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Wednesday, 20 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-06-17Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PASCOE - CYPRUS - MEETINGSLynn Pascoe, UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs, will have separate meetings with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, as part of efforts to help make headway towards a political settlement.In the morning Pascoe will meet the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat and at 3 oclock in the afternoon he will meet the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias. Speaking to CNA, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said that during the meetings Pascoe will review and evaluate, with the two community leaders, the progress that is achieved at the level of the working groups and the technical committees. These committees have been set up after a meeting in April between Christofias and Talat. The objective of the committees is to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two community leaders, leading to a comprehensive settlement, which will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Christofias and Talat are expected to meet again in the second half of June to examine the results of progress achieved so far and determine whether or not to start fully-fledged negotiations. Pascoe departs from Cyprus tomorrow. [02] EUROSTAT - INFLATIONThe annual inflation rate for Cyprus in May reached 4.6%, marking an increase from 4.3% in April, according to figures released by Eurostat. At the same time, the annual inflation in the eurozone was 3.7%, up from 3.3% in April, which is the highest since the Eurozone was established. A spokeswoman for Joaquin Almunia, EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, has acknowledged that the increase in the rate of inflation is threatening the entire European Union economy and described the new development as bad, noting it is due to the increasing gas prices which directly affect a series of products.She referred to the increase in the price of heating oil, fuel for transport and a series of foodstuff such as milk, eggs and cheese, which recorded increases in the range of 13.6%. The spokeswoman acknowledged that the rate of inflation continued an upward trend compared to the spring Commission predictions which it was believed that it would be in the range of 3,2% by the end of the year. She called on governments to show moderation as far as salary increases are concerned. In May 2008, the lowest annual rates were observed in the Netherlands (2.1%), Portugal (2.8%) and Germany (3.1%), and the highest in Latvia (17.7%), Bulgaria (14.0%) and Lithuania (12.3%). Compared with April 2008, annual inflation rose in twenty-one member states, remained stable in three and fell in two. The lowest 12-month averages up to May 2008 were registered in the Netherlands (1.7%), Denmark and Malta (both 2.3%), and the highest in Latvia (13.8%), Bulgaria (10.9%) and Estonia (9.3%). [03] GREEN LINE REGULATION - AMENDMENTThe European Union has amended a regulation governing trade between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. The amendment of the Green Line Regulation was approved on Monday by the General Affairs Council. The Regulation provides special rules concerning goods, services and persons crossing the line between those areas of the Republic of Cyprus where the government is prevented from exercising effective control (the northern Turkish occupied and those areas in which it does exercise effective control, the southern part of the country.The amendments focus on three measures and aim at enhancing trade and economic integration on the island on the basis of the experience gained so far. In more detail, the duties on agricultural products originating in the Turkish occupied areas are lifted thus avoiding cumbersome procedures. The temporary introduction of goods for up to six months from these areas, into the areas, in which the internationally recognized government of Cyprus exercises effective control, is regulated in a transparent way. Finally, the total value of goods contained in the personal luggage of persons crossing the Line is substantially increased from 135 euro to 260 euro so as to encourage economic interaction on the island. The aforementioned amendments to the Green Line Regulation are also expected to contribute to the favourable climate on the island, facilitate crossings of persons across the Line, and support the ongoing process towards reaching a comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded, as laid down in Article 6(1) of the EU Treaty. [04] CYRPUS - HUNGARY - PROTOCOLCyprus and Hungary have signed a cooperation protocol to enhance bilateral ties. The protocol was signed on Monday on the sidelines of the Council of General Affairs and External Relations of the EU, in Luxembourg. Cyprus Foreign Minister, Markos Kyprianou, who represented the Republic at the Council, signed the agreement for Cyprus and Hungarian Foreign Minister Kinga Gonz for his country. Both Ministers expressed the conviction that the protocol will encourage further cooperation between the two countries, especially within the EU.The negative result in Irelands referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was the main issue discussed at the Council. The Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, the Western Balkans, Zimbabwe, Sudan and China. The Ministers also examined the draft conclusions of the European Council to be held on 19-20 June, 2008. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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