Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-12-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Ministers call on Turkey to stop threatening member states

[02] UNSG discusses Cyprus issue with FMs of Turkey and UK

[03] Markoullis: Isolation of EU states from natural gas networks must

be lifted

[04] Unemployment increases in November 2011

[01] EU Ministers call on Turkey to stop threatening member states

The call is included in the conclusions of the Council adopted during a Council meeting, in which Cyprus was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis.

The conclusions refer to EU enlargement and the accession course of Turkey and countries of the Western Balkans.

Regarding Turkey, the Council notes that ``Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good neighbourly relations and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice.``

``In this context, the Union expresses serious concern and urges the avoidance of any kind of threat or action directed against a member state, or source of friction or actions, which could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Furthermore, the EU stresses again all the sovereign rights of EU member states which include, inter alia, entering into bilateral agreements, and to explore and exploit their natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,`` it says.

Furthermore, the Council ``regrets Turkeys statements to freeze its relations with the EU Presidency during the second half of 2012, and underlines that the Presidency of the Council of the EU is provided for in the Treaty on European Union.``

Recalling its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and the declaration of 21 September 2005, the Council ``notes with deep regret that Turkey, despite repeated calls, continues refusing to fulfill its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement towards all member states.``

``This could provide a significant boost to the negotiation process. In the absence of progress on this issue, the Council will maintain its measures from 2006, which will have a continuous effect on the overall progress of the negotiations,`` it says.

It adds that ``Turkey has still not made progress towards the necessary normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.``

``The Council invites the Commission to monitor closely and specifically report on all issues covered by the declaration of the European Community and its Member States of 21 September 2005 in its forthcoming annual report. On this basis, the Council will continue to closely follow and review progress made, in accordance with its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and 14 December 2010. Progress is now expected without further delay,`` it notes.

Furthermore, the Council ``expects Turkey to actively support the ongoing negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded,`` adding that ``Turkeys commitment and contribution in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement is crucial.``

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] UNSG discusses Cyprus issue with FMs of Turkey and UK

A UNSG`s spokesperson told journalists that the Cyprus problem was among the issues the Ban discussed Wednesday in Bonn with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu.

The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and until today occupy 37% of Cyprus` territory. UN - led talks are underway between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus with an aim to reach a solution that would reunify the island under a federal roof.

[03] Markoullis: Isolation of EU states from natural gas networks must be lifted

Speaking at the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels, Markoullis said that it was important to make a special reference to this issue in the conclusions, since to date no progress has been made.

She added that such a reference was directly linked to discussions at the Council regarding the Commission`s guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure.

During discussions regarding the progress report of the Polish Presidency, Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs Andreas Mavroyiannis welcomed the fact that the report takes into consideration the concerns of the member states facing permanent natural disadvantages, such as their geographical position, isolation and small size.

He also assured that Cyprus would make every possible effort for the successful conclusion of the process by the end of its EU Presidency.

[04] Unemployment increases in November 2011

According to the seasonally adjusted data showing the trend of unemployment, the number of registered unemployed for November 2011 increased to 31.253 persons in comparison to 30.969 in the previous month.

In comparison with November 2010, an increase of 6.805 persons or 27,2% was recorded.

The increase was mainly observed in the sectors of trade (increase of 1.644 unemployed persons), construction (increase of 1.363), accommodation and food service activities (increase of 1.261), manufacturing (increase of 809), transportation and storage (increase of 420), education (increase of 365), as well as to newcomers in the labour market where an increase of 462 unemployed persons was recorded.

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