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Wednesday, 20 November 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-07-21Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] COLONNA - LILLIKASFrench Minister Delegate for European Affairs Catherine Colonna said that hostilities in the Middle East should cease immediately and expressed fear that the belligerent situation in Lebanon could spark a fire in the whole region.Speaking after a meeting in Nicosia with Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas, Colonna said she had been informed on the principle of a proposal by the Republic of Cyprus for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and praised the contribution of Cyprus in the evacuation of Lebanon. Referring to the Cyprus problem, she said France would support Cyprus` position at the UN Security Council. Lillikas said the framework of a military and security agreement between Cyprus and France was at an advanced stage, adding that they reaffirmed the extremely good relations between the two governments. [02] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS - LEBANONCypriot Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said that Cyprus is practically all alone at the moment in its effort to help thousands of people fleeing Lebanon, adding that the government is waiting for other EU member states to answer its call for assistance.He noted that so far there have been responses from Finland, France and Britain, and that the humanitarian work done so far ``is recognised worldwide as a glorious deed.`` Pashiardis said that Cyprus, as an EU member, is handling the very serious problem of thousands of evacuees from the Lebanon crisis, and ``of course the EU cannot leave a member state unassisted to tackle these truly serious humanitarian problems.`` The Spokesman said the continuing operations in Lebanon will inevitably increase the already large number of foreign nationals being brought to Cyprus and subsequently the burden small Cyprus is bearing. Pashiardis pointed out that so far some 20,000 people have been brought to Cyprus and that most of them have already departed for their countries. [03] BOC - EMPORIKIBank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd announced that it received a negative response by the Central Bank of Cyprus to its application for approval of investing 40% to 100% in the share of Emporiki Bank of Greece SA.According to the announcement, as a result of the Central Bank of Cyprus` decision, which is final, Bank of Cyprus` Public Tender Offer for Emporiki is no longer valid and lapses, in accordance with clause 2.14 (a) (b) of the approved information Memorandum for the Public Tender Offer by Bank of Cyprus for the shares of Emporiki Bank of Greece SA. Minister of Finance Michalis Sarris said the Bank of Cyprus, ``for reasons they are in a better position to evaluate, have altered their strategy and instead of appealing to the specific bank for which they had shown an interest, will expand in other ways in Greece and other Balkan countries.`` In a separate announcement, the Bank of Cyprus explains that its decision to withdraw from the acquisition of Emporiki was taken unanimously after careful thought and with a sense of responsibility towards the interests of its stockholders, since new facts had emerged. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |