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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-11-29Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Biden to discuss Cyprus talks in TurkeyProgress so far in the UN-led negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem will be among the issues US Vice President Jo Biden will discuss with Turkish officials, during his visit to Turkey on December 2 and 3, National Security Advisor to the Vice President Tony Blinken has said.Blinken, speaking during a press briefing, said that I expect well talk about the progress weve seen and hope to see in Cyprus negotiations before the Secretary General of the U.N., Ban, brings the two leaders of Cyprus back together in January, and our hopes for a settlement as soon as possible. He also noted that internal reforms in Turkey, including US hope for the reopening of the Halki seminary in Istanbul will also be discussed as well as the situation in Afghanistan and the prospects of progress in normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia. Blinken gave a detailed briefing on the US officials visit to the area, stating that after Turkey, Biden is due to visit Greece. The United States supports Greeces efforts to implement its commitments under its EU IMF program, he noted, adding that President Obama reiterated that the United States will stand strongly with Greece, a friend and ally, through these difficult times. The Vice President, Blinken said, is going to show that support and to encourage further implementation of the necessary steps. Asked if Turkey-Israel ties will come up during discussions in Ankara, Blinken said that it might come up. We have in the United States longstanding strategic ties with both Israel and with Turkey, he said, adding that we have been and we continue to encourage both countries to seek opportunities to move beyond the recent strains in their relationship, and we believe that opportunities are there for the two countries to fully repair relations and move forward. During his visit to Turkey Biden is also set to meet His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople. [02] President: Economy of national significanceMatters related to fiscal consolidation are of national significance President of the Republic Demetris Christofias said on Monday, calling on everyone to exceed themselves.Speaking at the Presidential Palace following a meeting he had with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in the context of the UN-led negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem, President Christofias pointed out that the less we say, the better. The President today met Nicos Anastasiades, President of Democratic Rally, the main opposition party, with whom he discussed the austerity measures recently announced by the Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias, aiming to constrain public expenditure and consolidate public finances. Invited to comment on the meeting, the President described economy as a vital national matter, saying that neither the Government nor the political parties, should try to send the message that they are in control. He added that a consensus is needed through public dialogue. [03] Spokesman: EU presidency a testThe Presidency of the Council of the EU is an important test which Cyprus needs to pass with high marks Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said today. He added that in such an event, Nicosia will raise its prestige among EU member states, as well as internationally.Stephanou was speaking here today, during a meeting at EU House, organized by the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus, in cooperation with the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, concerning the preparation of the Cyprus EU Presidency during the second semester of 2012. Present during the meeting was also MEP Ioannis Kasoulides and the Director of the PIO Eleonora Gavrielides. Stephanou, while addressing the meeting, refereed to the double challenge the EU Presidency poses for Cyprus. As he said, the Presidency will on the one hand mature the Cypriot society concerning the countrys participation in the EU, on the other hand, though, the country must prove that it is capable of conducting a successful Presidency, by setting attainable goals and adding value to the European integration project. [04] Building permits drop Jan-Oct 2011A drop of 27.1% was recorded in building permits during the first ten months of 2011, compared to the respective period of 2010, according to the Statistical Service.The Monthly Economic Indicators for the period from January to October 2011, announced on Monday by the Statistical Service, show that during this period building permits were issued for 1,485 thousand square metres, compared to 2,038 thousand square metres during the first ten months of 2010. The Production Volume Index dropped by 6.7% for the same period, compared to the respective period last year. Furthermore, the Turnover Index in transport, storage and communication dropped by 14%, while travel data shows that arrivals increased by 4.8% and the arrival of tourists increased by 10.6%. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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