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Wednesday, 25 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-15Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] HOUSE - STATE BUDGETThe plenary of the House of Representatives begins a three-day debate on the 2010 state budget on Tuesday, with speeches by parliamentary party leaders or their representatives.The budget provides for revenue, excluding loans, of about 5 billion and 729 million EUR, which is higher than the budget of 2009 by 6.6%. Expenditure, excluding the paying off of loans, is estimated at 7 billion and 922 million EUR, more than that of 2009 by 3.6%. Presenting the budget to the House last Thursday, Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis said the 2010 state budget was responsible and balanced, with a social vision, it was development-oriented and included no new taxes. ``This is the budget that will get us out of the financial crisis,`` he said. Stavrakis said the government aims at development, enhanced social cohesion and macroeconomic stability. He also pointed out the need to lift the dependency of Cyprus` economy on tourism and the construction sector. Referring to the global financial crisis, Stavrakis said Cyprus` economy has unavoidably been affected, ``thankfully to a lesser degree.`` [02] PRESIDENT - PAPADOPOULOS` REMAINSPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has expressed concern over the fact that as time goes by, the case of the theft of the remains of former President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos has not yet been resolved.Asked about the violation of the grave of Papadopoulos, Christofias said What can one think? I am thinking that time goes by and the case hasnt been resolved and this saddens me because there will be increasing speculation. This, he pointed out, is not pleasant either for the family or for the Republic of Cyprus. Such acts do not honour us, but this does not mean that it is the Republic of Cyprus fault. It is a profane act, which shocked everyone, no-one expected anything of the sort in our country and unfortunately the culprits who have committed this crime, took enough measures to make it difficult to solve this crime, the President remarked. [03] BRITAIN - BASESThe British Ministry of Defence continues to dismiss allegations that the government is planning to downgrade the British Bases in Cyprus, in the context of a drive to cut expenditure in all sectors, due to the priority placed on Afghanistan.Asked about relevant reports, a spokeswoman for the Ministry said ``this is speculation, as no final decisions have been made.`` ``We routinely review our spending to ensure Afghanistan remains the top priority. Although some hard decisions will have to be made, no measures will affect operations,`` she added. According to the ``Times``, part of the Sovereign Base Area in Cyprus would be sold and that decisions in that direction would be taken after talks between the UK Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister`s office. [04] EUROBAROMETER - CRISISCypriots are concerned over the economic crisis and believe that the next twelve months will be worse, according to the Autumn 2009 Eurobarometer.The 80% of Cypriots who participated in the survey consider that the economic situation is poor, 76% expect that the worst of the crisis is to come, while only 16% believe that the impact of the crisis on jobs has already reached its peak. Asked how they see the economic situation in Cyprus during the next 12 months, 53% said that it will be worse and 11% expressed the opposite view. As regards employment during the next 12 months, 57% said that it will become worse, while 8% expects an improvement in employment. For 43% the most important problem is the economic crisis and for 31% is unemployment. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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