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Tuesday, 26 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-27Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] LEADERS - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMPETENCIESThe competencies of the federal government dominated a three hour meeting here Tuesday between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of the second round of UN-led negotiations, aiming at a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.In statements after the meeting, which took place in the UN protected area at Nicosia old airport, Alexander Downer, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus issue, said that the two leaders had a tete-a-tete session with the two representatives and then a plenary discussion. He added that the discussion was dominated by the issue of the competencies of the federal government. Answering a relevant question, Downer said that the two leaders had a good discussion about this issue, noting that ``it s not for us to say what the details of those discussions were but they have had a good, open discussion about these issues today``. On Thursday, he continued, the representatives will be meeting at 10 o clock in the morning to talk about the property question and in particular focusing on the issue of the criteria. Downer said that the leaders are going to meet next Monday at about 4 o clock in the afternoon to talk about property and criteria in relation to property. In response to another question, Downer described the property as one of the most difficult issues, adding that there is work to be done. We will see how the meetings on Thursday and next Monday go, he concluded. Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. [02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS TALKSPresident Demetris Christofias has said that the issue of external relations was not discussed during todays meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of UN-led negotiations.In statements at the Presidential Palace on his return from the meeting, President Christofias said that they did not touch on the issue of external relations, adding that the chapter of governance cannot be completed easily. The issue will be set aside for now and it will be taken up again at next weeks meeting, the President explained. [03] RUSSIAN DEP. FOREIGN MINISTER - HOUSE PRESIDENTRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin has assured of Russias firm and unchanged position on the Cyprus question, noting that the political settlement in Cyprus must be based on UN Security Council resolutions and international law. Karasin has met the Cypriot inter-parliamentary delegation, currently visiting Russia, headed by House President Marios Garoyian.The Russian official said that Cyprus and Russia have friendly relations and the two counties must have contacts at all levels. Karasin referred to the forthcoming visit by Russian FM Sergey Lavrov to Cyprus, saying his visit will contribute to coordination between the two countries as regards many international issues. He noted that the positions of the two countries on these issues are similar. Garoyian reiterated the gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus to the Russian Federation for its firm support on positions of principle, which, as he pointed out, is not affected by any expediency. [04] ECHR- TURKEY VIOLATIONS IN CYPRUSThe fourth section of the European Court of Human Rights has issued its decisions on two cases Greek Cypriots brought against Turkey, condemning Ankara of violation of the right to life, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human rights. The first case, concerning the application of Kallis and Androulla Panayi against Turkey, the Court ruled that there was a violation of Article 2, of the Convention and awarded 35,000 euro each in respect of non-pecuniary damages and 9,888,30 euro for costs and expenses.Androulla and Kallis Panayi`s son, Stellios, 19, at the time serving with the armed forces, was killed in June 1996 by the Turkish occupation forces when he entered the UN buffer zone, while off duty and unarmed. When members of the UN Peace keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) attempted to reach him in order to provide medical treatment needed to save his life, the Turkish armed forces fired and did not allow it, as a result of which he died. The second case concerns Georgia Andreou, now deceased, a British national who was shot by Turkish soldiers on 14 August 1996, during the tensions that followed the death Anastasios Isaak, kicked and beaten to death by Turkish-Cypriot policemen and counter-demonstrators three days earlier at a motorcycle rally in protest against the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus. Although outside the buffer zone, she sustained a serious gunshot wound to her abdomen; she was immediately taken to hospital where she was operated on. Moreover, according to a press release, issued following the incident by the UN Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP), two of its high-ranking members had seen uniformed Turkish or Turkish-Cypriot military personnel kneeling down and firing in the direction of the demonstrators inside the UN buffer zone. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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