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Monday, 18 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-16Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] SPOKESMAN TURKEY - EUGovernment Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou stressed Friday that if Turkey does not change its stance on the Cyprus question and cooperate for a Cyprus settlement to the benefit of the people of Cyprus then it will not continue its EU accession course unhindered.Invited to comment on a statement made by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn that 2009 is not the deadline for the implementation of Turkeys EU obligations, the Spokesman said that the European Commission`s report on Turkey notes that the EU has its decisions and has set out the obligations which Turkey must fulfill. Stephanou said that what is important is that these decisions are implemented. He added that the National Council of Cyprus, top advisory body to the President regarding the Cyprus issue, has been clear on this issue that we will act until December as we have acted so far, to facilitate the implementation of the strategic goal which is the settlement of the Cyprus question by forcing Turkey to change its attitude on the Cyprus issue and work towards a solution that will serve the well-perceived interests of our people.`` If Turkey does not act in this way we have said that it will not continue its accession course unhindered, he added, noting that this is clear and reproved those who are trying to create confusion on this matter. Stephanou also noted that in his statements Rehn also referred in a way to the issue of direct trade between the EU and the Turkish Cypriots, adding that it is the European Council that decides on this issue and both the Council and the EU do not link the implementation of Turkeys commitments with the implementation of the direct trade regulation. Turkey which aspires to join the EU, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus an EU member state since May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. [02] FINANCE MINISTER STATE BUDGET HOUSE COMMITTEEMinister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis explained on Friday the efforts made, through the state budget for 2010, to tackle the consequences of the global financial crisis and to maintain the public deficit at 3% of the GDP.Presenting the state budget before the Committee on Finance of the House of Representatives, Stavrakis said the budget was balanced, had a social orientation, aimed at continuing the development programme, and attempted to maintain fiscal discipline. The state budget for 2010 aims at minimising the consequences of the global financial crisis, avoiding excessive public deficits, strengthening the constructive sectors of the economy, and enhancing social cohesion. The budget provides for revenue, excluding loans, of 5,794 million EUR, compared to the revised revenue of 5,371 million EUR in 2009. The revenue growth rate for 2010 is estimated at 7.9%. [03] AUSTRIA FM CYPRUS ISSUE - TURKEYAustrias Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger talked about the need for the last remaining dividing wall in Europe to come down and for Ankara to open its ports and airports to Cyprus.Speaking after talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou who was in the Austrian capital as part of his contacts regarding Turkeys EU accession course and its forthcoming evaluation in December , Spindelegger emphasized the need for mobility on behalf of the Turkish part for the implementation of the Ankara protocol, adding that the opening of Turkish ports and airports is of high significance. The Austrian Foreign Minister said that the successful continuation of the accession negotiations depends on the will for reforms and on Ankaras will to compromise, something which will speed up the pace of the reforms. It (Turkey) cannot remain unmovable and at the same time expect negotiations to continue, he added. [04] CYPRUS - TRADE BALANCE - DEFICITCyprus trade balance recorded a deficit of 2,7 billion euro during January-July 2009. According to data from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, Cyprus total value of exports reached 500 million euro, recording a decrease of 20% compared to last year. Imports also showed a decline of 25%, reaching 3,2 billion euro.For the same period, Greeces trade balance marked a deficit of 17,1 billion euro, compared to 26,9 deficit in 2008. Total exports reached 8,4 billion euro, marking a decrease of 18%, and total imports also declined by 31%, reaching 25,5 billion euro. EU27 trade flows with all of its major partners fell. The largest decreases were recorded for exports to Russia (-40% in January-July 2009 compared with January-July 2008), Turkey (-30%), South Korea (-24%), Brazil (-23%), Norway (-21%) and the USA (-20%), and for imports from Russia (-44%), Norway (-31%), Japan (-29%), Brazil (-28%) and Turkey (-27%). Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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