Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-05-21

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Christofias on official visit to Austria

[02] Ban concerned over lack of progress in direct talks

[03] A new era for Cyprus University of Technology

[04] Achilleos secures bronze medal in 2012 European Shooting Championship

[01] President Christofias on official visit to Austria

President Christofias is accompanied by his spouse Elsi. The delegation comprises the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, the Government Spokesman as well as the Director of the President's Diplomatic Office.

According to an official announcement, the meeting with Heinz Fischer will be followed by talks between delegations of the two countries.

The talks will cover the current situation in Cyprus, the economic crisis and the Eurozone, the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EU integration, Turkey`s EU course and the peace process in the Middle East.

During the meeting, a Memorandum on the avoidance of double taxation is expected to be signed between the two countries.

On Monday, the President and his spouse will attend a formal dinner hosted by the Austrian President.

The President of the Republic will meet with the President of the Austrian Parliament Barbara Plammer and will address the Austrian-Cypriot Economic Forum to take place Tuesday.

He is scheduled to meet the Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann and the Mayor of Vienna.

The President will visit the National Library where documents on Cyprus are exhibited.

President Christofias will then travel to Brussels for the European Council to take place next Wednesday.

He will return to Cyprus on Thursday.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed direct talks began in September 2008 between the two sides on the island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, with the aim to reunite the country.

[02] Ban concerned over lack of progress in direct talks

Ban expressed his concerns during a meeting he had Sunday with the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, taking place in Chicago.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed direct talks began in September 2008 between the two sides on the island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, with the aim to reunite the country.

Direct talks have seen little progress over the past few months and the UN have been engaged in ``shuttle diplomacy`` with the two sides on the best way to move the process forward.

Ban and Gul also discussed the situation in Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia.

[03] A new era for Cyprus University of Technology

In an interview with CNA shortly after the University became autonomous, Keravnou notes that CUT Senate and its Board have to face new challenges as a result of the current financially difficult period.

Being the first CUT Rector is "at once a great honour and a big responsibility", she says, adding that much is expected from the first University Board.

Keravnou acknowledges the support and assistance given to CUT by the Limassol Municipality so far, enabling the University to establish itself in the centre of the city. This support continues to be enhanced on a daily basis, she notes.

"Despite difficulties, the University's presence has changed Limassol, it has brought the historic Limassol centre to life", she says, adding that "a University should be a living cell of the city and CUT has achieved this".

Replying to a question as regards the new challenges CUT faces, Keravnou points out that budget cuts due to austerity have meant that the Senate and CUT Board have new challenges to face over their four year term, as development projects' timetables are affected.

"All members of the University community have been asked if they wish to submit their suggestions so that we can put down on paper certain priorities of the strategic planning initially completed in 2010", she says.

One of the main priorities is building a University campus, she points out, the master plan of which is to be presented to CUT Board and other interested parties in May. Work on the campus will probably start by the beginning of 2013 at the latest.

Right now, she says, the specifications for the architectural competition on Campus buildings are being prepared.

Keranvou explains that having to rent buildings to meet CUT's needs constitutes a burden for its finances so the University administration has proceeded to renegotiate the rental agreements in place in an effort to reduce costs.

At the same time, the implementation of a new rental model for student residences has been decided, so that students rent directly from the owner and the University only acts as an intermediary, ensuring that residences fulfill requirements and that students are not taken advantage off, she adds.

Keravnou estimates that by building the Campus and gradually reducing the number of buildings CUT rents, current difficulties regarding space needed will be overcome.

Founding a School of Fine and Applied Arts and restructuring the current School of Applied Arts and Communication to a School of Communication and Media are within CUT's priorities, she notes.

Replying to a question as to whether the School of Fine and Applied Arts will be based in Limassol, she says it is a natural assumption without excluding the possibility that the School will also have activities elsewhere.

NOTE: FREE ACCESS OF THE ARTICLE AT SPECIAL ISSUES

[04] Achilleos secures bronze medal in 2012 European Shooting Championship

According to an announcement, issued by the International Shooting Sport Federation, Achilleos with a 123/125 score in the qualifying rounds and 22/25 in the final, secured the bronze medal. Achilleos is in the final stage of his preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Cyprus secured on Sunday three more medals in the European Championship. Nicolas Vasiliou and Men's National Team in skeet (George Achilleos, Andreas Hasikos and Antonis Andreou) secured gold medals. The Junior Men National Team of Cyprus in skeet (Vasiliou, Kazakos, Kyprianou) secured the bronze medal.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article