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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-09-16Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] FOREIGN MINISTER REHNForeign Minister Markos Kyprianou has briefed EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue as direct negotiations, which began between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities aiming at a solution, continue.During our meeting I informed the Commissioner about the commencement of direct negotiations, I explained to him the difficulties which exist, as well as the procedure which is being followed Kyprianou told journalists after his meeting with Rehn Monday. The Foreign Minister added that Rehn expressed once again the European Commissions support towards the process and its willingness to contribute to the process with technical support. Kyprianou added that the EU Commissioner noted that the solution of the Cyprus problem should include the fundamental EU principles and the acquis communautaire. The Cypriot Foreign Minister, who attended in Brussels the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council described the conclusions of the Council regarding Georgia are balanced and added that Cyprus attaches great importance to the implementation of the six-point agreement and the agreement of September 8th between the French EU presidency and Russia. The Council also discussed Serbias relations with the EU. Kyprianou said that the government of Cyprus considers that Belgrade has the necessary political will to cooperate closely with the International Tribunal and therefore the EU could proceed with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Meanwhile, in statements after a regular political meeting between the EU and Turkey, Rehn urged Ankara to update its constitution to reflect the country and the society at large as it has evolved and to consolidate the rights and freedoms for its citizens. ``These reforms are necessary not only for Turkey`s EU prospects but essentially for Turkey to break the cycle of its - I dare say - annual political crises,`` he said. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Ankara was pressing ahead with an ambitious reform programme to achieve its goal of full EU membership, but EU support was also necessary to complete the process. French Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet, who chaired the talks, said France expected to open more chapters or policy areas - for negotiation during its six months in the EU chair, which run until the end of December. Rehn said the chapters on free movement of capital and on information society and media policy were ripe for opening soon. [02] COMMISSION - NEGOTIATIONSThe decision of the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to enter full-fledged negotiations for a Cyprus settlement will create a positive framework for facilitating the implementation and the success of the EU aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, a European Commission report says. In the Second Annual Report 2007 on the implementation of Community assistance under Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, covering the period from 1 March until 31 December 2007, the Commission says that, out of the overall allocation of 259 million euros, 240.15 million euros was allocated to the operational part of the aid programme.The report`s conclusions regarding reaching a cruising speed in implementation note that ``preparatory measures in terms of preparing tender documents, as well as calls for proposal for grant schemes and works and service contracts were launched.`` Furthermore, it notes on consolidating the implementation mechanisms by recruiting additional staff and putting in place the required implementation procedures that ``due to the programme`s specific nature and the context in which the Commission is operating, this has entailed tailor-made arrangements.`` [03] LARNACA SARCOPHAGUSES REMOVEDThree sarcophaguses, dating from 500BC, found last week by chance during construction work in the southern coastal town of Larnaca, have been transferred to the towns District Archaeological Museum.According to the Director of the Antiquities Department Pavlos Flourentzos two of the sarcophaguses are of a great archeological importance. [04] BOC EABHThe Bank of Cyprus (BOC) will host on May 14-16 the 2009 the European Association for Banking History (EABH) Conference, entitled ``the Critical Function of History in Banking and Finance.``A press release issued by the BOC notes that the Conference will coincide with the inauguration of the Bank`s historical archives centre in the Bank`s first branch in the centre of Nicosia. The Conference will feature committee meetings and seminars, while among the personalities to attend the conference will be the EABH Chairman and European Central Bank President Jean Claude Trichet. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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