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Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-04-21Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] COMMITTEES TUESDAYBicommunal committees, set up as part of an agreement to help resume substantive negotiations on Cyprus, will meet on Tuesday and Thursday this week, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou announced here today.He said Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou will act as coordinator for the seven technical committees and the six working groups the Greek Cypriot community has set up to discuss, with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts, day to day concerns and substantive issues. The Spokesman clarified that President of the Republic Demetris Christofias will have overall responsibility on the part of the Greek Cypriot side. Ozdil Nami, adviser to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, will be in charge of the Turkish Cypriot teams, he noted. The Spokesman said that the composition of the working groups and that of the technical committees was well received and added that we need to concentrate on the work that needs to be done, which is important, hard and demanding. The members of the committees and groups, he added, are distinguished individuals, technocrats and experts, people who have dealt with the issues at hand and are ready to begin work. The government, Stephanou added, focuses on this and work actually starts tomorrow. According to the Government Spokesman, the UN will not put forward issues on the table. It is the work of the two communities, and we have our positions, our own data, we are going to these discussions fully prepared, he added. The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed March 21st to instruct their aides to set up technical committees and working groups to deal with various aspects concerning the Cyprus problem. Seven technical committees and six working groups have been set up comprising of 150 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The purpose is to begin work in order to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the leaders. On March 21st, the two leaders agreed also to meet again in three months to review the work of the working groups and technical committees, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices for a solution. [02] KAROYAN SETTLERSCyprus House President, Democratic Party President Marios Karoyan, has expressed his reservations over the participation of Turkish settlers in the Turkish Cypriot working groups and technical committees which along with their Greek Cypriot respective groups and committees will deal with various aspects concerning the Cyprus problem.In statements after a meeting here with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, Karoyan said that for reasons of principle, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are the ones that must discuss at these Committees because they are both interested in seeing progress. As regards the composition of the Greek Cypriot groups and committees Karoyan expressed his partys and his own reservations as regards the political, as he described them, appointments to the working groups and the technical committees. He noted however that these appointments lie within the inalienable right of the President, which as he said, he does not question, as he does not question the skills and expertise of the persons that have been appointed. He also said that the most important thing is that the working groups and technical committees will not produce anything contrary to the will of the President. The President will be the one who will monitor and evaluate the policy that will be produced by these groups and the guidelines to be given to these working groups and technical committees. [03] USA CYPRUSUS Ambassador to Cyprus, Ronald Schlicher has expressed hope the technical committees and working groups will bear fruit and help towards a Cyprus reunification.In statements after a meeting today with Minister of Health, Christos Patsalides, during which they discussed bilateral issues regarding health sector, Schlicher said that they have also examined the latest developments in the Cyprus Problem. Commenting on the commencement of the technical committees and working groups, Schlicher expressed the fervent hope that they would bear quick results and sweet fruit for all the people of the island, adding that this is a matter of great importance for the USA. We very much want to see the reunification of Cyprus and we very much want to see it happen as soon as possible he added. Cypriot Minister of Health expressed hope that the technical committees and working groups will give results and welcomed the US intention to financially support the operation of the technical committees and working groups. The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed March 21st to instruct their aides to set up technical committees and working groups to deal with various aspects concerning the Cyprus problem. To this end, seven technical committees and six working groups have been set up and begin their work on Tuesday. [04] MINISTER INVESTMENTSThe advantages Cyprus offers for investment and the operation of offices by Belgian companies, due to the short distance between the island and several Mediterranean and Arab countries, was stressed by Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalides in a meeting with Belgiums Embassy attache Pierre Gillon.According to an official press release, during the meeting, which took place on the occasion of the Ministers recent appointment the rapid increase of commercial transactions between the two countries, was also discussed. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |