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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-06-13Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRUS SPOKESMAN - US REPORTCyprus Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas has acknowledged that not everything works perfectly in the country, commenting on a US report on trafficking in persons which is critical of government efforts to combat trafficking of human beings in line with international standards.We have never claimed that everything runs smoothly and that everything that relates to the Republic of Cyprus is perfect and operates in an ideal manner, Palmas said, when asked to comment on the chapter on Cyprus in the US State Department report, released Tuesday. The report, which covers the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007, said that the government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it is making significant efforts to do so. According to the report Cyprus is a destination country for a large number of women trafficked from countries in Eastern and Central Europe, including Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and Russia, for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Women are also trafficked from the Philippines, the People`s Republic of China, and Morocco. The government of Cyprus has been placed on Tier 2 Watch List for a second consecutive year because it again failed to pass revised anti-trafficking legislation and did not open a long-promised trafficking shelter, the report said. We certainly acknowledge that there are weaknesses in some matters. We are not among those who do not accept that we must improve, if we detect weaknesses, the spokesman added. This, he pointed out, is a general principle which the government espouses. There are things in the Republic that need to be put right, he concluded. The spokesman refrained from any comment on the report extract that deals with the situation in Cyprus northern Turkish occupied areas. A US embassy official in Nicosia, invited to comment on the report, told CNA that cooperation with the government of Cyprus has been excellent and explained that the government, NGOs and civil society have been forthcoming with supplying embassy officials with information on the matter. [02] EAC TRADE UNIONS - 24 HOUR STRIKETrade unions at the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) are on a 24 hour strike on Wednesday to draw attention to their opposition to a Cabinet decision to build an offshore platform to supply Cyprus with natural gas. President of SEPAIK union Sotos Savva has told CNA that there was no word so far regarding a meeting with the government and recalled that the unions would escalate their protest on June 27, if no developments occur. He said the unions do not want to inconvenience the public but to make it aware of the problem.Asked if electricity supply will be interrupted if the strike action escalates, Savva said that the unions have already set up a committee to see what further protest action can be taken. When the decision on the matter is taken next week, it will become known, Savva added. EAC Chairman of the Board of Directors Charilaos Stavrakis expressed the Boards opposition to the strike. We feel that any problems can be solved through bona fide dialogue with the ministry and the government, he told CNA. He praised the unions for showing good will by being ready to repair any fault that may arise during the 24 hour work stoppage, noting that it is now up to the government to take the next step. [03] EUROPEAN WINDSURFING CHAMPIONSHIPPolish sailor Przemyslaw Miarczynski continues to be the overall leader in the 2007 Windsurfing RS:X European Championship, taking place in the southern coastal town of Limassol. Pont, as Miarczynski is known, had a hard time due to the light winds since he is one of the heavier sailors but managed to secure a 3rd in the first race, then topped that by winning the second in the Gold fleet and is now the clear leader overall.Fabian Heidegger of Italy, 2nd overall, had a better first race finishing second, but blew the second which has cost him valuable points. Thus he has to keep the pressure on, if his dream of stepping onto the podium is to stay alive. Piotr Myszka of Poland is now in 3rd overall, after taking an 8th in the first race, and then a 2nd. But 4th place man, Joao Rodrigues , of Portugal, has it all to play for with only 9 points separating him from 2nd place man Fabian. In the women`s fleet, after three postponements competitors began their race under a black flag, with France`s Faustine Merret (FRA) taking the victory, while Alessandra Sensini of Italy finished second. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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