Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENCY - PREPARATIONS

[02] CYPRUS - GDP

[03] CYPRUS - TRANSPORT SECTOR

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENCY - PREPARATIONS

According to the press release, the Secretariat and the Department of Public Administration and Personnel have completed a round of discussions with all Government Ministries and other bodies, for the appointment of Chairpersons of over 130 Working Groups to be established within the framework of the Cyprus EU Presidency.

Ministries have submitted the names of candidates expected to chair the Councils Working Groups. Once selected, these chairpersons and other key personnel involved in the Presidency will undertake a training programme prepared by the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration.

The training is expected to be completed by early 2011, after which many will assume posts at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU in Brussels to become acclimatised within the Council of the EU.

Working Groups of the Council of the European Union are contrived of officials from the national administration, which assist the work of the Council.

In synergy with Government Ministries and other bodies, the Policy and Programme Unit of the Secretariat is finalising the preparation of Cyprus` contribution to the programme of the Trio Presidency (Poland, Denmark, Cyprus).

The 18-month programme will be finalised prior to Poland assuming the Presidency on 1 July 2011, followed by Denmark the first half of 2012 and Cyprus from July to December 2012.

Cyprus contribution is expected to contain over 600 dossiers identifying issues stemming from the preceding Presidency Trio (so-called inherited agenda), as well as those forecast during the 18-month Common Programme.

All three member states are expected to have submitted their individual contributions to the programme by September 2010, at which time the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU shall prepare a cohesive draft programme, which will form the basis for ensuing negotiations.

Andreas Molsekis, Head of Cyprus` EU Secretariat, said we are extremely pleased with progress made towards finalising Cyprus contribution to the Common Programme and we expect to meet our deadlines in good time.

In parallel to the Common Programme, the Secretariats Policy and Programme Unit is currently working with Ministries and Government bodies to identify Cyprus` own policy priorities for the Cyprus six-month Presidency Programme.

In a series of other preparatory measures, the Secretariat is in the process of drafting an official calendar of events, to include all European Council meetings, formal and informal Ministerial meetings, as well as meetings of the Political and Security Committee and Permanent Representatives taking place throughout the Presidency.

[02] CYPRUS - GDP

GDP increased by 1.0% in both the Euro area (EA16) and the EU27 during the second quarter of 2010, compared with the previous quarter, according to Eurostat. In the first quarter of 2010, growth rates were +0.2% in both zones.

Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 1.7% in both the Euro area and the EU27 in the second quarter of 2010, after +0.6% and +0.5% respectively in the previous quarter.

[03] CYPRUS - TRANSPORT SECTOR

The value added of the sector increased to EUR 834.2 million in 2008, from EUR 739.1 million in 2007 and its share of GDP was 5.5% at current market prices, according to a report issued by Cyprus Statistical Service.

According to the report, motor vehicles newly registered during 2009 decreased by 25.7% to 50,291 from 67,722 in 2008. Private saloon cars newly registered decreased by 26.2% to 36,252 from 49,100 in 2008. Vehicles of all types and categories on the Register of the Land Transport Department, at the end of 2009 totaled 738,025, compared to 720,749 at the end of 2008.

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