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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides received today, at the Presidential Palace, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) for the Cyprus problem, Mrs.María Angela Holguín.
After the meeting, Government Spokesman Mr. Constantinos Letibiotis told reporters: "This is the first meeting since the Conclusions of the last European Council, where the Republic of Cyprus together with the European Union (EU) sent a clear, positive message to Turkey about linking the Euro-Turkish with progress on the Cyprus problem.
Mrs Holguín informed the President of the Republic about the very important contacts she has had recently, contacts which we welcome, contacts which we believe contribute to this global picture that is needed in order to be able to consider the next steps in order to achieve the objective, which is the resumption of the negotiations from the point where they have been interrupted."
Asked if Ms. Holguín was briefed on Turkey's reaction, the Spokesperson said: "The results of her contacts have been discussed. What is important right now is to let diplomacy work. The President's next meeting with Ms Holguín is on 13 May."
Asked if the formula of face-to-face meetings is Ms. Holguín's idea, or if it is something imposed by the President, the Spokesman replied, "No, it is a formula, a composition, which is obviously more beneficial in allowing this frank exchange of views to take place in order to achieve the common goal of the UN and the Republic of Cyprus to resume negotiations. So will the next meeting that they will have on 13 May."
Asked if there was any indication that the Turkish side was in agreement with regard to the renewal of Ms. Holguín's mission, the Spokesperson said that the terms of Ms. Holguín's mandate derived from UN Security Council resolutions, and there was no time limit. "The Secretary-General decides by when his personal envoy's mission will be," he said, adding: "What we will say once again is that we hope that before six months, in the very near future, it will be possible to resume negotiations."
Finally, asked about the issue of the US building a floating platform in Gaza, the Spokesman said: "It has been completed and is expected to be moved to its intended location as soon as weather conditions permit. The loading of the cargo on a US ship that is in Larnaca is also being completed and once the platform is completed on the ground in Gaza, this stage of the initiative can begin."
(PM/NZ/AF)
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