Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - HUNGARIAN PM - MEETING

[02] EU - COUNCIL - TURKEY - OBLIGATIONS

[03] TOURISM - INCREASE

[04] CA - FLIGHTS - CANCELLATION

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - HUNGARIAN PM - MEETING

The Hungarian PM, who paid Cyprus a working visit on Monday, during which he held a meeting with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, thanked Cyprus for its support to Hungarys priorities during its EU rotating presidency, to be assumed next semester.

The Cypriot President thanked the Hungarian PM for Hungarys diachronic stance on the Cyprus problem, which is based on fundamental principles. This stance, he said, is expressed in practice via Hungarys participation in the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) since 1995.

Moreover, President Christofias expressed his support to Hungarys EU priorities program, saying that Cyprus will do whatever possible so that the Hungarian presidency can fulfil its goals.

We discussed the current developments of the Cyprus problem, we informed the PM of Hungary about the talks and the initiatives we have undertaken in order to find a solution, President Christofias said.

He further underlined that we have the will and the determination to bring to an end this difficult task. The burden of proof for this will is at the side of Turkey.

The Cypriot President expressed hope that the Turkish side will demonstrate a positive stance in order to achieve more convergences in the seven negotiating chapters discussed at the Cyprus talks.

He thanked the Hungarian PM for his diachronic and generous support based on fundamental principles of Hungary in the struggle of the Cypriot people to free the island from the Turkish occupation and reunify it. This support is expressed in practice via Hungarys participation in UNFICYP.

Describing the meeting as warm and substantive, he said they discussed in depth the excellent bilateral relations as well as important issues, which affect both states in the EU.

President Christofias said they discussed about the priorities put forward by the Hungarian presidency such as the improvement of the financial condition of the European citizens, the creation of new jobs, the securing of a smooth and continuous supply in energy and the further enlargement in the Western Balkans.

In our discussion we referred also to the combating of poverty, to climate change, the protection of the environment and the recent accident of the toxic sludge in Hungary, he added.

The Hungarian PM described his visit in Nicosia as important, saying it is important for us and Cyprus to strengthen the cooperation between the small and medium sized states of the EU.

President Christofias likes to say that small member states can make the EU really great. I like this sentence, he went on to say.

Furthermore, the Hungarian Prime Minister said he was proud of the Hungarian troops serving as peacekeepers in UNFICYP.

We are proud of them because they are respected and we are ready to cooperate and continue our presence here, he noted.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said the Cypriot President introduced me into the very difficult issue of occupation of this island and I made clear that we have a strong sympathy to Cyprus on that issue.

Hungary is a land of freedom, and freedom rights and we know what that means, and we feel your pain over the situation. I made it clear that we will do our best in order to help you reach a situation which is acceptable for the communities living here in Cyprus, he said.

Referring to the Hungarian EU presidency, he said that among its priorities is to conclude the modification of the Treaty, the amendment of the Treaty which is necessary in order to defend the Euro.

In addition, he said we would like to launch the economic cooperation of the governments, the so called European Semester, which will start in the spring time next year.

The Hungarian Prime Minister pointed out that enlargement is still a very important issue and Croatia should be a member of the EU as soon as possible.

The Hungarians are very much committed to conclude the negotiations with the Croats during our rotating presidency. Another aspect of enlargement is to enlarge the Schengen area and we support Bulgaria and Romania to get into this, he added. The Hungarian PM thanked President Christofias for expressing clearly that Cyprus and you personally are very much supportive into that program.

Asked what policies Hungary will adopt during its presidency to face the economic crisis, he said that the first would be the amendment of the Treaty, because we need a permanent crisis mechanism, we dont have that and that is why the Euro is always in trouble.

As he said, the proposals on the table as a result of the efforts of the Belgian presidency are good ones and Hungary will negotiate on them.

Expressing conviction that during the Hungarian presidency the crisis mechanism will be created, he said in order to have that we will modify the Treaty.

The second policy Hungary will pursue to combat the economic crisis is the so called European Semester, a new policy in the EU.

He reiterated that the EU decided to have a coordination of the national economic policies and this is what we call European semester.

Recalling that Hungary is not member of the Euro, he said but we are convinced that Euro is the number one instrument for the future, for creating better perspectives for the people living in the EU so we have to defend it.

Asked about Athenss proposal to convene a summit on the Turkish EU membership and if this can be organised during Hungarys EU presidency, he said that the Summit could be organised in autumn but not during Hungarys presidency due to the fact that there will be elections in Turkey in June.

[02] EU - COUNCIL - TURKEY - OBLIGATIONS

The Councils position is outlined in a reply to a question asked by Cypriot Euro MP Takis Hadzigeorgiou who was referring to the financial burden that Cyprus endures with the continued illegal prohibition of flying through Turkeys airspace. He also asked what initiatives the EU will undertake so that Turkey, which is a candidate member state, will respect international civil aviation rules and will implement, without any discrimination, all the European principles in favour of European citizens.

In its reply, the Council says it is closely monitoring the prohibition imposed by Turkey against the use of its airspace by the Republic of Cyprus, it is continuously monitoring issues related to the reforms that Turkey should undertake and raises these issues at all levels since the complete and without prejudice implementation of the Additional Protocol and normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus are fundamental prerequisites with which Turkeys progress at the negotiations will be evaluated.

It also adds that during the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting in May 2010, the EU had advised Turkey of the dangers that arise out of this prohibition for civil aviation and the security of the airspace of the south-eastern Mediterranean.

[03] TOURISM - INCREASE

For the period January November 2010 arrivals of tourists totaled 2.111.798 compared with 2.074.992 in the corresponding period of 2009, recording an increase of 1,8%.

On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, arrivals of tourists reached 92.643 in November 2010 compared with 89.670 in November 2009.

An increase of 10,6% was recorded in tourist arrivals from Germany (from 13.535 in November 2009 to 14.976 in November 2010) and 26,4% increase from Russia (from 4.872 to 6.157 this year).

[04] CA - FLIGHTS - CANCELLATION

A Cyprus Airways press release says that air traffic controllers of Greece will also participate in the strike, which will affect Greek airports.

It also says that Cyprus Airways has already took all necessary steps to change its flying programme, aiming to enable affected passengers to travel either before or after the end of the strike.

It notes that on Wednesday eight flights to and from Athens will be affected, as well as two flights to and from London and the flights from Larnaca to Heraklion Rhodes and Rhodes- Heraklion -Larnaca. Passengers are being informed of the new arrangements by the Cyprus Airways Call Center or their travel agent, the press release concludes.

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