Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - PAPANDREOU - OFFICIAL DINNER

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - PAPANDREOU - OFFICIAL DINNER

Speaking at the official dinner hosted on Monday in honour of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, who is on a two-day official visit to Cyprus, President Christofias pointed out that the aim was not to punish Turkey but to encourage the country to fulfill its obligations and above all contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem.

``However, if Turkey continues to behave arrogantly and to provocatively refuse to meet its obligations, it must be clear to everybody that it will not be able to continue its accession course unobstructed,`` he added.

President Christofias pointed out that Cyprus had the support of Greece in this effort and expressed optimism that ``with patience and insistence on principles we will succeed.``

Welcoming the Greek Prime Minister, President Christofias said Cyprus and Greece have always supported each other, and expressed gratitude for Papandreou`s public statement that Cyprus was a priority for his government.

President Christofias noted that the Greek Cypriot side aimed at a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem, based on UN resolutions, international law and EU principles.

He added that cooperation with Greece would be close and constant, with an aim to achieve common goals.

Referring to talks with Papandreou earlier in the day, President Christofias said ``we established a natural concurrence of views on issues of common interest,`` such as the Cyprus problem and Turkey`s relations with the EU.

``We also expressed the will to further enhance our excellent multi-faceted bilateral relations and our shared views on regional and international issues, the political problems of our region and broader international problems, such as famine, climate change, and the global financial crisis,`` he added.

President Christofias referred to the course of talks to solve the Cyprus problem and assured that ``we are not disheartened by the difficulties and we remain focused on our objective,`` which is ``a free, independent, prosperous Cyprus, in which all citizens will be equal and will enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms without restrictions or foreign guardians.``

He said that in spite of some convergence on certain issues, there still remain important differences and disagreements on substantive aspects of the Cyprus problem.

He also pointed out that Turkey has not been helpful in the process for a settlement, adding that Turkey`s obligation is to show a positive spirit and furthermore normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, recognise the Republic and implement the Ankara Protocol, as part of its EU accession course.

Public statements in support of the peace process by Ankara remain without any substantive content, the President pointed out, noting that official statements by the countrys political leadership and the National Security Council are contrary to UN resolutions and outside the common basis agreed before the start of the peace talks.

President Christofias noted that Cyprus and Greece have both expressed their support to Turkey`s accession to the EU, which entails obligations as well as benefits.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island.

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