Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - TURKISH CYPRIOTS - "ISOLATION"

[02] PUBLIC FINANCES - PROPERTY SALES

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER - DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - TURKISH CYPRIOTS - "ISOLATION"

Kyprianou was commenting on a press release issued by the British Foreign Office referring to a ruling issued by the Administrative Court of the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, of the United Kingdom that dismissed an application for the granting of permits to conduct direct flights, between the UK and the airport operating illegally in the occupied area of the Republic under the name of Ercan``.

Invited to comment on the decision, Kyprianou said that this is a legal decision, adding that international conventions are valid and being implemented which is something that Turkey must realize.

He pointed out that international legitimacy is something that binds all countries and especially EU member states.

Commenting on the remark made by the British Foreign Office in its press release that Britain continues to support efforts to end the so called isolation of Turkish Cypriots, Kyprianou stressed that the so called, alleged, isolation of Turkish Cypriots will end when occupation ends and Cyprus problem is solved , adding that all efforts should be focused on this and not on any other intermediate initiative.

For us, all actions should be taken within the framework of the international and European legitimacy, he said, noting that we are the first ones to support the Turkish Cypriot community.

He, also, stressed that Larnaka airport can also be used by Turkish Cypriots, as was the remark made by the British Court.

As regards the issue of trade, which is also mentioned in the press release issued by the Foreign Office, Kyprianou referred to the Green Line Regulation as well as legitimate ports and airports of the Republic of Cyprus which can also be used by the Turkish Cypriots.

This is the clear position of the Republic of Cyprus, he concluded.

[02] PUBLIC FINANCES - PROPERTY SALES

Invited on Tuesday to comment on the reduction, which the income from tourism figures recorded in the first six months of 2009, Stavrakis told the Executive Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry that income from tourism affects public finances through VAT (money, which the tourists spend) but this is not directly related to public finances.

Stavrakis said that the big reduction in the income from corporative tax is the result of the fact that the profitability of foreign companies, which are registered in Cyprus and Cypriot companies, have been significantly affected this year by the lagging economy.

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER - DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

Kyprianou described the annual meeting as a very useful and said that it offers the opportunity to the Heads of Cyprus Diplomatic Missions abroad not only to be briefed by the President of the Republic, Ministers and the rest of the political leadership but at the same time to exchange views amongst themselves on issues they have to deal with.

It is very important to share the experience of all diplomatic missions because in each one of them there is a particularity, especially now that we are entering a crucial period as regards both the talks to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem and other issues in relation to the European Union, he added.

He, also, stressed that it is important to have a good coordination and an open discussion.

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