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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-12-14Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRUS HOUSE - LISBON TREATYCypriot parliamentary parties have given an initial warm welcome to the Lisbon Treaty, saying it would render the European Union a better functioning bloc, with one party suggesting a public debate on the Treaty before it is ratified. The House of Representatives heard Thursday, during its ordinary plenary, the first reaction of the six parliamentary parties to the Lisbon Treaty, which was signed yesterday by the EU 27 heads of state or government. The Treaty is expected to be debated thoroughly and ratified by the House plenary after the Cyprus presidential elections in February 2008.Left - wing AKEL parliamentary spokesman Nicos Katsourides said his party would encourage an open dialogue to hear the peoples views regarding the Treaty. ``The procedure followed by the EU after the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty was not right. Discussions did not include the people and their concerns. It would be wrong and undemocratic to deprive Cypriots of their right to express their views through an public dialogue, Katsourides pointed out. Main opposition party, right - wing Democratic Rally, welcomed the signing of the Lisbon Treaty. Averof Neofytou, Deputy DISY President, noted the historic as well as the political importance of the Treaty of Lisbon. The signing of the Treaty reaffirms that todays Europe, through dialogue and compromise, can overcome political deadlocks which at first glance seem insurmountable. We welcome the fact that the Treaty is supported by all EU-27 governments, he said. On behalf of the ruling Democratic Party, its Parliamentary Spokesman Andreas Angelides said the Treaty constitutes a milestone for Europes future and its institutions which have to be shaped in such a way to meet the wishes of the European people. Whether this day will be historic or not will depend on the course it will have through the 27 national legislations. We welcome this day and being the legislative body we express our willingness to do whatever possible to ratify the Treatyť, he added. Its a very historic day for the whole Europe. The Lisbon Treaty will put an end to the prolonged uncertainty on the institutional future of Europe, President of the Social Democrats Movement EDEK Yiannakis Omirou told the plenary. He added although the Treaty does not meet fully the expectations and ambitions of those countries with a progressive European perception, it still helps Europe take decisive steps towards further enlargement. President of the European Party Demetris Syllouris welcomed the signing of the Treaty by the EU 27 and expressed the conviction that Cyprus will be among the first EU countries to ratify the Treaty. [02] EURO PARLIAMENT - BUDGET - CYPRUSThe European Union budget on 2008, approved Thursday by the European Parliament, includes 500.000 euro to fund a study on the situation of cultural heritage sites in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, as well as the assessment of the restoration cost.This study, incorporated in the 2008 budget after an amendment by Cypriot MEP Panagiotis Demetriou, will inter alia include a detailed description of each cultural monument of significant value and record the damage as well as the repairs necessary for the restoration of these monuments. The amendment was approved by the EP`s Culture and Education Committee on 10 September, as well by the Budget Committee a month later. A press release issued by the office of Demetriou, notes ``that despite attempts by the Turkish diplomatic mission to undermine this effort, the commencement of this process constitutes a commitment for the EU and marks its involvement in the issue of the protection of the cultural heritage in northern Cyprus for the first time.`` Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |