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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-27Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COMMITEE - CYPRUS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATIONTurkey will have to assume responsibility with regard to illegal immigration in Cyprus, whose northern areas it occupies since 1974, a European Parliament Committee has said.The European Parliaments Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs is determined to call on the competent European Commissioner in order to urge Turkey to undertake responsibility regarding the problem of illegal immigration in Cyprus, Committee President Martine Roure told a press conference. Speaking at the end of a two-day visit here by a Committee delegation, she said the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the reception places of asylum seekers and the conditions under which illegal immigrants are being kept. She said that the number of detainees here is relatively small, around 200 persons and expressed satisfaction with the fact that here asylum seekers have freedom of movement, which we very much appreciate. On the other hand, Roure expressed dismay at the lengthy procedures required for the examination of applications for political asylum and stressed the need to speed up this process. She also mentioned that the delegation visited detention centres here, meaning state prisons, and found them to be clean and without any particular problems in comparison, as she said, with similar establishments in other countries, which she described as hell. As she noted, the majority of illegal immigrants arrive in the Republic through the northern Turkish occupied areas, something she said is a serious problem which Turkey is to blame for. Turkey applied to join the EU and so it must take its responsibilities and show solidarity, she said, adding that the Green Line dividing the occupied areas from the southern government controlled part of the country is very difficult to be monitored by the Republic authorities. She assured that the Committee in the forthcoming days will be calling on the competent European Commissioner to urge Turkey to take its responsibilities on the matter. Asked to say whether complains have been forwarded to the committee from non-governmental organisations as regards as the detention conditions of immigrants and incidents of torture against them, she pointed out the Responding to questions, she said the Committee delegation had the opportunity to speak with detainees freely and none of them had mentioned anything about torture against them. [02] CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS QUESTION - PARTY LEADERSCyprus President Demetris Christofias said that he is satisfied with his meetings with leaders of parliamentary parties, noting that he always takes seriously into account their views.The President is in the process of briefing parliamentary party leaders about his recent meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, which aimed at assessing progress at ongoing discussions between teams of experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. His remarks came in the wake of comments by party leaders, some of which were critical of the Presidents handling of the Cyprus question. Asked if the National Council will convene, he said the Council, which is the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, will meet soon. [03] FINANCE MINISTER - CYPRUS AIRWAYS - EUROCYPRIACypriot Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis said on Tuesday that the government will protect Cyprus Airways and Eurocypria, adding that the government is examining all options.In statements at the House of Representatives, Stavrakis said 2008 will be a difficult year for both air carriers due mainly to the rise in fuel prices, adding that any new financial support to the two companies would have to be approved by the EU first. [04] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TOURISMPresident of the Republic Demetris Christofias has called on all involved parties to contribute towards strengthening the identity of the island`s tourist product, noting that the government`s strategy in the sector was based on the promotion, advertising and upgrading of the industry.Addressing the Pancyprian Hotel Owners` Association general assembly, President Christofias praised the role of the hotel owners, pointing out that they contribute to the growth of tourism and the economy. He said tourism contributed about 12% of the GDP, noting however that the tourist industry was vulnerable to foreign factors. ``The challenges we have to face are huge and competition is even bigger,`` President Christofias said, adding that intensive and coordinated efforts were needed towards modernising and upgrading the tourist product in order to place Cyprus back on the international tourism map. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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