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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-12-22Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRIOT FM - INTERVIEWCypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis believes that after Februarys presidential elections in Cyprus, fresh efforts will be made to resume negotiations with a view to reach a settlement of the protracted Cyprus issue.In an interview with CNA, the Minister reiterated the governments commitment to a UN brokered agreement, in July last year, which could pave the way for substantive negotiations, leading to a new basis for a solution, that would vary from a UN proposed solution plan (the Annan plan) which was rejected in a referendum in April 2004 by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriots but was accepted by the Turkish Cypriots. Marcoullis welcomed statements by her Russian counterpart, saying they are consistent with government policy that no further attempts will be made to lift what the Turkish Cypriots call isolation from the international community, which the government of Cyprus says it is the direct result of the continuing occupation of the islands northern part by Turkey. In this respect, she warns the Turkish side that any such attempt would be confronted with international legality. In her remarks to the Agency, the Minister described the recent conclusions of the European Council extremely important in that they refer to the 2006 July agreement, which has yet to be implemented due to obstacles raised by the Turkish side. On Cyprus relations with Britain, one of the three guarantor powers (the other two being Greece and Turkey) of the Republics independence and territorial integrity and former colonial power, Marcoullis indicated that if London wants to thaw its ties with Nicosia, it would be best to relinquish the recent strategic partnership agreement with Ankara. [02] EURO FINANCE MINISTERThe forthcoming accession of Cyprus to the Economic and Monetary Union has helped the Cypriot economy to sustain a high pace of financial development, which will be further strengthened after the adoption of the euro on January 1st 2008, Finance Minister Michalis Sarris has stressed in an interview with CNA.The Minister of Finance said that both the public and the private sectors are ready and prepared to welcome the single currency. Sarris also said that eurozone membership would provide the opportunity to further consolidate fiscal policy and reduce public debt. The resources to be released will be used for social purposes, Sarris said and called for caution in order to avoid any negative fallout on the competitiveness of the economy. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |