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Sunday, 24 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-03Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETINGThe National Council convenes in the morning under the chairmanship of President Demetris Christofias, having primarily on its agenda the issue of unity amongst the political parties.According to Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, the President of the Republic will brief the leaders of the political parties members of the Council - on developments regarding the Cyprus problem and discussion will follow. Unity amongst the political parties remains, according to the Spokesman, a prerequisite in the effort to find a solution for the Cyprus problem. The previous National Council session was held on May 19, concluding a series of meetings of six rounds that started on April 26. The meetings were held in light of the recommencement of negotiations on May 26 with the new Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. According to the Spokesman, during the May 19th session a thorough and in-depth discussion was held, with all political parties analyzing their positions on all issues regarding the Cyprus problem. The National Council is the top advisory body to the President of the Republic, comprising parliamentary parties. Peace talks began in Cyprus in September 2008 between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who was replaced by Eroglu in April this year. [02] FINANCE MINISTRY PUBLIC DEBTThe Cypriot Finance Ministry says it is ready to assume the public debt management, only days after the official transfer of the responsibility from Cyprus` Central Bank, which has been managing the Cypriot public debt since its establishment in 1963.After the entry into force of a bill approved by the Cypriot parliament in early June, the Finance Ministry set into operation the Public Debt Management Office, headed by Director of Finance Phaedon Kalozois, who stated he is confident that the office has the expertise to meet the challenge. ``We are very optimistic. This is a new challenge for us,`` Kalozois said speaking to CNA, adding that the Central Bank has set high standards regarding the credibility and the quality of its work with concerning public debt management.`` He added that the Foreign Ministry has been cooperating with the CCB before the transfer of this competence and ``therefore we have the expertise concerning the issues to be addressed.`` Kalozois added that according to the international practice, the Public debt Management office will be composed of three offices. The front office, dealing with the issue of bonds, the middle office dealing with the decision-making regarding public debt management policy, as well as the back office, dealing with bond payments. [03] AGROTOURISM - INTERVIEWInterest in agrotourism in Cyprus is set to increase in the coming years, thus giving tourists the opportunity to experience a new, alternative way to holidaymaking, according to Evi Panayiotou, of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company.In an interview with CNA, she said that Cypriots and foreigners alike are displaying keen interest in agrotourism, which is bound to increase in the future. Today, agrotourism is an autonomous, vibrant part of local tourism hosted in traditional lodgings of historical value throughout the island, ready to offer a new, alternative holiday ideal. Holidaymakers, she added, have the opportunity to choose among 100 lodgings in more than 40 villages in the southern government controlled areas of Cyprus (the islands northern part is under Turkish occupation since 1974). The lodgings have a capacity of 800 beds. She said that lodgings are found in the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka and Pafos as well as in the Troodos mountain region. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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