Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-08-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRIOTS OVERSEAS - CONGRESS

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - TALAT - MEETING

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - CONGRESS OF CYPRIOTS ABROAD

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRIOTS OVERSEAS - CONGRESS

He also said that he remains committed to a bizonal bicommunal federal solution which will be viable and functional, as this term is defined by the UN and the European Union, warning that any diversion from such a solution would lead to adventures and deadlock.

In his address to Cypriots living overseas, who gathered here for their meeting, Papadopoulos called for concerted action and collective effort in their moves to promote a just and lasting settlement that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

The process envisaged by the July agreement of last year is still alive and offers optimistic prospects. I look forward to my upcoming meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat on the afternoon of 5 September, to discuss practical ways to promote the implementation of the July 8th agreement, a year after it was signed, the President said.

He noted that he could not prejudge the outcome of the meeting on the basis of the policy and the stance of the Turkish side so far but added: The only thing I would like to say is that I will go to this meeting with all the good will and a sincere desire to find ways to implement what was agreed, in order to pave the way soon for substantive talks, on a new basis for a mutually acceptable solution in Cyprus.

The President said that there was no other road towards a solution in Cyprus than peace talks and this has no room for experimentation, naive approaches, oversimplified positions or moves beyond the acceptable limits.

The road to a solution, he continued, calls for wisdom and responsibility, perseverance and boldness, faith and vision, in addition to courage to say no where you must and yes when necessary. The process of the July agreement was on course through our own initiative. This is not a minor process, it is one with substance, supported by the UN Secretariat, the five permanent members of the Security Council and the European Union. Promoting its full implementation will be a way out of the current disappointing stalemate, which would offer some hope, he pointed out.

Papadopoulos described the year ahead as critical and decisive for Cyprus, saying at times like this one has to handle the situation in a responsible and courageous manner, take wise and bold decision and have the ability to judge properly.

One wrong move or a wrong option would be fatal for Cyprus and Cypriot Hellenism, he warned and welcomed the firm support by Greece in the efforts Cyprus is making to reunite the country.

On the prospect for a solution, Papadopoulos said he is talking about a compromise solution but not one that will divide the country.

We are talking about a bizonal bicommunal federal solution, which will safeguard the human rights of all the legitimate inhabitants of our island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; a settlement that will reunite the country, he said, noting that our objective has not been, nor is it to close the question of Cyprus, in any kind of settlement, for the sake of the time that elapses.

A solution can be found tomorrow, he said, if what the Turkish side demands is accepted and warned that in such a case, the time factor would be met but the people of Cyprus would be condemned.

A federal solution, he stressed, was the only possible solution under the circumstances.

The non solution of the question of Cyprus is certainly not a solution. However, a bad arrangement is not a solution either. A good solution is difficult because of the Turkish intransigence but not impossible, he said.

Addressing overseas Cypriots, he thanked them for all they do for their country, saying this is recognized by everybody and noting that their strength lies in unity and collective action. The weight you carry and the political clout you exert can influence foreign governments and policies on Cyprus. Collectively and in an organized manner, you can play a more significant and effective role, he told them, reminding them also that they must put Cyprus over and above any party affiliations or personal views.

Concluding, he said that the government has kept all its promises to them and that it had never asked them to function as a mouthpiece for Nicosia nor had it demanded applaud and agreement with everything the government did or said.

I would like to believe that we have had a production dialogue and excellent cooperation, united by common goals, a common vision to see justice in Cyprus, he added.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - TALAT - MEETING

What we are aiming at is to create preconditions and the right climate to implement the July agreement, which was brokered between the UN and the leaders of the two communities, Palmas added. The government, he went on to add, believes that positive steps can be taken within the context of this agreement which, he pointed out, is the only agreement before the two communities at present, following the rejection of a UN-proposed solution plan in April 2004.

Responding to questions about strict deadlines and arbitration, relating to negotiations for a settlement in Cyprus, the spokesman said if the Turkish Cypriot side adopts a positive approach, this should be proven in practice. Palmas said the Greek Cypriot side was the first to raise the issue of talks without arbitration and tight timetables, noting that if Talat appreciates and understands that these should not return, then this is positive. On the prospects for a successful meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat, the Spokesman recommended that we should maintain a down to earth approach, taking always into consideration the past as far as various meetings are concerned.

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - CONGRESS OF CYPRIOTS ABROAD

In his address to the 15th World Congress of Cypriots overseas, he described them as Cyprus best ambassadors, saying that they are always ready to help out in the joint effort made by the government of the Republic and the Parliament. As things stand at present in the question of Cyprus, we must focus our effort on tackling moves by foreign centres, which aim at changing the substance of the issue, from being a problem of invasion and occupation to one that has to do with ending the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, Christofias said.

Turkish Cypriots maintain that the government of Cyprus has isolated them from the international community. The Cyprus government points out that this isolation is due to the continuing Turkish occupation and the fact that the Turkish Cypriots are a local subordinate administration to Turkey, whose troops exercise effective control in the occupied areas. The House President wished the President of the Republic success in his forthcoming meeting with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, the first such encounter since July last year, to help implement an agreement reached that should facilitate the resumption of substantive negotiations.

The lapse of time since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the absence of a solution must not lead us to compromise with the de facto division of the country, nor must we be led to a solution whose content and quality are in doubt, he stressed. He said a bicommunal bizonal federation is, under the circumstances, the only way out to overcome the continuing occupation, reunite Cyprus and restore and respect human rights and the fundamental freedoms.

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