Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-05-11

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Increase of illegal immigrants in Cyprus due to Turkish occupation

[02] Cypriot Finance Minister underlines role of Customs in EU market

[03] China supports peaceful settlement of Cyprus problem

[01] Increase of illegal immigrants in Cyprus due to Turkish occupation

2225:CYPPRESS:07

Increase of illegal immigrants in Cyprus due to Turkish occupation

Nicosia, May 11 (CNA) --- The number of illegal immigrants in Cyprus has increased a lot in the past two years, primarily due to the arrival of immigrants to the southern government controlled areas of the Republic through the northern Turkish occupied part of the island, where the Cyprus Police are prevented from exercising their jurisdiction.

''According to a report by the UN High Commission for Refugees, Cyprus is one of the first countries that immigrants prefer comparably. In 2004 applications for political asylum have increased by 499%, making Cyprus the first country on the list on centesimal percentage'', Chief of Cyprus police Tasos Panayiotou said today.

Addressing the 27th Capital Policing Europe Conference entitled ''Illegal Immigration'', that takes place here 11 - 13 May, Cyprus Police chief said that if this increase continues, Cyprus could face financial and social problems, and he called on European countries to take immediate measures against this trend.

[02] Cypriot Finance Minister underlines role of Customs in EU market

2230:CYPPRESS:08

Cypriot Finance Minister underlines role of Customs role in EU market

Nicosia, May 11 (CNA)--Cypriot Finance Minister Makis Keravnos underlined here today the central role the Customs department can play in controlling the entry of goods into the European Union Single Market.

Speaking at the second meeting of the Directors General for Customs of European Union member states and Turkey, Keravnos said the Customs department has a significant contribution to the local economy and to the protection of the external frontiers of the Union.

[03] China supports peaceful settlement of Cyprus problem

2235:CYPPRESS:09

China supports peaceful settlement of Cyprus problem

Nicosia, May 11 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Li Zhaoxing has reiterated China's position and support for a peaceful solution in Cyprus that would respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the island and would address the concerns and interests of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.

According to an official press release issued here, Li Zhaoxing was speaking during a meeting in Beijing with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou, who is on an official visit to China at the invitation of his counterpart.

Li Zhaoxing assured that his country, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, would actively support efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN resolutions.

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