Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stephanou: solution will allow application of fundamental freedoms

[02] Government to sell its majority stake in Cyprus Airways

[03] VAT to increase from 15% to 17%

[04] Limassol to host Davis Cup

[01] Stephanou: solution will allow application of fundamental freedoms

This, he noted, would be a major positive step in strengthening the cohesive elements of the solution.

In statements to the press, Stephanou said that President Christofias has sent to the political parties, which participate in the National Council, the general framework of the positions of the Greek Cypriot side submitted during the ongoing negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus issue along with the document outlining the convergences of January 29, 2010.

Commenting on the document with convergences achieved between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, Stephanou explained that the particular document provides for implementation of freedoms of establishment, movement, labour, business and economic activity.

He said that these freedoms have to do with the exercise of human rights of all Cypriot citizens throughout the territory of Cyprus.

Through this convergence, he added, it is ensured that all Cypriot citizens will be able to exercise these fundamental freedoms after the solution of the Cyprus problem.

``This is achieved for the first time in the talks and is a major positive step in strengthening the cohesive elements of the solution,`` he pointed out.

In the documents, Stephenou said, there is a limit on the establishment of Turkish nationals to maintain the demographic ratio 4 to 1.

He clarified that for every four Greek nationals settling in Cyprus one Turkish national would have the right of establishment and thus obtaining the citizenship.

So, he added, it is wrong to say that with this convergence all Turkish citizens acquire the right of establishment.

Just the opposite, he continued, this right is limited even if Turkey joins the EU.``

``What we have ensured is that even if Turkey joins the EU this restriction will still be valid and I think the reasons are self-explanatory.``

Referring to the agreement in principle on the four freedoms to be enjoyed by Turkish nationals, the Spokesman said these include the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons.

He made it clear that this agreement does not include the freedom of establishment.

Stephanou said that the issue of freedoms of Turkish nationals is subject to agreement on the Turkish settlers issue as it is recorded in the same document.

He also pointed out that convergences included in the document of January 2010 are better than those of the Annan Plan.

President Demetris Christofias briefed on February 2 the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, on the results of his meetings with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in Greentree, New York on January 22-24. The body will convene again on February 15 and 17 for two all-day sessions to continue discussions on all issues of the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

The UN Secretary General met with President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader for the fifth time in January 2012, in Greentree. In his statements, following the meeting, Ban said limited progress was achieved and invited both sides to make decisive moves in the negotiation chapters of governance, property and citizenship.

[02] Government to sell its majority stake in Cyprus Airways

He added that the Minister of Finance was authorized to take all necessary steps to implement that decision and to negotiate the sale of the governments majority stake in the company and develop a proposal that will come before the body for approval.

``The Minister of Finance and the government will move towards negotiating with a strategic investor with regard to Cyprus Airways to secure the company`s future operations,`` he added.

Stephanou said that Cyprus Airways has been facing several problems for years which became more pressing by decisions taken in the past but also with the accession of Cyprus to the EU and the liberalization of air transport.

[03] VAT to increase from 15% to 17%

In an announcement issued here today, VAT Service notes that the increase does not affect the products and services that fall under the reduced VAT rates of 5% or 8% or zero VAT rate, according to the VAT legislation.

It says that taxable persons affected by the change of the standard VAT rate must on the eve of the VAT increase - go through a stock-taking of their business which includes a quantitative measurement and assessment

[04] Limassol to host Davis Cup

Cypriot champion Marcos Baghdatis will lead the Cypriot tennis team, which hopes to beat Morocco.

The Group II tie between Cyprus and Morocco will take place at the Palais des Sports - Spyros Kyprianou Indoor Stadium, in Limassol - Cyprus, between the 10th and 12th of February.

Speaking at a press conference, the captain of the Cypriot team Yiannos Hadjigeorgiou said that the goal is to win the trophy and the team hopes to prevail at least in three of the five games, to move on to the next round and to remain in the ranking.

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