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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-01Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] FM EU COUNCILThe situation in Egypt and preparations for Friday`s summit were the main issues on the agenda of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels.Cyprus was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou, who, speaking at the General Affairs Council, noted inter alia that Cyprus is geographically the closest EU member state to Egypt, adding that the two countries have maintained a close relationship over many decades. He pointed out that, due to this special relationship, Cyprus is at the disposal of the EU to provide any assistance. During discussions on religious freedoms, Kyprianou referred to the Turkish actions against the Greek Cypriots enclaved in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus and especially the incident at a church in Rizokarpaso, where the Christmas liturgy was interrupted and other liturgies were forbidden. [02] COMMUNICATION MINISTER SHIPPINGMinister of Communications and Works Erato Kozakou Marcoullis believes that ``shipping will recover from the current crisis,`` noting that ``it is by far the most efficient form of transportation and inevitably, when the demand for goods and raw materials recovers, shipping will flourish again.``In a speech at the 2nd Annual Economic Forum, in Limassol, Marcoullis said ``shipping, because of its nature, has been facing challenges, opportunities but also crises since its inception,`` adding that, ``even in times of recession and uncertainty about global markets, the shipping industry does not preclude the existence of inherent opportunities and in fact it makes wide use of them.`` ``When the markets are down it is a good time to focus on quality, safety and efficiency, as well as on providing opportunities for specialised services in the shipping industry,`` she noted and referred to what Cyprus has to offer in terms of infrastructure and maritime administration. [03] PALESTINIAN FM INTERVIEWPeace and stability in the Middle East are in the best interest of the EU, as they represent essential factors for ensuring its political and economic security, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority Dr. Riad Malki has said.In an interview with CNA on the occasion of his recent official visit to Cyprus, Malki also said that Cyprus geo-strategic position and its status as an EU member state, in addition to the fact that it maintains good relations with all parties, help Nicosia develop initiatives and play an active mediating role in the Middle East peace process. He stressed that ``our main pursuit is the peaceful settlement of the Middle East issue through constructive dialogue and the peace negotiation process,`` adding that ``we urge the international community to exert multilateral intense pressure on Israel to stop all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem.`` Malki said that the Palestinian National Authority welcomes any initiative undertaken by Cyprus in the future, aiming at solving the Middle East issue, based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. ** The full text is available on the CNA website, Special Issues Analyses Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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