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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-02-25Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CHRISTOFIAS - AFFIRMATIONPreparations for the official swearing in ceremony of President-elect Demetris Christofias have begun, in anticipation of Thursdays affirmation. Acting Director General of the House of Representatives Socratis Socratous has told CNA that Acting President of the House, Costas Papacostas will chair the special session of the House on 28 February, at 1600 local time (1400 GMT) during which the new President will be sworn in.During the ceremony, the Acting House President will explain the reason for the extraordinary session and then Christofias will give his affirmation before the plenary of the 56-member House, pledging faith in and respect for the Constitution and the laws made thereunder and the preservation of the independence and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. Christofias will then give a speech and tradition has it that the new president will then receive the congratulations of the members of the House. Socratous said that around 250 persons have been invited, including government officials and members of the diplomatic corps. The House will resume its normal sessions on 6 March. Members of the House who are appointed to the new Cabinet will resign their parliamentary seat and the runners up will be sworn in before proceedings begin. Meanwhile, Andreas Moleskis, Secretary of the Council of Ministers told CNA that the first meeting of the new Cabinet will take place after the appointment of the new ministers. It is customary that the first Cabinet meeting is a formality during which the new President gives the guidelines on how the meetings will be conducted, he said. Moleskis added that by the 1st of March, the new ministers should be sworn in as the term in office of the government of Tassos Papadopoulos ends on 29 February. Christofias won the second round of the presidential elections by securing 53.36% of the valid votes. His opponent, Ioannis Kasoulides, received 46.64% of the votes. This is the first time that AKEL party contested the presidency by putting forward its own candidate, the party General Secretary, Demetris Christofias. [02] BARROSO - CHRISTOFIASEuropean Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has congratulated newly elected President Demetris Christofias on his victory in Sunday`s presidential elections and encouraged him to start negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community ``on a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue``. ``On behalf of the European Commission and myself I would like to congratulate you on your election as President of the Republic of Cyprus. I very much appreciated our meeting at the Commission headquarters on 5 December 2007. On this occasion, you conveyed your conviction in the project of European integration, and your determination to work for a solution for the Cyprus problem``, a statement issued by Barroso said.I am confident that under your leadership, Cyprus, as a new eurozone member, will further enhance its contribution to the European Union`s priorities and the successful achievement of its ambitious goals for the coming future, Barroso noted. Furthermore, Commission President stressed that Christofias election offers the opportunity to overcome the longstanding stalemate on the Cyprus issue. I would strongly encourage you to grasp this chance and without delay start negotiations under United Nations auspices with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on a comprehensive settlement. As President of the European Commission, I will strongly support your joint efforts, Barroso added. Wishing the new Cypriot President every success in his new responsibility as Head of State, Barroso concluded underlining the role played by the outgoing President Papadopoulos in the preparation of Cyprus for its successful adoption of the euro. [03] BRITAIN - CYPRUS - CHRISTOFIASBritish High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millett has conveyed a personal and official invitation to newly-elected President Demetris Christofias to visit London for talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.Speaking after a short meeting with Christofias, Millett assured that his country would continue to support efforts for a Cyprus settlement. Millett said Britain and Cyprus have many common interests in various sectors, such as the economy, commerce, education, tourism and politics, both on a bilateral level and as EU partners. ``So, we look forward to constructive cooperation with the new government of Cyprus,`` he added. The High Commissioner welcomed Christofias` commitment ``to work for a Cyprus settlement and the reunification of Cyprus,`` and noted that ``we assured him that he will have our undivided support to achieve this aim.`` He furthermore welcomed Christofias` intention to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. ``We believe that such a meeting would contribute towards improving the atmosphere,`` he added. ``I would like to stress that neither Great Britain nor the international community want to impose a solution on Cyprus. It is up to the two communities to work amicably under UN auspices,`` Millett said, adding that ``we, on our side, in full cooperation with the rest of the Security Council members, will do everything possible to help them.`` [04] USA - PRESIDENT-ELECTOn behalf of the United States government, the US embassy in Cyprus congratulates ``President-elect Dimitris Christofias on his February 24 victory and commends Cypriot voters for their impressive display of civic duty``. An embassy says, ``we look forward to continue close relations between our two countries and governments``.Referring to the Cyprus problem, the embassy stresses that ``like other members of the international community, we remain committed to utilizing our good offices in the quest for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, and believe 2008 offers a window of opportunity for significant progress``. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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