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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-07-29Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] LEADERS - MEETING - BUTTENHEIMUN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Liza Buttenheim expressed her disappointment about some unhelpful leaks concerning Cyprus negotiations, speaking after Fridays meeting between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in the context of the intensified phase of UN-led direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem.At the outset of the meeting I reiterated the importance of confidentiality in this process. There were very unhelpful leaks these past few days and I have to say that apart from the fact that such leaks go against the spirit of that new phase, they are often taken out of context and sometimes are simply inaccurate, she said. She added that the UN consider them to be most unhelpful and will continue to take this position. Asked from which side those leaks came from, she refrained characterizing where the leaks came from, pointing out however that they were leaks. Buttenheim said that the two leaders met Friday to continue their discussion under the governance and power-sharing chapter. This was their second meeting under this chapter in this intensified phase. They address core issues and will continue on Tuesday 2nd August, she said. She added that UN Secretary General`s Special Advisor on Cyprus, Alexander Downer would be back for that meeting. Cyprus was divided when Turkey invaded in 1974. UN led negotiations have been ongoing since 2008 between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, in an effort to reunite the island under a federal roof. President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu met with UN SG Ban Ki-moon in Geneva, on July 7th, and according to Ban`s statement after the meeting, they agreed to enter into an intensive period of negotiations on the core issues of the Cyprus problem, with an aim of achieving convergences before meeting again in New York, next October. [02] S&P CYPRUS CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADEStandard and Poor`s ratings services lowered Friday the long-term sovereign credit rating on the Republic of Cyprus to `BBB+` from `A-`. They also affirmed the short-term sovereign credit rating at `A-2`.``The outlook on the ratings remains negative. The transfer and convertibility (T and C) assessment for Cyprus continues to be `AAA`, the same as for all members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)``, a Standard and Poor`s announcement says. It adds that despite ongoing talks about substantial consolidation measures, ``we believe the Cypriot government will struggle to meet its 2011 general government deficit target of less than 4% of GDP, and its 2012 target of 2%``. [03] POLISH AMBASSADOR - INTERVIEWThe EU Polish Presidency, which began on July 1st, is both a challenge and responsibility as well as a brilliant way to promote Poland and bring it back to the map, Ambassador of Poland to Cyprus, Pawel Dobrowolski, has told CNA in an interview.We want to invigorate and give a new breath to Europe, more enthusiasm, he underlined and explained why he agrees with the headlines which have appeared in the Italian media Polish Presidency is sexy. The Presidency is not only fireworks and concerts, he pointed out. Poland is part of the Trio EU presidency along with Denmark and Cyprus, which assumes the six monthly rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2012. Ambassador Dobrowolski outlined the main goals and priorities of the Polish Presidency, stressing that assuming the Presidency is a challenge and huge responsibility at the same time, adding that public opinion and especially the youngsters in Poland are very enthusiastic and keen on the idea. He told CNA that the Polish Presidency has a cluster of goals, the first one being the economic package to be finalized during Cyprus presidency, the second one what he calls secure Europe and third open Europe. When we refer to the economic package, we basically mean how to facilitate the economic growth of Europe as a remedy for the crisis through deeper internal integration, he said. [04] KYPRIA 2011 - FESTIVALInternational Festival KYPRIA 2011 featuring music, theater and dance events artists begins on September 1 and will be staging events throughout the island until October 1.The programme was presented Friday by Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture Permanent Secretary Olympia Stulianou on behalf of the Education Minister Andreas Demetriou. The Ministry`s goal is to provide every citizen with access to high-level cultural events so that it could be acquainted with its own culture while becoming acquainted and obtaining knowledge regarding other cultures at the same time. KYPRIA 2011 starts on the 1st September with a concert titled With Youthful Passion by the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Mahler. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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