Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] ESTONIAN FM CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] FM EU REGULATION OCCUPIED CYPRUS

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT EU REGULATION

[04] ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS II INTERVIEW

[01] ESTONIAN FM CYPRUS ISSUE

In statements after talks he had here with Cypriot FM Markos Kyprianou, Paet said that Estonia as member of both important organizations, NATO and the EU, hopes very much that the talks will give quite soon also a positive outcome so that finally the Cyprus issue will be solved in a positive way, to help move forward also many practical issues concerning NATO-EU relationship.

Paet wished that Cyprus talks will continue after the so-called elections in the occupied areas, adding that there is clear support in Europe and among our partners to help find a solution here as soon as possible.

Referring to Estonias intention to join the Eurozone on 1st of January 2011, Paet noted that his country has fulfilled all needed criteria to join the Eurozone, and expressed hope that EU Finance Ministers will take in June a positive decision so that Estonia will join the Eurozone at the beginning of next year.

The Estonian Minister also said that Cyprus recent experience as regards its accession to the Eurozone, is interesting and useful for Estonia.

Paet noted that among other issues they discussed about Estonias candidature for the EU Agency of the Info Technology, the need to sign an agreement between Estonia and Cyprus on the avoidance of double taxation, the European External Action Service, Eastern Partnership, and the Union for the Mediterranean.

On his part, Kyprianou said they had the opportunity to discuss many issues of common interest, both bilateral but also European and regional as well.

He said that he had the opportunity to brief Paet on the Cyprus issue and the ongoing negotiations.

Kyprianou noted that they also discussed about the Union for the Mediterranean, the Eastern Partnership and the Joint External Action Service of the EU.

He said that Cyprus looks forward to welcoming Estonia into the Eurogroup, noting that Nicosia has shared its experiences from the rather recent introduction of the Euro in January 2008.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

[02] FM EU REGULATION OCCUPIED CYPRUS

The European Commission has proposed a regulation to introduce direct trade between Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas and the EU, which is being promoted through the European Parliament.

Speaking here Thursday, Kyprianou said that the proposed regulation does not conform to the April 2004 Council conclusions. He also pointed out that in order to prevent any decision which might be taken by the European Parliament on this issue, the Republic of Cyprus will focus its efforts on the three main EU institutions, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council, in order to explain the weaknesses of the regulation.

The Foreign Minister said the government considers the time the Commission has renewed efforts to promote the regulation as unfortunate because it undermines the ongoing direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus.

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT EU REGULATION

Garoyian received Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmans Paet, on an official visit here and briefed him on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, giving special emphasis on the said regulation. Describing the way in which the Commission has re-enacted the regulation after six years as ``curious,`` Garoyian said that the procedure ``raises many questions``.

He noted that ``if they are trying to punish the Republic of Cyprus and President Demetris Christofias, they have no reason to do so.``

``If some circles want to assist (Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali) Talat in his campaign, they could do so in various other ways but not at the expense of the interests of the Republic of Cyprus and not by adopting practices and attitudes which at the end of the day would upgrade the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime and would revoke and annul basic EU values,`` the House President said.

Describing the way in which he noted that ``if they are trying to punish the Republic of Cyprus and President Demetris Christofias, they have no reason to do so.``

``If some circles want to assist (Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali) Talat in his campaign, they could do so in various other ways but not at the expense of the interests of the Republic of Cyprus and not by adopting practices and attitudes which at the end of the day would upgrade the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime and would revoke and annul basic EU values,`` the House President said. The Commission has re-enacted the regulation after six years as ``curious,`` Garoyian said that the procedure ``raises many questions``.

[04] ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS II INTERVIEW

The Archbishop will travel to Constantinople on April 16, for an official visit, at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. On April 17, a doxology will be held at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, followed by the official welcoming ceremony by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and official talks between the two delegations.

On April 18, Archbishop Chrysostomos and Patriarch Bartholomew will lead a liturgy at the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in Balukli, and will address each other and exchange gifts. Later on, the Patriarch will host an official luncheon in honour of the Archbishop and his entourage, at the monastery. On April 19, the Archbishop will travel to Chalki, where he will visit the Seminary, and will attend an official luncheon hosted by the General Consul of Greece in Constantinople Vassilios Bornovas.

In his interview with CNA, the Archbishop said a meeting with Erdogan would have much to offer to Turkey, as well as the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. ``We are at his disposal to contribute to the peaceful cooperation of the two countries, because through cooperation much can be achieved,`` he said. He added that he was ``deeply moved`` by the fact that he was the first Archbishop of Cyprus to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

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