Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-09-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] BAKOYIANNIS - HOON - MEETING

[02] EP - CYPRUS - CHURCHES

[03] SPOKESMAN - GREGORIO I

[04] HELIOS - RELATIVES

[01] BAKOYIANNIS - HOON - MEETING

"We want to see Turkey accepting its obligations under the EU law. A long time ago I was a European lawyer and I think it is very important that Turkey should satisfy its obligations. That is a basic criterion for the EU," Hoon stressed.

Their meeting focused mainly on Turkey`s refusal to meet its EU obligations, which are a necessary component for accession to the Union.

Bakoyiannis in her statements urged Turkey not to diminish the strong skepticism in many European countries regarding its pace of response in meeting its commitments.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Bakoyiannis expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot side would show a constructive mood so that progress can be achieved at the bicommunal discussions that begun in order to implement the July 8 agreement between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

She noted with regret that the discussions do not seem to move forward due to the Turkish Cypriot stance and urged the Turkish Cypriot side to stop being "enclaved in its intransigent tactics."

[02] EP - CYPRUS - CHURCHES

The Committee took this decision by unanimously adopting an amendment submitted by Cypriot MEP Panayiotis Demetriou (EPP).

Demetriou suggested that the 2007 EU budget allocates funds in order to carry out an investigation into the situation of the occupied churches of Cyprus. The funding should be allocated from the European programme ``Culture 2007``.

[03] SPOKESMAN - GREGORIO I

``This is not a political matter. We will handle the issue and abide by the laws of the Republic of Cyprus which have to be implemented,`` Pashiardis told reporters today.

He added that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism will take all necessary decisions based on the report that will be submitted by the consulting committee, which has been set up, according to the Cypriot law.

The same assurances were given today by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Michaelides.

[04] HELIOS - RELATIVES

Holding pictures of their beloved ones, the relatives gathered outside the House of Representatives to demonstrate against the delay, as they said, in bringing to justice those who are responsible for the air crash. The relatives blocked the Minister`s car, just before it entered the parliament`s parking place.

Thrasou was on his way to the House of Representatives in order to brief the House Committee for Communication and Works on the situation in the Civil Aviation Department. In statements after the Committee`s meeting, Thrasou expressed his deepest sorrow for the incident.

Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said that the relatives` feelings are absolutely understandable, but added that their ``violent behaviour`` was unjustified.

Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry that is looking into the causes of the air crash continued today its hearings with the testimony of Marios Pantelis, consultant inspector of airworthiness at the Cypriot Department of Civil Aviation.

Pantelis, who was cross-examined today by Helios` attorney Demetris Araouzos, said that until 14 August 2005, when the Helios Boeing crashed, the Civil Aviation Department had not found anything that would justify the suspension of the fatal aircraft`s airworthiness certificate, or of any Helios aircraft.

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