Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-11-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE MOSCOW VISIT

[02] CYPRUS NATURAL GAS EGYPT RUSSIA

[03] CROATIAN FM VISIT TO CYPRUS

[04] EU COMMISSIONER EMPLOYMENT

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE MOSCOW VISIT

In statements after returning from Russia, where he paid an official visit, Christofias said that he himself and other officials who accompanied him to Moscow are fully satisfied with the visit and they describe it as meaningful.

He said that the Political Declaration and the other agreements that were signed with Russia during his visit depict the history of the relations between the two countries, which are also upgraded with great prospects for the future in all fields.

With regard to the position of Russia on the Cyprus question, Christofias said that the Russian Federation has reiterated clearly its longstanding positions of principle with regard to the Cyprus question and the solidarity of the Russian people with the people of Cyprus.

Asked about the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot side with regard to the agreements and the Political Declaration signed in Moscow, Christofias underlined that Cyprus will not renounce its sovereign rights adding that the relations between states are among the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.

If they consider, either these are the leaders of Turkey, the Turkish Cypriot leader or any foreigners, that the Cyprus question must be solved by imposing a settlement which serves Turkeys interests or the interests of any other foreigner, they are deceived, he added.

Consequently, he said, it is more than clear that we will continue our contacts and relations with all countries.

President Christofias said that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Turkish Foreign Ministry reacted the same way when Cyprus signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, reiterating that the Republic of Cyprus is an independent state.

The only problem faced by the Republic of Cyprus is that the legitimate government cannot exercise sovereignty throughout its territory since Turkey, by violating international law, the charter of the United Nations and every notion of law, occupies 37% of Cyprus territory, he pointed out.

President Christofias also noted that Russia was always a supporter of Cyprus and a country that struggled in the Security Council for decisions based on principles, while he expressed the gratitude of Cyprus people to the leadership and people of Russia.

He reassured that Turkish Cypriots have nothing to loose adding that their interests will not be harmed by these principled positions expressed by Russia.

President Christofias expressed restrained optimism over the course of the ongoing direct talks on Cyprus issue as well as concern regarding some movements and reactions by the Turkish Cypriot leadership in relation to his visit to Moscow.

Invited to comment on statements of the Turkish Cypriot side about a two state solution of the Cyprus problem, he said that Turkish Cypriot stance is of our concern and expressed the hope that in the course of the talks any reservations and fears will not come true.

Commenting on the proposal introduced by the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for the recreation of a security system in Europe and elsewhere, he said that the Russian proposal, which we welcomed, aims to restore order on the basis of the international law, the charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki final act providing for the respect of states independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the resolution of any dispute using peaceful means.

He also added that the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country currently chairs EU presidency, has said that a discussion on the Russian proposal its worth taking place at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, wondering why Cyprus should not welcome such an initiative.

President Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community have been engaged in direct talks since September this year, with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[02] CYPRUS NATURAL GAS EGYPT RUSSIA

President Christofias was answering to questions at Larnaca airport upon his arrival from Moscow, where he paid an official visit.

The Government aims to promote the interests of the country and in this context it will decide in favour of the best bid that will also ensure continues supply of natural gas, he said. Furthermore, President Christofias said that the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides, who accompanied him to Moscow, had preliminary meeting with GAZPROM officials, adding that Russia showed an interest to provide Cyprus with natural gas, while other countries also expressed their interest.

[03] CROATIAN FM VISIT TO CYPRUS

According to a press release issued here Friday, during his official visit to Cyprus, Jandrokovic will hold a meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister, as well as official meetings at the Foreign Ministry. He will also meet with the President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian.

Jandrokovic will also have a meeting with the members of UNFICYP from Croatia.

[04] EU COMMISSIONER EMPLOYMENT

Speaking through an interpreter at a press conference in Nicosia, Spidla expressed satisfaction regarding his meetings with the social partners of the two communities in Cyprus, adding that they had a useful dialogue concerning their role in the economic and social life in Europe and Cyprus. Referring to the global financial crisis, he said the priority is to minimise the consequences on employment and social protection, aiming mainly at the vulnerable groups of the population.

Replying to questions on Cyprus, Spidla said it is a strong country but noted that it will be difficult to fully avoid the consequences of the global financial crisis. He added that the vulnerable sectors of the economy, namely constructions and tourism, also concern the Cypriot economy.

Spidla noted that unemployment in Cyprus is the lowest among EU member states and that the macroeconomic figures of the country are healthy. He said Cyprus` weakness is the wage gap between men and women, which is 24%, probably the highest in the EU.

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