Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-12-17

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] House approves state budget for 2012

[02] Defence cooperation with France reinforces stability, says

Minister

[03] UK bases in Cyprus high priority, London says

[01] House approves state budget for 2012

The plenary began Friday early evening. The 56- members of Parliament held their final discussion on the state budget and voting followed.

The budget was approved by majority vote. Thirty MPs voted in favor and 20 against. The MPs submitted amendments according to which all state functional expenses are reduced by 8%, while funds reaching 100 million euro were blocked.

The state budget was approved by the MPs of ruling left-wing AKEL party, centre Democratic Party (DIKO) and the MPs of the Social Democrats` Movement (EDEK).

Parliamentarians from the opposition right - wing party (DISY) voted against the state budget together with President of the European Party (EVROKO) Demetris Syllouris, MP of the Ecologists` and Environmentalists` Movement Giorgos Perdikis and independent MP Zacharias Koulias.

Voting took place in the presence of Minister of Finance Kikis Kazamias and Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Soteroulla Charalambous.

According to preliminary estimates by the MPs, the total amount of savings -including savings of 148 million euro agreed with the Ministry of Finance from cuts on the Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) - are estimated to reach 260 million euro.

Functional expenses, which are decreased by 8%, reach 1,6 billion euro.

Cuts from functional expenses exclude the contribution to the Social Insurance Fund, the contribution to the European Commission and other international organizations, loan payments, costs associated with income (tax refunds) and expenditure on social benefits.

Grants to semi-governmental organizations were reduced by 8%.

Funds for overtime work were cut by 50%. MPs voted that employees who work overtime are compensated based on the lower scale of their salary.

The budget total revenue for 2012, excluding loans, was estimated - before amendments - at 7,740 million euro and total expenditure (including loan repayments) at 8,924 million euro, compared to 8,860 million euro budgeted for 2011.

[02] Defence cooperation with France reinforces stability, says Minister

Eliades attended a luncheon aboard the French frigate ``Forbin``, hosted by the ship`s captain. Forbin, which has docked at Limassol port, sailed to Cyprus in the framework of an agreement in the field of defence between the Ministries of the two countries.

``My visit to this ultra-modern frigate of the French Navy lies within the framework of the excellent relations among the Republic of Cyprus and the French Republic,`` Eliades said, adding that ``the French presence in our region contributes to the prevalence of peace, ,international law and stability in the region.``

[03] UK bases in Cyprus high priority, London says

Speaking before the House of Commons, Hammonds said that a study has been completed on the British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, as a part of a review about the Strategic Defence and Security.

According to the Defence Secretary, the Government accepts its recommendations and confirms Her Majesty`s Government`s enduring commitment to the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

The Sovereign Base areas are in a region of geo-political importance and high priority for the United Kingdom`s long term national security interests, he further said.

Hammonds underlined that the Sovereign Base Areas provide an adaptable and capable forward mounting base, the utility of which has been amply demonstrated. He gave further examples on that, including the basing of RAF aircraft that participated in operations over Libya, the regular deployment of Cyprus-based military personnel to Afghanistan and the key role played as a logistic hub for operations in Afghanistan.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article