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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-02-09Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] MINISTER PROPERTIES OCCUPIED AREASMinister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis said on Monday that is it not forbidden for Greek Cypriots with property in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus to sell their property to other Greek Cypriots, as long as this is done through the Department of Lands and Surveys, noting that he has called a meeting of all involved departments to examine how the value of the property can be calculated.He added that the government reports the exploitation of Greek Cypriot property in the northern Turkish occupied areas and pointed out that the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) are significant instruments in efforts to safeguard the rights of the owners. The Minister also said that the government defends the right to ownership of property, whether this concerns Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots. Sylikiotis noted that he had called a meeting a few months ago to study the issue of Greek Cypriots selling their land in the Turkish occupied areas to other Greek Cypriots and that the Law Office deemed that the relevant law should not be amended. He added that the issue of properties is on the agenda of talks to solve the Cyprus problem, noting that the government is pursuing the right of the legal owner to determine how his property will be managed. ``Apart from this, because there are still some questions, I have called a new meeting, in the presence of the Inland Revenue Department, the Department of Lands and Surveys and the Law Office, because I believe there is an issue of how the value of the property is assessed,`` he pointed out. Sylikiotis added that this is ``a very delicate issue and we must all be very careful and we must follow any developments.`` Asked about the exploitation of Greek Cypriot property in the Turkish occupied areas, Sylikiotis said ``we are defending and we must defend to the end the right and the safeguard of the right of ownership, whether this concerns the Greek Cypriots with properties in the occupied areas or Turkish Cypriots with properties in the government controlled areas.`` He said ``we report the exploitation of property internationally and it is important that over the past few months we have had significant developments in the ECHR, which first of all shield us politically, and also legally regarding the right to ownership.`` Sylikiotis noted that the ECHR decisions are ``significant tools in the effort we are making to report the exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties and also to defend the safeguard of the legal rights of the owners.`` Replying to other questions, Sylikiotis said that ``the government is taking all measures possible internationally`` and pointed out that ``it is important that, as the issue of properties is being discussed, we are reiterating this position, which is a position of principle, namely safeguarding the rights of the legitimate owners.`` Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. In the past five years, there has been a construction boom in occupied Cyprus, coupled with sales of property to either foreign nationals or Turkish Cypriots, most of which are illegal deals in that the sales concern Greek Cypriot owned property. [02] EU - EDEN CYPRUSThe picturesque village of Agros, situated in the Pitsilia region at the Troodos mountain range, was selected by the Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) as the best national tourism destination in the framework of the European Commissions EDEN project (European Destinations of Excellence).The EU project was related to Tourism and Local Intangible Heritage. Agros, situated at 1100 meters above sea level, was selected as the best tourism destination of Cyprus for its Rose Festival, which takes place every May. Agros is a village famous for its rosewater industry, which started in 1918. Every May, the annual week- long Rose Festival takes place in the village, at the peak of the rose blossom. [03] CYPRUS UNEMPLOYMENTThe number of unemployed persons registered at the District Labour Offices, increased by 1617 during January 2009, compared to December 2008.According to Cyprus Statistical Service (CyStat), the increase was mainly recorded in the sectors of construction, trade, hotels and restaurants, while increased was the number of unemployed among newcomers in the labour market. CyStat data show that the unemployed persons, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of January 2009, reached 15.786 persons compared to 14.169 persons in December 2008. [04] CYPRUS SUNSHINE CUPRenowned cyclists from over ten countries will participate in this years Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2009, which will take place in Cyprus between February 22 and March 15.A press release issued by the Cyprus Cycling Federation (CCF) says that participants include German cross - country cyclist Sabine Spitz, who won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games. Other athletes who will participate are Alexander Wetterhall from Sweden, Karl Markt from Austria, German Adelheid Morath, young world champion Barbara Benkï from Hungary, Karl Platt, Stefan Sahm, Tim Bïhme and Andy Eyring from Germany, Thomas Dietsch from France, Austrian champion and 6th at the Beijing Olympic Games Christoph Soukoup, Tereza Hurikova from the Czech Republic, Swiss champion Petra Çenzi, Belgian champion Githa Michiels, Christoph Bischof from Switzerland and Marco Pirrazoli from Italy. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |