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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-03-06Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRIOT FM REHN MEETINGCypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas made it clear to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn that the opening of ports and airports in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus cannot be accepted by the Cypriot government because such thing would on the one hand lead to the dismemberment of the country and on the other hand it deviates from the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers of 26 April 2004.The position was outlined in a meeting between Lillikas and Rehn in Brussels where the issue of trade with the Turkish Cypriots and the EU as well as the financial aid regulation were examined. Lillikas told Rehn that the government of the Republic of Cyprus supports any proposal or idea which would help the development of Turkish Cypriots, on the condition that it would lead to the economic integration of the island and would ease cooperation between the two communities and reunification. Based on this position, the Foreign Minister said, the government will be ready to cooperate on the regulation. Anything that concerns the opening of ports and airports cannot be accepted because it deviates from the framework of this policy and the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers of the 26th April 2004 which made no reference to trade with the north. [02] CMP - MISSING BOYGeneral Secretary of the Pancyprian Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons and Undeclared Prisoners Nicos Sergides said that the issue of a Greek Cypriot boy missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island "will have to be looked into without further delay by the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP)."Sergides told CNA that "the CMP has been informed and has obtained all the data and is expected to examine it this week." Christakis Georgiou was five years old when he went missing in 1974. Information obtained says the boy was injured and sent to Turkey for medical attention. [03] CYPRUS EURO INFORMATION CAMPAIGNMinister of Finance Michalis Sarris and Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus Christodoulos Christodoulou announced that the information campaign on the introduction of the Euro in Cyprus will be intensified as of Friday, 9th of March.The campaign aims at the direct and complete awareness of the public regarding the introduction of the Euro and the changes it will bring, as well as the benefits which will arise, allowing at the same time the Cyprus economy to better utilize the opportunities resulting from the accession of Cyprus to the Euro area. In statements during a press conference, the Minister of Finance said that Cyprus successful accession to the Eurozone is based on two main pillars. The first pillar concerns the preparation of the Cypriot economy in order to fulfill the Maastricht criteria, and the second deals with the successful information campaign for the citizens, he said. [04] SARRIS CY RESTRUCTURING PLANCypriot Minister of Finance Michalis Sarris said that the in principle approval of the Cyprus Airways restructuring plan by the Directors of the EU CommissionersBureaus was a positive development.The Minister called on all involved, the Cyprus Airways administration, the companys Board of Directors as well as the CA employees, ``to continue showing the same positive approach and to intensify their efforts so that the company becomes profitable once again. Asked whether he believes that the governments restructuring plan would help the company, he said we have a good plan, which, if implemented, and if all involved show a cooperative spirit, could become a success. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |