Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-08-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS LIBYA NTC - RECOGNITION

[02] LEADERS MEETING NEW CHAPTER

[03] HOUSE PLENARY - AUSTERITY PACKAGE

[04] HOTELS - TOURISTS - OCCUPANCY

[01] CYPRUS LIBYA NTC - RECOGNITION

``We are witnessing a remarkable wind of change in our neighbouring Libya. The regime of Colonel Gaddafi is over. It is imperative that Gaddafi accepts this irreversible fact and surrenders immediately so that hostilities end, thus avoiding, any further bloodshed,`` Markoullis notes.

She adds that ``for this interim period and until democratic elections are held in our neighbouring country, Cyprus recognises the NTC as the legitimate representative of the people of Libya.``

``Under these crucial times for the people of Libya, we are ready to provide both bilaterally and within the context of the European Union, all possible assistance to the NTC,`` she assures.

Markoullis reiterates ``our call on the NTC to engage into a swift transition process towards democracy, rule of law, social justice and human rights.``

``We strongly believe that at the dawn of a new Libya, the NTC has the duty to lead a genuine reconciliation effort to fulfill the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Libyan people. To this end, it is of outmost importance that free, fair and democratic elections for the new government of Libya, are held as soon as developments on the ground allow so,`` she concludes

[02] LEADERS MEETING NEW CHAPTER

Friday`s meeting, which is the sixth of all day meetings to take place over the next few weeks until October, as agreed between the leaders and UNSG in Geneva last July, began a few minutes after 10:00 local time.

Turkish Cypriot leader and his advisor arrived first at the UN protected area of Nicosia Airport, where the talks take place, while President Christofias arrived a bit later. Both leaders upon their arrival were greeted by UNSG Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexand Downer.

[03] HOUSE PLENARY - AUSTERITY PACKAGE

House Finance committee convenes earlier in the morning in order to discuss the latest developments and Private Bills tabled yesterday by Members of the House of Representatives.

Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias held intense talks with union leaders yesterday in an attempt to achieve more concessions regarding the contribution of the public sector workers. On Thursday, MPs continued the discussion of the tabled bills, while the opposition parties have come up with their own plan to save the economy.

The package of austerity measures includes seven bills aiming at fiscal consolidation.

[04] HOTELS - TOURISTS - OCCUPANCY

Lakis Avraamides, President of the Tourism Development and Promotion Company of the Free Area of Famagusta, told CNA that ``during this period occupancy in Ayia Napa and Protaras is very high, we have reached 100%,`` adding that ``it appears that this occupancy will continue until the end of November.``

``This was one of the initial aims of the Tourism Development and Promotion Company,`` he said and noted that the aim to lengthen of the tourist season to nine months appears to have been met. The next step, he said, was ``to see how we will continue with the arrivals of tourists in the free area of Famagusta for the whole year round.``

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