Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT FM STATEMENTS

[02] CYPRUS IRAQ

[03] EURO - INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

[01] CYPRIOT FM STATEMENTS

In statements before departing for Vienna to take part in the informal EU Foreign Ministers` Meeting, Iacovou also called on the US to direct appeals for a resumption of talks to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side.

Commenting on a dinner in the Turkish occupied areas between former President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Iacovou said he would have preferred that the dinner did not take place at the so-called presidential palace because ``this will make things difficult for our side.``

Although ``Mr. Clerides is a private citizen, he is still a former President of the Republic,`` Iacovou said.

Asked if this meeting gives the impression that President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos does not view positively a meeting with Talat, Iacovou said these two are not comparable.

Iacovou reminded that meetings between the President of the Republic with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community were held within a specific framework, within the framework of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General and under his aegis.

``We will not deviate from this line,`` Iacovou said, adding that although Talat insisted on a meeting, when he was given the opportunity to have one with President Papadopoulos he postponed it and continues to do so.

Invited to comment on statements made here Friday by US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicher who said that each day that goes by without any negotiation on the Cyprus problem is a wasted opportunity to solve the Cyprus issue, Iacovou said Schlicher ``should direct his appeals to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side.``

Iacovou said the government agreed in Paris for committees to meet on a technical level to begin, amongst others, the preparation for the negotiations.

One of the preconditions, he added, would be to start negotiations ``when these are sufficiently prepared, therefore I think that these appeals should be directed to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side.``

Referring to the Informal Foreign Ministers` Meeting, he said among the issues to be examined is the future of Europe.

[02] CYPRUS IRAQ

In an official statement, the Cypriot government extended its congratulations to Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki.

[03] EURO - INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

Speaking at a press conference, Sarris praised the benefits of a macroeconomic policy because, he said, it ``maintains interest levels and inflation low, employment is high and the exchange rate is stable,`` adding that this is of ``great significance.`` Sarris said he hoped that with the purification of public finances, and remaining within target, ``we will be proper EU member states, allowing us to exercise a good fiscal policy.``

However, he acknowledged that the public is ``concerned`` regarding the repercussions of the introduction of the Euro, adding that ``with the proper information policy and dialogue that will objectively explain the benefits and ways to handle any possible dangers from the Euro`s introduction, eventually there will be unanimity.``

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