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Newsletter
June
2008
President Christofias Informs National Council on
Latest Cyprus Developments
Nicosia, Jul 2 - President Christofias informed Wednesday the
members of the National Council, the top advisory body to the
President on the Cyprus issue, about the latest developments
regarding the Cyprus problem.
The National Council,
comprising leaders or representatives of parliamentary parties,
convened one day after the third meeting between President
Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, since the
Cypriot President was elected to the presidency early this
year.
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Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos
Kyprianou Paid Official Visit to China
Nicosia, July 3 - On an official visit by Cyprus Foreign Minister
Markos Kyprianou in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
has reiterated his country's long-standing positions of principles
on the Cyprus question.
Mr. Yang said that China supports
the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Cyprus,
that the settlement of the Cyprus problem must be the product of
negotiations between the two communities and that the settlement
must be just and viable and must be based on UN Security Council
resolutions.
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French Minister of Agriculture and
Fisheries Michel Barnier Says EU Must Support Efforts for a Cyprus
Solution
Nicosia, Jun 27 - French Minister of
Agriculture and Fisheries Michel Barnier described the Cyprus
problem as a European problem and noted that the EU must support
ongoing efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.
The French
Minister, who was received Friday by President Christofias, said he
discussed with the Cypriot President the Cyprus problem as well as
issues concerning the forthcoming EU French Presidency.
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Here Minister of Finance: Cyprus Remains
a Strong Market Economy
Nicosia, Jul 2 - Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis stated
at the Annual General Meeting of the Cyprus International Business
Association yesterday that, "Cyprus remains a healthy, robust and
flexible market economy, in which International Business can
establish themselves and do business effectively in the region and
around the world enjoying the comparative advantages offered by the
island as a regional and international business center." The
Minister said that during the last thirty years Cyprus has succeeded
in being transformed into a reputable, well regulated international
business center.
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European Court of Human Rights Finds Turkey Guilty of
Human Rights Violations
Nicosia, June 24 - The European Court of Human Rights has found
Turkey guilty of human rights violations in two cases Cypriots had
brought before the Court.
The Court unanimously ruled that
Ankara is guilty of violating Article 2 (right to life) of the
European Convention on Human Rights in respect to the killings of
Anastasios Isaak and Solomos Solomou.
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President
Christofias and T/C Leader to Meet 1st of July
Nicosia, June 20 -- The 1st of July is the date when President of
the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet
Ali Talat will once again meet in the framework of the ongoing
procedure launched under the auspices of the UN aiming at reaching a
solution to the Cyprus problem.
The date was announced today
by the Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, aide
to the Turkish Cypriot leader, during a joint press conference held
at Ledra Palas in Nicosia, in the presence of the UN Secretary
General's Special Representative, Mr. Tay-Brook Zerihoun.
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Cyprus Contributes to
Reconstruction of Palestinian Refugee Camp in Lebanon
icosia, Jun 26 - The Republic of Cyprus is contributing 100
thousand Euro to the reconstruction of the Palestinian Nahr el Bared
refugee camp in Lebanon, as was stated by Ambassador Kornilios
Korniliou, the Foreign Minister's Office Director, during the
International Donors Conference, held on June 23, 2008, in Vienna
under the auspices of Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plasnik.
According to an official announcement, speaking at the
Conference on behalf of Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou, Mr.
Korniliou noted that the Republic of Cyprus has included Lebanon in
its Strategy for Development Cooperation and added that between 2007
and 2011 and under the long-term commitment to support Lebanon,
Cyprus will spend 1.1 million Euro for reconstructing projects in
Lebanon.
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President Christofias Outlines Educational Targets
Nicosia, Jun 25 - President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris
Christofias has stressed that making Cyprus' education
self-contained is one of the primary goals of his government.
Addressing the official graduation ceremony of the
University of Cyprus, held in Nicosia Wednesday, President
Christofias said the primary objective of the government is to offer
all young Cypriots who wish to study at home, the opportunity to
study in their own country.
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UN Under-Secretary General Lynn Pascoe Says the Leaders
of the Two Communites are Committed to a Settlement
Nicosia, Jun 18 - UN Under-Secretary General Lynn Pascoe has
found that the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus are very
committed to moving forward and finally resolving the Cyprus problem
and leading to the reunification of Cyprus. The two leaders have
expressed optimism regarding the outcome of the process.
Speaking at a press conference at Ledra Palace in the
UN-controlled buffer zone, having concluded a visit to Cyprus, Mr.
Pascoe said the advisers of the leaders would be meeting on Thursday
with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus
Taye Brook Zerihoun, in order to set the date of the next meeting
between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, which he hoped would take place
next week.
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Speaker of the House Marios Garoyian
Establishes World Refugee Day
Nicosia, Jun 18 - Armed conflicts, civil wars, extreme violence
and the lack of freedom, as well as discrimination and persecution,
which characterize today's world order or rather disorder,
constitute the most significant factors turning people into
refugees, said Speaker of the House Marios Garoyian in his speech at
the opening of a photographic exhibition "Protection: what refugees
need", on the occasion of 2008 World Refugee Day at the House of
Representatives.
"The 20th of June has been established as
the World Day of Refugees and aims to remind us all that tens of
millions of people live in uncertainty and agony for what the next
day holds for them as refugees or displaced people," he
noted.
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Here National Olympic Committees Announce Cyprus Ready to
Host GSSE
Nicosia, Jun 17 – Cyprus is preparing in earnest to host next
year's Games of Small States in Europe and hopes to organize the
best ever Games, with the highest number of participants and the
best facilities, according to the organizers of the Games.
"Cyprus' goal is to host in the beginning of June 2009 the
best GSSE ever," the President of the Cyprus Olympic Committee,
Kikis Lazarides, said today.
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President Christofias and Mr. Talat
to Meet in Coming Weeks
Brussels, Jun 19 - Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said on
Thursday he will be having two meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat, one towards the end of June and one in July.
Speaking at the European Policy Center in Brussels,
President Christofias said that the next confidence building
measures should include the disengagement of the old town of Nicosia
and the opening of a crossing point to and from the Turkish occupied
areas of Cyprus at Limnitis village, on the northwest.
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Greek Foreign Minister Arrives in
Cyprus
Larnaca, Jun 12 - Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora
Bakoyiannis assured on her arrival to Cyprus that Greece will
contribute so that the new effort underway for a Cyprus settlement
will be based on strong foundations and that the necessary
preparation is made for direct negotiations that will give the best
possible prospects and guarantees for success.
Speaking at
Larnaca Airport, Foreign Minister Bakoyiannis said she would have
the opportunity to meet with President Demetris Christofias and the
political leadership of the island during her stay.
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Government Spokesman: Opening of
Limnitis is a Top Priority
Nicosia, Jun 11 - The opening of the Limnitis crossing point, on
the north-west of the island is a top priority for the Greek Cypriot
side, Cyprus Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said,
noting that there is a relevant provision within the 21st March
Agreement between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat.
Responding today to questions after the
Cabinet's meeting, the Spokesman also said that the opening of the
specific checkpoint does not entirely depend on the Greek Cypriot
side and it can therefore take place through a mutual agreement
between the two sides.
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Here European Commission Launches
"Cypriot Civil Society in Action" Program
Nicosia, June 12 - The European Commission is launching a
€2,500,000 grant scheme to strengthen civil society in the Turkish
Cypriot community and to foster trust, dialogue and co-operation
between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.
According to a press release issued by the European
Commission, this is the second call for proposals under the "Cypriot
Civil Society in Action" program. The grant scheme is open to
proposals from Turkish Cypriot civil society organizations in
partnership with Greek Cypriot civil society organizations in areas
such as culture, economic development, social inclusion, social
dialogue, human rights, gender, reconciliation and academic
research.
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Interior Minister Presents Measures
for Refugees
Nicosia, Jun 12 – Refugees entitled to state aid will be
receiving an increase in their allowances as of July this year,
according to the new housing policy approved by the Council of
Ministers on Wednesday.
Minister of the Interior Neoclis
Sylikiotis presented the policy on Thursday, noting that it includes
revising the grants and loans through the Housing Plan, as well as
subsidizing the rent for displaced persons and those suffering the
consequences of the 1974 Turkish invasion.
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President Christofias: London Talks
A Turning Point
London, June 5 - President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris
Christofias has described the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding with Britain and his talks on Thursday with British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a ''turning point'' in relations with
London.
He told a press conference after his meeting with
Mr. Brown that he was satisfied with the result of their talks. At
the same time, he underlined the significance of the 1960 Treaties
which established the Republic of Cyprus and the two countries'
commitment to them. He also stressed that the withdrawal of the
British Bases from the island is not on the agenda at present,
adding that Cyprus does not need guarantors or
guarantees.
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Cyprus Withdraws
Appeal Against EU Regulation
Nicosia, Jun 3 - The Republic of Cyprus has decided to withdraw
its appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Communities
relating to a European Union financial aid regulation for the
Turkish Cypriot community.
Government Spokesman Stephanos
Stephanou announced that Cyprus has decided to withdraw its appeal
for the annulment of eight tenders relating to the regulation, which
were published by the European Commission.
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Here Ancient Shipwreck Reveals Amphorae
Nicosia, May 31 - The first amphorae from a 4th century BC ship
have been brought to the surface by a team of Cypriot experts at
Mazotos.
It is believed that the commercial vessel, possibly
carrying wine from the Greek island of Chios, sunk off Cyprus'
southern coast. It is said to have been carrying about 500
amphorae.
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Cyprus Unemployment in April Second Lowest in Euro Area
Brussels, May 31 – The rate of unemployment in April in Cyprus
reached 3.6%, remaining unchanged in comparison with March 2008.
This is the third lowest rate in the EU and the second lowest in the
Eurozone.
According to data released by Eurostat, the Euro
area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.1% in April
2008, unchanged compared with March. It was 7.5% in April 2007.
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