Conference of overseas Cypriots opens Tuesday

Cypriots living abroad have returned home for a five-day conference to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and be briefed on the issue by the island’s political and religious leadership.
The 23rd Conference of the Executive Councils of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA), and the 5th Annual Conference of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) will be held in Nicosia on August 24-27.
The President of the Republic Demetris Christofias will address the opening ceremony tomorrow evening, which will be transmitted for the first time via the internet through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mfa.gov.cy.
The opening ceremony will also be addressed by the House President Marios Garoyan, the Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou, the Presidents of POMAK, PSEKA, and NEPOMAK Haris Sophoclides, Philip Christopher and Christos Karaolis respectively, the President of the World Council of Hellenes (SAE) Stefanos Tamvakis, and the President of Cyprus Youth Board Andreas Vyras.
During the conference, representatives of several Ministries will brief delegates on issues that concern them. Presidential Commissioner Giorgos Iacovou, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, Vice President of the Committee of Cyprus’ Occupied Municipalities, Mayor of the Turkish occupied city of Morfou Charalambos Pittas and President of AHEPA Nicholas Karacostas will also deliver speeches during the conference.
On the morning of Saturday August 28 a joint press conference will be held by the presidents of POMAK, PSEKA and NEPOMAK with the participation of Eleonora Gavrielidou, Director of the Press and Information Office (PIO) and the Service of Overseas Cypriots of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Wednesday, August 25, President Christofias and his spouse Elsi will host a reception at the Presidential Palace, in honour of the conference attendees.
This year’s meeting takes place as the ongoing UN-led negotiations between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are set to continue on August 31 after a short two-week recess. The objective of the talks is to find a negotiated settlement, acceptable to both communities, based on past agreements – which provide for a bizonal bicommunal federation -UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.