Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-05-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey trying to distort the past, says Government Spokesman

[02] Priorities in fisheries and agriculture presented in view of

Presidency

[03] Cyprus can become a gas storage hub for the EU, says government

[04] Cyprus included in list of countries with clean waters

[01] Turkey trying to distort the past, says Government Spokesman

The Spokesman also said UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on the Cyprus problem, Alexander Downer`s remark on Wednesday in New York that lot more has been achieved than what Cyprus' public opinion understands and that the UN does not wish to lose all that has been achieved, refers to the Turkish Cypriot side which avoids commitments and backs away from convergences, trying to eradicate the foundation of the negotiations.

Stephanou also said that President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias' proposal about Famagusta provides for motives for all interested parties and would be mutually beneficial.

Speaking to reporters, Stephanou said that "Turkey continues to cover its negative policy on Cyprus, by maintaining the problem of the illegal occupation, violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and distorting the past. This is what Mr. Davutoglu tries to do with his references to the 2004 referendum and the Anan Plan".

Stephanou pointed out that the two communities in 2004 were invited to decide separately, in simultaneous referenda, about a plan which was not the result of a mutual agreement but the result of arbitration and provided that if it was not agreed approved, it would have been declared as ‘null and void'. The international community", he added, respected, respects and accepts the right of the people of Cyprus to decide for their future, something which Turkey does not accept and rejects.

The Government Spokesman said it would be better for Turkey, instead of returning to the past aiming at covering its negative policy and cause a standstill, to start working for a solution in the Cyprus problem that will support the UN resolutions on Cyprus, which it insists on respecting and implementing.

The international community, he added, should point this out to Turkey constantly and exert pressure to change its negative stance and open the road to a solution.

He pointed out that Turkey should respect the agreed procedure for a solution, without arbitration and strict deadlines and an agreement which should be placed before the two communities in separate but simultaneous referenda.

Invited to comment on Downer's comments that President Christofias' proposal on Famagusta is on the table, Stephanou said that "the President of the Republic has tabled again the issue of Famagusta, as it was provided in the proposal that he had submitted in 2010".

The proposal, he added, is based on UN resolutions that concern Famagusta and especially transferring the fenced off area of Famagusta to the UN, to allow for the necessary actions to take place and its lawful residents to return to the area.

Unfortunately, he said, "Turkey rejected the proposal, in the framework of its negative policy on Cyprus".

Regarding the issue of a multilateral conference, Stephanos Stephanou said that the UN will be the ones to decide when such a conference can take place.

He said that the UN Security Council Resolution 2026 on the renewal of the mandate of UNFICYP, approved in December 2011, clearly notes that a multilateral conference could convene when and only there is an agreement on the internal aspects of the problem, because the conference will deal with the external aspects of the Cyprus problem. This is the position of the Republic of Cyprus on the matter".

Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. Turkey since then occupies 37% of Cyprus' territory, situated in the north.

Peace talks are underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

[02] Priorities in fisheries and agriculture presented in view of Presidency

Aletraris noted that the main prerequisite for achieving progress in the talks regarding the CAP is to reach an agreement on the multiannual financial framework in the level of the European Council.

The main goals for the reforms on the CAP is the viable food production, the sustainability in the distribution of natural resources and the stability in the growth of rural areas.

Aletraris said that the Cyprus' Presidency aims to further simplify the payment scheme, noting that this is extremely important for island countries.

As regards the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) the Minister said that Cyprus aims to a Policy that will take into account the characteristics of each member state.

He said that Cyprus as a small island state has many individualities which must be acknowledged.

[03] Cyprus can become a gas storage hub for the EU, says government

Christofides noted that the strategic position of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea, in conjunction with the recent gas discoveries in the region and plans for their export, could promote the island as an alternative and fully flexible gas (LNG) storage hub for the European Union and the rest of the world.

According to Christofides, the recent discovery of substantial quantities of natural gas within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, in combination with the potential utilization of other gas deposits and future gas findings in the area, opens up new prospects and gives a large new impetus to the role of Cyprus in the global energy map and the European energy market.

The total amounts of natural gas reserves of the Eastern Mediterranean basin, estimated at 120-150 trillion cubic feet, comprise a significant reserve which could satisfy the energy demand of the EU for a long time, he pointed out, noting that Cyprus reserves are situated at only 500 Kilometers away from the southern part of continental Europe.

[04] Cyprus included in list of countries with clean waters

"Good news; if you`re planning a beach holiday in Europe this summer": 92.1 % of bathing waters in the European Union now meet the minimum water quality standards set by the Bathing Water Directive", says the report.

It further notes Cyprus, Croatia, Malta and Greece had excellent reports on their bathing water sites, all with more than 90 % of bathing water sites meeting the most stringent guide values (excellent quality),

According to the Report, this includes the Serpentine Lake in London, which will host several Olympics events, including the Open Water Marathon Swim and the swimming section of the triathlon.

The Bathing Water Report describes water quality in more than 22,000 bathing sites at beaches, rivers and lakes across Europe last year.

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