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

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

CONTENTS

[01] House Speaker urges EP to condemn Turkish violations

[02] Cyprus can achieve its fiscal targets for 2012, FinMin says

[03] Israeli FM arrives Monday on an official visit

[04] French official highlights Cyprus` strategic position

[01] House Speaker urges EP to condemn Turkish violations

The appeal was communicated in a letter which Omirou sent to the President of the European Parliament and the EP political group leaders in relation to the refusal of the occupation regime to allow the Bishop of Karpass to cross to the occupied north to attend to his congregation on the eve of Easter.

In his letter, the President of the House points out that the provocative action of the illegal regime is one of the most recent, in a series of violations of the rights of Greek Cypriot refugees and Greek Cypriot enclaved in the Karpass peninsula concerning their religious freedom.

Omirou recalls that in a previous letter to the same officials, he had reported the violent interruption of Christmas mass by the Turkish occupation forces at two villages in the occupied areas - Rizokarpaso and Ayia Triada - in December 2010.

Despite Turkey's commitments regarding the rights of Greek Cypriot enclaved, which are part of the 1975 Third Vienna Agreement, Omirou says the latest unacceptable incident is an example of the ethnic cleansing which Turkey systematically implements in Cyprus.

Such actions, he notes, "are part of one of the many aspects of the flagrant violations by Turkey of the inalienable, fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people of Cyprus, as a result of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of part of the Republic of Cyprus. It implies that the specific area is part of European territory and the few remaining enclaved are European citizens.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. The illegal regime was unilaterally declared in November 1983 and the UN describe it as "legally invalid" and no country except Turkey recognises it.

The latest round of UN-led talks has been underway since 2008 with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

In 1975 an agreement was concluded between the intercommunal negotiators, Glafcos Clerides and the late Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, regarding the Greek Cypriots living in the occupied areas and the Turkish Cypriots living in the government controlled areas. One of the major provisions of this agreement, provided that "that the Greek Cypriots in the north of the island are free to stay and that they will be given every help to lead a normal life, including facilities for education and for the practice of their religion, as well as medical care by their own doctors and freedom of movement in the north.``

[02] Cyprus can achieve its fiscal targets for 2012, FinMin says

Shiarlis, who convened a meeting of the economic consultation committee (composed of political parties, Trade Unions and Industrialists and Employers) to discuss the stability programme for 2011-2015, underlined that fiscal discipline is imperative given that Cyprus has lost access to international markets.

In statements following the meeting, Shiarlis said that through the implementation of measures the government aims to achieve the target for a budget deficit of 2.5% of GDP in 2012. He reiterated that in case of deviations from the programme the government is ready to put forward immediately suggestions and measures that would keep the programme on track.

Shiarlis noted that the target for the 2013 deficit remains at 0.5% GDP, which is included in the regulatory framework.

He said that the problem lies with the fact that the international markets are closed for Cyprus, which renders fiscal discipline even more imperative. ``And as we cannot apply to international markets to borrow, we should remain within the agreed framework,`` he noted.

Concerning Cyprus' financing needs, Shiarlis said there will be no problem in financing the 2012 deficit given the 2.5 billion euro bilateral loan secured from Russia.

With regard to growth, Shialis said the stimulus package proposed by the government is feasible and can be implemented soon. He clarified however that other action should be taken in advance such as bank recapitalization to which the state is committed.

[03] Israeli FM arrives Monday on an official visit

On Tuesday, Liberman will have a tete-a-tete meeting with Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou – Marcoullis, followed by official talks of the two delegations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nicosia.

Israeli FM will then be received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, at the Presidential Palace and visit the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism to meet with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis.

During his visit to Cyprus, the Israeli FM will also meet the leaders of the two major parties of the island, main opposition Democratic Rally President Nicos Anastasiades and ruling AKEL Secretary General Antros Kyprianou.

[04] French official highlights Cyprus` strategic position

In a meeting with the members of the House Defense Committee, the French official expressed France`s and the EU`s solidarity with Cyprus especially in the light of the assumption of the Cypriot EU presidency, describing it as a great challenge and opportunity, which comes along every 13 years.

He stressed Cyprus` strategic position especially after the developments in the Arab world and the so-called Arab Spring.

Cyprus` strategic position, he said, must be outlined during its EU presidency, so that its EU partners realise that Cyprus is situated in a very important European area in the Mediterranean.

He also talked about the conference on maritime safety that will take place in September in France, in the framework of Cyprus` EU presidency. The conference, to be organised by the Cypriot Ministry of Defense, will discuss sea piracy, he said.

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