Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS ISSUE - EU SUMMIT

[02] IACOVOU - UN ASSOCIATION

[03] ETEK - EVALUATION

[04] CABINET - OIL PRICES

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS ISSUE - EU SUMMIT

On his meeting with UN Secretary Generals Special Representative in Cyprus Taye-Brouk Zerihoun, he said he looks forward to a good cooperation, and described him as a very experienced diplomat, with vast knowledge of difficult situations in various parts of the world, especially in Africa. I had the chance to outline our positions to Zerihoun on the substance of the Cyprus issue relating to the continuation of initiatives which we have launched in the hope that they will be successful, he said.

Responding to questions, he said at this stage he would not say that the role of the UN has been upgraded. The UN facilitates the two community leaders, the working groups and the technical committees. No special envoy of the UN Secretary General has been appointed yet, no direct talks have started and naturally the UN acts as a facilitator at present, he explained.

Six working groups and seven technical committees, comprising experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, have been meeting in the past 2-3 weeks to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two community leaders. The meetings take place following an agreement in March between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who are set to meet in late June, according to the agreement, to take stock of the situation.

There is a lot of work to be done at the committees and the groups. Talat and I have to reassess the situation, including the basis on which discussions are taking place, the President stressed. Invited to clarify this remark, he explained that there are difficulties and significant differences of views at the talks, in spite of the friendly atmosphere that prevails during the meetings. ``My forthcoming meeting with Talat, before the end of June, aims to reassess the situation, he added.

Responding to questions, he said each community has the right to bring to the table provisions from past solution plans, including the most recent one, - the Annan plan and outline its positions, put forward proposals and counterproposals either new ones or some which might be linked to the Annan plan which was rejected by the Greek Cypriots in a referendum in April 2004 but approved by the Turkish Cypriots. Returning to discussions on the Annan plan does not provide any good service to our effort to find a negotiated settlement, he stressed.

Asked about the presence of members of the working groups and technical committees at a dinner with Turkish Cypriots, hosted by a local businessman, the President indicated that nobody needs permission to attend such social and private encounters. The members of the committees and the groups have been given their terms of reference which they follow. If any members deviates from these terms, then we have to discuss this, he said, pointing out that the interlocutor at any negotiations is the President of the Republic as the representative of the Greek Cypriot community and nobody will supersede him.

Referring to his participation in the EU Latin America summit, the President noted the support afforded to Cyprus by Latin American countries, including their contribution to the UN peace-keeping force on the island and the appointment of various UN envoys from these countries. The meeting will deal with poverty, social exclusion, injustice, climate change and energy, he said, adding that on the sidelines of the summit he will have the chance to talk to his counterparts from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Responding to questions about oil imports, President Christofias said Cyprus intends to import oil from anybody who offers the best terms for such a purchase. We hope to find suppliers from our region as well as other areas to secure the lowest oil prices, he explained, commenting on press speculation that Cyprus might seek to buy oil from Venezuela. Let us not build scenarios to this effect, a possible meeting between our Foreign Minister and his counterpart from Venezuela does not mean it will deal exclusively with oil purchases, he pointed out.

Replying to other questions on rising retail prices in Cyprus, due to the increase in oil prices worldwide, the President said that any government decisions on measures to alleviate the financial burden on consumers will be announced in due time.

[02] IACOVOU - UN ASSOCIATION

He noted that the solution to the Cyprus problem, the state in which our children will live, is a matter which primarily concerns the Cypriots and should always be dealt with as such. Let us work together, in a spirit of constant dialogue and transparency, for the reunification of Cyprus. Our common goal should be to make reunified Cyprus the model for resolving international problems, on the basis of the principles which this great organisation of Nations had set to serve and promote, he added.

He noted that Cyprus has always had its eyes turned to this big family of nations, hoping for its continued support. Hurt by the events that followed the 1960 independence, the Republic of Cyprus chose, amidst the cold war frenzy, to seek help from the UNO, in an attempt to salvage its independence and territorial integrity. Since 1964, the UNO has been in Cyprus through its peace-keeping force and will remain here until the islands reunification, the withdrawal of Turkish troops and the full restoration of peace, Iacovou said.

[03] ETEK - EVALUATION

We must note the contribution of ETEK in developing constructive cooperation with Turkish Cypriot engineers with an ultimate goal to reunify our common country, he said. In his address, read out by the Director of the Presidents Office, Vasos Georgiou, President Christofias noted ETEKs contribution to the restoration of monuments in the occupied areas of Cyprus, occupied since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied Cyprus northern third.

ETEKs role is evident in all aspects of daily life. ETEK gives its scientific opinion on mattes like water resources management, import of natural gas, safety of buildings, road construction, town planning, tourist development, as well as environmental issues, the Cypriot President noted.

[04] CABINET - OIL PRICES

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Pashalides speaking after todays Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Demetris Christofias, said that in the next two weeks the Cabinet will also examine the details of the project. Last month, in an interview with CNA, Pashalides had said he would press on with the construction of a natural gas terminal to reduce Cyprus` dependency on oil imports. Currently, Cyprus energy needs are met through the import of oil to the tune of 92%. Welcoming any proposals or suggestions, the Minister told reporters today that procedures will be expedited, including expropriation of property, if necessary, the legal framework and any other issues that may arise.

He said the Ministry of Commerce will present proposals concerning all kinds of Renewable Energy Sources. The second licensing round to search and exploit possible hydro-carbon reserves in Cyprus exclusive economic zone will take place in September, the Minister told CNA last month. The first licensing round concerns eleven blocks. Pashalides announced that the Ministries of Commerce and Finance will examine measures to counter rising oil prices, to help vulnerable groups meet increasing retail prices.

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