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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-12-20Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Government: Natural gas an incentive for Cyprus settlementThe issue of natural gas can constitute an incentive to solve the Cyprus problem and Turkey must take this into consideration, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Tuesday.Invited to comment on remarks attributed to President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias by the Turkish Cypriot side, that the natural gas would be transported abroad through pipes via Turkey, Stephanou said President Christofias never made such a statement. He pointed out that the President had said some time ago that explorations for natural gas within Cyprus` exclusive economic zone were a sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus. ``Of course this issue could constitute an incentive to solve the Cyprus problem and Turkey must think about this,`` he said, adding that ``with the solution of the Cyprus problem many prospect will open for cooperation, to which the President of the Republic referred to.`` Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. [02] EU Presidency preparations intensifyCyprus will chair the Presidency of the European Council in an efficient and successful way, and within the range of the countrys capabilities, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Tuesday, adding that the EU Presidency will reinforce the countrys prestige in the EU and beyond.The Government Spokesman was speaking after a broad meeting on the preparations for the Cyprus EU Presidency, held today at the Presidential Palace, in Nicosia, under the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias. Stephanou noted that the state apparatus in its entirety, along with the Presidency of the Republic and the Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Presidency, are dealing with this national issue, as he described it. Commenting on the pace of preparations, Stephanou said that they are proceeding intensively, added however that problems are always expected to emerge in events of such scale. [03] Interior Minister presents EU Presidency prioritiesThe completion of the common European asylum system by the end of 2012, the promotion of policies for the integration of immigrants and highlighting the need for Europe to better address the issues of humanitarian aid, response and coordination in cases of humanitarian crises and natural disasters, have been set by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Cyprus as priorities in view of Cyprus` EU presidency in the second half of 2012.Speaking at a press conference, Minister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis referred to efforts to form a common European asylum system, and noted that what was needed was ``more Europe, not less Europe`` and that the EU should act in a more coordinated manner and further highlight its principles. He also said that, based on latest statistics for 2011, Cyprus is fifth regarding the number of asylum seekers, and that other EU countries, other than those on the Mediterranean, were facing similar problems. Sylikiotis said that the system`s aim was a uniform way of examining applications for asylum and jointly addressing the pressures the systems of certain countries are under. [04] Greek Health Minister visits Limassol HospitalGreek Minister of Health and Social Solidarity, Andreas Loverdos, visited Limassol General Hospital on Tuesday, where he attended a meeting with a view to expand cooperation between the twinned hospitals of Limassol and Heraklion University Hospital. The minister was briefed on the actions taken to promote cooperation.In statements, Loverdos said cooperation between Limassol General Hospital and Heraklion University Hospital will be extended to cover all its 21 clinics and departments, adding that following the initiative of Cyprus Health Minister Stavros Malas, the idea of a unified medical centre for Greece and Cyprus was examined. Loverdos said he asked for the cooperation of Limassol Hospital in the field of research, adding we can do many in two directions online or email and the exchange and physical presence of both sides. Limassol General Hospital Director, Chrysostomos Andronikou, said that through the meetings, ``we have deepened our cooperation which started with four clinics and the aim is to expand cooperation to all 21 clinics``. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |