Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS QUESTION

[02] CYPRUS FM - IRAN - ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

[03] ARCHBISHOP - CYPRUS QUESTION

[04] CYPRIOT ATHLETES - CHINA - OLYMPIC GAMES

[01] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS QUESTION

Stephanou expressed the belief the President Christofias positions were understood by Downer.

Invited to say if developments in Turkey will influence efforts to solve the Cyprus question, Stephanou said the Cyprus government was concerned but expressed the belief that developments will not influence the Cyprus question.

We follow the situation in Turkey and we are concerned about it, taking into consideration that the key of the settlement lies in Turkey, he added.

He noted however that the procedure that will begin in Cyprus with the direct negotiations is not absolutely linked with developments in Turkey, in the sense that the process is taking place in Cyprus between the two communities.

Invited to comment on reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat raised the issue of virgin birth (the creation of a new state in Cyprus) during his meeting with Downer, Stephanou said that the government does not make comments on such information.

He reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept virgin birth or partnership of two separate states. There is one state and one people in Cyprus, he noted.

Stephanou said that the goal is to have a settlement of the Cyprus question through which the united Cypriot state, established in 1960, will be transformed to a united federal, bizonal, bicommunal state, as provided by the UN resolutions.

He also noted that the two leaders agreed during the meetings they had before their decision to begin direct negotiations that this state will have a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single personality.

Stephanou expressed hope that the Greek Cypriot side, which will go to the direct negotiations with good will and consistent to the principles of the Cyprus settlement, will find a response from the Turkish Cypriot side, so as to reach to the desired result, which is the settlement of the problem.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, decided on July 25 to start full-fledged negotiations on September 3rd, with a view to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] CYPRUS FM - IRAN - ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

In statements after his arrival from Tehran, where he attended the 15th Ministerial Meeting of the Non- Aligned Movement, Kyprianou said that he discussed the Cyprus problem with his counterparts and described his participation to the Meeting as very useful. Since its accession to the EU in 2004, Cyprus is no longer a member of the Non-Aligned Movement but continues to participate to its meetings as a guest.

Kyprianou met with his Iranian counterpart with whom he mainly discussed the Cyprus question. We have asked for Irans help at the Islamic Conference and in general with the countries with which it has close contacts, the Minister said.

[03] ARCHBISHOP - CYPRUS QUESTION

The Church of Cyprus supports the commencement of talks, because without talks we can not solve our national problem, the Archbishop said Wednesday, invited to say whether the Church stands by the Cypriot Presidents efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.

In statements after a meeting he held Wednesday with President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian, the Archbishop said he asked for a meeting Thursday morning with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias to be informed about the latest developments regarding the Cyprus question.

He added, he would ask for separate meetings with the leaders of the political parties in Cyprus, as well as with the Ambassadors of the five UN Security Council permanent member states in Nicosia.

[04] CYPRIOT ATHLETES - CHINA - OLYMPIC GAMES

A press release by the Cyprus Olympic Committee says that the athletes are satisfied with the services, the organization and their accommodation.

According to head of the Cypriot athletes team, Alecos Spanos, the welcoming, the transportation and the accommodation have been excellent. The Olympic village is really beautiful, clean and has every comfort for the athletes.

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