Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE - CYPRUS

[02] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CHINA - CONDOLENCES

[03] FM - PERU

[04] CYPRUS - BRITAIN - COOPERATION ON POLICE MATTERS

[01] UN NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE - CYPRUS

He made no statements on arrival at Larnaca International Airport, but had a short conversation with Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou who was leaving for Peru.

Kyprianou described Zerihoun as a seasoned diplomat, adding that he had the chance to meet him and exchanged some views.

I outlined to him some of my thoughts on the question of Cyprus, but this is by no means a formal meeting, the Minister said.

He also noted that the new UN envoy has dealt with many difficult problems and added: I believe that he has the possibility to help the process which has begun here.

The UN are facilitating the process but it is the two sides which have the fundamental role in the negotiations, he stressed.

The new UN envoy arrived at a time when the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities are engaged in discussions with a view to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the community leaders, leading to a comprehensive settlement.

These talks take place following an agreement in March between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Zerihoun will meet Wednesday both community leaders.

An UNFICYP press release said Zerihoun comes to Cyprus from the Sudan, where he served as the Secretary-Generals Principal Deputy Special Representative in the United Nations Mission in that country (UNMIS). Since joining the United Nations in March 1981, Zerihoun has worked on special political questions in different capacities and areas, including decolonisation, trusteeship, conflict prevention and resolution, peace-making and peace-building.

Between 1995 and 2003, he served initially as Deputy and then Director of Africa I Division in the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), with responsibility for the countries of the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes and Southern Africa regions as well as regional organizations. He was then appointed Chairman of the Inter-departmental Task Force for Sudan (ITF) and served in that capacity until becoming Principal Deputy Special Representative with UNMIS.

Zerihoun is married and is the father of four children.

[02] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CHINA - CONDOLENCES

�At this hard time, for the friendly people and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, I communicate with you to convey on behalf of the people and the Government of Cyprus, as well as on my own behalf, our profound grief and our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of yesterdays devastating earthquake�, the President states in his letter.

The President of the Republic telephoned the Ambassador of China last night to express his profound emotions over this tragic event and asked him to convey to the Chinese leadership the warm condolences of the Cypriot people and himself personally over this major destruction.

[03] FM - PERU

Speaking before his departure for Peru, Kyprianou said that Latin America countries have always had a special role to play in Cyprus and recalled the participation of a military contingent from Argentine in the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.

Referring to the issues to be discussed during the Lima meeting and the EU-Latin America summit which will follow, Kyprianou said world poverty, climate change, energy and regional cooperation will be on the agenda, as well as issues of particular interest to EU member states.

[04] CYPRUS - BRITAIN - COOPERATION ON POLICE MATTERS

In statements after the meeting, Sir Ian said he came to Cyprus to reinforce bilateral relations on police matters, adding that Scotland Yard is very concerned about international terrorism, which has to be dealt with through cooperation at a European level.

He said many British nationals live permanently in Cyprus and a large number of tourists visit the island every year.

I am here to exchange views and experiences on terrorism, he remarked

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