Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN - JOINT STATEMENT

[02] BARROSO - CYPRUS TALKS

[03] TAX SCHEME - SHIPPING

[01] UN - JOINT STATEMENT

According to Martin Nesirky, the UN chief`s spokesperson, the United Nations are committed to continue supporting the negotiations for a solution and stand with the people of Cyprus as they work towards finally resolving the problem. ``The statement highlights the two leaders` stronger than ever commitment to a settlement and notes that important progress in the chapters of governance and power-sharing, EU matters and the economy has been achieved,`` Nesirky said.

He added that ``the Cyprus problem has remained unresolved for too long`` and that ``both Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat are leaders with courage and vision and they have taken enormous political risks to carry the process forward.`` Nesirky noted that ``the Secretary General calls upon them to continue their work to find a solution to the Cyprus problem which would take into full consideration the legitimate rights and concerns of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.``

``A settlement is in the interest of all Cypriots, leading to stability, reconciliation and greater prosperity for Cyprus. It would also represent a critical peace dividend for the entire region. The United Nations is committed to continue supporting the negotiations, and stands with the people of Cyprus as they work towards finally resolving this longstanding problem,`` Nesirky concluded.

[02] BARROSO - CYPRUS TALKS

``I welcome the joint statement announced today by the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat. It shows the level of commitment and responsibility that the two leaders are putting in the settlement talks. The statement shows also the important progress achieved since the full fledged negotiations started on 3 September 2008,`` Barroso said.

He added that ``these achievements clearly demonstrate that a settlement is in reach and that there is a chance to finalise the talks in the next few months. I would like to reiterate the full support of the European Commission to the efforts of the leaders of the two Communities aimed at reaching a settlement soon and our readiness to provide all the necessary support to the process. The Commission follows very closely the development of the talks and hopes that this long standing conflict on European soil will come to an end,`` he concluded.

[03] TAX SCHEME - SHIPPING

The new tax scheme, in force until December 2019 with an optional extension for an additional ten years period, renders the tonnage tax, a more competitive tax system compared with the corporate tax, as compatible with the requirements of the EU aquis.

The basic advantage of the Cypriot scheme is that ship owners have the option of a more stable tax regime based on the tonnage of their ships, as opposed to the corporate tax, which is imposed on the profitability, while the new tax scheme is extended to cover ship management and ship chartering.

``The new measures will enhance further Cyprus shipping and our national economy at a moment when international shipping is seriously affected by the persisting serious international economic crisis,`` Marcoullis told a press conference adding that the scheme ``will contribute to the stability and further development of the competitiveness of the Cyprus shipping industry, introduce incentives for new shipping activities and extend the implementation of the EU maritime sector policy beyond European boundaries."

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