Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 14-01-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] UNHCR concerned over refugee protest outside Interior Ministry

[02] Dutch Minister: Cyprus' memorandum implementation inspiration

for Europe

[03] Business organisations in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey adopt declaration

on Cyprus

[04] Reaffirming Europe's mission the Greek Presidency's greatest

challenge

[01] UNHCR concerned over refugee protest outside Interior Ministry

In a written statement, Dessalegne says that the refugees who have been staging the protest declared yesterday that they will stop taking liquids after waging hunger strike for more than 40 days.

"According to the refugees, their only demand is to be able to live a normal and dignified life in the Republic of Cyprus on equal footing with Cypriot citizens; this is obviously something they are entitled to under domestic legislation", he says, adding that many feel that they meet the established criteria to be granted Cypriot citizenship after lawfully living for several years in Cyprus, but they have faced insurmountable barriers. In addition, he says that they feel that their wish and determination to start and build a new future against seemingly daunting odds, eventually to become contributing and enriching members of the society once again, have been rather frustrated.

[02] Dutch Minister: Cyprus' memorandum implementation inspiration for Europe

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides, after their meeting at the Cypriot Ministry, Timmermans said the way with which the Cypriot people have taken the responsibility in implementing the agreement, which is very difficult and painful to them, is an inspiration to the rest of Europe.

He added that even though there was a lot of skepticism before, the agreement that was reached was actually working, thanks to the fact that the Cypriot government and people are willing to implement it to the full.

[03] Business organisations in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey adopt declaration on Cyprus

Representatives of the organisations held a press conference in Nicosia, during which Filios Zachariades, who read out the declaration in Greek, said the four organisations call upon the two communities in Cyprus to begin negotiations in good faith to achieve a comprehensive and enduring settlement of the Cyprus problem.

"Based on the understanding of the interconnectedness of political and economic issues, along with the elevated level of international interest to end within our region, the four Organisations strongly stress that the negotiations between the communities in Cyprus pose a sound opportunity to reach a mutually accepted solution to the long outstanding Cyprus problem", the declaration notes.

[04] Reaffirming Europe's mission the Greek Presidency's greatest challenge

The Greek diplomat was presenting on Thursday the priorities of the Greek EU Council rotating Presidency, at the EU House, in Nicosia.

The Greek Presidency's priorities focus on five main axes, namely growth, jobs and social cohesion, the EU-Eurozone continued integration, a comprehensive common migration policy, the EU maritime policy, and enlargement.

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