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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-11-26Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE - TURKEYPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has stressed that more good will is needed on behalf of Turkey so that progress is achieved at the negotiating table for a Cyprus solution.In an interview with the London Greek Radio, the Cypriot President said he would not accept arbitration or tight timeframes, adding that progress achieved so far is not the expected one. Replying to questions, he said that there are some circles in various capitals, which tend to embellish things as regards the Cyprus talks. I have said that there is progress but it is not the expected one. We still have a long way to go, he went on to say. He pointed out that if there is more good will on behalf of the other side, including Turkey, then we can hope the soonest possible to reach an agreed solution, otherwise, time will pass again with no solution. The Cypriot President noted that if the Turkish side submits hard positions aiming to lead negotiations to a deadlock so that arbitration is needed, it will not succeed. It is not possible to have again arbitration and we will not accept it. We will also not accept tight and suffocating timeframes. It is a method which failed in the past, he underlined. Turkey must withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus, stop bringing illegal settlers to the occupied areas of Cyprus and fulfill its obligations towards the international community, the EU and the Republic of Cyprus, he went on to note. The President was also asked about the letter he sent to the EU 26 heads of state and government ahead of the European Council in December. It is a constant reminder, a constant request and if I may say a constant demand towards our EU partners to show the necessary solidarity which the EU constantly declares. This is what we try to achieve. Things are not easy, there are complicated interests but our demand is there, he said. The Cypriot President said that Cyprus is demanding what it is entitled to, expressing the wish that the EU member states will respond in a positive manner. President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in talks since September 2008 with a view to find a mutually acceptable solution that will reunite the country, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third. After Cyprus` accession to the EU Turkey refused to extent its Customs Union to Cyprus, a commitment known as the Ankara Protocol, to open its ports and airports to vessel and aircraft bearing the Cypriot flag and to normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. In 2006 the EU decided to freeze eight of the 35 EU Turkey negotiating chapters due to Ankara`s refusal to comply with its EU obligations. The rest of the chapters continue to go ahead, but the eight shall not be concluded until Turkey fulfills its obligations. The EU will assess Turkey`s progress at the December EU Council. [02] GOVERNMENT TURKEY EUWe want strong political messages to be included in the EU draft report on Turkeys progress, and we also want practical measures that will assist the implementation of the strategic target we have set, which is the promotion of the solution of the Cyprus problem, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said.Speaking here Thursday, and called to comment on information for a draft report that the Swedish Presidency of the EU has prepared for the Turkeys evaluation on December, Stephanou recommended patience. There is a draft report. The first reading has begun in the COREPER, where the Republic of Cyprus will present its first reaction. COREPER will convene again next week, and after that the Council of Foreign Ministers will be held, Stephanou said and noted: We dont have to rush, there will be reactions. [03] CYPRUS INFLUENZA AA slow but steady increase in influenza cases, mostly with mild symptoms, has been observed in the Cypriot population, and an increase in cases seeking medical evaluation by doctors of the public and private sector is expected over the next few weeks.In a press release, the Ministry of Health and the Cyprus Medical Association note that persons who may develop Influenza A (H1N1) symptoms have the option to visit Influenza Clinics of the public sector or their personal doctor in the private sector. The Influenza Clinics of the public sector may be visited by persons with influenza symptoms only, to secure the smooth operation of the Clinics. Furthermore, RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) testing will only be carried out in cases presenting a serious clinical picture, health officers to prevent transmitting the virus to patients, and high risk cases. [04] EU FINANCIAL AID ANIMAL DISEASESThe European Commission adopted Thursday a financial package of 275 million euro to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases in 2010. Cyprus will receive 8,2 million euro to combat scrapie of sheep and additional 320.000 euro for the control of animal diseases.The 224 annual or multi-annual programmes which were selected for EU funding will tackle animal diseases that impact both human and animal health. The large EU contribution towards these programmes reflects the high level of importance attached to disease eradication measures, for the protection of both animal and public health, an EU press release says. EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said ``the motto of our animal health strategy is `prevention is better than cure`. If the spread of certain animal diseases is not prevented, it can affect both animal and public health. That is why we are prioritising programmes covering diseases that might be transmitted to humans ``. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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