From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>
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CONTENTS
[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS PROCESS
[02] PARVANOV - CYPRUS PROBLEM
[03] CHRISTOFIAS - GREECE - QUAKE
[04] KYPRIANOU - RUSSIA
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[01] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS PROCESS
Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said on Sunday that the aim of the Greek Cypriot side was to move the process for a Cyprus settlement forward, noting that it was necessary for both sides to speak the same language in order to achieve results.
Invited to comment on reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was unwilling to attend a dinner to be hosted by UN Undersecretary General Lynn Pascoe, President Christofias said he would not comment on press reports and that he was not representing Talat.
President Christofias noted that he had not received an official invitation to the dinner, adding that ``my job is not to comment on press reports`` and that ``I represent and express the government and, when I have something to announce, I will announce it officially.``
Asked if any progress had been made at the working groups and technical committees, President Christofias said ``we will meet with Mr. Talat on the basis of the programme and we will evaluate possible progress.``
``We want to see the matter collectively in our own frameworks. We will do so and, if we determine progress, we will gladly admit it, state it and welcome it,`` President Christofias said.
He added that ``our aim is for the process to move forward, but we should move on the same basis, speak the same language, so that we can have results.``
Referring to the memorandum of understanding signed between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, and the reactions of the Turkish Cypriot side, President Christofias said it was obvious that ``if the Turkish Cypriot leader, who represents the Turkish Cypriot community, wants to react in this manner, everyone is judged by his positions and even by his reactions.``
[02] PARVANOV - CYPRUS PROBLEM
Bulgarias President Georgi Parvanov expressed his countrys steadfast support to efforts for a Cyprus settlement.
Parvanov reiterated his countrys firm positions on the principles of a solution to the Cyprus issue and promised that Bulgaria will contribute on a bilateral and multilateral level, and especially at the EU and the UN, towards a Cyprus settlement.
The President referred to the excellent relations between the two countries and expressed strong will to further develop bilateral relations in all fields. He also conveyed the conviction that the relations of the two countries will be further enhanced with the exchange of visits of the two Presidents in the following months.
[03] CHRISTOFIAS - GREECE - QUAKE
Cypriot President Demetris Christofias has sent letters to Greek President Carolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, expressing the sympathy of the government and people of Cyprus for the victims and the devastation caused by Sunday`s earthquake in northwestern Peloponnesus.
President Christofias also spoke to Papoulias over the telephone to express his sympathy and solidarity.
[04] KYPRIANOU - RUSSIA
Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou has described Cyprus` relations with Russia as traditionally excellent, expressing certainty that ``the close cooperation and the friendship among our two countries will continue with the new government in Russia.``
In an interview with Moscow`s ``Greece`` magazine for Russian-speakers, Kyprianou noted that the excellent relations are ``confirmed, inter alia, by the regular exchange of visits on the level of Ministers and other senior officials.``
Kyprianou, who is currently visiting Moscow, said ``there are prospects for a further strengthening of our relations and I expect that during talks with my Russian counterpart we will examine ways to expand our cooperation in various sectors.``
``Regarding the Cyprus problem, the Russian support to our positions at various international organisations, including the UN Security Council of which Russia is a permanent member, is well known,`` Kyprianou pointed out, adding that Cyprus and Russia have signed a number of bilateral agreements on a wide range of topics.
