Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] MINISTER NATURAL GAS QATAR

[02] CSC TURKEY EMBARGO

[03] BRITISH MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUE

[01] MINISTER NATURAL GAS QATAR

The Minister added that the governments decision will take into consideration Cyprus public interests.

In statements Saturday on the sidelines of the 2nd International Bicycle Tour of Larnaka, the Minister said that the political situation in Egypt will not affect Cyprus decision on how to exploit its hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

He explained that the government of Cyprus has already signed an agreement with Egypt on their Exclusive Economic Zones and there exists an excellent cooperation between the two countries.

Within the next few weeks and provided we have all data before us, we will be able to make the wisest decision on the matter which will be to the public interest, he went on to say.

Asked about Qatars investment in Nicosia the Minister expressed conviction that when this investment begins, more projects from Qatar and other neighboring countries will follow.

Cyprus and Qatar signed in April 2010 two agreements and four memoranda of understanding, covering sectors such as air services and the creation of a joint venture for a project opposite Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, including a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, offices and apartments.

The agreements and memoranda were signed at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia during official talks between delegations of Cyprus and Qatar, headed by President Christofias and the Emir of Qatar.

[02] CSC TURKEY EMBARGO

Turkey, which has applied for EU membership, ignores repeated European Union calls to implement the Ankara Protocol allowing Cyprus-flagged vessels to visit Turkish ports and Cyprus aircraft to use Turkeys airspace. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of the Republic of Cyprus since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for the immediate withdrawal of its troops from this eastern Mediterranean island.

This embargo is not just a Cyprus shipping problem but equally so, a European and international shipping commercial restriction, as no European or international shipping interest can trade with Turkey if the ships, or cargo or trading pattern involved, are linked in any way with Cyprus, Capt Adami said.

[03] BRITISH MINISTER CYPRUS ISSUE

Lidington, who was speaking after a meeting he held with three members of the group The Elders, in London, said that the UK very much hopes that such support will provide fresh thinking for negotiations on this issue, and strongly encourages further work by both parties.

Referring to his meeting with Archbishop of South Africa Desmond Tutu, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and former UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, the British Minister said it was an excellent opportunity for him to hear their impressions of the Cyprus situation following their recent visit to the island and to discuss their ideas as to how the international community can best support the efforts of the two leaders to find a lasting solution for the people of Cyprus.

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