Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-04-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Disappointment at the UN over lack of progress in Cyprus, according

to sources

[02] FinMin: A number of measures are needed in order to keep deficit

below 2.5%

[03] Panel discussion concludes Cyprus has best ingredients to promote

growth

[04] House President urges Armenians for common efforts against Turkish

violations

[01] Disappointment at the UN over lack of progress in Cyprus, according to sources

The same sources said that this development is evident from the meetings of the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser Alexander Downer with representatives of the interested parties and members of the UN Security Council.

According to the same sources, apart from the fact that there will be no international conference on the Cyprus issue, something which the UNSG has clearly stated, there is nothing to indicate that there will be a change in the procedure, the mandate or the role of the UN.

At the same time, there is no reference to the Cyprus Presidency of the European Council which starts on July 1st. References are made to the presidential elections of February 2013 and the pre-election campaign in the Republic of Cyprus.

Downer will convey to the two leaders in Cyprus the decision of the SG to continue the talks in an intensified manner on issues concerning governance and property, followed by citizenship and EU matters.

The same sources are skeptical about the possible reaction of the Turkish Cypriot side and how the international organization will react to them and also ascertained pessimism amongst UN officials on the possibilities to break the deadlock.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. A new round of peace talks started on September 2008 to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country, under a federal roof.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, met last January with the UN Secretary-General in New York.

In his statement after the conclusion of the talks, Ban urged the two leaders to make decisive steps towards a final agreement on the Cyprus problem. He said that he would be hearing about the progress of the talks from his Special Adviser Alexander Downer and would decide on the next steps.

[02] FinMin: A number of measures are needed in order to keep deficit below 2.5%

Shiarly announced on Monday that the island's fiscal deficit in the first three months of 2012 dropped to 0.8% of GDP (140 million euro), compared to 1.8% deficit (310 million euro) in the same period of 2011.

Finance Minister said that "while the expenditures seem to be within the targets of the budget, in the case of the revenues, are slightly out of the budget, which in an annual basis are estimated between 150 and 200 million euro".

"Some measures need to be taken and our commitment is an intensive discussion with the social partners to take place for the immediate adoption of measures in order to safeguard, with any possible way, the attainment of the targets", Sharly said reassuring that the fiscal deficit will not exceed the 2.5%.

Sharly said that generally speaking he is in favour of taxation because it does not held the growth of the economy. "This however is the general rule", he said noting that the implementation of the targets is of great importance since Cyprus wishes to restore its credibility in the markets.

As regards the recapitalization of the Commercial Banks, Sharly assured that the Government is ready to take the needed measures in order to support the banking sector. He added that according to Ministry's information, it is likely the recapitalization to be around 1,5 billion euro and that only one Bank to need for state assistance.

[03] Panel discussion concludes Cyprus has best ingredients to promote growth

0910 :CYPPRESS:01

Panel discussion concludes Cyprus has best ingredients to promote growth

By Maria Antouna

Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Cyprus has the best elements, the ingredients with which to move towards growth if it implements the right measures in its economy, according to the conclusion of a panel discussion on the subject of ``Going for Growth - The Way Forward``.

The panel discussion was organized Monday afternoon by British High Commissioner Matthew Kidd and President of the Cyprus-UK Business Association George Kourris on the occasion of the visit to Cyprus of the Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman David Wootton.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman David Wootton was joined by former President of the Republic George Vassilliou and Nobel Laureate Professor Christophoros Pissarides.

Lord Wooton said that he is on the island in view of Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the European Council on July 1st and to review relations between London and Cyprus.

He added that he met with the Under Secretary for EU Affairs Andreas Mavroyiannis, the Minister of Finance Vasos Sharli, and the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Silikiotis.

``The overall impression is that Cyprus is well prepared to assume EU Presidency on July 1st``, he said.

[04] House President urges Armenians for common efforts against Turkish violations

"I want to emphasize that the House of Representatives of Cyprus, in response to a fair request for recognizing of the Armenian Genocide, along with the Greek Parliament, was among the first parliaments to condemn the Turkish crime and to support the demand for international recognition", said Omirou.

Deploring human rights violations by the Turkish state against ethnic groups in and outside Turkey, and even against Turkish citizens, Omirou emphasized the need for a collective effort and cooperation to put Turkish state in the dock.

"Our duty is to keep the Turkish state under the glare of intense international publicity until they are required to comply with international law and respect human rights", he added.

He also noted that solidarity of Cyprus and the wider Hellenism to other ethnic groups affected by the Turkish chauvinism is a prerequisite to successfully address Turkish expansionism in Cyprus, the Aegean and Thrace.

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