Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-01-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] EP draft resolution: Turkey must begin withdrawing forces from

Cyprus

[02] Greece: Progress in Cyprus talks can be achieved with T/c

constructive stance

[03] Spokesman: More measures to boost growth are under study

[01] EP draft resolution: Turkey must begin withdrawing forces from Cyprus

It also calls on Turkey to fully implement the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement towards Cyprus, noting that Ankara`s refusal to do so continues to deeply affect the process of EU - Turkey negotiations.

In the motion for a resolution on the 2011 Progress Report on Turkey, drafted by MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, it is stated that the EP strongly supports the ongoing negotiations on Cyprus reunification under the auspices of the Secretary General of the United Nations and stresses that a fair and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue is now urgent.

It furthermore calls on Turkey and all parties concerned to work intensively and with good will for a comprehensive agreement and calls on the Government of Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer Famagusta to the United Nations in accordance with Resolution 550 (1984) of the United Nations Security Council.

In its draft resolution the EP calls on the Republic of Cyprus to open the port of Famagusta under EU customs supervision in order to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing negotiations for reunification and allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal way acceptable to all.

The EP encourages Turkey to intensify its support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus.

[02] Greece: Progress in Cyprus talks can be achieved with T/c constructive stance

Referring to statements by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the meeting the latter will have with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat later this month, Delavekouras said the situation must change, the Cyprus problem should be resolved.

He said there is a procedure under the UN, which we ascertain, where, however, we ascertain that the Turkish Cypriot side is not maintaining a constructive attitude. On the contrary, he added, it is diverting from issues where an agreement was achieved in the past and this, unfortunately, is not optimistic.

The Greek FM spokesman said that Greece supports the UN process, supports the efforts of the Cypriot government and President Christofias, to reach a settlement.

He described as significant the forthcoming meeting at Greentree, expressing the hope that there will be results, adding one should wonder where this process will lead when one side continually shows up with inflexible and backtracking views.

Regarding Turkeys aims for a multilateral conference after the Greentree meeting, Delavekouras said that Greeces position is that when substantial progress is achieved on issues that are part of the negotiation it would be rational that issues that have to do with the external aspects of the Cyprus issue to be handled in a conference.

[03] Spokesman: More measures to boost growth are under study

In statements to journalists, Stephanou said that the government will continue its efforts to consolidate the economy, adding that more measures are underway, aiming at supporting growth.

``We express our satisfaction because the effectiveness of the financial measures adopted by the government have been accepted and acknowledged by the European Commission, which said that Cyprus has a strong commitment and ability to secure the viability of its public finances``, he stressed.

The Spokesman pointed out that the government is committed to continue implementing its plans to consolidate its public finances.

In addition, Stephanou said that the Cypriot economy has the ability to overcome any problems or obstacles caused by the world economic crisis.

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