Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRPUS PRESIDENT - BRITISH PM - MEETING

[02] RECONSTRUCTION COUNCIL - SEMINAR

[01] CYPRPUS PRESIDENT - BRITISH PM - MEETING

In statements to journalists, President Christofias said he informed the British Premier about the latest developments regarding efforts to reunify Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

``My effort is to keep Mr Brown informed about the developments. The special relations between Britain and Turkey and the influence London could have on the Turkish leadership to help achieve a Cyprus solution should be noted and taken into consideration``, he said.

The Cypriot President added it is important that the British Prime Minister is informed about the positions of the Greek Cypriot side, especially when he meets Turkish officials.

Asked whether they discussed the issue of guarantees, since Britain is a guarantor power of the Republic of Cyprus, President Christofias said they did not, but noted that this issue is always on the agenda of discussions and will be discussed at a later stage.

``Now, we are discussing other issues and want their support on other issues. The issue of guarantees is in general on the agenda but it is not a priority now``, he said, adding that it will most probably be among the last issues to be discussed during negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot community.

Unfortunately, he said, so far the guarantees have not helped the Republic of Cyprus, on the contrary. He added that as a result of that, the people of Cyprus have every reason not to favour the continuation of the guarantor powers` role, especially since the Republic of Cyprus entered the EU.

When the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960, following an anti-colonial struggle against British rule, Greece, Turkey and the UK were given the role of guarantor powers of the countrys independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Earlier today, President Christofias received the Belgium - Cyprus Friendship Group at the Belgian Senate as well as Graham Watson, leader of the European Parliament`s Liberal Democrat group, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

He expressed satisfaction with all his meetings, saying he informed them about Cyprus` stance regarding the ongoing direct negotiations aiming at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem and reunite the country, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

``They are really interested in the course of the discussions``, he said, adding they hail the initiatives undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus regarding the Cyprus talks.

President Christofias said the stance of his interlocutors is very encouraging, adding that Cyprus` position on the Cyprus problem is based on principles.

The leaders of Cyprus and Britain also discussed the global financial crisis. President Christofias informed Brown about the situation in Cyprus, saying that the country has not felt the strains of the crisis, expressing hope that this will not happen in the future either.

President Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community have been engaged in talks since September this year, with a view to iron out differences and find a mutually acceptable negotiated settlement.

[02] RECONSTRUCTION COUNCIL - SEMINAR

Our attention today aims at the reunification of Cyprus, a word synonymous with freedom in our country and with peace, Council President Nikos Messaritis said in his address. We do not want roads to facilitate the transport of the military, neither do we want facilities for emergency landings of fighter planes, nor ports to accommodate either our army or any other foreign army, he stressed. He said that living in a country, divided because of the presence of the Turkish military, the Council is working for the future and added that Turkey should act to end the division of Cyprus.

Addressing the seminar, Presidential Commissioner, George Iacovou stressed that the reunification of the institutions, the economy and the people of Cyprus is the primary objective for which the government is working hard. We are also working to end foreign occupation and rid the country from illegal settlers, he added. The Greek Cypriot side, he noted, has accepted a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution, but at the same time it insists on full respect of the rights of the individual and fundamental freedoms in his choice of work place, residence and free movement. Transport and communications have an important role to play in the process of integration of the Cypriot people in the economic and the social life of the country, he pointed out.

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