Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

Return of Famagusta top priority for Christofias
By Jacqueline Theodoulou
THE return of Famagusta to its rightful residents remains a top priority for President Demetris Christofias, as he continues to negotiate a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre during an event by Famagusta Municipality against the invasion yesterday, the President praised the residents of Famagusta for fighting to have their case heard internationally.

He also spoke of wounds that have yet to heal since the 1974 invasion and expressed the hope that a solution to the Cyprus problem was not far.

“Every time I attend an anti-occupation demonstration, despite all these years that have passed, my emotions are just as intense,” said Christofias. “It is just as hard and even more painful, as 34 years later, the images of that black summer of 1974 return with great liveliness and the memories hurt more.”

He added, however, that commitment and faith in a reversal of today’s situation remains. “Nostalgia and love for our beloved country cannot be uprooted. On the contrary, it obliges us in these critical times to gather our strengths and join together with the determination to fight our battle.”

The town of Famagusta, said the President, is a constant and painful reminder of the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation. “A town that once brimmed with life and flourished as a trade, tourist and cultural centre, has been left until this day abandoned and at the mercy of deterioration over time.”

But he added, the town is a symbol of the Greek Cypriots’ fight for justice and return to their homeland.

“Thirty four years after the occupation of Famagusta and the town’s isolation, Turkey continues to hold it hostage and has since used it as a negotiating card in efforts to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem,” the President pointed out. “This policy of Turkey shows vehement contempt towards the 1979 High Level Agreement, which sets as a priority the achievement and immediate implementation of an agreement for the return of Famagusta to its legal residents.”

Christofias also referred to Turkey ‘provocatively’ ignoring its obligations towards the binding resolutions of the United Nations’ Security Council, for the return of Famagusta to the UN so it can then be given to its legal residents.

He then expressed his appreciation and support towards the Municipality, Mayor and residents of Famagusta, who have relentlessly been trying to raise awareness over the issue in Europe and internationally.

“This commendable and fruitful effort brought the Famagusta issue to the daily agenda of international organisations, including the European Union,” said Christofias, adding: “This action has offered priceless help and contributes to the efforts of the country’s political leadership to find a fair, viable and operational solution to the Cyprus problem.”

referring to the recent start of direct talks between the two community leaders, the President of the Republic said he hoped these would finally lead to a resolution; “a solution that ends the occupation and colonialism, and reunifies the ground, people, institutions and economy of our country.”



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008




How about direct flights?????

[roseandchan]

i had heard something about this flight thing. but it wasn't from official means but was made public by a travel company.
in the cyprus today paper, front page. CTA is challenging the uk gov in court on febuary 5th and 6th 2009. for direct flights. direct traveller is the travel company.
it would be nice but i think it is hot air! i can't see that cta can challenge the uk goverment in the uk courts. the courts are always going to be in favor of the uk gov. the old boys school at work again i fear.

[zan]

i had heard something about this flight thing. but it wasn't from official means but was made public by a travel company.
in the cyprus today paper, front page. CTA is challenging the uk gov in court on febuary 5th and 6th 2009. for direct flights. direct traveller is the travel company.
it would be nice but i think it is hot air! i can't see that cta can challenge the uk goverment in the uk courts. the courts are always going to be in favor of the uk gov. the old boys school at work again i fear.

Here is what I think...The direct flights are not illegal but the GCs have put pressure on the business world and spread confusion to make them think it is. I have heard it all about the flights being illegal and when push comes to shove all they have left is "Ercan does not meet the standards required"......If this court case goes our way then they will not have a leg to stand on....I have a feeling it will go the way of advertising on London Transport.....

[roseandchan]

i always fly into ercan as travel time to ercan is about 25 mins for me. i love it, great airport, clean loo's, decent coffee all the important things. cta just need to be made to compete on prices with the likes of the low cost carriers.

[zan]

i always fly into ercan as travel time to ercan is about 25 mins for me. i love it, great airport, clean loo's, decent coffee all the important things. cta just need to be made to compete on prices with the likes of the low cost carriers.

I don't know but the extra costs of having to provide two lots of insurance and the paper work must add to it...Direct flights will stop all that.

[Kikapu]

i had heard something about this flight thing. but it wasn't from official means but was made public by a travel company.
in the cyprus today paper, front page. CTA is challenging the uk gov in court on febuary 5th and 6th 2009. for direct flights. direct traveller is the travel company.
it would be nice but i think it is hot air! i can't see that cta can challenge the uk goverment in the uk courts. the courts are always going to be in favor of the uk gov. the old boys school at work again i fear.

Here is what I think...The direct flights are not illegal but the GCs have put pressure on the business world and spread confusion to make them think it is. I have heard it all about the flights being illegal and when push comes to shove all they have left is "Ercan does not meet the standards required"......If this court case goes our way then they will not have a leg to stand on....I have a feeling it will go the way of advertising on London Transport.....

Zan, be honest for a minute. Do you really think, that people are not flying to Ercan because there are no non-stop flights or is it, that there are other extenuating circumstances. If foreigners really want to go to the north on a 2 weeks sun holiday, and the non-stop flight was an issue for them, then they will fly non-stop to Larnaca and make the rest of the journey to the north by ground. It is much shorter distance than one travel some other countries from the airport to their beach hotels. If ground travel is not their thing, then having a direct flight with a landing in Turkey along the way is hardly going to be an issue for them. Did you ever think, that some people just will not want to fly to the north, period. I understand that the charter flights will not make a direct flight with a stop along the way, but any other way, one can get to the north as easily as you did with your family recently. Some are even able to get on the "Midnight Express" flights, and get to Ercan as a non-stop rather than the intended Direct Flight.

[zan]

i had heard something about this flight thing. but it wasn't from official means but was made public by a travel company.
in the cyprus today paper, front page. CTA is challenging the uk gov in court on febuary 5th and 6th 2009. for direct flights. direct traveller is the travel company.
it would be nice but i think it is hot air! i can't see that cta can challenge the uk goverment in the uk courts. the courts are always going to be in favor of the uk gov. the old boys school at work again i fear.

Here is what I think...The direct flights are not illegal but the GCs have put pressure on the business world and spread confusion to make them think it is. I have heard it all about the flights being illegal and when push comes to shove all they have left is "Ercan does not meet the standards required"......If this court case goes our way then they will not have a leg to stand on....I have a feeling it will go the way of advertising on London Transport.....

Zan, be honest for a minute. Do you really think, that people are not flying to Ercan because there are no non-stop flights or is it, that there are other extenuating circumstances. If foreigners really want to go to the north on a 2 weeks sun holiday, and the non-stop flight was an issue for them, then they will fly non-stop to Larnaca and make the rest of the journey to the north by ground. It is much shorter distance than one travel some other countries from the airport to their beach hotels. If ground travel is not their thing, then having a direct flight with a landing in Turkey along the way is hardly going to be an issue for them. Did you ever think, that some people just will not want to fly to the north, period. I understand that the charter flights will not make a direct flight with a stop along the way, but any other way, one can get to the north as easily as you did with your family recently. Some are even able to get on the "Midnight Express" flights, and get to Ercan as a non-stop rather than the intended Direct Flight.

Double talk or pure ignorance...I don't know!!!


You have no idea about the confusion people have about the TRNC....As I have said many a time...I don't know why the TCs are so bad at this Greek game. First of all.....Advertising was banned from the UK and and all over the world through ignorance...This was challenged in the courts and overturned....How are we supposed to win if the racist ex-mayor of London bans our advertising. Well he lost that one in the end and his seat.

The cost of the flights is one thing but people are still afraid that if they cross the border and have their passports stamped they will lose their return flight.

The other crap that you and the other idiots spread about the world that the Turks and TCs are barbarians does not help either and to see the faces of the Brits when they tell me that the Turks and TCs are actually really nice and friendly people is a treat....Not to mention making my blood boil at the same time.

The word is CONFUSION my friend...The word that the likes of you thrive on. We are putting that right as we speak.....2004 was the last straw and the TC people are waking up...They are tired of waiting for a reality check from the "RoC"......

[roseandchan]

lots of the expats do fly via larnaca. so much for the laws regarding exchange land!

i still think it is quicker to fly to ercan, and stop for 1 hr in turkey than fly larnaca and travel by car north.
there is not much in price difference between the two most of the time. larnaca offers a better choice of destinations is why lots from the north use it.

if both tourist ministers got together and offered reasonable cost flights, it would inprove tourism in cyprus over all.

[Tim Drayton]

The cost of the flights is one thing but people are still afraid that if they cross the border and have their passports stamped they will lose their return flight.

My dear Zan, I have entered and exited the north of Cyprus many times over the past 15 years. Nowadays you do not get a stamp in your passport, it is done on a separate slip of paper. You should know this, having recently visited.

[zan]

The cost of the flights is one thing but people are still afraid that if they cross the border and have their passports stamped they will lose their return flight.

My dear Zan, I have entered and exited the north of Cyprus many times over the past 15 years. Nowadays you do not get a stamp in your passport, it is done on a separate slip of paper. You should know this, having recently visited.

Tim

I have said that it is a perception not a reality......