Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU - CMP - BUDGET

[02] COMMERCE MINISTER - ECONOMY

[03] CYPRUS - TOURISM

[04] BICOMMUNAL BUSINESS - AWARDS

[01] EU - CMP - BUDGET

The EU budget for 2010 will be 141.4 billion in commitments and 122.9 billion in payments. The main challenge for this year`s budget was to find the funding for the already agreed but not yet financed economic recovery plan, which will cost the EU 2.4 billion next year.

The 2010 budget is the last one agreed under the Nice Treaty rules. The payments figure represents 1.04% of EU gross national income (GNI).

In the framework of the CMP project for the exhumation, identification and return of remains of missing persons, human remains representing some 585 individuals have been exhumed while 196 missing persons have been identified and returned to the families for a proper burial.

The CMP, a tripartite committee comprising representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities and a UN appointed representative, is involved in a process of exhumation and identification of remains of missing persons in Cyprus. It was set up in the early 1980s and in the recent past it has stepped up its work to help resolve this humanitarian issue.

Hundreds of Greek Cypriots combatants, women and children - went missing during the summer of 1974 when Turkish troops invaded. Many were last seen alive in the hands of the Turkish military.

Turkish Cypriots are also listed as missing during the invasion and since inter-communal fighting in the early 1960s, soon after the Republic was established.

``If we want Europeans to feel more secure in 2010, we have to implement this budget cleverly``, said rapporteur Laszlo Surjan (EPP, HU) in the debate preceding the vote. ``This is why we are enhancing energy security, supporting the creation of jobs, introducing the microfinance facility. We support research and development and life-long learning. We want to help the milk sector and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.``

He added that there was an urgent need for a proper review of the EU`s long-term budget (the financial perspective), originally planned for this year but now postponed until next year: ``We haven`t got enough room for manoeuvre. There are headings where there are no reserves. Thus, a mid-term review of the multiannual budget plan is inevitable.``

The 5 billion European economic recovery plan covers the years 2009 and 2010 and supports energy projects and broadband development in rural areas. When it was agreed earlier this year, the financing for the second year (2.4 billion) was not settled. After the last month`s negotiations, the EU institutions have agreed on how to finance it: by using unspent funds and margins (mainly for agriculture and administration) for 2009 and 2010, and by the member states adding 120 million in fresh money.

MEPs also voted to back a series of pilot projects and preparatory actions, ranging from the recovery of obsolete fishing vessels to surveillance and protection for Community vessels sailing through areas where piracy is a threat.

[02] COMMERCE MINISTER - ECONOMY

Addressing an event entitled ``Greece-Cyprus: Working together for consolidation in the markets of the Balkans and south-eastern Mediterranean``, Paschalides said that the business community of Cyprus has proved once again its maturity, dynamism and readiness, all of which allow businesses to cope successfully in a competitive international environment.

Welcoming the President of the Association of Exporters of Northern Greece Vassilis Thomaidis, his associates and representatives of the industrial and commercial sector in Greece, the Minister said that their presence ``indicates our mutual interest in deepening our bilateral economic relations and co-operation of the business world.

The Cypriot economy, he noted, is showing dynamism and flexibility, which is due to the direct measures taken by the government to stimulate the economy.``

[03] CYPRUS - TOURISM

Speaking at the PASYXE General Assembly, Loizides noted that the country`s economy has already suffered losses from the situation in tourism and pointed out the need to reverse the downward trend.

Loizides said there was still time to react, with the cooperation of the public and private sector, and the constructive contribution of the social partners.

Referring to tourism performance in 2009, Loizides said arrivals dropped by 11% and income by 17%, adding that these figures were much worse than other competitor destinations.

[04] BICOMMUNAL BUSINESS - AWARDS

In statements to CNA, Hadjioannou said he did not claim to be able to solve all the problems and noted that the competition was about taking a step, adding that when people begin to work together and to trust and communicate with each other, then it becomes more likely that the situation will improve.

During the ceremony, to be held at ``Chateau Status`` in Nicosia, five winning teams will be receiving their awards, 50,000 EUR each.

The competition was launched this year and will be held for four more years, with a total sum of one million EUR to be handed out to winners.

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