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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-01-06Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - UNITY IN CYPRUSPresident Demetris Christofias has expressed hope for unity in Cyprus, saying that he is working towards this goal.I wish to see unity prevail, at last, in Cyprus. Nothing more, nothing less. And I declare that I am working for this, even if there are doubts. I shall continue to toil in this direction, the President said, peaking in Agia Napa, on the eastern coast, on Wednesday after a religious ceremony on the occasion of Epiphany Day. Regarding todays religious occasion, he wished that next year such religious ceremonies can take place throughout Cyprus, in Kyrenia, on the north, Morphou, on the northwest, Famagusta, on the east, all of which are now under Turkish occupation. President Christofias has been engaged with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in UN-led peace talks since September 2008 with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. [02] MINISTER OF LABOUR - UNEMPLOYMENTThe Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Sotiroula Charalambous believes that 2010 will also be a difficult year for the employment sector. Speaking in Larnaca where she attended religious celebrations for Epiphany Day, Charalambous said that her Ministry will continue to monitor very closely the employment sector to help support businesses and minimise the need to lay off staff. The Minister, who was commenting on the slight decline in unemployment in December, said this was a positive development warning at the same time that we must not become complacent and come to the conclusion that the problem has been overcome. This year will also be difficult for the employment sector, she pointed out.She announced that a meeting will take place in mid January to review all policies followed so far to address the matter, while the National Employment Committee is scheduled to convene in mid February. Charalambous noted that the Ministry did not feel comfortable with the situation, adding that together with the social partners we shall continue planning policies to support employment. [03] MINISTRY OF EDUCATION - 2008 LITERARY STATE AWARDSThe Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture have announced the results of the competition for the Literary State Awards for 2008 publications.The Poetry Award went to George Moraris for his work entitled Rosmarinos. The Short Story Award went to Stephanos Stavrides for his work entitled The Library of Ravel. The Essay/Study Award went to Eleni Nikita for her work entitled Christoforos Savva : The beginning of a new era in Cypriot Art. The Chronicle / Testimony Award went to Ozay and Selcuk Akif for their work Echo since old times: the Turkish Cypriot community of Limassol and its heritage. The Writers Award for beginners went both to Titsa Diamadopoulou for her short stories collection entitled ``A dirty dress`` and to Christos Argyrou for his poetry collection entitled Diving in time. [04] UNEMPLOYMENT - DECEMBERUnemployment in December last year dropped by 2.8%, compared to November 2009, the Statistical Service has announced. The average number of registered unemployed persons for the entire year, 2009, reached 17,505, compared to 11,541 in 2008, recording an increase of 51.7%. The increase was mainly recorded in the sectors of construction, trade, hotels and restaurants, real estate and business activities, manufacturing as well as to newcomers in the labour market.According to the Statistical Service, the number of unemployed persons in Cyprus, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of December 2009, reached 21,530, according to the latest figures released by the Statistical Service. These figures show that, based on the seasonally adjusted data, the number of registered unemployed reached 19,745 persons in December, recording a decrease of 2,8% compared to the previous month. The trend of the registered unemployed that showed an upward movement in the past months shows signs of stabilisation. In comparison with December 2008, an increase of 7,361 persons or 52.0% was recorded, which was mainly observed in the sectors of construction (an increase of 1,864 unemployed persons), public administration (an increase of 1,283), trade (an increase of 1,016), hotels and restaurants (an increase of 956), real estate and business activities (an increase of 639), manufacturing (an increase of 553), as well as to newcomers in the labour market, where an increase of 371 unemployed persons was recorded. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |