Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-04-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - RUSSIA

[02] ARCHBISHOP - OCCUPIED CHURCHES

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - RUSSIA

Spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Kaminin has told Russian media that Russian-Cyprus relations have been traditionally friendly, something which is partly due to the identity or proximity of views on the main international issues and Russias adherence to a just, viable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question as soon as possible, consistent with UN resolutions on Cyprus and on the basis of a mutually acceptable agreement by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

The Russian spokesman said the two sides will discuss the implementation of the high level agreements, achieved during the visit of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to the Russian Federation in January 2006.

Kaminin said that talks will look into the state of affairs as regards the implementation of the recommendations of the fourth meeting of the Russian-Cyprus intergovernmental committee for financial cooperation, which convened on October 12, 2006.

The Russian diplomat said various contemporary international issues will be discussed, including the settlement of the Cyprus question, security and stability in the Mediterranean region, cooperation in various international organizations, including the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe and cooperation in the framework of Russia-EU partnership relations.

Kaminin noted that during Lillikas visit the two sides will discuss ways to boost financial and investment cooperation and particular attention will be given to the issuing of visas, especially with regard to the status of long stay visitors and employment of Russian citizens who live on the island.

He said that Cyprus remains a very attractive tourist destination for Russians and more than 120 Russians visited the island in 2006.

According to Russian News Agency ITAR-TASS Lillikas said that during his visit to Russia he will make a presentation to Russian companies about plans to exploit hydrocarbon reserves in the area south and southwest of Cyprus.

Cyprus has signed separate agreements with Egypt and Lebanon for the delimitation of its exclusive economic zone for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves.

ITAR-TASS said that trade between Russia and Cyprus in 2006 reached 250 million US dollars, of which 150 million dollars account for exports of Russian products and services to Cyprus and 100 million Cyprus exports to Russia.

[02] ARCHBISHOP - OCCUPIED CHURCHES

The Primate of the Church Archbishop Chrysostomos B will send a circular to representatives of all the churches in the occupied areas inviting them to elect their committees, which with the financial support of the Archbishopric, intend to visit the occupied areas to restore and clean all the churches there.

If the Turks want to have contact and cooperation with us, they will allow committee members to restore all the churches, the Archbishop said.

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