Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-12-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - NEW YEAR`S MESSAGE

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - NEW YEAR`S MESSAGE

Remarking that the Turkish sides dilatory tactics in the negotiations did not allow for the decisive advancement of the efforts and the opening of the way towards a solution, he wished 2011 to prove more creative and be the year of a solution.

He pointed out that the Government will continue the struggle and the tireless efforts to achieve the much desired solution, adding that non solution and partition do not serve the true interests of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Partition will lead to new adventures.

In order to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem, we will continue participating in the negotiations with the same determination and the same constructive approach to overcome obstacles and difficulties, as we have done to this day, he said, calling on Turkey to show the same good will.

President Christofias said that Government will continue to actively work at the European as well as at the international level in order for Turkey to be convinced to change its stance and cooperate for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Unfortunately, until today and despite its declarations, Turkey has done nothing meaningful in practice to serve the solution perspective. All of its actions prove exactly the opposite. What`s more, the behaviour of the Turkish leadership, particularly recently, is characterized by arrogance and cynicism, he noted.

He added that the Government will continue to promote the rapprochement policy with Turkish Cypriot and will persist on the building of minimum, at least, unity in the internal front based on principles.

Referring to the financial situation in Cyprus, the President said that global financial crisis continued to influence the economy of Cyprus. He pointed out, however, that through the development support policy the Government followed and the simultaneous cutting of the state`s operating costs, it succeeded to reduce the negative consequences of the crisis.

As he explained, the end of the year, despite the problems, finds the basic economic indicators of the Cyprus economy to be favourably compared with the respective indicators of both the Eurozone and the European Union.

He added that it is obvious that Cyprus economy is on a recovery course because of the Governments targeted policy without imposing tough measures.

This fact, along with the policy of support to the social state which we implement, allowed us to avoid the social turbulence which was caused in many countries in Europe and elsewhere as a result of the measures taken, he said.

President Christofias committed to continue improving the public finances in an effort to strengthen social justice and coherence.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 to find a mutually agreed settlement that will reunite the country.

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