News from Cyprus

NEWS

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Pascoe announced UN Standby Team of Mediation Experts

UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe has announced the creation of a UN Standby Team of Mediation Experts who would help carry out the Secretary-General’s efforts for fast and effective mediation, adding that they could also help in the case of Cyprus. Asked by CNA how this team can help in Cyprus, Pascoe said that, “it depends what kind of negotiations you get into. I only mentioned it for the first time in this connection”. “Clearly”, he said, “there was a tremendous amount of expertise that went into earlier, and negotiations in Cyprus. These are very complicated issues and it is just possible that, that may be called on for something like that again, if we get into serious negotiations, that’s all. I’m not saying anything more about it”. Asked about the UN plans for Cyprus, Pascoe said that, “we’ll have an announcement of what we are going to do, I think probably in the next week or two”. “Certainly”, he said, “the important thing is the developments on the island, what the new leadership of the Greek-Cypriots and the leadership of the Turkish-Cypriots decide when they’ll have their meeting as they work forward”. Pascoe added that “right now we are quite involved through Michael Moller, the Special Representative, he’s been talking to both, has talked to both sides at this point, he is working it”. “So, I think that this process is to move forward. I do not want to make any statements or announcements of what we are doing until it is all tied down and we know exactly what is happening but I think in principle there has been an extremely strong interest in having UN involvement as the two sides trying to work together. So we have said all along that we want to help”, he continued. Meanwhile, UN Spokeswoman Michelle Montas has said that Michael Moeller has in the last week met individually with both Greek-Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. “Both leaders have indicated that they are keen to meet each other. UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus has started preparations to host such a meeting which could take place during the second half of this month”, she added. According to UNFICYP, Montas said, the agenda of the encounter will be decided by the two sides, who will also determine how to take the process forward. She added that it is expected that the opening of the Nicosia’s Ledra Street crossing will be high on the agenda, on the meeting’s agenda. “In this context UNFICYP says it is ready to move quickly to have open the crossing once the leaders have taken the decision to do so”, she concluded.

CYPRUS MAIL

DISY to abstain from voting for new House President

DISY will abstain from voting in the election for new House President today because the party does not want to back DIKO leader, and favourite Marios Karoyan for the post. DISY’s central committee decided last night that it would not back Karoyan, neither would the party vote against him. It would not field its own candidate for House President either, DISY spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos said after the decision was taken last night. “The first decision was that DISY would not claim the presidency of the House with its own candidate, the party leader,” said Mitsopoulos. “The second decision was that the party would not vote against the candidacy of Marios Karoyan and the third was that the party would abstain from voting, and present to the body of parliament its reasons in detail.” Reports say DISY does not want to ‘reward’ the AKEL-DIKO government re-alliance. Karoyan’s candidacy is backed by AKEL, DIKO and the European Party and last night EDEK also threw its weight behind the DIKO leader although initially the socialist party wanted its own leader Yiannakis Omirou to have the post. EDEK spokesman Demetris Papadakis said last night the party had decided to support Karoyan and would not be running Omirou. Papadakis said a vote had not been needed because there had been a general consensus in support of the DIKO leader.

REUTERS

Cyprus peace would bring in billions-academics

Cyprus's economy would gain at least 1.8 billion euros ($2.75 billion) on an annual basis if there were a reunification deal on the ethnically-partitioned island, economists said on Thursday. Economic benefits would come mainly from new business opportunities with Turkey, tourism revenue and construction, the survey sponsored by the Norway-based PRIO peace institute said. "Translated into household income the annual dividend per family comes to approximately 5,500 euros per year," PRIO said in a news release on Thursday. That represented 20 percent of the average income of Greek Cypriots, and 40 percent of Turkish Cypriots, it added... Economic disparities between the two sides are huge. Gross domestic product in the south was 15.5 billion euros in 2007, and approximately 2.0 billion euros in the north in 2006, according to the latest data available. Economists from both sides of the divide based their projections on a seven year gameplan if a settlement were reached in 2009, and using Greco-Turkish trade relations, which have flourished in the past decade, as their reference point....

Wednesday, March 5

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus and Greece confirm close cooperation

The excellent relations and close cooperation between Athens and Nicosia were reconfirmed during a meeting here today between Christofias and the Greek Premier Kostas Karamanlis. The two leaders agreed on more regular contact and consultations in view of anticipated developments in the Cyprus issue this year and on the need to implement a UN-brokered agreement in July 2006. Christofias and Karamanlis called on Turkey to abandon its intransigence and meet its EU obligations. They also said that Annan Plan is null and void and stressed that a solution of the Cyprus issue should be based on UN resolutions and EU principles and underlined that the Turkish ‘occupation forces’ must withdraw from Cyprus. Christofias expressed hope that the interest shown by the international community will be translated into influence on Turkey so as Ankara will revise its intransigent views and positions as regards a Cyprus settlement. “Today’s meeting as a President with the Greek Premier was as usual very warm,” Christofias said, adding that the governments of the two countries will continue to work hard so as the very close relations will become even closer. He said he briefed Premier Karamanlis on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the meeting he is expected to have soon with Talat, reiterating the Greek Cypriot side’s position that talks should aim at implementing the 2006 July agreement, “the only signed agreement at this moment between the leaders of the two communities.” He said he plans to honor the signature of Papadopoulos and expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot leader will also honor his signature, noting that the meeting with Talat will aim to explore the intentions of the other side. “Our hope is that during the meeting we will be able to announce the opening of the Ledra street crossing point in Nicosia with a view to open the Limnitis checkpoint, on the northwest,” Christofias said. Referring to the Cyprus issue, he referred to Turkey’s decisive role as regards the prospect of a solution, adding: “It is an occupation force and at the end of the day an agreement must come from the Cypriots, provide for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupations troops, the termination of illegal settlement by Turkish settlers, the recognition of the rights of the refugees to return to their property and of course we must agree on a bizonal bicommunal federation, that will unite the people, the institutions and the economy.” He further said that Greece and Cyprus should coordinate their efforts to ensure that Turkey meets its obligations towards the EU and the Cyprus Republic. Karamanlis congratulated Christofias on his recent election to the presidency and reiterated the close cooperation and coordination between the two governments. “We hope that during 2008 there will be a window of opportunity to achieve decisive progress towards a Cyprus settlement”, Karamanlis said, adding that the “framework is for this solution is UN Security Council decisions and the values and principles of the EU, of which Cyprus is a member state”, Karamanlis said. He called on Turkey to respond positively, showing a sincere will for cooperation and implement the additional Protocol of the Ankara Agreement. “We expect Turkey’s full compliance with the aquis communautaire and we also expect that it will meet all its obligations towards the EU, so as to have a positive outcome in the country’s European course”, Karamanlis said. Responding to questions he said that Athens fully supports the need for the implementation as soon as possible of the July agreement, which will prepare the ground for comprehensive negotiations without strict deadlines or other preconditions. Asked if a revised Annan Plan could be the base for a Cyprus negotiations, he said that the Annan Plan “was rejected in the April 2004 referendum and has therefore become null and void”. “Apart from that, part of the essence of the Annan Plan was a process of strict deadlines for negotiation, arbitration, which was proven unproductive as to the achievement of a mutually acceptable solution,” Karamanlis concluded.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

President's main aim the reunification of Cyprus

Christofias assured on Wednesday that his main aim is to ‘lift the Turkish occupation of the island's northern third,’ restore human rights for all Cypriots and reach a just and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem, in the framework of a bizonal bicommunal federation. He was speaking after a meeting in Athens with President of the Hellenic Parliament Demetris Shioufas, who expressed support to efforts for the resumption of bicommunal talks, aimed at achieving a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, based on UN resolutions and EU principles. Christofias expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot community would respond positively to the call for friendship he extended, and assured that he would honour the signature of his predecessor on the 8 July 2006 agreement and hoped Talat would honour his own signature. Christofias said, ‘‘The triumph of multiculturalism under the umbrella of a bizonal bicommunal federation, a functional and just one so that it is viable, is an aim that we cannot deviate from.'' He added that the ''historical compromise'' for a bizonal bicommunal federation ''does not just mean the restoration of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, but is something more and surely does not mean that the restoration of their rights can be made to the detriment of the rights of the largest community, the Greek Cypriots.'' Christofias said that ''the Turkish Cypriot community and the whole of the people of Cyprus need the reunification of the country,'' adding that things were not easy. ''There are many difficulties, but if the Cypriots want to, I believe they can overcome these difficulties,'' he noted. He furthermore thanked the Greek people and political leadership for their support in the struggle to reunite the island, and referred to the close ties of friendship and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. Christofias assured Shioufas that he would closely follow the implementation of the agreements signed between the two parliaments. Shioufas assured ''all our Cypriot brothers that all the political forces of Greece, all MPs, all departments of the parliament, will stand beside the people of Cyprus,'' adding that ''we support your effort for the resumption of bicommunal talks, aimed at achieving a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible.'' e said the solution should be based on UN resolutions and EU principles and be democratic, functional and viable.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cypriot President meets Greek political leaders

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou assured Christofias that as President of PASOK and President of the Socialist International he will stand by him in efforts to reach a just solution to the Cyprus issue, in line with UN resolutions and on the basis of the aquis communautaire. Evaluating the current stage of the long standing political problem of the island, Papandreou said there will be new initiatives, noting that the UN-proposed solution Annan plan now belongs to history. He added that there are now opportunities for a new momentum between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots with the support of the EU and the international community, stressing that Turkey’s will is a necessary prerequisite for a settlement in Cyprus.General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party, KKE, Aleka Papariga stressed that the Cyprus issue should be resolved on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions, adding that the US, Britain and the EU should promote this procedure. “Turkey should not be left to lead the dance alone in an issue such as the Cyprus problem”, Papariga said. “We are on the same wavelength. We share the same views with the Cypriot President,” she added. Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alekos Alavanos wished Christofias success in all anticipated initiatives in the Cyprus issue. “The Cyprus issue is a big problem for Greece’s foreign policy. We are talking about an island, a big part of which is occupied by foreign troops”, he said. Christofias also met with a delegation of Cypriots living in Greece, who expressed their support in efforts to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country. Christofias concludes his working visit to Athens on Thursday and returns home tomorrow.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Christofias reaffirms determination to pursue a just settlement in Cyprus

Addressing a state dinner hosted in his honour on Tuesday night by his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias, Christofias underlined that Greece is and continues to be the fundamental supporter of Cyprus people’s struggle to solve the Cyprus question. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the Greek Cypriot side’s determination to pursue a just and viable settlement that will safeguard human rights for all Cypriots and will ensure the unity and territorial integrity of the island. Christofias said that “we continue to pursue a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus question that will terminate occupation and illegal settling, restore and safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots and restore the territorial integrity and unity of our homeland”. Referring to the Turkish Cypriot community, he said that “we will continue to extend our hand” towards it, expressing hope that there will be a response and good will by the Turkish Cypriot side “with a view to work hard together, having as a starting-point the July 8 Agreement.” He also underlined that Turkey must change its stance and behave like a country that wants to join the EU.