Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-23

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT TWO YEARS ADMINISTRATION

[02] ARCHBISHOP - MONASTERY - OCCUPIED AREAS

[01] PRESIDENT TWO YEARS ADMINISTRATION

The decision was announced Monday by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, who gave a press conference on the two years of administration. Christofias said that a 10 percent reduction in annual earnings would be applicable to the President, the cabinet, the Undersecretary to the President, the Government Spokesman, the Presidential Commissioner and the Presidents Office Director.

He noted that the 10 percent cut would be calculated on annual earnings from salaries and other benefits.

Christofias expressed hope that the example will be followed by other officials as the House President and the MPs.

Christofias said that the work of his government so far has been remarkable, especially under the adverse conditions due to the world financial crisis and assured that we will all together face the challenges, with seriousness and collectedness, and we are determined to succeed and we will succeed, he added.

He also noted that 2010 will be a difficult year as 2009 was, noting that the government is fully aware of the difficult situation and is sharing the peoples worries, but has the knowledge, experience, determination and capability to tackle this crisis. Moreover, he said that the government aims at making Cyprus a regional education center and a center for the provision of health services, as well as a center of foreign investments.

He added that we are further strengthening the relations of the Republic of Cyprus with the countries of the Middle East and the Arab World, as well as with major financial powers as Russia and China.

Christofias noted that the government implemented on time a series of measures to reduce the repercussions from the crisis and is ready to take more measures.

He said that these measures amounting to 500 million euro targeted at maintaining the growth of the economy and had to do mainly with constructions and tourism sector.

The President said that Cyprus has lost a billion euro among others due to the reduction of tourist arrivals and the reduction of consumption.

He noted that the goal of the government is that by the end of his term in office the public service will not become more numerous and cost more.

Christofias noted that Cypruss public debit and external debt are among the lowest in the Eurozone. As he noted, public debt reached 55% of the GDP while the Eurozone average reached 61.5% of the GDP in 2008 and in 2009 is expected to reach 73%. Christofias also stressed that ``we will not introduce new taxes, but there are some things which the EU imposes,`` for example VAT on certain basic goods.

The President also said that the employees must not be the ones to shoulder the burden of the financial crisis but everyone the government, the employers and part of the employees- will have to take over their responsibilities.

As regards development projects implemented by the government, Christofias said that minor and major projects have been concluded or are under way, referring to the construction of roads, schools, and the replacement of irrigation systems.

He added that major projects as highways and marines in Limassol, Ayia Napa and Paphos are underway.

Christofias also noted that projects funded by EU funds have been implemented by 100%, absorbing 113,500,000 euro, adding that the cost of the projects for the new period until 2013 amounts to 1 billion euro.

With regard to energy consumption, Christofias said that the implementation of the relevant National Action Plan continued aiming at saving energy by 10% during the period 2008-2016.

[02] ARCHBISHOP - MONASTERY - OCCUPIED AREAS

Visibly moved, the Archbishop entered the Monastery and together with Father Zacharia, who officiates church services at this holy site, expressed hope that renovation work can start the soonest possible.

Karpass Bishop Christoforos gave a handmade icon of Apostle Andreas to the Archbishop to remember the visit, adding we hope that your visit will signal the start of restoration work at the monastery, which would avert total collapse and that your trip will mark the reunification of the island, so that we can officiate services at our churches and see Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots live united.

Archbishop Chrysostomos said he wished the monastery will be restored the soonest possible to become a real religious and spiritual haven.

He said he wished to see the revival of the monastery, which is the most sacred pilgrimage site in Cyprus, and that better days will come for everybody. It is up to us, if we work together, I am sure that the day of reunification will come soon for Greeks and Turks in Cyprus.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article