Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-08-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN IACOVOU TCs KOKKINA

[02] FINANCE MINISTER - ECONOMY

[03] ANORTHOSIS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

[01] UN IACOVOU TCs KOKKINA

Deputy UNFICYP Spokesman Captain Thomas Pavlik told CNA that so far 1100 people will cross to Kokkina on Friday for their annual pilgrimage on buses and the UN will assist them because they are crossing the buffer zone.

Asked if the Turkish Cypriots will allow the Greek Cypriots to visit next month the occupied church of Agios Mamas to celebrate the saints feast day, Pavlik said he had no information whether Turkish Cypriot side has taken a decision on the matter.

The Turkish Cypriot side has yet to reply to a request from Greek Cypriots to visit the Church of Agios Mamas in occupied Morphou to pray on September 2.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third.

Kokkina, a coastal village in northeast Cyprus, was the centre of intercommunal clashes in 1964, when Turkish air force planes bombed Greek Cypriot villages in the area. Kokkina is accessible only through the free areas of the Republic or by sea. Turkish Cypriots have been visiting Kokkina by land with the consent of the government of Cyprus.

Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou told CNA that in a telephone conversation with Kato Pyrgos Community leader, he was informed on the Community Councils decision to allow the Turkish Cypriots cross from the Kato Pyrgos checkpoint to Kokkina, as well as the residents decision to stage a peaceful demonstration calling for the opening of the Limnitis checkpoint.

I telephoned the UN, informed them on the new situation and that the checkpoint will be open for the Turkish Cypriots to cross and that there will be a peaceful demonstration with no problems, he said.

Iacovou added that what remains is the UN to receive a reply on Thursday from the Turkish Cypriot side to the Greek Cypriot request for the Agios Mamas visit.

For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis have to travel to Paphos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia. Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter. In the recent past, several crossing points to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people.

[02] FINANCE MINISTER - ECONOMY

Speaking during a press conference, Stavrakis said the Ministry has revised its economic growth forecast for 2008 upwards to around 4.0% on the back of an increase in private demand and foreign investment.

``The rate of economic growth has exceeded our initial expectations of between 3.5% 3.7%, and will reach some four percent by the close of year,`` Stavrakis said, adding that is the second highest rate in the Eurozone after Slovenia.

Growth was spurred mainly by the services industry, primarily foreign investment and international companies on the island, and private demand, he said.

``Cyprus`s geographical position means we have an advantage when it comes to foreign investment on the island, and we have certainly reaped the benefits,`` he added.

[03] ANORTHOSIS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Vincent Laban struck after 13 minutes for the visitors to leave Rapid needing five goals to turn the tie, and although Erwin Hoffer equalised on the night and Stefan Maierhofer scored twice after half-time, Anorthosis always maintained the aggregate led.

The Cypriot football club will now take on Greek champions Olympiacos CFP for a place in the group stage having previously fallen against Rangers FC, Hertha BSC Berlin and K. Lierse SK at the last hurdle.

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