Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-04-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Omirou: National parliaments should adopt policies for their citizens

[02] Athens court finds guilty defendants in Helios air crash

[03] Cyprus and China sign agreement on education

[04] Public sector balance records deficit of 6.3% in 2011

[01] Omirou: National parliaments should adopt policies for their citizens

Speaking during the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments that is being held in Warsaw, Omirou said all aspects of the crisis affect European citizens and shatter the trust towards European institutions and the EU itself.

Omirou questioned to which extent the EU will be able to overcome the crisis and restore the balance within the EU.

Referring to the important role of national parliaments in this effort, Omirou pointed out that the Lisbon Treaty, with the institutional reforms it has introduced, creates the preconditions for a more balanced cooperation and an upgraded role for national parliaments. The European Parliament and national parliaments, said Omirou, have increased authorities in monitoring European legislation.

The challenges which the EU face, he said, dictate closer cooperation, not only between national parliaments but also between the European Parliament, the European Commission and national parliaments, in such a way that allows national parliaments to operate in a substantial manner during this procedure.

Omirou said Parliaments should aim at the best possible policies that will centre on EU citizens, noting that "our responsibility should be the prosperity of every European citizen, making use of the mechanisms that the new Treaty provides".

[02] Athens court finds guilty defendants in Helios air crash

The defendants are Helios' managing director Demetris Pantazis, flight operations manager Giorgos Kikkides, chief pilot Ianko Stoimenov and chief engineer Alan Irwin.

The trial was held in Athens, site of the crash. They face charges of negligent manslaughter, and according to Greek law, it carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The sentencing is expected to be announced.

[03] Cyprus and China sign agreement on education

In statements to the press at the Presidential Palace after signing an Agreement of Cooperation on Higher Education and Science with the Chinese Vice Minister of Education Hao Ping, Demosthenous noted that "Deputy Prime Minister Liu (Yandong) has informed us that the government of China will offer 200 scholarships to Cypriot citizens to study in China".

He noted that the agreement provides for the exchange of researchers and students and scholarships.

[04] Public sector balance records deficit of 6.3% in 2011

Total public sector expenditure in 2011 increased by 4.5% and total revenue by 2.3% as compared to the previous year.

According to the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, based on the preliminary data on the General Government accounts for the period October-December 2011, the total revenue amounted to 2.060,9 million euros (4.2% increase compared to the corresponding period of 2010). Total expenditure reached 2.639,8 million (11% increase) resulting to a deficit of 578,9 million as compared to 400,5 million deficit in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The main categories of revenue for the period October-December 2011 were: taxes on production and imports 690.6 million (5.9% decrease), of which VAT was 403,6 million (4.7% decrease), taxes on income and wealth 594,3 million (zero growth as compared to the same period of 2010). Revenue from sales of goods and services decreased by 11.7% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

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