Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - CHINA - CYPRUS QUESTION

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT - CYPRUS SOLUTION

[03] AUSTRALIAN FM - VISIT

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - CHINA - CYPRUS QUESTION

Speaking on his return from Beijing, where he attended the 7th ASEM Summit (Asia-Europe forum), President Christofias said the meeting with the Chinese Vice President was another expression of the already very friendly relations with China.

Replying to questions about the Cyprus problem, he pointed out that extreme positions in favor of one or the other view in relation to the question of Cyprus are unnecessary, adding that we need to keep our cool and show a lot of self-restraint to be able to deal with this kind of situation successfully.

Asked if a solution is feasible by May next year, he said he is trying to find a solution as soon as possible and recalled remarks by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat that with good will from both communities, a solution could be reached by December this year.

Replying to a question about his meetings in Beijing, President Christofias said that everybody welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the President of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot side, adding that after his election to the Presidency in February this year - the dialogue between the two communities was reinvigorated and hopes for a solution were rekindled.

We will continue to undertake initiatives, to show the same good will in the hope that they (international community) will address themselves to Turkey so that it will understand that it has an obligation and it is in its own interests to allow Cypriots to work out a solution by themselves, he said.

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT - CYPRUS SOLUTION

He noted that if Turkey insists on pursuing a ``two state solution or confederation, if it maintains its view on establishing a new state in Cyprus (virgin birth) and continues to ignore UN decisions and principles, the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979, and EU principles and values, then the current process of direct talks will lead to deadlock, stressing that in such a case the responsibility will lie on the Turkish side.

For this reason we call one more time on the UN, the EU and the international community to address themselves to Ankara so that it abandons its intransigence and its divisive goals and contribute positively towards a just, functional and viable solution he said. The House President warned that the Greek Cypriot side will not accept Turkeys terms for a solution, noting that a political settlement must secure the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops from Cyprus, end illegal immigration and reunite the people, the economy and the institutions of the country.

[03] AUSTRALIAN FM - VISIT

Smith will be received Monday afternoon by President Demetris Christofias and earlier in the day he will have talks with his Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou. During his contacts Smith will discuss the progress of settlement negotiations and the Australian governments commitment to bring a new era to Australias relationship with the EU. Smith will meet Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Chief of Mission for the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to discuss UN operations. He will visit the Committee for Missing Persons forensic laboratory and tour the Green Line to see for himself the division of the country.

Furthermore, the Australian FM will meet members of the current Australian Federal Police contingent serving with UNFICYP, as well as a group of retired members of the Australian contingent who are visiting Cyprus.

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