Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS PAPANDREOU - MEETING

[02] CHRISTOFIAS HELLENIC PARLIAMENT CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] HELLENIC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CYPRUS ISSUE

[04] RICS FAMAGUSTA - PROJECT

[01] CHRISTOFIAS PAPANDREOU - MEETING

He also said that if there is will and prudence on the part of the Turkish Cypriot and the Turkish side, things can and must move on. The Greek PM reiterated the unwavering support of Athens to President Christofias efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

On his part, Christofias expressed gratitude to Greece for its selfless and continuous support, describing this support as very valuable for Cyprus in that is sends messages to the international community and to Cyprus.

President Christofias stressed he will not accept the notion that Cyprus is inevitably edging closer to a two state solution and made it clear that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention of imposing its will on the Turkish Cypriot community.

Referring to his recent meeting in New York, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Christofias said that Bans invitation for a new meeting in Geneva is not tantamount to strict timeframes and reiterated that the settlement of the Cyprus problem must provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as provided by UN resolutions, a single state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single personality.

In his statements, Papandreou said he supported proposals put forward recently at the Cyprus peace talks by President Christofias, expressing hope at the same time that the Turkish Cypriot side will respond to his invitation for a decent compromise, in the framework of the Cypriot-owned negotiations without tight timetables and arbitration.

We hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will proceed to the negotiating table in a constructive spirit, showing real will to find a settlement, he noted.

He underlined that they look forward to a just, viable and functional settlement that will end the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus northern part, halt the influx of Turkish settlers and abolish obsolete guarantees.

He stressed that Greece stands by the Cypriot government not in words but in deeds and reiterated that the Cyprus problem remains a top priority for the Greek foreign policy and that without a political settlement in Cyprus Greco-Turkish relations cannot be normalized.

On his part, Christofias highlighted the close and constant cooperation and coordination between Greece and Cyprus.

Referring to New York meeting, he said the UN Secretary General assessed the course of the talks so far and added I believe his evaluation was objective.

Christofias said that the substance of the Cyprus problem is the invasion, the occupation and the illegal presence of Turkish settlers and recalled that he and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had endorsed the Security Council positions for a single state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality and that the participation of the two communities in the institutions of the federal government will be such that each community will not be able to impose its will on the other.

We have no intention of imposing the Greek Cypriot will on the Turkish Cypriot community. We want one Cyprus by the Cypriots for the Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It is for this reason that we had asked that the Secretary General reaffirm that the process is Cypriot-owned and led, that there is no question of introducing arbitration and tight and strict timetables, he added.

He said that he briefed fully the Greek Prime Minister and that Greece has identical positions with the Republic of Cyprus.

On the prospects of the peace process, Christofias said that having in mind the hard positions put forward by Mr. Eroglu on the issue of properties which led to deadlocks, one must wonder why he insists on reaching a solution pretty soon.

What will the outcome be? Will the outcome be a deadlock? Does Eroglu want a deadlock? This is a big question. And why does he probably want this deadlock; Is he planning along with Turkey to promote the recognition of a second state in Cyprus? These are questions which the international community has to address, he said.

He stressed that there is no chance of accepting that we are inevitably being led to a two state solution, noting that prospects will open ahead of us if Eroglu accepts to discuss the issue of territory, illegal settlers and properties jointly and form a clear picture of where we stand and what the Turkish Cypriot community really wants.

If it was up to me, I would tell you that prospects are very good. But it is up to Mr. Eroglu and Turkey, he added.

Christofias pointed that no-one has the right to decide on other procedures than the existing one, in an arbitrary manner and without Security Council decisions.

He said that an international conference should be attended by the UN Security Council permanent members, the guarantor powers (Britain, Greece and Turkey), the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities and must be convened as soon as the two sides are close to solving the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem. He expressed the belief that the Secretary General is aware of this and that is why he made no hint about a five party or a four party conference.

On his part Papandreou said that it is up to the Turkish Cypriot and the Turkish side to prove that they have the will to contribute to a serious compromise in the framework of UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.

The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides have been engaged in negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solving the problem of Cyprus divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS HELLENIC PARLIAMENT CYPRUS ISSUE

Christofias noted that those in the international arena, including Cyprus EU partners, who do not feel at ease because the Cyprus problem remains unsolved for so long, must turn to Turkey and exert their influence with a view to change Turkish policy and pave the way for a settlement.

The President assured that the Greek Cypriot side will work until the end of January hard and with good will to have positive results that will be presented to the UN Secretary General at their planned meeting in Geneva.

He expressed the gratitude of the people of Cyprus to the government, the political leadership and the people of Greece for the steadfast and comprehensive support they provide to Cyprus, and referred to the excellent bilateral relations, cooperation and coordination, assuring that Nicosia will continue working to enhance these ties.

[03] HELLENIC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CYPRUS ISSUE

Addressing a special ceremony organized to honour the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, at the presence of Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, Petsalnikos said that the close cooperation of the Hellenic Parliament with the Cyprus government and the political leadership, it is an undeniable fact.

Undeniable it is, from our side, the support to your efforts to find a just, viable and functional solution based on the UN Security Councils resolutions and in accordance with the principles and values of the European Union. A solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship. A solution that should be based on the consent and should be found without strict timeframes and arbitration, he added.

Petsalnikos also noted that the Greek Cypriot leadership has proven in practice its good will and its constructive stance by undertaking initiatives in the framework of the ongoing negotiations aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

We expect from the other side to act in a similar way with an aim to find a substantial solution, instead of involving in communication games that lead to a deadlock, he added.

[04] RICS FAMAGUSTA - PROJECT

According to RICS director for Cyprus and Greece, Liana Toumazou, this will be a scientific research and will involve a valuation of the property in the fenced area of Famagusta, according to todays market. The RICS will attempt to collect information to determine the overall value of the immovable property.

The idea originated following the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights which determined that there was a serious gap concerning the purchase value of the properties belonging to Greek Cypriots in the Turkish occupied north and their annual increments. The ECHR said there was insufficient information.

Toumazou said that the value of the overall area of the fenced part of Famagusta will be made based on the year 1974. After that, an econometric survey will take place to determine the annual increment in the price of the properties from 1974 until 2010 and the results will be made public.

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