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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-12-11Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PAPADOPOULOS - CYPRUS - EUEuropean Union leaders, including Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, will sign the bloc`s new reform treaty, the Lisbon Treaty, on 13 December, in the Portuguese capital, aiming to make the EU more democratic and stronger.In an interview with CNA, to mark one of the most important developments in the recent EU history, President Papadopoulos said that a more unified and a stronger EU, with an enhanced capacity to act, would strengthen Cyprus position, noting he was certain that after Februarys presidential elections in Cyprus, the ratification of the Treaty will be top priority for the House of Representatives. A strong EU, which has managed to tackle internal difficulties, can face external challenges more easily, he told CNA, adding that an enhanced EU political voice will work in favor of Cyprus, which in turn will strengthen its presence in the international arena. As regards the role of small states in the blocs decision-making mechanisms, the President pointed out that we cannot restrict our outlook to the narrow logic of seeing member states as units and explained that member states work as part of a whole and inevitably must look for collaboration among their partners. Abolishing unanimity would reduce to some degree the role of states with a small number of votes, President Papadopoulos said, pointing out that as far as Cyprus is concerned this means a bigger effort to establish alliances with other states with common interests and goals. He said that historically in the EU there are no traditional permanent alliances or groups of small or big states, on the contrary, alliances are formed depending on the interests of the countries and the issues under discussion. Once the new mechanisms are in place, decision-making by the EU will become easier and I believe this to be in the interest of all states, he said. [02] CYPRUS - EU - FMCyprus has said it was pleased with the outcome of Mondays meeting of European Union foreign ministers, to be deferred for approval by the 27 heads of state at their summit, later this week.Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas expressed on Tuesday the satisfaction of the government with the draft conclusions of the forthcoming European Council, adopted Monday by the General Affairs and External Relations Council. Palmas noted that the draft conclusions call on Turkey to avoid any threat or action that will affect in a negative way good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. [03] RUSSIAN FM TALKSRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country will propose to the UN Security Council to pay special attention to the initiative by President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos to promote implementation of a UN-brokered agreement in July last year, aiming to help resume negotiations towards a political settlement.He also expressed the hope that future reports on Cyprus by the UN Secretary General will reflect the realities in Cyprus. Lavrov was speaking after talks with President Papadopoulos as part of his two-day official visit to the island. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |