Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - BRITISH STATEMENT

[02] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CHRISTMAS WISHES

[03] CYPRUS - TOURISM

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - BRITISH STATEMENT

Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to National Guards camps, President Christofias said that diachronically Britain has not played a positive role in the case of Cyprus. He also said that the government is trying to mitigate British reaction and to make Britain follow a more objective stance towards Cyprus and Turkey.

After Cyprus` accession to the EU, Turkey refused to extend its Customs Union to Cyprus, a commitment known as the Ankara Protocol, to open its ports and airports to vessels 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.

In December 2009, Cyprus decided to freeze six EU - Turkey negotiating chapters, in a unilateral declaration submitted at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council.

Invited to comment on the Cyprus political parties demand for a meeting of the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus issue, before the beginning of the intensive talks between the two leaders on January 11, 2010, President Christofias said that this is not necessary.

Asked whether the Turkish side has submitted new proposals for the Cyprus issue, President Christofias clarified that he does not know any other proposals than those he has discussed with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Speaking to soldiers serving in the National Guard, President Christofias assured them that the government is doing everything possible to end the occupation of the country.

The President called the soldiers to preserve the Republic, adding that they are still serving in the army because the country still suffers from partition, as a result of foreign intervention.

We are facing the consequences of a heinous crime, the coup, the invasion and the occupation,`` said President Christofias, noting that the flag of the illegal Turkish regime on Pentadaktylos mountain is hurting his soul.

We must do everything possible - and this is the job of political leadership - to end the this situation, he said.

Later on Wednesday, the President assured soldiers of the Philharmonic of the National Guard who performed for him the Christmas carols, that the Government is supporting the National Guard, as long as its existence is necessary.

Urging the soldiers to feel proud for their service, President Christofias stressed that the governments goal is demilitarization, peace and reunification of the island, where Greek and Turkish Cypriots will live in peace without any foreign control.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct talks since September 2008, with a view to find a mutually acceptable solution that will reunify the country, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CHRISTMAS WISHES

President Christofias wished everybody Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Addressing the members of the National Guard, the President said the government stands by the side of the National Guard and will support the force as long as its existence is needed. Our objective is the demilitarization of Cyprus, peace and the reunification of the island. To live peacefully with the Turkish Cypriots without any domination from foreigners, he added. Referring to the members of the Greek contingent in Cyprus, Christofias whished them someday to visit a free Cyprus as tourists and expressed his gratitude to the governments of Greece for their support and solidarity to the government and the people of Cyprus.

President Christofias, speaking to the staff of the Presidential Palace, wished the new year to bring the reunification of our homeland. He assured them that efforts to solve the Cyprus problem are continuous, tough and persistent. President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in talks since September 2008 to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, under a federal roof.

[03] CYPRUS - TOURISM

According to data released by the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, revenue from tourism reached 61,0 mn euro in November 2009 compared to 72,4 mn in the corresponding month of the previous year, recording a decrease of 15,7%.

For the period January November 2009 revenue from tourism was estimated at 1.450,6 mn compared to 1.741,2 mn euro in the corresponding period of 2008, recording a decrease of 16,7%.

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