Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-02-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM AUSTRALIA VISIT

[02] EP REPORT - TURKEY EU-NATO

[03] CYPRUS MIGRATION - EU FINANCIAL AID

[04] NEW ZEALAND GOVERNOR GENERAL DIRECT TALKS

[01] FM AUSTRALIA VISIT

In statements to the Press here Thursday after a meeting he held with a USA Congress delegation comprising Senior Officers, Kyprianou said that at the meeting with the Australian Foreign Minister he would have the opportunity to discuss a number of common interest issues. He also noted that he would hold meetings with the Greek community in Australia.

As regards the meeting, Kyprianou stressed their role in shaping the US politicians decisions and positions.

Additionally, he underlined the importance of such meetings, during which the USA officials were briefed on the Cyprus problem.

There are a number of US Congress resolutions that support the Cyprus efforts, he said adding that the American officials will also have the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that concern Cyprus, with Governments officials, politicians and members of the Parliament.

Replying to a question on the Cyprus flagged ship Monchegorsk, Kyprianou pointed out that for the Foreign Ministry the issue is closed.

After the cargo of the ship, which was considered to breach of UN resolutions, was unloaded and stored, the Foreign Ministrys role is over, he said.

It has been alleged that the Cypriot-flagged ship, which originated from Iran, was carrying arms and it was forced by a US military vessel to anchor near Limassol port to have its cargo inspected, in order to establish whether there has been a breach of UN Security Council sanctions, as claimed.

On February 3, the government submitted a report on the findings of the inspections to the competent UN Security Council Sanctions Committee. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on that day that a team of experts from the Republic of Cyprus proceeded with two inspections of the cargo of ship ``Monchegorsk`` on January 29 and February 2.

The Cyprus government decided on February 13 to unload and store the cargo of the ship.

[02] EP REPORT - TURKEY EU-NATO

MEPs called upon Turkey to cease hindering the cooperation between EU and NATO and encouraged Cyprus «to review its political position on its membership of the Partnership for Peace». Furthermore they called on NATO member states to refrain from using their veto to prevent EU Member States from becoming members of NATO.

``The resolution deplores the fact that the Turkish-Cypriot dispute continues to badly impair the development of EU-NATO cooperation, given that, on the one hand, Turkey refuses to allow Cyprus to participate in ESDP missions involving NATO intelligence and resources and that, on the other hand, in response, Cyprus refuses to allow Turkey to engage in the overall development of ESDP to an extent commensurate with Turkey`s military weight and strategic importance to Europe and transatlantic alliance,`` a press release issued by the European Parliament said.

[03] CYPRUS MIGRATION - EU FINANCIAL AID

Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Minister of the Interior Neoklis Sylikiotis said that the amount of 48 million euro from the External Borders Fund, the European Refugee Fund, the Return Fund and the Integration Fund, is very important for Cyprus, noting that Nicosia has asked the EU for greater economic support due to the increased migration flows towards Cyprus. He explained that Cyprus is the first stop for immigrants in an area, which, he said, is considered to be the most politically unstable in the world.

Cyprus, the Minister added, cannot manage the great migration flows, due to its geographical position, its small size and its political problem. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

[04] NEW ZEALAND GOVERNOR GENERAL DIRECT TALKS

Furthermore, he underlined the special interest of New Zealand, noting that a military contingent from his country participates in the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Satyanand was speaking at a ceremony during which he received the credentials of the new High Commission of Cyprus to New Zealand, stationed in Canberra, Australia, Yiannis Iacovou.

The Cypriot High Commissioner conveyed the regards of Cyprus President Demetris Christofias to the Governor-General and informed him about the latest developments in the Cyprus question.

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