Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-04-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Prime Minister to visit Cyprus

[02] Government ready to support banks

[03] Defence Minister: We strive for modern army

[04] MEPs briefed on Cyprus' EU presidency

[01] Greek Prime Minister to visit Cyprus

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias will be welcoming Papademos on April 5 at the Presidential Palace, where talks will be held between delegations of the two countries.

The President will also host an official dinner in honour of Papademos at the Presidential Palace.

Papademos will also meet with President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou and will address a special session of the House on April 6.

He will furthermore be received by Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II and hold separate meetings with the leaders of parliamentary parties.

Papademos is also scheduled to meet with the Pancyprian Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons and Undeclared Prisoners, the Pancyprian Union of Refugees and the Committee of Turkish Occupied Municipalities.

[02] Government ready to support banks

According to an official announcement, Shiarlis held a meeting on Tuesday with Heads or representatives of the Cyprus commercial Banks. Andreas Eliades, Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Cyprus, Makis Keravnos, Executive and General Manager of Hellenic Bank, Christos Stylianides, Chief Executive Officer of Laiki Bank and Michalis Kammas, Director General of the Association of Cyprus Commercial Banks, participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the Finance Minister reiterated his trust in Cyprus' banking sector, stressing the government's position to support the Cyprus banks, in cooperation with the Central Bank and in the framework that the EU has set out.

The objective, he pointed out, is to tackle the economic crisis and lead the local economy to growth.

[03] Defence Minister: We strive for modern army

Speaking on Tuesday at the graduation ceremony at the Underwater Demolition School, a naval elite unit, the Minister noted that the government strives to create a reliable and well – trained army for the defense and freedom of Cyprus.

Addressing the graduates, he said that "you, the special and elite forces, have an important role to play to this direction".

He added that in this effort, Greece remains a firm supporter of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus.

[04] MEPs briefed on Cyprus' EU presidency

Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament (IMCO) Chairman Michael Harbour has said MEPs were impressed with the level of preparation and in depth knowledge of topics of Cypriot officials, during a meeting they had in Nicosia with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis and local officials.

Sylikiotis and his team, which comprised chairmen to be of Cyprus' EU Council presidency working groups, presented ongoing topics discussed at European level such as public procurement, the introduction of a European professional card and the alternative resolution of consumer disputes.

They gave a timeline of the progress achieved so far, briefed MPs on contested issues and presented a timetable of events to take place within the coming months.

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