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Friday, 29 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-29Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] ZERIHOUN - CYPRUS PROBLEMThe UN is encouraged by the initiatives and commitment of President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and believes that the new climate and momentum in Cyprus should me maintained, said here Thursday UN Secretary Generals Special Representative here Taye-Brook Zerihoun.Answering questions after an event to mark the UN Peacekeepers Day, Zerihoun said that it is up to the leaders to determine if it is realistic for reunification talks to begin next month. I think they (leaders) will be the ones to determine the degree to which this is realistic or not. We are encouraged and I think the Secretary General and the Security Council have said this, we are encouraged by the initiatives and the commitment the two leaders have shown. I think there is broad agreement that there is a new environment, conducive to the re-engagement and to a commitment to see this process through for a conflict that has been around for four decades or more, I think that a month here and a month there, should not be an issue, he remarked. He noted that the view of the UN is that since the 21st of March when the two leaders met for the first time since Christofias assumed the Presidency of the Republic, there has been appreciable movement forward in this process, narrowing some of the gaps and perception to be sure but also on the substance. Zerihoun remarked that the political will the leaders have shown is one which has changed the state of affairs of the status quo up to now, so we are very encouraged by the process and urged all to keep the hope alive, and I am now certain that the process, the momentum will be kept, and that is extremely important, and that there will be marked improvement and progress as we move beyond the June meeting which the parties have agreed to hold into July and concurrently also the progress that is being made in the Technical committees, should not be ignored and also in some of the working groups. Replying to questions, he said that this is their (the leaders) process, they are the masters of this process. We are here to help and encourage them. I think this is a preparatory process. Indeed the two sides and the two leaders are precisely discussing and defining the parameters for re-engaging in talks. So I think we are early in the process, but clearly, these are the objectives to which we are moving, he added. [02] FEISSEL - INTERVIEWOne might not expect a seasoned UN diplomat to be actively engaged in promoting awareness of Cyprus rich cultural heritage in archaeology in fact, one might be pleasantly surprised to see such a person acting in this manner. Gustave Feissel, former Assistant Secretary-General and Chief of Mission of the UN Operation in Cyprus, is doing just that, since his retirement from the top UN post on this divided island.He was elected to the presidency of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute, better known as CAARI, three years ago and has since then focused his attention on promoting the continued growth and impact of CAARI, making its activities better known to Cypriots and meeting the financial challenges faced by the Institute. In an interview with CNA, Feissel talks about the Institute, its significance for Cyprus and US-Cyprus relations and future prospects for CAARI, in particular the completion of its library in 2009, which will provide scholars with additional tools to do their research. He also notes that close working and professional relationship between CAARI and the Department of Antiquities to protect the islands 9,000-year-old rich heritage, and through this its history and culture. On the contribution of CAARI to local archaeology and to relations between Cyprus and the US, Feissel said that since its founding in 1978, CAARI has grown to become a major international center in Cyprus. [03] BOUTEFLIKA - KYPRIANOUPresident of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika reaffirmed his steady support for Cyprus, underlining that Algeria is consistently in favour of Cyprus unity and will never recognise a separate state on the island.Bouteflika met in Algeria Cypriot Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou with whom he discussed the Cyprus question and international issues of mutual interest, including the Middle East, the situation in Lebanon and Western Sahara. The Algerian President underlined that the two countries must boost bilateral ties and cooperation in all fields. He also pointed out the importance of cooperation between Cyprus and Algeria both in relation to the EU and to the Union for the Mediterranean. [04] ZERIHOUN - UNFICYPTaye-Brook Zerihoun, UNFICYP Chief of Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary General, has pledged UN recommitment to ensuring that the sacrifices of those who have died in the line of duty will never be forgotten. He also said that the vital work of the blue helmets will continue as long as they are needed.Zerihoun was quoting the UN Secretary-General, during a press conference at Ledra Palace to mark International Day of UN Peacekeepers and to kick off a year of commemoration of the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping. He told reporters that the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping has a special meaning for UNFICYP, noting the mission has been in operation for much of the period the UN has been engaged in peacekeeping. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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