Concern: Increasing number of Greek Cypriots selling property in occupied north

Cypriot President Anastasiades expressed concern about the increasing number of Greek Cypriots selling off property in the occupied north stating “They need to realise that, even if this is not their intention, they are creating negative conditions for freedom and reunification and weaken our negotiating position.”

He explained that we should not ignore the fact that the Greek Cypriot properties ‘compensated’ through the property commission in the north are transferred to the Turkish Government.

“It is natural that those who want a solution are those who were victims of the invasion,” he added.

But also those considering selling their properties due to their own financial difficulties are worsening the country’s situation by exposing it to more dangers. "They should think again.”

He also said that a solution to the Cyprus problem can be reached soon if only Turkey finally makes the right steps to demonstrate that it can abide by UN regulations and work towards their aspirations for entry into the EU. 

“It is time for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots to make convincing steps to show that they want and are able to implement UN resolutions and that they can also fulfill the requirements of EU membership.” 

Panagiotis Georgotas' Fight

Panagiotis Georgotas is a 4 1/2 year old boy from Corfu, Greece. A boy truly innocent and full of life now has been faced with the most tragic circumstances. For the past 20 months he is fighting with Neuroblastoma which is a very aggressive form of cancer.

In order to keep the hope of survival ... the Georgotas family are asking for help. It has been deemed necessary for the boy to come to the United State to seek the proper medical attention. He is being admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The Pankerkyraiko Association of America & Mathrakian Society of America have teamed up to help raise funds and awareness for Panagioti. 

Any donation will help Panagioti and his family to cover the medical costs. You may contact Kostas Notias at Alma Bank to make a direct transfer to Checking Account # 0120018780 Or you may send a check payable to “Pankerkyraikos Association FBO PANAGIOTIS GEORGOTAS” and send to 14-01 150th Street Whitestone, NY 11357 USA. 

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Panagiotis Georgotas' Fight

Remarks by Spokesman following Anastasiades’ meeting with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

An assessment of the course of the negotiations, the confidence building measures and the more active involvement of the European Union in the negotiation process for a solution to the Cyprus problem, were the issues discussed at today’s meeting between the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Eric Rubin, at the Presidential Palace.

In his remarks to the press following the meeting, the Government Spokesman, Mr Christos Stylianides, said that the meeting had focused on three pillars. “The first one entailed the assessment of the course of the negotiations so far. The President of the Republic presented his views and assessment on the phase of the submission of the initial positions, the so-called screening, and there was an exchange of views on how to overcome some problems that have already been ascertained. 

Secondly, there was a systematic and thorough discussion on the issue of confidence building measures, which focused primarily on the issue of Famagusta.”

He added that the third issue discussed was the more active involvement of the EU in the process of the negotiations, the value and importance of this involvement and how much it could help so that the dialogue would become more productive and specific, mainly in relation to the compatibility or the lack of compatibility of the submitted proposals with the acquis communautaire.

The return of the fenced-off area of Famagusta as a confidence-building measure, was at the centre of the Tuesday meeting.

Anastasiades’ proposal for the immediate opening of the Turkish-held ghost town of Famagusta under the auspices of the EU and the UN to give a new momentum to the UN-brokered peace process which began on February 11.

But the Turkish side appears unwilling to return the occupied port town to its lawful Greek Cypriot inhabitants. 

Cyprus International Film Festival

The 12th Cyprus Film Days – International Film Festival is taking place at Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia  until April 13.

This year the festival showcases a lineup of nine feature films in its competition programme, ‘Glocal Images’.

Organised by the Ministry of Education and Culture and Rialto Theatre, Film Days is an opportunity for Cypriot audiences to experience international independent cinematography and for Cypriot filmmakers to promote their work.

“The Festival’s aims are to contribute to the development, promotion and mobility of the art of filmmaking in Cyprus and its wider region; screen the work of filmmakers from across the world and to introduce their work to the audience of Cyprus; to serve as a hub for films from the three neighbouring continents of Cyprus,” said the festival’s organisers in an official statement.

An international jury will give awards to selected films from the ‘Glocal Images’ section.

All films from both sections will be screened in Cyprus for the first time, and will be presented in their original language with Greek and English subtitles.

For more information call 77777745 and 77772552 or visit www.cyprusfilmdays.com and http://www.rialto.com.cy