Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS EU COUNCIL

[02] MARANGOS UEFA EURO 2012

[03] EU COMMISSION CYPRUS FRUIT PLANT

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS EU COUNCIL

Cyprus does not constitute such a danger because, even if we have a crisis, we cant threat the Euro zone or the currency as such, Christofias said, and added: However, we should take our measures.

President Christofias express his expectation the Republic of Cyprus will soon adopt a package of economic measures, which will be brought for approval before the House of Representatives.

Christofias said that during the European Council, serious issues in relation with the economic crisis have been discussed. He pointed out that the European Council discussed and endorsed the report of the Task Force on economic governance

Particularly, President Christofias referred to the decision for establishment of a permanent crisis mechanism, its command terms, its functions and its jurisdictions. He said that the Council invited the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy to work along with the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, in order to bring a specific proposal at the European Council meeting on December.

President Christofias said that a serious discussion took place on the sanctions against the member states that are passing through an extended economic crisis and as a result, they contribute to the extension of the crisis to the Eurozone area and to the Euro as a currency. He noted that after his intervention and the intervention of other Head of States and Governments of the EU, the Council reached a reasonable decision, and added that a limited amendment on the Lisbon Treaty seems necessary.

Christofias referred to the proposal for the probable suspension of the right of euro area members to participate in decision making in EMU-related procedures in the case of a permanent threat to the stability of the euro area as a whole. He stressed that the President of the European Council will examine in consultation with the Member States the issue and that nothing has been decided so far, and that the issue will be examined again in the Council meeting on December.

Any amendment to the Treaty should take place by 2013, and by the summer of 2011 we should conclude on whether or not the Lisbon Treaty will ultimately change, he said.

President Christofias said that during the Council meeting he had the opportunity to raise an issue regarding the focus of the EU to the human rights and the democratic procedures. In the framework of the discussion on the EU Summits with third countries, such as with India, China, Russia and Ukraine, the Council stressed the need for those countries to implement the human rights and the democratic freedoms, he said.

In this framework, President Christofias referred to the situation in Cyprus, stressing that the EU faces such problems. Since we wish to raise such issues with third countries, we should be much more sensitive with countries wishing to become member states, such as Turkey, which for 36 years violates the human right of the people of Cyprus, violates the international law, the EU values and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. I made that intervention and I think many heard it with satisfaction, President Christofias concluded.

[02] MARANGOS UEFA EURO 2012

Speaking to a press conference, Marangos refrained from disclosing the names of these officials,`` adding he will give this evidence only to a Cyprus court, as he ``does not trust UEFA`` and he fears a cover-up on behalf of the Union of European Football Associations.

UEFA announced on October 26 that it has ``no option now but to open legal proceedings against Mr.Marangos, as it believes this is the only way in which to obtain and make public any evidence Mr. Marangos may have in his possession regarding this alleged case. We will give the evidence to the Cypriot justice,`` Marangos said, calling on UEFA to promote the case to a Cypriot court, adding that in that way he feels ``safe and certain that there will be a fair trial.``

A press release signed by Marangos states that ``if UEFA decides to open legal proceedings against me for defamation, I state that I am ready and thrilled with this development as I will present my evidence and my testimonies to a civil court, which I absolutely trust and not to UEFA, which with its so far stance has made me cautious and reluctant concerning its impartiality.``

[03] EU COMMISSION CYPRUS FRUIT PLANT

The request takes the form of a ``Reasoned Opinion`` under EU infringement procedures. In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may decide to refer the three member states to the EU`s Court of Justice. According to a press release issued on Thursday, France, Cyprus and Poland have not communicated the measures implementing Directive 2008/90/EC on the marketing of fruit plant propagating material and fruit plants intended for fruit production.

The term propagating material refers to seeds and plant parts that are used to reproduce plants. The cultivation of fruit plants plays an important part in the agricultural activity of the EU. The production of healthy, high-quality fruit depends to a large extent on the standard of the material used for fruit plant cultivation. Healthy, high-quality fruit means a more competitive EU producer and a citizen with good-quality options, the press release says.

The Commission initiated the infringement procedure, described in Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), early this year by sending a letter of formal notice to the three member states. By the sending of a ``Reasoned Opinion,`` the Commission formally asks the member states concerned to take action to comply with EU law within a period of two months. Subsequently, the Commission may decide to refer the member states to the Court of Justice if action to ensure compliance is not taken.

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