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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-06Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] UNSC ASHTON MERKEL CYPRUS PROBLEMUN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon discussed among other issues the Cyprus problem during meetings he held in Munich, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, with EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.According to a UN Spokesman, Ban discussed Iran, Sudan, Cote d`Ivoire, Cyprus, Somalia and the Middle East with Ashton. The Secretary General asked Ashton to update him on the EU3+3 talks with Iran. The Secretary General reiterated his support for her work in this regard. On the Middle East peace process, the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of the role of the Quartet. The Secretary General and Ashton discussed the way forward. During their meeting, Ban and Merkel discussed the Middle East peace process and the importance of the role of the Quartet, climate change, sustainable development, Cyprus as well as UN reform, including the Security Council. The Secretary-General congratulated Germany on its election to the Security Council, and said he counted on continued German support in tackling the many challenges facing the international community. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. [02] SPOKESMAN ERDOGAN CYPRUSNo strategic interest justifies and legalizes the violation of the international law and the UN Charter by Turkey since 1974, when it illegally invaded and occupied part of Cyprus, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said commenting on statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who in a reaction to the massive demonstrations organized by Turkish Cypriot workers in Cyprus Turkish occupied areas against Turkeys policy referred to Turkish strategic interest in Cyprus.The Spokesman also made cleared that the Republic of Cyprus had not been involved in the demonstrations in Cyprus Turkish occupied areas, adding that these demonstrations send messages to Turkish Prime Minister concerning the illegality of Turkeys presence in Cyprus. They (the Turkish Cypriots) told him (Erdogan) that they have their dignity, as Greek Cypriots do, and that is why the Cypriot people is struggling to get rid of occupation and live freely in their own reunited country and be the masters of their own homeland,» he said. He said that Turkeys illegalities are clearly indicated in UN and many other international organizations decisions and resolutions. So Turkey must understand that Cyprus is for Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, and should respect and implement UN resolutions for Cyprus, so that the country becomes free and reunited. [03] EU SUMMIT FRANCO-GERMAN PROPOSALSGovernment Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said Cyprus was among EU member states, which expressed their opposition to positions put forward by France and Germany with regard to taxation and social policy issues, during the EU summit held on Friday.Stephanou said that such positions could not be accepted because they undermine the welfare state. Issues concerning social benefits, taxes and other relevant matters have to do with each states national policies and neither the Lisbon Treaty nor the acquis communautaire provide for something different than that, he added. The Spokesman said that the discussion at the Council has shown that many countries to do not accept the proposals put forward by Germany and France and that these reactions will determine the outcome of the discussions among EU member states. [04] TOURISM UK INCREASETourist arrivals from UK expected to increaseTourist arrivals from UK to Cyprus are expected to increase during spring and summer periods. Despite the decrease recorded during the first months of 2011, according to Januarys pre-bookings and increase of 4% is expected as of spring. Moreover, Cyprus is becoming one of the popular destinations in the UK for wedding tourism. According to Mintel research organization the main wedding destinations are Cyprus, the Greek islands and Italy. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |