Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-11-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] COMMISSIONER TAJANI - TURKEY - EU

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - PAPHOS AIRPORT

[03] IACOVOU - NAMI

[04] INTERIOR MINISTER - CHINA

[01] COMMISSIONER TAJANI - TURKEY - EU

Speaking at a press conference in Limassol, Tajani said he looked forward to the lifting of Turkish embargoes on Cyprus, through dialogue, not sanctions.

Tajani noted that the EU has asked Turkey to lift all restrictions on the free movement of goods and products, including the restrictions regarding means of transport in Cyprus.

He pointed out that the EU accession process for Turkey provided for the respect of certain rules, noting that the EU was asking Turkey to permit free movement and lift the restrictions.

Regarding the possibility of imposing sanctions on Turkey, Tajani said efforts were being made to solve problems and not create more, noting that problems concerning Cyprus should be solved through dialogue and not sanctions, which would not lead to fair solutions.

However, he pointed out that Turkey could only join the EU if it followed the rules, and expressed appreciation to the efforts made by the government of Cyprus to reach a solution of the political problem.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - PAPHOS AIRPORT

``Particular emphasis is given on supporting the tourist industry and maintaining the tourist traffic to Cyprus at least at the level of previous years. This target can only be achieved through attracting tourists from new markets like Russia, Ukraine and others,`` he said.

Inaugurating the new Paphos Airport, President Christofias said he was ``confident that the cooperation and dialogue already initiated between the Government and interested private institutions will help to a great extent in correctly dealing with the situation.``

[03] IACOVOU - NAMI

Speaking to reporters in Limassol, Iacovou said that during Monday`s meeting ``we will deal with the codification of the positions of the two sides on issues regarding the authorities of the federal government mainly and we will examine some issues concerning the executive authority.``

Commenting on the course of direct talks between the leaders of the two communities, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Talat, Iacovou said that although there were no conclusions yet, ``we must have reserved optimism,`` noting that an assessment of the course of the talks may be made ``when we finish the first chapter, which has to do with governance, and then begin discussing the issue of properties.``

[04] INTERIOR MINISTER - CHINA

According to an official press release, the Chinese Minister referred to the excellent relations between the two countries, the visits of President Demetris Christofias to China, and the exchange of working visits between the two Ministries on issues of local administration and civil defence.

Li Xue Ju also referred to the authorities of his Ministry, which include inter alia social welfare, local administration, elections and civil protection from natural disasters, such as the recent earthquake. The Chinese official thanked Sylikiotis for the assistance provided by Cyprus in the aftermath of the earthquake.

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