Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] President and cabinet delegation to hold talks with College of

Commissioners

[02] Downer: Leaders to focus on the property issue

[03] Archbishop calls for restoration of St. Andrew`s Monastery

[04] Christofias visits freshly-renovated buildings for EU Presidency

[01] President and cabinet delegation to hold talks with College of Commissioners

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Erato Kozako Markoullis, Acting Finance Minister and Communications and Works Minister Efthymios Flourentzou, Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Praxoula Antoniadou, Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Sofoklis Aletraris and Labour, Social Insurance Minister Sotiroula Charalambous, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Andreas Mavroyiannis

On Wednesday, President Christofias will meet President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

The President and the Ministerial delegation will then attend a joint meeting with the College of Commissioners. After lunch, the President and Barroso will give a joint press conference.

President Christofias will also receive Androulla Vassiliou, Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Commissioner and will also meet the staff of the Permanent Representation of the Republic in Brussels.

On the sidelines of the President’s meetings, the members of the cabinet who are accompanying the President, will hold bilateral meetings with the College’s commissioners.

President Christofias and his entourage return home on Thursday, 23 February.

[02] Downer: Leaders to focus on the property issue

This is what the Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Alexander Downer has stated to the press following his today’s meeting with President Christofias at the President, which lasted more than an hour.

In his statements, Downer said during the meeting they had discussed the resumption of negotiations following the meeting in Greentree, New York, between the two leaders and UN Secretary General Ban ki-moun.

He reminded that the leaders had already their first meeting last week, while a new meeting is scheduled for tomorrow and another one would be taking place next week.

He noted that for the next two meetings, the discussion between Christofias and Eroglu will focus on the property issue.

[03] Archbishop calls for restoration of St. Andrew`s Monastery

Speaking at a press conference, the Archbishop noted that key stones in apses have shifted and the monastery was in danger of collapsing, adding that the aim of the Turks was to let monuments collapse so that there is no trace of Greeks or Christians in the occupied areas.

He also called on the people to avoid visiting the monastery until restoration begins.

The Archbishop explained that key stones of the apse of the sanctuary`s hemispherical vault had shifted and the dome was in danger of collapsing.

``We are warning the occupation regime for the last time. Through the UN we will call on them to allow us to support this apse and any other worn parts of the church. If they do not allow maintenance, we will take builders to fix the apse without a permit and if they wish to arrest us, then let them arrest us. We will on no account let the church of St. Andrew collapse,`` he said.

[04] Christofias visits freshly-renovated buildings for EU Presidency

Christofias visited on Monday the freshly-renovated buildings of the old International Conference Centre and the old Philoxenia hotel, which will be the centre of the island’s EU presidency, accompanied by Communications and Works Minister Efthimos Flourentzou, Under Secretary to President Titos Christofides, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Andreas Mavroyiannis and Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou.

The President noted that every Cypriot must be proud for the work that’s been done, underlining the tradition of Cypriots as regards hospitality.

He said that all necessary venues and facilities will be provided for Ministerial meetings and other working meetings, as well as for media representatives.

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