Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-03-18

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS TALKS - EU

[02] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CULTURAL HERITAGE - TURKEY

[03] CYPRUS ARCHBISHOP - BRUSSELS - INAUGURATION

[04] CYPRUS - SURVEY - ECONOMY

[01] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS TALKS - EU

Responding to a question on the EU contribution to the talks, Stephanou said that we have our own technocrats, who participate in the competent working group and attend meetings between the two aides of the two leaders George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, adding that the two aides have their own advisors with regard to the issues under discussion.

Asked if EU help will be sought, Stephanou said that this is an issue that has to be dealt jointly with regard to the EU know-how.

We believe that the EU can and must provide its know-how, he noted, adding that the EU has expressed its readiness to help at the political and technical level.

On the political level, he noted that in view of Turkeys accession negotiations, the EU must turn to Turkey and ask Ankara to implement the obligations it has undertaken towards the EU and its member states, including the Republic of Cyprus.

At the same time, he added, the EU must exert its influence on Turkey, so that the latter cooperates for a just, viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus question, which will serve the legitimate interests of all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

With regard to the technical level, Stephanou said that the EU can provide its expertise and know-how on issues regarding EU matters which are being discussed during the negotiations.

This, he pointed out, is beneficial and positive.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September last year with a view to solve the question of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974. They are currently discussing EU issues.

Turkey, which aspires to become an EU member state, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since May 2004.

[02] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CULTURAL HERITAGE - TURKEY

Christofias was speaking during the inauguration ceremony of a Cypriot collection at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, that took place in the presence of Greek President Carolos Papoulias and Greek Minister of Culture Antonis Samaras.

Christofias said that in the framework of their talks aiming to solve the Cyprus question, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot community have agreed to set up a committee that will record Cyprus cultural monuments and make proposals for their protection and restoration.

[03] CYPRUS ARCHBISHOP - BRUSSELS - INAUGURATION

Speaking Wednesday at the inauguration ceremony of the Office of the Representation of the Church of Cyprus to the EU, in Brussels, the Archbishop said that the Church has the obligation to inform its EU partners about the continuous destruction, looting and desecration of the Greek Cypriot religious sites by the Turkish army in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[04] CYPRUS - SURVEY - ECONOMY

According to Cyprobarometer, an annual survey carried out by Cyprus Marfin Laiki Bank and RAI Consultants, three out of four or 75% of the Cypriots interviewed said that the economy would fair worse than in 2008, while 44% of the interviewees believe that their financial situation, compared to 2008, will deteriorate.

Regarding the real estate prices, with real estate and construction considered as one of the main driving forces of the Cypriot economy, 52% of the interviewees said that prices would drop significantly or slightly, while 26% believes that prices will remain the same. Only 20% believes that prices will rise.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article