Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-01-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Omirou: National Council to discuss Downer stance

[02] Ministerial Committee briefed on hydrocarbons

[03] ECA: Public procurement in Cyprus of a high standard

[04] Cyprus has 2nd highest unemployment increase in EU27

[01] Omirou: National Council to discuss Downer stance

It is one of the issues which will be discussed at the House of Representatives by all political parties and it is therefore a rational conclusion that it will be discussed at National Council level, Omirou said after a meeting he had with President of the Union of Occupied Municipalities, Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos.

Omirou, expressed the view that the fact that Downer recently said that the Greek Cypriots will be in charge of the EU Council Presidency at the second half of 2012 without referring to the Republic of Cyprus, is one of many actions and omissions which have led to the loss of the objectivity and credibility which ought to be part of a UN SG Special Advisor.

The matter is due to be discussed during the House session on Thursday, he added.

On his part Galanos, reiterated the Union of Occupied Municipalities grave protestation over the fact that Downer is allowed to behave, as he said, quite unacceptably and to undertake a role which is not consistent with his true role and his good offices.

Referring to the meeting he had with Galanos, Omirou said they spoke of recent developments in the Cyprus issue, with a particular mention being made to the stance of Downer. Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks have been underway since 2008 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

[02] Ministerial Committee briefed on hydrocarbons

In statements following the briefing by experts who are visiting Cyprus, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Praxoula Antoniadou said the in-depth briefing gave the Ministers comprising the committee (Ministers of Commerce, Finance, Interior, Agriculture and Undersecretary to the President) and the technocrats detailed data which lead Noble energy to its estimate with regard to the reservoir`s size, as well as the geological structure of block 12.

``It was a broad presentation of the results to technocrats and politicians who should be informed so that we could make our decisions on the basis of the best possible information``, Antoniadou said after the meeting.

[03] ECA: Public procurement in Cyprus of a high standard

Lazarou, who was presenting ECA`s 2010 annual report in Nicosia, said that errors discovered within the 2010 budget implementation by the ECA, amount to 3.7% or 4.7 billion euro, adding that the main problem is found in the area of public procurement. It is a matter that needs to be looked into by member states under the European Commissions supervision, he noted.

From my previous experience in Cyprus and from the experience I have gained at the ECA, Cyprus has a very high standard as regards the area of public procurement, he stressed.

Lazarou, further said that there is no specific mention of Cyprus within the ECAs annual report for 2010, adding that an audit carried out in Cyprus as regards the construction of a fishing shelter in the village of Zygi, in Limassol District, co-funded by the EU and of a total cost of 15.3 million euro, revealed no irregularities.

[04] Cyprus has 2nd highest unemployment increase in EU27

According to figures released by the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat), the highest yearly increases were registered in Greece (13.9% to 19.2% between October 2010 and October 2011), Cyprus (6.1% to 9.3%) and Spain (20.4% to 22.9%).

The euro area unemployment rate was 10.4% in December 2011, unchanged compared with November of the same year. It was 10.0% in December 2010. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.9% in December 2011, also unchanged compared with November. It was 9.5% in December 2010.

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