Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-05-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU - TURKEY - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[02] CYPRUS - UAE - COOPERATION

[01] EU - TURKEY - CYPRUS PROBLEM

The EU position was outlined Tuesday during the 47th meeting of the EC-Turkey Association Council. Present at the Council were current President of the Council Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The EU also underlined the importance of progress in the normalization of bilateral relations between Turkey and all EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus.

It also expressed its regret over the fact that Turkey has not yet implemented the Additional Protocol of the EU Turkey Association Agreement.

Furthermore, the EU expects Turkey to actively support the ongoing negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem and make concrete steps to help bring about a climate favourable to such a comprehensive settlement.

In statements at a press conference after the Council, Swedish Foreign Minister, whose country will assume next semester the EU rotating Presidency, said that the negotiations in Cyprus are probably the most important issue in Europe today, more than the Irish referendum itself.

Today years after the fall of the Berlin wall it is a shame to have a divided capital in Europe, he stressed, adding, now we have two leaders with a personal commitment to reach a solution and I believe it is our duty to do whatever possible to facilitate their common effort to overcome this division.

Noting that the Cyprus negotiations are a procedure, which takes place under UN auspices, Bildt said, it is our duty to do whatever possible to facilitate this very important procedure.

Bildt, Rehn and Kohout stressed during the press conference that Turkeys accession to the EU and the opening of more chapters depends on Ankaras progress regarding its EU course.

In his statements, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that his country would speed up the process of reforms.

The EU position on Turkeys EU accession refers to Cyprus and the Cyprus problem and notes that as emphasized by the Negotiating Framework, the EU also expects Turkey to actively support the ongoing negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded, including concrete steps to help bring about a climate favourable to such a comprehensive settlement.

Moreover, the EU underlines the importance of progress in the normalization of bilateral relations between Turkey and all EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus. In this regard, the EU calls on Turkey to stop blocking the accession of member states to international organizations and mechanisms. Furthermore, the EU stresses again all the sovereign rights of EU member states which include, inter alia, entering into bilateral agreements, in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The EU, also notes with regret that Turkey has not yet fulfilled its obligation of full non discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and has not made progress towards normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. The EU will continue to closely follow and review progress made on the issues covered by the declaration of the European Community and its member states of 21 September 2005, in accordance with its conclusions of 11 December 2006. Progress is now urgently awaited.

[02] CYPRUS - UAE - COOPERATION

In statements after the meeting, Paschalides said they discussed the prospects of increasing trade and economic relations and investment between the two countries, as well as the increase of tourist flows between the Emirates and Cyprus.

«We welcomed the new airliner from Emirates which will start flights to Cyprus in a few weeks, he said.

Replying to a question about the cooperation between the two countries in renewable energy issues, Paschalides said the basic idea is to exchange knowledge, information and education.

On her part Al Qasimi said there has been an increase in the number of tourists coming from the United Arab Emirates to Cyprus as well as an increase in investments.

Today we talked about some of the great examples set up here for the renewable energy and the use of solar energy in the housing. And we do believe that Cyprus stance is a great example for discipline and utilizing the renewable energy. I am quite impressed with the 92% usage in the water heating utilizing solar energy, and I think that is a great example for many countries to utilize, she added.

Referring to the project of the Masdar city, which will be a city free of carbon dioxide, Al Qasimi said that its implementation will cost 50 billion US dollars.

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