Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-08-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - US - TURKISH THREATS

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - UN - GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[03] GOVERNMENT - AUSTERITY MEASURES

[04] MEMORIAL SERVICE - NAVAL BASE

[01] SPOKESMAN - US - TURKISH THREATS

The US administration said on Wednesday that it is aware of Turkey`s position on the issue. However it strongly supports all countries` plans of securing energy supplies through better energy diversity, it added..

Stephanou who was replying to journalists questions after a Council of Ministers meeting said that we have already stated our position on the matter, adding that the State Departments reaction shows what we have been pointing out, that the Republic of Cyprus operates on the basis of international law and in this particular case on the basis of Maritime Law``.

The Republic of Cyprus, he noted, always acts within the remit of international law and in the framework of exercising its sovereign rights, which Turkey violates since 1974 by illegally occupying Cyprus` northern third.

Called upon to say whether Cyprus has an understanding with Israel and Greece, he repeated that when it comes to drilling for natural resources or developing them, Cyprus acts on the basis of international law, adding that this is the case as regards Cyprus cooperation with other countries.

The Republic of Cyprus respects and implements international law for this and all other matters, Stephanou stressed, adding that we will continue to act in the same manner.

US company Noble Energy received on October 2008 a concession from the government of the Republic of Cyprus to explore for hydrocarbons in Block 12, located in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, which borders reserve-rich Leviathan in Israels EEZ.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

[02] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - UN - GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The 66th session will open on 13 September, with a meeting of the General Committee the next day. On 16 September the second plenary meeting will take place with the First report of the General Committee.

From19-20 September 2011 the High-level Meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases will take place and on Tuesday, 20 September the High-level meeting on the theme Addressing desertification, land degradation and drought in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

The General Debate will be held from 21-23, 26-27 September while on Thursday, 22 September the High-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action will be held.

[03] GOVERNMENT - AUSTERITY MEASURES

In statements to the Press following a meeting of the Council of Ministers, which took place Friday morning, Stephanou said that the Minister of Finance is making efforts through a dialogue with political parties and social partners to have this second package ready and completed the soonest possible.

He also said that the Minister of Finance had made a public announcement about the preparation of a second package of measures, noting that the second package of measures has been agreed between the President and the parties at the meeting on the economy. The results of the efforts and the dialogue will determine when the second package will be ready, Stephanou concluded.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias said it would be difficult to submit the second package of measures before the House of Representatives by next Thursday, noting at the same time that he will try to respond to the request of the political parties. ``I will try to respond to the request submitted, I do not know if I will succeed or not, although I consider it very difficult, but by August 25 I have to convince for our real intentions,`` Finance Minister said.

[04] MEMORIAL SERVICE - NAVAL BASE

Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostmos II held the memorial service, which took place at the Naval Base, and was attended by the families and friends of the victims, Minister of Defence Demetris Eliades, Chief of Staff of the General Staff of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Stylianos Nasis, Chief of Cyprus Police Michael Papageorgiou and other police and navy officials.

After the memorial service, the relatives of the 13 victims burst into tears and expressed their complaints as regards the government`s handling of the case. The Minister of Defense told the relatives that the government fully understands the pain the relatives of the victims must feel after loosing their beloved ones and expressed conviction that the investigation carried out as regards the responsibilities for the deadly blast will bear fruit and bring justice.

Meanwhile, invited to comment on the relatives` reaction, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the government sympathizes with the relatives adding that the aim is to conclude the necessary investigations as soon as possible, so that responsibilities can be attributed to those responsible for the blast.

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