Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-03-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus President dismisses Turkish statements suggesting partition

[02] FM attends Gymnich meeting in Copenhagen

[03] House President assures of Cyprus banks credibility

[04] President congratulates APOEL Nicosia

[01] Cyprus President dismisses Turkish statements suggesting partition

Addressing an event, organized in Nicosia on the occasion of the International Women�s Day, Christofias underlined that the Greek Cypriot side has shown good will for a settlement the soonest possible, adding that this does not however mean that we will grant to anyone the right to impose a settlement.

He said that a solution will be accepted only if is functional and viable the settlement and it reunites the country, its people, the institutions and the economy, and it must be based on the international and the European law and must secure the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of Cypriot citizens.

�It must be a settlement that will provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, with a single state, a single and undivided sovereignty, a single personality and a single citizenship,� he noted.

Christofias expressed regret and disappointment over the fact that Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu have distanced themselves from the fundamental principles of the Cyprus problem.

�They are also moving away from the convergences in various chapters achieved in the framework of the current process of direct negotiations. And not only this but also recently both Turkey and Eroglu have been launching threats against us,� Christofias noted.

�It is unacceptable and conflicting to attend the negotiations, discuss, and at the same time listen to Eroglu making threatening statements which constitute a major provocation not only for our side but also for the UN and the EU as well,� he stressed.

Christofias said the Turkish side most often refers to B plans for the Cyprus problem, which consolidate division and the pseudo-state and referred to Bagis� statements about the possibility of integrating Cyprus� Turkish areas to Turkey.

He said these statements humiliate first of all the Turkish Cypriots and sent the message to Bagis and all the Turkish leadership that �Cyprus belongs to the Cypriots � Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins and to no one else.�

Christofias said that with its arrogance Turkey is even threatening the EU. �We firmly believe that the UN cannot follow this behaviour with apathy. The Turkish behaviour constitutes a provocation and an insult for the UN,� he noted.

Christofias also made clear once again, that the Greek Cypriot side will not accept any time table and the convening of an international conference on Cyprus if the preconditions set out by the UN in its 2002 UN resolution are not met.

He also noted that such a conference must be attended by the UN Security Council permanent members, the guarantor powers, the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities to look into the international aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the economy, Christofias said that the government has taken since the beginning of the crisis measures aiming at boosting the most important sectors of the economy as well as measures to support the most vulnerable groups of the population.

The Cypriot President also expressed his conviction that the forthcoming EU Cypriot Presidency will be successful noting that �we will keep having our hand extended towards the Turkish Cypriot side, despite the fact that there is no response so far.�

Referring to the International Women�s Day, Christofias expressed his respect for all the women of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins and noted that the promotion of equality among men and women constitutes an indispensable part of the effort for greater social cohesion, for a society in which every citizen will enjoy his or her rights.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus are currently engaged in UN-led negotiations with an aim to reunify the island.

[02] FM attends Gymnich meeting in Copenhagen

The main issue on the agenda for the Gymnich-meeting will be the EU�s Foreign Policy in a time of economic crisis. As part of this discussion the Foreign Ministers will discuss the strategic priorities for the EU�s foreign policy, the European External Action Service as well as on how to strengthen the EU�s Human Rights Policy. Moreover the Ministers will have the chance to discuss current foreign policy issues.

Markoulli will return home on Saturday evening.

[03] House President assures of Cyprus banks credibility

``As the Governor of the Central Bank assured me, Cyprus financial system is still reliable and strong and can successfully meet the challenges of the coming months and next year,`` said Omirou.

He also said that Cypriot banks have plans to strengthen their capital from the private sector, adding that if they fail to do so then the state has assured that it could help them.

Pointing out that Cyprus should continue to be a financial center as it used to be, he said that there should also be efforts to make it stronger for the sake of further development of Cyprus� economy.

[04] President congratulates APOEL Nicosia

In statements, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the President has sent letters to the President of the team Phebos Erotokritou and the coach of APOEL Ivan Jovanovic, noting that APOEL`s success �promotes Cyprus and Cypriot football abroad�.

This is a historic distinction, which makes us all proud, the President notes in his letter to Erotokritou, and wishes for more success in the future.

The Nicosia team defeated last Thursday Olympique Lyon 4-3 on penalties, after the extra time at GSP Stadium. APOEL won the match 1-0 to level the aggregate score at 1-1. The French team had won 1-0 at home.APOEL is the first Cypriot team to reach quarter-finals of any European competition.

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