Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 13-01-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] No change in EPP position on Turkey's EU accession talks, EPP SG says

[02] Cyprus-Switzerland agreement on import and repatriation of cultural

goods

[03] DISY leader thanks EPP for its valuable support to Cyprus

[04] EPP-Anastasiades: Cyprus has potential to overcome financial problems

[05] Markoullis discusses Cyprus issue, energy and crisis in Switzerland

[01] No change in EPP position on Turkey's EU accession talks, EPP SG says

In his speech at the gala dinner hosted by presidential candidate, DISY leader Nicos Anastasiades, EPP Secretary General said that "in relation to the Cyprus issue, journalists have asked if the position of the EPP regarding Turkey's EU accession negotiations has changed. My answer is clear: the position of the EPP has not changed".

"Within our political family there is the same diversity of opinions about Turkey`s aspirations as there is within the EU or within each Member State of the EU. Some of our member parties support the EU future of Turkey, some others would prefer to set up a privileged partnership between the EU and Turkey", he added.

[02] Cyprus-Switzerland agreement on import and repatriation of cultural goods

The bilateral agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis and her counterpart from Switzerland Didier Burkhalter.

The agreement aims to protect the cultural heritage of both states and to regulate the legal import of cultural goods. It defines methods of restituting cultural goods that have been illicitly imported and contains provisions relating to co-operation in the fight against the illicit transfer of cultural goods and the preservation of the cultural heritage.

[03] DISY leader thanks EPP for its valuable support to Cyprus

In a speech at the official dinner on the sidelines of the extraordinary European Peoples' Party Summit, which DISY hosted in the coastal town of Limassol, Anastasiades said that the EPP has never stopped being the front-runner in promoting European integration, unity and solidarity.

"It is by remaining faithful to those exact values that the EPP, on many occasions, has offered valuable support to Cyprus. In a very constructive and tangible way", he said, adding that "we all appreciate EPP's steady and solid support on our positions for a fair settlement of the Cyprus problem and more recently, we all recognized its catalytic role on defending our country's sovereign right to exploit its natural resources".

[04] EPP-Anastasiades: Cyprus has potential to overcome financial problems

Speaking at a press conference after the EPP Summit, Anastasiades said that he ​​explained to his interlocutors that Cyprus has the potential and can succeed in its effort to address its economic problems, noting however that today it needs the assistance of its European partners to avoid short-term but very serious risks.

He also assured that "we are not asking for any special treatment and that we will be consistent with all of our obligations". He explained, however, that press reports on money laundering or on Cyprus being a tax haven are totally unfair and exaggerated."

[05] Markoullis discusses Cyprus issue, energy and crisis in Switzerland

According to a press release, in the context of a working visit to Bern, Markoullis attended a working lunch with Burkhalter, followed by talks, during which the delegations discussed bilateral relations between Cyprus and Switzerland, developments in the Cyprus problem, the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit hydrocarbons in its exclusive economic zone, the crisis in the Eurozone, and developments in the Southern Neighbourhood.

They also discussed relations between the EU and Switzerland, and reaffirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations between Cyprus and Switzerland, as well as the latter's support to a viable and functional solution in Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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