Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-03

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT NATIONAL COUNCIL CYPRUS

[02] FINANCE MINISTER WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS

[03] CHINESE BUSINESSPEOPLE VISIT

[04] DIGITAL TV CYPRUS 2011

[01] PRESIDENT NATIONAL COUNCIL CYPRUS

The National Council, the top advisory body to the President regarding the handling of the Cyprus issue, convened for over four hours.

In statements after the meeting, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the members of the Council expressed views on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue in a constructive climate.

The National Council, chaired by President of the Republic of Cyprus, comprises two representatives of all parliamentary political parties. Former Presidents of the Republic also participate in the Council, as well as the Foreign Minister, the Government Spokesman and at times other officials.

The Spokesman said that the members of the Council have not exchanged views on the second issue, which was on the agenda, regarding the way the National Council functions, since the discussion about the Cyprus problem took longer than expected.

Stephanou said that the political parties have submitted their suggestions on the ways to improve the function of the National Council and the issue will be discussed during the next meeting of the body.

Invited to comment on information that UN Secretary Generals Special Representative Taye Brook Zerihoun has intervened for the promotion of a new package of Confidence Building Measures among the two communities in Cyprus, Stephanou said that the Greek Cypriot side concentrates on the essence of the Cyprus issue, which can not be solved only by implementing confidence building measures.

He added that there is an agreement, on the level of technical committees, for taking confidence building measures, but they have not been implemented yet.

The Spokesman was also invited to comment on press reports according to which the Turkish Cypriot side has employed an international house, which specializes on secessions.

Replying to that, Stephanou noted that the Greek Cypriot side pursues the reunification of the island.

What we pursue, is through a solution of the Cyprus problem to achieve the reunification of our country. And we believe that on the negotiating table we will see what each side wants and pursues. The aim, of course, is the solution and the reunification of Cyprus, he said.

When invited to comment on a press report according to which the natural environment in the Greek Cypriot village of Livera, now under Turkish occupation, is being destroyed for the sake of building houses for Turkish military officers, Stephanou said that an environmental catastrophe is a very important aspect, noting that when a country is under occupation the legal state can unfortunately not exert power or control the occupied area.

Regarding the Turkish Foreign Ministrys announcement about the resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the situation in Cyprus, the Spokesman noted that Turkeys reactions have to do with the fact that Ankara pursues a policy on Cyprus, which is in conflict with the principles of the Council of Europe.

[02] FINANCE MINISTER WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS

In statements the Minister noted that Cyprus has a very strong banking and financial system, which has not been affected yet by economic developments abroad.

But Cyprus``, he said, ``has an open economy, based on foreign investments, tourism and trade and inevitably will be affected if this crisis continues.

The Minister said that plans should be made in order to maintain Cyprus` robust and competitive economy.

[03] CHINESE BUSINESSPEOPLE VISIT

The delegation of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry met on Friday morning with Stavrakis, who elaborated on the benefits of the island`s economy, mainly for investors.

Stavrakis said China is a huge market of two billion people with growth rates of nearly 10%. He added that this was the second visit of Chinese businesspeople to Cyprus, with an aim to strengthen bilateral economic relations to the benefit of both countries.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yali, who accompanied the Chinese delegation, said the Chinese Chamber was the largest, with around 200,000 private businesses as members.

The Ambassador pointed out that China is quite a distance from Cyprus but not that far in the new globalised economy and thus there were prospects for cooperation, adding that especially in the political field relations are excellent.

[04] DIGITAL TV CYPRUS 2011

Minister of Communication and Works Nikos Nikolaides and Minister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis announced the introduction of digital terrestrial TV in Cyprus, which by 2011 will have fully replaced the broadcasting in analog format.

Nikolaides said that based on an EU decision, all European countries must by the end of 2012 stop broadcasting in analog format.

Cyprus, he added, will implement the EU decision in 2011, but said that before that there will be a transit period during which analog and digital transmissions will be offered.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article