Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-12-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] T/c side must change its stance to achieve progress, says

Spokesman

[02] Cyprus sold 373 million 30-day treasury bills

[03] Attorney-General to appeal against Court ruling on ``Helios``

[04] Nicosia and Pafos to compete for 2017 European Capital of Culture

title

[01] T/c side must change its stance to achieve progress, says Spokesman

In an interview with the London Greek Radio, the Spokesman said that in order to achieve the goal to reach new convergences that would lead to progress at the Cyprus talks, the Turkish Cypriot side should change its stance.

He explained that the Turkish Cypriot side should respect its commitment to the UN Secretary General to continue talks on the basis of what was achieved at the negotiations with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

The Turkish Cypriot side, he added, should also demonstrate consistency as regards the agreed basis of the solution, which is a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

If those two commitments are not respected, problems arise in the effort to reach progress at the Cyprus talks, he pointed out.

As he said, the problem is Turkeys negative stance.

Replying to questions, he said that every meeting with the UN Secretary General is important. The leaders of the two communities are expected to meet with the UNSG in New York coming January.

Asked about the possibility that an international conference on Cyprus takes place soon, the Spokesman said that any international conference should be convened when the two sides, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, are close to an agreement as regards the internal aspects of the Cyprus issue.

The international conference, he added, should take place under the UN auspices and with the participation of the five UN Security Council permanent member states, the EU, the guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, the UK) and the Republic of Cyprus.

Asked about the assumption of the presidency of the Council of the EU by Cyprus in the second half of 2012, the Spokesman recalled that a third meeting in a row was convened recently by President Christofias, during which all government officials involved assessed the level of preparations work.

Preparation work proceeds well, he said, expressing certainty that Cyprus will be able to address effectively any problems that may arise ahead and during the assumption of the presidency.

As regards the exploratory drilling for hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, the Spokesman pointed out its importance, saying that they could also work as an incentive for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

He added that Turkey should bear that in mind, noting that the solution of the Cyprus problem paves the way for new cooperation in this particular field.

Concluding, he recalled that the international community, the UN, the EU and many other countries, has defended Cyprus sovereign right, noting that the Republic of Cyprus will continue the explorations in its EEZ.

Cyprus, which has been divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974, will assume the six monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2012.

UN led Cyprus talks are underway with the participation of the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with an aim to reach a solution that would reunify the island under a federal roof.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based Noble Energy, off Cyprus south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkeys moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

[02] Cyprus sold 373 million 30-day treasury bills

The auction was oversubscribed, as the nominal value was 250 million euro. The Finance Ministry said it accepted all bids, worth of 373 million euro, with yields ranging from 4.69 to 4.85 per cent.

[03] Attorney-General to appeal against Court ruling on ``Helios``

The Court ruled yesterday by majority (two to one) that there was not sufficient evidence linking the defendants to the air crash and as such they bear no responsibility for the crash.

``I have read the ruling of the majority as well as that the minority and I have received the views of the prosecutors who handled the case and we have unanimously concluded that an appeal against the majority ruling is justified,`` Clerides said, noting that the existence of a dissenting opinion justifies his view than an appeal should be lodged.

He added that the appeal will be lodged within the next 14 days, adding that the arguments to be presented to the Supreme Court will be exactly the same as those presented to the Assize Court.

The Attorney-General defended the work of the prosecutors, reiterating that the case was difficult.

``The Law Office, the Police and the State in general have exhausted all means at their disposal so that the Court could reach a conviction,`` he said.

[04] Nicosia and Pafos to compete for 2017 European Capital of Culture title

The decision, taken by a special selection committee, comprised by experts, was announced today by European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, during a Press Conference at the Ministry of Education and Culture, in Nicosia.

Vassiliou said the preselected candidacies will have the chance to work further on their bid, before the final selection stage, on September 2012, when the team of experts will finalize its decision. The city to host the European Capital of Culture is expected to be announced on May 2013 by the Council of Ministers of the EU, the Commissioner noted.

She further said that early January a report by the team of experts will be made available, containing suggestions to both candidate cities on how to improve their bids. The report will also explain the reasons for deciding against the Limassol bid, the Commissioner said.

Speaking on the broader goals of the European Capital of Culture, Vassiliou referred to the promotion and celebration of Europes rich cultural heritage and of common understanding and intercultural dialogue.

Minister of Education and Culture Giorgos Demosthenous said from his part that his Ministry will reinforce financially the final selection with 5 mln euros for covering the citys operational costs, starting from 2013.

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