Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] LEADERS - NEW MEETING

[03] WOMEN - LEADERSHIP

[04] TOURISM - REVENUE

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS ISSUE

In an address read out by Minister of Justice and Public Order Loucas Louca at celebrations for the national anniversaries of 25 March 1821 and 1 April 1955, President Christofias referred to the Greek revolution of 1821 to rid Greece of Turkish occupation, noting that about a century later, in 1955, the Cypriots began a struggle to rid the island of British colonial rule.

He said that although the struggle of 1955-59 liberated the island, ``unfortunately peace and security fell prey to the invasive appetite of Attila.``

``For this reason, this anniversary is not only a day of national exaltation but also a day of national contemplation,`` he said and pointed out the necessity to avoid the mistakes made in the past.

President Christofias said ``we have before us an unequal political struggle of the weak against the mighty,`` adding that ``we are pursuing a functional and viable solution that will secure a common future for all the inhabitants.``

``The struggle for a free, independent and reunited homeland must not cease. We have an obligation to pursue a solution that will safeguard the harmonious cohabitation of all the legitimate inhabitants in a regime of democracy, isonomy and social justice,`` he said.

He added that ``we are pursuing a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation, as defined by relevant UN resolutions, with a single sovereignty and citizenship.``

[02] LEADERS - NEW MEETING

The meeting will be held at the residence of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, in the UN-protected area of Nicosia Airport.

In statements after the previous meeting, on March 23rd, President Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot side had submitted a precise proposal for a population census in both communities that will be monitored by the United Nations and under its aegis.

The President noted, however, the opposition of the Turkish Cypriot side to such a move.

[03] WOMEN - LEADERSHIP

The survey carried out during January 2011 by the Women in PwC Committee, in cooperation with the PwC Chair in Business Research at the University of Nicosia, showed that 50% of the organisations which have taken part in the survey do not have female members in their Board of Directors, whilst in those organisations that do have women on their Board, their presence is very limited.

The main reason for which Cypriot businesses do not prefer to have women in leading positions is their family responsibilities.

The fact that only half of the organisations have in place an organised staff evaluation system is negative. This indicates that the other 50% of the organisations which do not have an evaluation system use criteria which may cause problems amongst the members of staff and could point towards lack of meritocracy, lack of transparency or arbitrary decisions when it comes to promoting women to managerial positions, said Petros Lois Head of the Accounting Department at the University of Nicosia presenting the survey.

[04] TOURISM - REVENUE

According to data from the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, on the basis of the results of the passenger survey, revenue from tourism reached 36,9 mn euro in February 2011, compared to 33,9 mn in the corresponding month of the previous year, recording an increase of 8,8%.

For the period January February 2011 revenue from tourism is estimated to 66,7 mn compared to 63,6 mn in the corresponding period of 2010, recording an increase of 4,9%.

Regarding data for per person and per day expenditure for February 2011, tourists from Switzerland spent 116,5 euro, from Russia 100,4, Italy 97,2, Germany 65,3, Greece 61,7 and the UK 48,2 euro.

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