Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] DOWNER - LEADERS- MEETINGS

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - CLIMATE CHANGES

[03] KYPRIANOU - VISIT TO JORDAN

[04] HADJIOANNOU BOOSTS JOINT ENTREPRENEURSHIP

[01] DOWNER - LEADERS- MEETINGS

Downer, who was replying to questions after a meeting he held Friday with Democratic Rallys (DISY) leader Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia, said that there have being some discussions about this, remembering of course that UN facilitates and hosts the process and we have some points of view about how basic is to take forward this as well. Final decisions will be made on Monday at the leaders meetings, he added.

The United Nations wants the talks in January to be successful, Downer underlined. We want to see these talks, he said, as part of the process towards, finally, after so many years, solving the Cyprus problem

The leaders have to make a step to that direction and for UN this is the main point, he said stressing that there are also some other issues around these talks, literally, where they physically take place, but we need talks that they are successful and constructive.

Therefore, we had some discussions with the two sides about this, the leaders will make some final decisions on Monday and they will be announced then.

Downer explained that the residence of UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun, is not being used because he lives in an apartment in Nicosia and this is an option for the place where the talks can take place in January.

Some of you maybe recall that on the 3rd of September 2008 the talks were launched in that house and we havent had any further meetings there, because the meetings are being held at the airport since then. But this is an option, but no final decision has being made on that.

He also said that the change of the place of the negotiation process might expedite the talks.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - CLIMATE CHANGES

Addressing the Copenhagen Climate Conference, President Christofias said Cyprus ``is already experiencing the first serious effects of climate change.``

``We have been witnessing prolonged periods of drought, increased temperatures, degradation of forests and rare ecosystems. In addition, our environmental policy is obstructed by the military occupation of part of our territory. Even so, we fully comply with the commitments and expectations of the international community and the EU and we actively participate in the joint efforts to protect the climate of our planet and secure the future of our people,`` he said.

President Christofias said ``our response in tackling climate change must be immediate, effective and with the unreserved commitment and participation of all countries, be it developed, industrialized or developing, both in the adaptation on the one hand and in the mitigation through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on the other hand, as well as in setting up the necessary mechanisms for funding and the transfer of technology.``

[03] KYPRIANOU - VISIT TO JORDAN

During the visit, the Minister will be received by Prime Minister Samir Zaid al-Rifai and have talks with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh.

The agenda of the talks includes discussion on bilateral relations, ways to further enhance existing cooperation and various regional concerns of mutual interest.

Nicosia and Amman will sign one agreement on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports and another agreement on the mutual promotion and protection of investment.

The Minister will inaugurate Cyprus embassy in Amman.

He returns home on Monday night.

[04] HADJIOANNOU BOOSTS JOINT ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Stelios Hadjioannou Philanthropic Foundation launched in 2009 its first Award for Business Cooperation for companies comprising at least one Greek Cypriot and one Turkish Cypriot entrepreneur. Five companies were awarded today a cheque of 50.000 euro each, while the Award will continue for the first three years granting funds worth of one million euro.

The winners are The Highgate School, offering integrated trilingual education from pre-K to grade 12 in Nicosia, Papazor Enterprises Ltd, an internet-based car and villa rental service, C&A Agricultural Products, a company packing, distributing and exporting agricultural products grown island-wide, The Three Ladies Team an all-women economic research and consulting company advising clients on intra-island trade and O.S.P. Continental Trading Ltd which manufactures PVC windows and doors for sale island-wide.

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