Letting the TC people breath would also help would it not???
By Jacqueline Agathocleous
Published on August 7, 2010
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REACHING an agreement to return the fenced off area of Famagusta known as Varosha to its Greek Cypriot owners would vastly contribute to efforts for a general solution to the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou said yesterday.
Kyprianou informed a delegation of Greek and foreign officials on President Demetris Christofias’ package of proposals on the Cyprus problem, which provide among others the return of Varosha and opening of Famagusta port – under the supervision of the EU.
After they met at the Ministry, Kyprianou said he had informed MPs and politicians from Greece and other states – including Portugal and the UK - on the progress made in the talks between the two sides and the problems that have arisen.
He said special reference was made to the issue of Famagusta – the occupied town that has been fenced off and lifeless since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Kyprianou said the President’s most recent initiative on the matter was to propose handing over part of Varosha to the UN, so reconstruction could begin for the town’s return to its legal residents.
He added that the proposal provides the simultaneous use of Famagusta port, “under the authorisation of the Cypriot government and management of the European Commission”.
The minister continued: “The Famagusta issue must be promoted as a separate matter from the rest of the procedure, as provided by the 1979 High Level Agreement.”
The delegation of foreign officials corresponded well to what the minister had to say, Kyprianou claimed. “They are our friends and we appreciate that it is due to this support that we have the ability to keep the Cyprus problem open and raise the matter of Famagusta as one of the priorities,” said the minister.
Kyprianou said he was convinced a return of Famagusta to its rightful owners would vastly contribute to and assist the general negotiations for the Cyprus problem.
Asked if Christofias’ Famagusta proposal had provoked reactions, the minister said it had opened the way to various debates.
“There is special interest and different approaches to each case,” said Kyprianou. He explained that if this proposal was to be implemented – as it had been initially drafted in 2004 – it would also deal with the “so-called direct trade issue”, legalising Turkish Cypriots’ trade with the EU.
“Furthermore, it will give Turkey the ability to implement the Customers Union, the Additional Protocol for Cyprus and facilitate its EU accession process,” said Kyprianou. ‘This part is especially understood by the states that would like to reinforce Turkey’s accession course.”
But the minister was keen to point out that there was a package of proposals on the table and therefore one couldn’t be singled out from the others.
Famagusta Municipality will be hosting a series of anti-occupation events today to mark the 36th anniversary of the invasion.
FAMAGUSTA municipality is organising a series of anti-occupation events to mark the 36th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.
Keynote speaker at the main event will be President Demetris Christofias. The event will also be addressed by the mayors of Dherynia and Famagusta as well as the head of the Hellenic Parliament delegation, which has been invited to participate in the events.
The anti-occupation events will take place today at the Dherynia checkpoint and at the Cultural Centre of the municipality.
A petition will be handed over to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) at the Dherynia checkpoint followed by the main event.
Among the guests invited are Portuguese MEP Joao Ferreira and Michael German from the House of Lords, as well as other politicians from Greece and the UK.
Can anyone tell me how the part in large letters would work??? A worm on the line but no sign of life???? Anyone?