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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-18Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] EP COMMITTEE DIRECT TRADEThe European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs approved on Monday with 18 votes in favour, five against and one abstention the opinion of the Council Legal Service, that the legal basis of the regulation on direct trade between the EU and Cyprus Turkish occupied areas is wrong and that the proper legal basis is Article 1(2) of Protocol No 10 on Cyprus to the Treaty of Accession of April 2003 .The Committee rejected by majority the postponement of the relevant discussion and endorsed the opinion of the Council Legal Service. The decision of the Committee will be evaluated during the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, in view of the political decisions to be taken on the regulation. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island. The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004. [02] EXCELLENCE AWARDS CEREMONYThe Letters Excellence Award went to authors Rina Katselli and Michalis Pieris, the Arts Excellence Award to actress Despina Bebedeli and the Sciences Excellence Award to chemist Kyriakos Nicolaou.Addressing the award ceremony, Christofias stressed that culture constitutes a priority for the government because the Cypriot society needs now more than ever before the continuous upgrading of its values and principles, which give vision and prospect to the people of he country. These principles and values support people in their struggle for freedom, social justice and equality, he added. Christofias noted that the government aims at enhancing the sector of culture, noting that the Ministerial Council has already approved the establishment of a Unified Cultural Authority. [03] SYLIKIOTIS BESSON IMMIGRATION ASYLUMMinister of Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis has said that Cyprus is taking decisive measures to address the issues of illegal immigration and asylum.Sylikiotis was speaking at a joint press conference with the French Minister for Immigration, Integration, National identity and Mutually-Supportive development Eric Besson, currently on a visit to Cyprus on the occasion of the 3rd Conference of Experts. The conference, which started on Monday in the southern coastal city of Limassol, is part of the establishment of a Mediterranean Youth Office and is jointly organized with the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Mutually-Supportive Development of France. Cypriot Minister said that during the meeting they had the opportunity to discuss primarily issues faced by Cyprus in relation to migration and asylum. Sylikiotis informed the French Minister of the fact that ``Cyprus is under great pressure from illegal immigrants and asylum seekers due to its geographical location. [04] LEADERS - CYPRUS TALKS - DOWNERThe property issue was at the centre of discussions between President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in the framework of UN-led direct negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem. The meeting was held at the official residence of the UNFICYP Chief of Mission in the United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) Lisa Buttenheim, in Nicosia and lasted two and a half hours.In statements after the meeting, UN Secretary Generals Special Adviser Alexander Downer said the leaders devoted most of the discussion to the ongoing issue of property, noting that their representatives will now take up the discussions for a while and they will be meeting again on Thursday. George Iacovou and Kudret Ozersay will have further meetings through the course of the following week as well, Downer added. He also said the leaders will meet again on the 1st of November to review the work of the Representatives and the process will continue from there. Asked if there is any reason why the leaders are handing over most of the work to the representatives, Downer replied I wouldnt put it as you have put it. The representatives work on the technical details, the leaders give them guidance, and, of course, the leaders are the people who make the decisions, not the representatives. He explained that theres a lot to the property issue, there are a lot of aspects to it and that it is a fairly complex issue. And I think bearing that all in mind I think its important that that work be done at the representatives level. When they report to the leaders, the leaders give them instructions and guidance. Thats how the process works, he explained. To a remark whether it would have been better if it was a simultaneous process, if there are more frequent meetings of the leaders at the same time, Downer replied Im not sure of the logic of that. I think the leadersthey dont need to review every couple of days, or every four days or three days the work of the representatives. But at certain points, at certain junctures, they need to. So I think thats probably the right way to handle it. Asked if they have achieved any kind of progress today, Downer said they are continuing to work away at it. Its a big and a complex area, the property question. So, theyre working at it, he concluded. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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