Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-03-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] FRANCE - MEETING

[02] PATRIARCH CYPRUS

[03] JUSTICE MINISTER - AMBASSADORS

[04] EU O��UDSPERSONS 2009

[01] FRANCE - MEETING

Replying to questions after meeting Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kypros Chrysostomides, Galey recalled France`s, a UN Security Council permanent member, ``permanent and very clear`` support to all the efforts aiming at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Christofias and Talat will meet in the presence of UN Secretary-General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller next Friday. This is the first meeting between the two leaders, after Christofias` election as President of the Republic of Cyprus.

``Therefore we were certainly encouraged with the news of the meeting and we hope that the best can come out of this meeting``, the French Ambassador said.

[02] PATRIARCH CYPRUS

The Patriarch thanked the Cypriot government for the help it has been offering to the Patriarchate.

Speaking after a meeting with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, the Patriarch said the President knew the Cyprus problem very well and expressed his views clearly. Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, who was accompanying the Patriarch, assured he would stand by the President on the Cyprus problem.

During the meeting, President Christofias presented the Patriarch with a silver replica of the Kyrenia ship. He said ``we look forward to returning to Kyrenia, a liberated Kyrenia, even under Turkish Cypriot administration,`` adding that ``we have committed ourselves to this but the people of Kyrenia should have the right to return.``

Kyrenia, on the northern coast, has been under Turkish occupation since 1974. The ancient ship of Kyrenia was found in the 1960s, off the islands northern coast and is now under occupation.

He also wished success to the missionary work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

The Patriarch presented President Christofias with a silver ecclesiastical tray and thanked him for everything he has done and will do in the future for the Patriarchate, and wished him every success.

Speaking after the meeting, the Patriarch said they had a ``very constructive discussion`` and that President Christofias listened intently to the issues concerning the Patriarchate, adding that Cyprus ``will help us in the great work, the humanitarian work of the Patriarchate.``

``I leave Cyprus stronger because Cyprus does not forget me, it helps me, and I, from my heart, say thank you and may the wind of freedom and justice spread over the whole island,`` he added.

Replying to questions, the Patriarch said President Christofias was clear regarding his vision for a solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that ``as a religious leader, wherever I am, I always support and say what should be done for the huge national issue of Cyprus.``

Archbishop Chrysostomos II said the Patriarch expressed the wish for a Cyprus settlement the soonest possible, noting that ``this is the best wish he expressed to the President today.``

Asked about President Christofias` reference to Kyrenia, the Archbishop said ``we have already committed ourselves to a federation,`` adding that ``when a federation is established, one part will be administrated by the Turks, but when we say federation we mean a strong central government and two other regions that will exercise rudimentary administration.``

He said ``the administration will be exercised by the central government and we hope to achieve this because we all want the reunification of our island, we want all the people to live in the land of their fathers happily, in prosperity and joy.``

Asked if he would stand beside President Christofias regarding the Cyprus problem, the Archbishop said he ``certainly`` would.

Earlier on Monday, the Patriarch visited the Metropolis of Tamassos, accompanied by Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

Metropolitan Bishop Isaias of Tamassos and Orini said surviving monuments indicate the links of Cyprus and Greece, adding that this gave hope for the people of Cyprus to overcome the difficulties and head towards freedom and progress.

[03] JUSTICE MINISTER - AMBASSADORS

In statements after the meeting with the Austrian Ambassador to Cyprus Eva Hager, Chrysostomides said that matters of police cooperation between the two countries as well as the equality between men and women in all fields.

He also said that the Cypriot problem was discussed and that ``the common wish for the promotion of a Cyprus settlement in the framework of the UN and on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and the European principles was expressed.``

Speaking after the meeting with French Ambassador to Cyprus Nicolas Galey, Chrysostomides pledged to work for the promotion of the relations between Cyprus and France in matter concerning the Justice Ministry.

He also announced that the French Minister of Immigration, Integration and National Identity, Brice Hortefeux will visit Cyprus on March 31.

Chrysostomides added that the issue of illegal immigration was discussed in the meeting and recalled that France will assume the EU rotating Presidency as of July 1 2008.

``Therefore there will be many opportunities for further exchange of views and I am certain that the already very good relations between Cyprus and France will become even better,`` Chrysostomides said.

In his statements Galey said there is ``a privileged relation`` between the two countries in matters concerning justice.

``I am sure that we will have a structured communication with Cyprus in the future in this field as well as in other fields,`` he added.

Asked about illegal immigration, Galey said that immigration is ``a European question that has to be dealt with between all members of the EU.

Recalling that his country will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2008, the French Ambassador added that ``we will have particular responsibility during that semester.

``But all EU members are concerned with this question and obviously this is a question we are going to discuss with Cypriot friends during our presidency,`` he said.

[04] EU O��UDSPERSONS 2009

Speaking after the meeting, Kyprianou said they discussed various issues of mutual interest, ``changes or foreseeable changes with the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, as well as the meeting scheduled to be held in Cyprus next year between the 27 European Ombudspersons.``

He noted that the government supported cooperation on national and European level ``because we are interested in proper administration and the promotion of the rights of Cypriot and European citizens.``

Diamantouros, currently visiting Cyprus, expressed hope that the Lisbon Treaty would be ratified in 2009, adding that then ``it will create rights for the citizens emanating from the Charter of Fundamental Rights and thus the Cypriot citizens, as European citizens, will be able to enjoy increased rights.``

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