As far as the government is concerned, they are knocking on open doors,`` he said.

He reminded that the government had submitted a list in July 2004 proposing the opening of eight crossing points, among which the Kato Pyrgos - Limnitis one, and that the specific crossing point had been included in the EU Green Line Regulation.

``Thus, it is up to the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey to give their consent to open the crossing point, and not the Cypriot government. As soon as they agree, we are ready to proceed with the opening of the crossing point,`` he added.

Lillikas also reminded that the Cypriot government had unilaterally proceeded with the de-mining of the area, adding that the Turkish side should do the same because ``there will be a safety risk for pedestrians in the case of the crossing point opening and a matter of protecting civilians in general.``

Referring to the electric power provided by the government to the Turkish-occupied areas, Lillikas said the government would continue to meet the requests of the Turkish Cypriots, as long as this was not to the detriment of the government-controlled areas.

Commenting on Turkish Cypriot press reports that the Turkish Cypriots had requested more electricity from the government-controlled areas, Lillikas said he had not read the news item but noted that ``whenever the Turkish Cypriots need help with electricity and as long as we guarantee that there will be no problem in the government-controlled areas, the Cypriot government, through the Electricity Authority, will respond as it has responded since the blackout problem arose in the occupied areas.``

[02] SEMINAR - MISSING PERSONS

The seminar was held in Nicosia by the ``Alexandros Papachristoforou`` Institute in collaboration with the Pancyprian Organisation of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons.

Under Secretary to the President Christodoulos Pashiardis, reading a message from President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, said that the issue of missing persons was the first on the agenda during his recent meeting with UNSG Kofi Annan in Paris.

Pashiardis said in order to have a result in determining the fate of missing persons it is necessary to have the cooperation of the Turkish side. He said the appointment of the 3rd member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus is a step forward which can justify some optimism, although what counts is the end result.

President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias reassured that determining the fate of the missing persons is a priority.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article