Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-12-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Civil servants agree on strike measures

[02] Kasoulides re-elected Vice President of EPP Group

[03] Labour Ministry focuses on involvement of social partners

[04] Completion of two archaeological excavations

[01] Civil servants agree on strike measures

The measures were decided at an extraordinary meeting of representatives of the public sector trade union PASYDY, as a reaction to new measures expected to be approved by the House of Representatives.

The meeting also decided a 12-hour strike from 0700 to 1900 local time on Thursday and abstention from overtime work, including workers at hospitals and airports.

Furthermore, civil servants are called on not to work on December 18, when the local administration elections are set to be held. The meeting also adopted a proposal for the civil servants to hand in the voting books and not vote in the elections.

The civil servants will be demonstrating outside the House of Representatives on Wednesday and will deliver a resolution to the President of the House.

[02] Kasoulides re-elected Vice President of EPP Group

According to a press released, issued on Wednesday by Kasoulides` Bureau, the Cypriot Member of the Parliament achieved on Tuesday in Strasburg the renewal of the trust of the big majority of the Members of the European Parliaments European Peoples Party (EPP) Group, during the elections for the Presiding Board of the Group for the second half of the parliamentary term.

Kasoulides received the support of 169 MEPs out of the groups total of 272, compared to 121 votes he received in June 2009, increasing his percentage of support by 40%.

Cyprus will continue to be represented in the highest body of formation strategy and policy of the biggest parliamentary Group of the European Parliament, Kasoulides said, noting the fact that only two out of the 272 EPP MEPs come from Cyprus. He also pointed out that he feels honoured for the appreciation of his contribution to the Presidency of the EEPs Parliamentary Group during the last two years. Kasoulides finally thanked the Members of the Group for their support.

[03] Labour Ministry focuses on involvement of social partners

Speaking after a meeting with the social partners, Charalambous said the meeting was in the context of a campaign regarding Cyprus` priorities during its EU Presidency in the second half of 2012, noting that Wednesday`s meeting concluded contacts with the social partners on this issue.

``The involvement and role of the social partners in the process of promoting Cyprus` priorities during the second half of 2012 is very important, taking into consideration the labour relation system in Cyprus,`` she said.

She noted that one of the priorities was to enhance the involvement of the social partners, non-governmental organisations and the local administration in meeting the aims of the EU for employment and combating poverty, adding that this will be the topic of an Informal Council of EU Labour Ministers, which will take place in Cyprus.

[04] Completion of two archaeological excavations

The first excavation was conducted between 25 July and 10 October 2011 at the Church of Agia Marina at Kandou, under the supervision of the contract archaeologist Ms. Doria Nikolaou. The excavation revealed a small monastic complex (Holy Monastery of Panagia Amasgous), dated to the 16th century A.D., which formed part of the above church. It is comprised of a Ã-shaped atrium, found along the south and west part of the church, a row of rooms on the south and an enclosure wall along the west part of the church. There is an additional room with burials northwest of the church, whereas the remaining section of this side which is not within the covered complex area was used as a burial ground, mostly for infants. Some of the most important movable finds are five gold coins (histamena) of Constantine X Doukas (1059-1067), which confirm the hypothesis that the Church was initially built during the middle of the 11th century A.D. The architectural structures drawing documentation, on which the site management study will be based, has been completed. The site has been fenced.

The second excavation was conducted in the surrounding area of the church of Panagia at Kofinou, between 8 August 2011 and 8 November, under the supervision of the contract archaeologist Ms. Demetra Demetriou. The excavation fully revealed the initial phase of the church, that is, a 7th century A.D. three-aisled transitional barrel-vaulted basilica, a room to the west (narthex/liti) and a row of adjacent rooms to the south which probably indicate the presence of a monastic complex, the limits of which have not been fully revealed. The documentation of the architectural findings is currently being prepared, whereas the preliminary linear drawings have been completed. The site has been fenced and the study for the management of the site is currently on-going.

The total amount required for these works was 101,000 euros.

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