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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-12-20Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] STATE BUDGET - HOUSE DEBATEThe Cyprus House of Representatives continues concludes Thursday its debate on the state budget for 2008, the last one in Cyprus pounds as the country adopts the euro as of 1st of January 2008.The budget provides for revenue of 3,3 billion Cyprus pounds and expenditure of 3,8 billion Cyprus pounds. During Tuesdays debate members of Parliament from left-wing AKEL party, right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) party, centre-right Democratic Party (DIKO), Social Democrats Movement EDEK and the European Party elaborated on many issues, including the Cyprus question, health and social issues, financial concerns, matters relating to women, education and sport. [02] US - CYPRUS QUESTIONUS Ambassador in Nicosia Ronald Schlicher has called for the speedy implementation of a UN-brokered agreement, in July last year, between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities to help resume negotiations towards a political settlement that would reunite the country. The US diplomat pointed out that the basis of a Cyprus solution should be one the parties agree on and urged the two communities to get into a negotiating process as soon as possible.Asked if after Februarys presidential elections there will be a new effort towards a solution, Schlicher said that there is already a UN mediation effort and we have the two sides both acknowledging that the July 8th agreement is the way they wish to go forward through. So, that mechanism exists. I think its high time for the mechanism to be implemented, so lets get down to business``. Replying to questions, the Ambassador noted that the basis of the solution will be whatever the parties agree, on as the basis on which they negotiate. He pointed out that there is a very rich archive of materials from UN negotiating efforts, past and present. I cant speak for what the communities themselves will decide to go forward on but it seems to me that that rich repository gives no shortage of material which provides a basis for people to work, he continued. [03] SG OPEC - CYPRUSSecretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Abdalla Salem El-Badri will be in Cyprus early next year, at the invitation of the Nicosia Commerce and Industry Chamber. Abdalla will be the key speaker at a business dinner hosted by the Chamber on January 16, 2008.A statement issued by the Chamber said that this years business dinner is taking place during a period marked by developments on the issue of possible hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus exclusive economic zone. Abdalla El-Badris speech will focus on Oil Outlook and Investment Challenges. [04] CYPRUS SHIPWRECK - STUDYA study of a shipwreck, off Cyprus southern coast, is expected to provide valuable information about the nautical and economic history of the Eastern Mediterranean as it is one of very few shipwrecks of the Classical period, found in the Eastern Mediterranean in such a good state of preservation, according to the Department of Antiquities. The results will throw light on important research questions such as the commercial relations between the North Aegean and the SE Mediterranean and the role of Cyprus in these transport routes during the last phases of the Cypriot city-kingdoms as well as on types and sizes of ships amongst others, a press release issued here by the Department said.The shipwreck at Mazotos is the first underwater research project undertaken for the first time exclusively by Cypriot institutions in the area of the shipwreck at Mazotos. The project was undertaken by the Research Unit of Archaeology of the University of Cyprus in agreement with the Department of Antiquities and with funding from the Thetis Foundation. The research programme lasted for 7 days (17 -24 November 2007) and focused on the documentation of the shipwreck using photographic and drawing methods, so as to make an initial assessment and plan the next period of research accordingly. The shipwreck seems to have been a commercial vessel of the Late Classical period (mid 4th century B.C). Part of the cargo of the ship lies on the sea bottom and consists of amphorae, most probably from Chios. No other ceramic types were identified for the time being or any other parts of the ship (such as anchors) but the spatial distribution of the amphorae may indicate that the hull of the ship is buried under the sand. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |