Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-08

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - RESHUFFLE

[02] COREPER - JOINT POSITION - TURKEY

[03] AHI PRESSER

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - RESHUFFLE

The composition of the new Council of Ministers, announced by Undersecretary to the President Christodoulos Pashiardes, is as follows:

Minister of Defence: Phivos Klokkaris

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment: Fotis Fotiou

Minister of Justice and Public Order: Sophoclis Sophocleous

Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism: Antonis Michaelides

Minister of Foreign Affairs: George Lillikas

Minister of Labour and Social Insurance: Antonis Vassiliou

Minister of the Interior: Andreas Christou

Minister of Finance: Michalis Sarris

Minister of Education and Culture: Pefkios Georgiades

Minister of Communications and Works: Haris Thrasou

Minister of Health: Haris Haralambous

Undersecretary to the President Christoulos Pashiardes has been assigned the duties of Government Spokesman.

The new ministers will assume their duties on Tuesday, June 13, 2006.

[02] COREPER - JOINT POSITION - TURKEY

According to community sources, on Cyprus, the joint position notes that Turkeys support for efforts for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded will continue to be essential, whilst contributing to a better climate for a comprehensive settlement.

Furthermore, the position notes, the Union calls on Turkey to take concrete steps for the normalisation of bilateral relation between Turkey and all EU Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus as soon as possible.

In this context, it adds, the Union recalls its declaration of 21 September 2005. The Union also regrets that Turkey has not yet changed its policy towards Cyprus membership of international organisations and mechanisms sush as Wassenaar arrangement.

[03] AHI PRESSER

During a press conference on the results of AHIs annual visit to Cyprus and the institutes activities, Nicholas Karambelas, AHI`s Legal Advisor said that the bill has been initiated by AHI and endorsed by Congressman Frank Pallone from the State of New Jersey. The bill already has 32 co-sponsors, adding that he expects AHI to table the bill before the US Senate next week.

According to Karambellas, the proposed bill will enable US citizens who own property in occupied Cyprus to sue in American Federal courts for back - rent for their property.

``It will also direct the Secretary of State to open the government to government claim Act with the government of Turkey, just like the US government has done in connection with Vietnam, Iraq and wherever American property has been taken,`` he said, adding that the bill ``will amend our (US) foreign sovereign immunity Act, which means that Turkey is immune by law suits by US citizens in US courts at the moment and will amend it to allow suits directly against Turkey in American courts.

He also added that American citizens will also be able to sue any private entity which is occupying their property in the occupied north of Cyprus.

AHI`s President Gene Rossides, said that AHI`s aim is to strengthen US relations with Cyprus.

``Our aim is to support the proper reunification of Cyprus, to get rid of Turkish occupation troops and Turkish settlers and to allow the return of refugees to their homes,`` Rossides said.

Regarding the US positions on Cyprus, Rossides said that ``unfortunately we have not been able to move the executive branch that much``, adding that AHI can ``win, I think any vote that comes up to the House of Representatives floor and I think we can come pretty close to that now on the Senate floor``.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article