Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-20

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] STEPHANOU CYPRUS ISSUE CHRISTOFIAS PROPOSALS

[02] SPOKESMAN COURTS RULE DIRECT TALKS

[03] GOVERNMENT SHIPS TO GAZA DECREE

[04] STATISTICAL SERVICE GOVERNMENT REVENUE INCREASE

[01] STEPHANOU CYPRUS ISSUE CHRISTOFIAS PROPOSALS

Invited to comment on the meetings Eroglus advisor Kudret Ozersay held in Scandinavia, Stephanou said that the government monitors, evaluates and at the same time expresses with clarity its positions to the international community, as well as during the negotiation process.

These positions are fully compliant with the agreed base for the solution of the Cyprus problem, with the target for a solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as described in the UN SCs relevant resolutions, for one state with one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality, he said.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the Government has a concrete proposal for the acceleration of the dialogue and the creation of a new momentum on the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

Stephanou also stressed that the set of proposals President Christofias has submitted are based on the UNSCs resolutions and the decisions of the EU.

Commenting on statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu that there is nothing new in Christofias proposals, Stephanou wondered if this is the reason why the Turkish Cypriot side rejects the proposals.

Of course, he stressed, it is not something new that Turkey should return the city of Famagusta, as it is provided by the UN resolution 550 of 1984.

President Christofias announced last month his proposal for a parallel discussion of three negotiating chapters of property, of territorial adjustments and of immigration, nationality, aliens and asylum.

He also called on Turkey to implement the UN Security Council resolution 550 of 1984, which provides for the return of the city of Famagusta, a city fenced-off since the 1974 Turkish invasion, to the UN, something that could allow the restoration of the city and its return to its legal inhabitants. At the same time, the Greek Cypriot side is ready for the opening of the Famagusta port under the EU for Turkish Cypriot trade.

The third proposal concerns the international conference on the Cyprus issue, to discuss the international aspect of the problem, which should be called only when an agreement has been reached on the internal aspects.

Peace talks began in September 2008 between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who was succeeded by Eroglu in April this year.

[02] SPOKESMAN COURTS RULE DIRECT TALKS

It is a matter of the refugees individual right, and it is not the government that appeals to the Courts, but the citizens who claim their rights, Spokesman clarified in statements to the Press on Friday. However, he noted that despite the fact that citizens preserve their rights as individuals, the Government also maintains its position and opinion on issues that might affect any aspect of the Cyprus problem.

Noting that in the case Apostolides v Orams, a legal battle has been gained, Stephanou also said that when deciding to proceed to the Courts, one should also take into consideration any possible effects this course of action can have on the Cyprus problem.

The Government has the obligation to protect and safeguard the legal tools and the legal decisions that the Republic of Cyprus has gained, he stressed. The British Court of Appeal ruled that a decision by a Cypriot court, in connection with claims relating to Greek Cypriot owned property in Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas, must be executed. The British Court judgment was issued in the case of Apostolides v Orams, in which Greek Cypriot Meletis Apostolides took the Orams couple to court, claiming his property rights over his property in the occupied areas where the Orams had built, illegally, a holiday home.

[03] GOVERNMENT SHIPS TO GAZA DECREE

Stephanou pointed out that the Governments decision is expressed by the decree and noted that the Government will take further measures according to the course of this initiative.

However, he said that the Government has no official information regarding any upcoming attempt, adding that its information comes from Press reports on statements made by leaders of the initiative.

Furthermore, Stephanou said that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in cooperation with the Greek Government has undertaken action aiming to pave the way to an initiative, which will help reinforce the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

[04] STATISTICAL SERVICE GOVERNMENT REVENUE INCREASE

However, revenue income declined in comparison to figures from the first quarter of 2010, from 1739,2 million to 1656,0 million euros.

According to the same data, total expenditure in the second quarter reached 1914,7 million euros (1,2% increase) resulting in a deficit of 258,7 million euros as compared to 280,0 million euros deficit in the corresponding period of the previous year. Public deficit in the first quarter of 2010 was as low as 76,5 million euros.

Total government revenue reached, from January to June 2010, 3395,2 million euros while total expenditure is estimated at 3730,4 million euros.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article