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Tuesday, 19 November 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-04-10Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS ISSUEThe Greek Cypriot side will not stop trying to reach a solution to the Cyprus issue at the negotiating table, abiding by UN resolutions, the principles of international and European law and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, President Demetris Christofias has stressed.The President called on those who have a duty to play a helpful role in the peace effort to stop – willingly or unwittingly – heeding misleading assurances and public statements by Turkey for a political settlement in Cyprus. He also pointed out that there must be an objective and realistic assessment of what Ankara says and what Ankara does. The actions, he added, are a far cry from UN resolutions, the UN Charter and international law. “The yardstick of comparison for those who assess and criticize must be UN principles and resolutions, away from any expediencies.” Speaking during an event in the memory of pro-rapprochement AKEL members Dervish Ali Kavazoglu and Costas Mishiaoulis, who were murdered by the terrorist organization TMT in 1965, the President said that the vision of restoring the unity of Cyprus aims at establishing the conditions for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to prosper as the sole owners of their country, away from foreign interference. “We will continue to work to realise this vision, having the example set by Mishiaoulis, Kavazoglu and all other fighters for democracy and freedom as our guiding principles, President Christofias noted. He added that the Greek Cypriot side strives to get rid of the Turkish occupation, by concluding a just, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem and reuniting the country and its people within the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. Achieving this goal is not only up to the Greek Cypriot side, the President said, adding that Turkey’s stance is key in this effort. He said that “Turkey has to change its position and implement in practice the UN resolutions, in order to solve the Cyprus issue”. Moreover, President Christofias noted that there are two options ahead, one being the conclusion of an agreement for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and the other being the division of the country, with its catastrophic consequences. Questioning the federal solution leads with precision to permanent division, the President stressed in his speech, pointing out that the only feasible option is a federal solution. “The course of the ongoing negotiations is difficult. Any progress that has been achieved on various chapters is unfortunately not what we had expected. On the contrary, I regret to say that on some issues there has been recantation. We shall exhaust all possibilities to get to the solution we are seeking to achieve,” the President said. He added that the recent protests against Turkey in the northern occupied areas of Cyprus are the proof that the violation of human rights and Cyprus’ independence and territorial integrity affect not only the Greek Cypriots, but the Turkish Cypriots as well. President Christofias concluded his speech by reaching out to the Turkish Cypriots, calling for a common struggle that will establish a common future along with the Greek Cypriots. Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Christofias is engaged in peace talks with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Dervis Eroglu to find a negotiated settlement to reunite the country. [02] FOREIGN MINISTER - EU COUNCILForeign Minister Markos Kyprianou is attending the EU General Affairs and External Relations Councils, to be held in Luxembourg on April 12 and 13.During the External Relations Council, the discussion will focus on the European Neighbourhood Policy, concerning EU relations with its southern neighbours, including Libya. The Council is also expected to adopt conclusions on the situation in Yemen, Bahrein, Lebanon and Syria. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU Catherine Ashton is expected to review the first hundred days of the operation of the European External Action Service, the announcement concludes. [03] COMMERCE MINISTER - TECHNOLOGYMinister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Antonis Paschalides has said that “realizing the importance of developing new products and services, has introduced various schemes for the technological upgrading of existing industrial plants and machinery, the promotion of e-commerce, the production of competitive goods, and the attraction of foreign investments”.Speaking at the Cyprus Institute of Marketing, Management Summit, read out by Nelli Koulia, Director of Trade and Commerce, Minister of Commerce, Paschalides pointed out that “the objective of our Ministry in the area of marketing is to create awareness for our products and services by influencing the perception of business decision makers in selected overseas markets”. He added that “various steps are taken by the Ministry towards achieving this objective, such as launching promotional campaigns in carefully selected markets, especially within Europe, in an effort to disseminate the message among international investors and buyers of products and services”. Paschalides said that “Cyprus is a service based economy; its development is mainly attributed to the talent pool available and the high quality of professional services it offers and also Cyprus is a unique supplier of these services and by capitalising on its geographical and other advantages, our island is an attractive investment destination for tangible business growth”. [04] MINISTER - ANTIBIOTICSMinister of Health Christos Patsalides has called on the citizens and the medical and pharmaceutical community to make a balanced use of antibiotics.Speaking on the occasion of the World Health Day, which is dedicated to the balanced and proper use of antibiotics in order to tackle the resistance of microbes, in view of the threat of passing into a pro-antibiotic era, faced by humanity, Patsalides said Cyprus and Greece, according to a 2008 study, top the list in the consumption of antibiotics among 31 European states, making it imperative to cultivate awareness among citizens and doctors on the prescription of antibiotics. According to the study, antibiotics are prescribed by 75% in the private sector, which in 2008 represented 86% of the total expenditure of 18,273,924 EUR on antibiotics. Patsalides noted that the World Health Organisation has this year set the priority of anti-microbial resistance and that states worldwide are called on to take action and measures to restrict the unnecessary use of antibiotics in order to tackle microbial resistance. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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