Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] KYPRIANOU - TURKEY - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] PRESIDENT - EU TRIO MEETING

[03] EXPORTS - INCREASE

[04] CA FLIGHTS - GREEK STRIKE

[01] KYPRIANOU - TURKEY - CYPRUS ISSUE

Kyprianou is traveling to Constantinople in order to participate in the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV), as well as in the meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers which will be held on May 11.

In his statements, Kyprianou said that on the sidelines of the aforementioned meetings, he will hold bilateral meetings with his colleagues and counterparts of various countries.

He noted that a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General is also scheduled and will take place, barring the unexpected, adding that the main issue of his meeting with the UN chief will be the Cyprus problem and developments in the wider region of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa, where Cyprus has an active role.

Referring to positions expressed by the UN Secretary General on Cyprus and his meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister on this issue, Kyprianou said I know that to some degree the UN Secretary Generals statements may not fully satisfy.

``We must expect that diplomatic language is always used in public statements. However, our side will clearly present the positions of the government and how we would like the process to solve the Cyprus problem to develop, he added.

In statements made to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that during the talks on the Cyprus issue, progress has been achieved on some issues related to the economy and the EU, but there are things to be done on issues such as property and safety.

He urged the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to bridge their differences, adding that they should do that in a spirit of compromise and win win. He also said that it is necessary at this stage for the leaders to show flexibility and examine the issues in depth.

He stressed that ``the process is defined and what is important is the United Nations to maintain an objective stance and, of course, encourage the side which is more difficult and less fruitful to change its stance and approach.

He further said that ``we know that this is an election period for Turkey, but in a month when elections are over, we expect Turkey to change its stance and become more constructive.``

On the issue of changing the format of the process to solve the Cyprus problem, raised by Turkey, Kyprianou said that ``this has been raised by Turkey probably because it feels that in the (current) form of the talks it is under pressure, but the process is agreed.

Our side insists on what has been agreed, he added.

In conclusion, he said that with regard to an international conference on Cyprus, it should only relate to the international aspects of the Cyprus problem we talk about security issues in essence - and after an agreement is achieved on the rest of the issues, therefore, at the end of the process.

[02] PRESIDENT - EU TRIO MEETING

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk and Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Rasmussen will attend a working lunch, during which they will discuss issues concerning their coordination ahead of the trio presidency, which will begin in July 2011 and end in December 2012. Cyprus will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2012.

According to an official press release, the three leaders will discuss about the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, to come into effect from 2013, the Eastern Partnership, the EU reaction to the developments in North Africa, as well as illegal immigration.

They will also exchange views on the EU Enlargement, and on the action needed to be taken for securing more investments in the fields of Research, Innovation and Education.

Before departing for Cyprus, President Christofias will hold a tete a tete meeting with the Prime Minister of Poland and later on with the President of the Polish Senate.

[03] EXPORTS - INCREASE

Imports to Cyprus also marked an increase of almost 5% during the same period.

According to an official announcement, total imports in January-February 2011 amounted to 978,6 mln euros, as compared to 929,3 mln in January-February 2010. It is added that total exports in the given period were 207,5 mln euros, compared to 156,7 mln in the same period of 2010. Moreover, the trade deficit was 771,1 mln in January-February 2011 compared to 772,6 mln in the corresponding period of 2010.

During February 2011, total imports valued at 512,2 mln euros while exports, including stores and provisions, amounted to 110,7 mln. Åxports of domestically produced goods, including stores and provisions, were 54,4 mln euros, whilst exports of foreign goods, including stores and provisions, were 56,3mln.

[04] CA FLIGHTS - GREEK STRIKE

According to a Cyprus Airways press release, issued here today, arrangements are being made so that passengers affected will be able to travel on Cyprus Airways flights due to depart after the strike ends.

Cyprus Airways are contacting passengers concerned and letting them now of the new arrangements in place in order to avoid any inconvenience.

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