Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] UNSG`s report on Cyprus is expected to be descriptive and

technocratic

[02] EU: Cyprus must comply with EU Directives on internal energy market

[03] Commission warns Cyprus, Austria, Greece over Blue Card Directive

[01] UNSG`s report on Cyprus is expected to be descriptive and technocratic

The report will mainly describes all that has taken place since the first meeting at Greentree in New York, last July, between the UNSG and the leaders of the two communities, the goals that were set and where the negotiations stand at this point.

Officials at UN headquarters dealing with the Cyprus issue are pessimistic because they thought that at least the chapter of governance could had been closed, according to estimates by Alexander Downer, Secretary-General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

They also express the view that based on the results of the Greentree 2 meeting, in New York, and leaders’ first meeting in Nicosia, there are no any elements to show that substantial progress could be achieved.

The same UN source said the political argument taking place at the talks does not allow much optimism, and confirmed that not all information requested by the Secretary General have been exchanged yet, as the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu argued that every information provided “is being leaked to the Greek Cypriot press”.

The source said that the situation has reached a deadlock.

A diplomat whose country is a member of the Security Council said that based on current facts, he expects that that UN envoy Alexander Downer’s report on the calling of an international conference due to be submitted to the Secretary General by the end of March will be negative.

The purpose of the Security Council is not to lose all that have been achieved in the last 3.5 years of direct talks while the unofficial recommendations of the five permanent members of the UNSC to the UN Secretary General is that the process should be continued until November, mainly at the Leaders` representative level and with infrequent meetings between Christofias - Eroglu.

The same diplomat, invited to comment on the statements of the Turkish side that everything will end on July 1, he said that there is a high cost for someone to say no to a request raised by the Secretary General and on which the Security Council agrees upon.

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.

[02] EU: Cyprus must comply with EU Directives on internal energy market

According to a press release by the European Commission, the Electricity and Gas Directives of the Third Energy Package had to be transposed by the Member States by 3 March 2011. As to date Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia have not informed the Commission of any transposition measures for the two Directives and Estonia has not done so as regards the Gas Directive.

The Member States now have two months to respond. If they fail to comply the Commission may refer them to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

[03] Commission warns Cyprus, Austria, Greece over Blue Card Directive

A press release by the European Commission, says that despite having been warned in July 2011, Austria, Cyprus and Greece have not yet transposed the rules of the Blue Card Directive, which should have been implemented before 19 June 2011.

``This is why the European Commission today issued reasoned opinions (Article 258 TFEU) requesting Austria, Cyprus and Greece to bring their laws into line with EU legislation``, it is said.

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