Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS MALTA PRESIDENTS STATEMENTS

[02] CYPRIOT FM PARIS

[03] EUROCONTROL CIVIL AVIATION

[04] PRESIDENT ELECTIONS AKEL

[01] CYPRUS MALTA PRESIDENTS STATEMENTS

Malta has always been saying that it would be favorable for Turkey to join the EU, provided of course that Turkey lives up to all its commitments, the President of Malta said today after official talks with President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos.

The Maltese President arrived here Sunday for a three day official visit at the invitation of President Papadopoulos.

In his statements after the meeting, the Cypriot President said that during talks they discussed various issues including the Cyprus problem and EU regulations regarding Cyprus, the European Treaty, the initiative of Malta for a European Arab Forum, ways to promote candidacies of Malta and Cyprus in international fora, as well as energy and immigration issues.

We also spoke about a very important problem which both our countries face, namely immigration and asylum seekers, President Papadopoulos stressed.

Both Presidents praised the excellent bilateral relations and said that in political matters Malta and Cyprus support and understand each other.

They also spoke about investment opportunities between Maltese and Cypriot businessmen and urged for investment in third countries.

We feel at home here in Cyprus for many reasons. We share cultural ties, we watched each other on our steps in joining the EU. Cooperation in political issues is very close and we have been talking on all major issues and getting mutual support, the Maltese President noted.

He expressed the view that new ways of enhancing their bilateral relations should be explored and said that the business delegation accompanying him to Cyprus will hold meetings with Cypriot entepreuneurs with the aim to explore the possibility of joint ventures in their respective countries as well as in third countries.

Invited to comment on Turkeys European course and its EU obligations regarding Cyprus, the Maltese President called on Turkey to live up to all its commitments and added the situation right now is very, very difficult indeed but I think that should be the way forward and that is the position of the Maltese government.

The Cypriot President noted the historical and economic similarities between Malta and Cyprus and said that both countries have had parallel courses towards the EU and now towards the eurozone.

President Papadopoulos said that there is still great room for increasing commercial, and financial cooperation and urged Cypriot businessmen to see the benefit of having joint ventures and expanded economic commercial and trade relations with Malta.

We always had very close cooperation, we feel very close to Malta and we know that these feelings are reciprocated by the Maltese government and people, the Cypriot President concluded.

On Monday night, the Maltese President and his spouse will attend a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Papadopoulos and first lady Fotini.

The President of Malta wraps up his official visit on Tuesday.

The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Cyprus, Malta and eight other countries became full members of the EU in May 2004.

[02] CYPRIOT FM PARIS

The talks will take place on Wednesday with recently appointed Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Kouchner and Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean Pierre Jouyet.

The talks will focus on bilateral relations, cooperation between the two ministries in the framework of a structured dialogue and Turkeys accession course to join the European Union.

[03] EUROCONTROL CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of Communications and Works Haris Thrassou will meet on Wednesday Eurocontrol officials. Talks between them will focus on a draft document with views and recommendations by Eurocontrol experts on different models to restructure CAA.

Thrassou has told CNA the experts will outline their proposals and listen to the observations of Cypriot experts, pointing out that any model that may be approved will have to be adapted to meet the needs of the Cypriot reality.

We shall look into the proposals of all advisers and listen to all interested parties, directly or indirectly connected to CAA, he explained.

[04] PRESIDENT ELECTIONS AKEL

Spokesman Vasilis Palmas told his daily press briefing that President Tassos Papadopoulos will weigh all factors before taking his final decision on whether to seek reelection in Februarys elections.

I have no problem in saying that the President of the Republic will certainly wait to announce his decision after AKEL concludes its party procedures, Palmas said, noting that these will take longer than other party procedures.

He said that AKEL is the main pillar of support for the government, there is excellent cooperation and we have to show respect towards a party that backs and continues to back the President, as it has done for the past four years.

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