Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-10-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - 8 POINT PROPOSAL

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - REHN

[03] FM - EU REFORM TREATY

[04] EUROSTAT - CYPRUS

[01] SPOKESMAN - 8 POINT PROPOSAL

Palmas adds that the proposal ``shows flexibility within the bounds of the agreement, maintaining at the same time respectful dedication to that which was agreed on by the leaders of the two communities.``

``The 8-point proposal includes a specific proposal aiming at the institutional and substantive involvement of civil society, so that the negotiating process is closer to the citizen and is democratically monitored to a greater extent, based on participation and proper information,`` he notes.

The Spokesman adds that the proposal contains suggestions regarding confidence-building measures, ``both of a military and non-military nature.``

The Greek Cypriot side, he pointed out, favours the adoption of confidence-building measures, noting however that the aim is not for the measures to replace the process for a settlement.

Palmas notes that ``the adoption and implementation of confidence-building measures, which is provided for in the 8 July agreement, is included in the 8-point proposal only to assist and enhance the negotiating process of 8 July, under the UN.``

He adds that the proposal ``includes a point with which the introduction of urgent measures is proposed in compliance with the Third Vienna Agreement on the enclaved persons.`` (Greek Cypriots living in Turkish occupied Cyprus).

``Finally, special attention is given in the proposal to the huge humanitarian problem of missing persons, with the proposal, inter alia, recommending that emphasis be given to the investigation into the fate of missing persons,`` for which exhumations are being carried out for some time now, Palmas concludes.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - REHN

Speaking on Thursday to reporters in Lisbon, where he is participating in the EU informal summit, President Papadopoulos said he arranged the meeting with Rehn when he saw him in New York, adding that they discussed the Cyprus problem in general and various pending EU issues.

``The main issue was around the implementation of the July agreement, which the EU supports and especially Mr. Rehn,`` he said.

Regarding Turkey`s accession negotiations, President Papadopoulos said ``we have mentioned our conditions and reservations in discussions in the working groups,`` adding that other countries have also expressed reservations.

Replying to questions, President Papadopoulos said it was not yet certain which new chapters would open for Turkey or even if they would open. ``I don`t think the Portuguese Presidency has great aspirations to open more chapters,`` he added.

[03] FM - EU REFORM TREATY

Speaking to journalists before the beginning of the EU Informal Summit and the Intergovernmental Conference, she said that Cyprus has supported some of the requests that came forward by some countries, including Austrias request to set quotas for foreign students.

She also said that the most difficult issue to be addressed was that raised by Poland which wants the inclusion in the treaty of a provision saying that countries short of a blocking minority may delay an EU decision for several months. Marcoullis expressed nevertheless optimism that a compromise which will satisfy Poland will be found and said that as the Foreign Minister of Cyprus she will try to facilitate a compromising solution.

Marcoullis said that EU Foreign Ministers will discuss Turkey and Iraq at their dinner at the request of Austria, Myanmar at the request of Sweden, as well as the situation in the Middle East and Lebanon and Carla del Ponte`s report on Serbia.

She said Cyprus is following very closely the situation in Turkey and Iraq, adding that this reminds of Cyprus 1974 dramatic experience due to Turkey`s policy of military assaults against its neighbours.

[04] EUROSTAT - CYPRUS

According to Eurostat, the total value of exports amounted to 600 million euro, a decrease of 5% compared to last year. There was an increase in total imports of 7% , valued at 3.4 billion euro.

At the same time the trade balance deficit in Greece reached 22.5 billion euro. Greek exports showed a 6% increase reaching 10.1 billion euro. Imports have risen by 11% valued at 32.6 billion euro.

Imports to the EU from China increased by 22% and amounted to 126.1 billion euro. Imports from Russia dropped by 4% and reached 80.1 billion euro. Imports from the US increased by 3%, valued at 107.0 billion euro.

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