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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-11Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] FM BRUSSELS MEETINGSForeign Minister Markos Kyprianou continued Tuesday his meetings in Brussels, where he met EU officials, with whom he discussed the Cyprus issue as well as the EU regulation on direct trade between Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas and EU member states, which the government of Cyprus is opposing.Kyprianou told reporters that at his meetings he briefs EU officials on the recent developments regarding the Cyprus issue, especially after the change of the Turkish Cypriot leadership. He also said he expresses Cyprus positions, concerns and opposition regarding the direct trade regulation, noting that this regulation harms the Cyprus talks. Monday afternoon, the Cypriot Foreign Minister held a very friendly and open discussion with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, with whom he discussed many issues of mutual concern, emphasising on the Cyprus issue. In the framework of his meetings with leaders of political groups at the European Parliament, Kyprianou held a meeting Monday with leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Guy Verhofstadt and Tuesday with President of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament Martin Schulz. Tuesday afternoon he is expected to hold a meeting with his Belgian counterpart, whose country will hold the EU presidency during the second half of 2010. He also held a meeting with European Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn with whom he exchanged views on various issues. On Wednesday, he is expected to meet with Vice President of the Commission, and member of the Barroso team for the Cyprus issue, Luxembourgian Commissioner Vivianne Reading, as well as with Cypriot Commissioner Androulla Vasiliou. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began in September 2008 UN-led talks for a mutually agreed settlement to the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The process was interrupted on March 30 because of the so-called elections for a new Turkish Cypriot leader, which Dervis Eroglu has won. Talks are due to resume May 26th. The government of Cyprus considers the direct trade regulation to be legally wrong, since it would mean trade with the areas of the Republic of Cyprus on which the government does not exercise effective control. [02] SPANISH FM TURKEYThe Spanish Presidency would like to open new chapters in accession negotiations with Turkey to the EU, said Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who chaired the EU-Turkey Association Council on Monday in Brussels, pointing out at the same time that Ankara must also make the relevant efforts.``The Spanish Presidency believes that we must continue the negotiation process with determination and move towards the opening of new chapters,`` Moratinos said at a press conference after the Council in which it reiterated that Spain will continue efforts to ensure compliance with the commitment to the full integration of Turkey into the EU. Moratinos said he could not specify how many chapters he expects to open during the Spanish term, which ends June 30, but he assured that internal efforts are being made in the EU and that the Presidency is doing ``additional work in those chapters that have more political elements.`` He also said that in order for the chapters to open, Turkey must make the relevant efforts. The commissioner of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fule, noted in the same press conference that there are opportunities to open the competition and food security chapters this year, but that he would also like to start work in those of energy and education. [03] PRESIDENT ROTHE SD CYPRUS TALKSMechtild Rothe, Special Adviser for Cyprus of the President of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, expressed hope that the new Turkish Cypriot leader will continue negotiations on Cyprus on the basis achieved before the change in the Turkish Cypriot leadership.Rothe, who was received Tuesday by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, said that the Social Democrats Group at the EP is concerned over the recent statements made by new Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu regarding the Cyprus issue. I was here on behalf of Martin Schulz, the leader of the Social Democratic Movement of the European Parliament, because we are a little worried after the result of the election in the North and it was very good to hear that President Christofias is ready to continue and we hope very much that the leader of the Turkish Cypriots, will negotiate, she stressed. She noted that with the election campaign in the North, Eroglu made some statements which worried us very much. We hear now that he wants to negotiate and that he is ready to continue on the basis which was achieved by Christofias and Talat, she continued. [04] CYPRUS INFLATION APRILThe Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) has increased by 2,5% in April 2010, compared to April 2009, the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus has announced.The rate of inflation for April 2010 increase to 2,5% compared to 2,3% in March 2010 and 0,6% in April 2009. According to the Statistical Service, for the period January-April 2010, the HICP recorded an increase of 2,5% compared to the corresponding period of 2009. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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