Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - DIRECT TRADE

[02] UN - CYPRUS TALKS

[03] MARTENS - DIRECT TRADE

[04] CYPRUS - ASYLUM SEEKERS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - DIRECT TRADE

Replying to questions, Kyprianou noted that the regulation has been promoted based on procedures provided for by the Lisbon Treaty, and pointed out that, ``according to Protocol 10, which is the correct legal basis, the European Parliament should not be involved.``

Kyprianou said two other regulations, concerning the Green Line and funding, were based on Protocol 10 and thus questions arose as to why a different legal basis was chosen for the third proposed regulation.

``We will make moves and already some contacts have begun at the European Parliament on all levels. We had meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the MEPs and the representatives of parliamentary parties, and we have agreed that we have to move all together on this issue,`` he concluded.

[02] UN - CYPRUS TALKS

After his one-hour long meeting with President Christofias this morning Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General for Cyprus, Alexander Downer, said that its not certain but its likely to be on the 26th but it could be the 25th or the 27th or 28th, adding that they will know for sure in the next few days.

The two sides seem now happy to resume the negotiations in the week beginning 24th of May, from where they were left off, both sides agreed to that, he said.

The UN are pleased that both sides want to resume the talks on the basis of the parameters defined by the UN, the statements both sides issued on 23rd of May and 1st of July 2008 and on the basis that the talks should pick up from where they have left off earlier this year, he remarked.

[03] MARTENS - DIRECT TRADE

The former Belgian Prime Minister, who held a meeting Tuesday with President of the right wing Democratic Rally (DISY) party Nicos Anastasiades, said that we are convinced that initiatives such as the direct trade will not help, will hinder, will be an obstacle for a global solution.

He added that the EPP is opposing this regulation and is seeking a consensus among the leaders of the main political forces in the EP not to accept it.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said that the EPP is in favour of a comprehensive solution in Cyprus as recognized by the UN. I am convinced that only a federation of the two communities could be a real solution for Cyprus and we will support all efforts in that direction, the negotiation has to be realized by the leaders of the two communities, he went on to note.

[04] CYPRUS - ASYLUM SEEKERS

A total of 2,385 applications were filed in Malta in 2009, which corresponds to 5,765 persons per million citizens. Cyprus was second with 2,665 applications, corresponding to 3,345 per million.

The main countries of origin for political asylum seekers in Cyprus were India, Sri Lanka and Palestine.

In 2009, Cyprus examined 3,855 applications and approved 1,130, of which 50 were for political asylum, while 1,040 were granted temporary protection status and 40 protection for humanitarian reasons, while 2,725 applications were rejected.

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