Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-11-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - SLOVAKIA - PRESS CONFERENCE

[02] MINISTER - IMMIGRANTS

[03] CTO - TOURISM - INCREASE

[04] IDALION TABLET REPLICA

[01] PRESIDENT - SLOVAKIA - PRESS CONFERENCE

Speaking during a joint press conference following the official talks he had in Slovakia with the Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic, President Christofias said that he will be flexible and will put forward suggestions on how to speed up UN led direct peace talks in order to step out of the current deadlock as soon as possible.

He also expressed the wish our side will not be caught by surprises.

Asked about the meeting in New York on November 18, he said that he is going to New York to discuss with an open mind and good will, adding that he will always be based on and defending principles.

We honor the decisions of the UN Security Council from which the UN Secretary-General received a mandate to assist the Cypriot owned talks to lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international organizations resolutions, he added.

He said that he is going to the UN Headquarters with the belief that our side would not be caught by surprise with regard to arbitration or mediation positions, citing the year of 2004, which had described as a bitter experience.

Then, he explained, arbitration took place despite that this was not included in the UN resolutions.

President noted that If someone believes that Turkey wants to solve the Cyprus problem and we do not, this is on the verge of insanity, adding that it is our homeland which is under Turkish occupation troops.

He also said that he himself is a refugee from the occupied part of Cyprus.

He then spoke about his vision for the reunification of the island and its people under the roof of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with one sovereignty, one international personality and citizenship, political equality, as outlined in UN resolutions.

He said that the basis of this solution has been agreed between him and the former leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat, adding that these principles have been adopted by the UN Security council.

He then expressed hope that the UNSG will also follow these principles, adding that he is going there with a very good mood and will be flexible.

Moreover, he said that he will submit proposals on how to speed up the peace talks process and how can we step out of the deadlock as soon as possible and lead towards achieving a solution based on the afore-mentioned principles.

On his part, President of Slovakia, speaking through an interpreter, said that his country supports and will continue to support a solution of the Cyprus problem based on principles.

Slovakia, he added, supports a solution of a bi-zonal federation with one international personality, with equal political rights for residents of both communities.

``The ancient Greeks said that the principles are to be followed, not adjusted. When principles begin to adjust to the situations we cannot speak about principles, he added.

He also said he is probably the only foreign President who met with representatives from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties and expressed the belief that if no foreign interests were involved in the Cyprus issue, the two communities would have solve the problem long ago.

In conclusion, he expressed certainly the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Slovakia in Cyprus will continue to offer their good services in the efforts to bring the two communities together and reach a solution of the problem in the context of the ongoing talks.

[02] MINISTER - IMMIGRANTS

Speaking to a press conference titled ``The Government Policy on Immigration``, Sylikiotis said the number of immigrants in Cyprus is declining, both as far as the illegal immigrants smuggled from the Turkish-occupied areas is concerned as well as the asylum seekers, the persons requesting residence card and the legal non-EU member-state state immigrants.

``It is obvious that no job spot is being lost because of the immigrants, who, according to our data do not exceed 100,000,`` Syliciotis said.

The Minister noted that the government has drafted a concrete policy on immigration, which is yielding results. ``The situation is not only under control but has improved dramatically compared to the past years,`` he added.

[03] CTO - TOURISM - INCREASE

Orountiotis also expressed certainty that in 2011 the positive results would continue, and pointed out the 52.7% increase in the arrival of tourists from Cyprus during the ten first months of 2010, compared to the same period last year.

Speaking at a press conference, Orountiotis said that the positive results were achieved despite the global financial crisis, the Icelandic volcanic ash and various airline issues.

Referring to statistical data for October, Orountiotis said the British market was still weak, adding that many efforts had been made to constrain the drop in arrivals from the UK. He noted that arrivals from other markets recorded an increase, such as Russia with 60%, Germany 23%, France 45.2% and The Netherlands 34.1%.

[04] IDALION TABLET REPLICA

The original tablet, dated around 480 BC, is currently on display at an exhibition in Switzerland. It was found around 1850 by Dhali residents in the adjacent ancient city of Idalion in Cyprus and is the property of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France since 1862.

The replica of the tablet is the result of coordinated efforts by various organisations, persons and the Municipality of Dhali, using accurate 3D digitalisation since physical contact was not allowed, under the guidance of Professor Patrick Callet of Ecole Centrale Paris, in cooperation with Cypriot scientists.

Later on Thursday, the replica was placed in the local Idalion Museum, during a special ceremony.

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