Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - LIBYA - SANCTIONS

[02] UNFICYP - NEW COMMANDER

[03] LEADERS - MEETING

[04] CYPRUS - PFP - VETO

[01] CYPRUS - LIBYA - SANCTIONS

Speaking after a meeting he had on Friday with EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva, Kyprianou said there are some ideas about the sanctions that the EU may impose on Libya.

He noted that any sanctions must be targeted so that the people will not be harmed. The fact that we advice for caution does not mean that we are taking a position towards any direction, he said.

Kyprianou noted that due to the particularity of the country we must be cautious, reflect on the situation and remain targeted. He said that he expects that the EU will take its decision on the issue of sanctions in the next few days.

Asked whether humanitarian aid will be sent to Libya, Kyprianou said that this is an issue addressed by the Commission, who will send humanitarian aid, as Commission Georgieva informed him.

Kyprianou stressed that Cyprus always provides its help once it is asked to do so while he noted that almost all Cypriots that wanted to leave Libya have been evacuated. He added that approximately seven Cypriots are still in a region from where it is difficult to be evacuated.

He also underlined the very close cooperation between the governments of Cyprus and Greece. He said that Cyprus is grateful to Greece for its help and tangible support and noted that he spoke on Thursday night with Greek FM Demetris Droutsas.

Responding to another question, Kyprianou said that has been no request so far to Cyprus to investigate whether there are any assets of Mubaraks family in Cyprus.

[02] UNFICYP - NEW COMMANDER

Acting Force Commander, Colonel Gerard Hughes, officially transferred duties and responsibilities to Major General Liu, who succeeds Rear Admiral Mario Sanchez Debernardi of Peru, who served as UNFICYP Force Commander from April 2008 to December 2010.

The ceremony was attended by the UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim, members of UNFICYP and the UN country team in Cyprus.

Major General Liu was appointed as Force Commander of UNFICYP by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on January 13. He is the seventeenth UN Force Commander to serve in Cyprus.

[03] LEADERS - MEETING

On Thursday, the UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer met with President Christofias at the Presidential Palace.

He said that the basis of the negotiations in Cyprus remains the same, as far as the UN is concerned, as defined by Security Council resolutions and agreements reached between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

[04] CYPRUS - PFP - VETO

``The decision of the House of Representatives requesting membership in the PfP is an act that violates the Constitution and the separation of powers, which is one of its basic principles`` said Stephanou in a written statement.

Stephanou explained that ``the PfP is neither an international organization nor a treaty of alliance, for the House of Representatives to invoke Article 50.1.A of the Constitution``. He added that the Partnership for Peace is a programme of NATO.

Additionally, the Spokesman clarified that equal participation of Cyprus in the mechanisms of Defense and Security of the European Union is granted and that the interests of the Republic are best served by the defense and preservation of its constitutional status.

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