Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT ERDOGANS VISIT CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] GREEK PM TURKEY CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] CYPRUS ISRAEL TOURISM

[04] FM LARNAKA VENICE

[01] PRESIDENT ERDOGANS VISIT CYPRUS ISSUE

In statements on Friday, the Cypriot President pointed out that Turkeys stance so far has been an obstacle to the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and stressed that the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus is a serious obstacle to the full and real improvement of the Greco-Turkish relations.

Asked what he expects from the Turkish Prime Ministers visit to Athens, which begins Friday, the Cypriot President noted that there are continuous efforts to improve relations between Greece and Turkey, adding ``so far some steps have been made but I believe that the great differences remain.

He expressed hope that the way is paved for a real improvement of the Greco-Turkish relations, under the condition, which was already outlined by Premier Papandreou, that the real improvement of their relations can be achieved with the solution of the Cyprus problem.

President Christofias added as long as there are Turkish troops and occupation in Cyprus, this is a serious obstacle to the full and real improvement of the relations.

I hope and wish that soon we have good results that will have an effect over the Turkish leadership regarding its positions on the Cyprus problem, he said.

The Cypriot President noted that Turkeys positions so far have been an obstacle for the solution of the Cyprus problem, the real improvement of its relations with Greece and the promotion of Turkeys EU course.

Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] GREEK PM TURKEY CYPRUS ISSUE

In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Today`s Zaman ahead of the official visit of the Turkish Prime Minister to Athens, Papandreou said that Greece and Turkey will never be able to normalize their relations as long as there are threats in the Aegean with regard to the Greek islands, as long as there are occupation forces in Cyprus. We have to put these things behind us once and for all.

Papandreou pointed out that the solution of the Cyprus problem has to be of Cypriot ownership.

The Greek Prime Minister said that the new Turkish Cypriot leader must respect the progress that has been achieved so far in the negotiations table.

Eroglu needs to respect this, just as he needs to respect the progress that has been made to date in the negotiations. If he starts to create stumbling blocks and raise obstacles, he will bear the responsibility. In any case, and this is a fact, Turkeys role remains crucial, he underscored.

[03] CYPRUS ISRAEL TOURISM

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides and Israeli Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov held a meeting in Nicosia during which they decided to establish a committee that would discuss and propose ways to boost tourism between both states, in the participation of all players in the tourism field.

They also decided to attract tourism from third countries with joint packages.

In statements after the meeting, Paschalides, who visited Israel last year, said we discussed ways to increase tourism from Cyprus to Israel and Israel from Cyprus, adding both countries believe that there are many prospects of improvement.

We also decided to hold joint workshops to present to third countries, like the USA, Russia and maybe Britain, a common package to attract tourists to visit both Cyprus and Israel, he went on to add.

[04] FM LARNAKA VENICE

According to an official press release, all events organized by the Larnaka Municipality in the Italian city are under the auspices of Minister Kyprianou.

After Venice, Minister Kyprianou will travel to Madrid to participate in the EU-LAC Foreign Ministers` meeting planned for May 17 followed by the EU-LAC Summit of Heads of State and Government which will take place in Madrid on May 18. In the margins of the summit, Minister Kyprianou will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts.

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