Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] OSCE - FM - ADDRESS

[02] FM - SERBIA - VISIT

[03] COMMERCE MINISTER - UKRAINE - INVESTMENT

[01] OSCE - FM - ADDRESS

In his speech at the OSCE Summit, which takes place in Kazakhstan with the participation of all 56 member states and 12 partner countries, the Cypriot Minister emphasized the importance attached by Cyprus to the preservation of the norms, principles and commitments the Organisation has developed over the years in the face of an ever changing world.

``As a country that continues to suffer from the effects of the use of force against it, Cyprus is well aware that creating security and confidence is a painful, costly, time-consuming and difficult process``, the Minister noted.

He recalled that Cyprus supports the idea of Russian President Dmitry Medvendev for a European Security Treaty, saying that the next logical step in the evolution of the OSCE is the creation of a security community ``whose aim should be to achieve peace and security throughout our collective space and enable us to shift our attention to countering threats originating outside it``.

He added that attention should also be paid to the regions adjacent to the OSCE area, as developments therein are intimately linked to security.

In this respect, the Cypriot Minister noted the importance of maintaining security and stability in the Mediterranean in recognition of the direct impact on European security of threats deriving from this region.

Continuing his speech, he said that the OSCE countries must appreciate the contribution of the OSCE to their security by considering what level of security and co-operation they would now enjoy, had the Organization not been established.

But he noted that despite its important achievements, the OSCE has yet to accomplish its mission or fulfill its potential.

``Thirty-five years after Helsinki we are still confronted by a deficit in trust and confidence and the need to fully respect our Organization`s norms and principles and fully implement its commitments. To this end, we welcome the contribution of the Corfu Process in revitalizing our efforts to meet these goals``, he concluded.

[02] FM - SERBIA - VISIT

In Belgrade, Minister Kyprianou will be received by the President of Serbia Boris Tadic. He will also have talks with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic. The Ministers will review bilateral relations and discuss Serbias European Union perspective and the issue of Kosovo.

Kyprianou will also brief his Serbian counterpart on the latest developments in the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

Peace talks between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement to reunite the country.

[03] COMMERCE MINISTER - UKRAINE - INVESTMENT

Despite the crisis, he added, the Cypriot economy has exhibited dynamism and flexibility, with high development indicatorsand a development rate expected to be around 0.5% in 2010 and range around 1.5% in 2011. Pashalides said Cyprus maintains a favourable climate for businesses, a modern and transparent legal framework, a liberal policy that allows 100% participation in most sectors of the economy and a low corporate tax rate of 10%.

We offer business services of high quality which include, tourism, bank and credit facilities, accounting and auditing, legal, educational, medical, property and maritime facilities, he added. Referring to Cyprus relations with the Ukraine, he said that apart from bilateral relations and contacts promoted by the two governments, contacts and initiatives by the business people are even more important.

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