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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-11-10Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] NEW LARNAKA AIRPORT - COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONThe arrival of a Cyprus Airways flight from Amman marked on Tuesday the commencement of the operation of Cyprus` new International Airport in Larnaca.A Cyprus Airways Airbus A319 from Amman landed on the runway of Larnaka`s International Airport at 7:25 local time in the presence of Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works, Nicos Nicolaides, and Hermes Airport Spokesman. The jet passed beneath a water arch created by two Cyprus` Fire Service fire engines, while the flight`s 56 passengers, greeted by the Spokesmen of Cyprus Airways and Department of Civil Aviation, were offered memorabilia. On 8:00 local time a Cyprus Airways flight CY322 for Athens marked Larnaca International Airport`s first departure. The flight`s 154 passengers were given a free ticket for Athens and a mug marking the beginning of operation of the new Larnaka International Airport. Speaking to the press, Nicolaides said that this day is ``historic`` for LarnaKa, Cyprus and the countrys air transport. ``Everything is going well, the climate is very good,`` he said adding there is a mood by every one to maintain the service in the new airport at high standards. ``I hope we all continue with this good mood and offer what Cyprus can offer best, services, hospitality and service,`` Nicolaides said. On his part, Cyprus Airways Spokesman Kyriacos Kyriacou said that CY is proud and honoured to mark the beginning of the new Larnaka International Airport. He also expressed hope that the operation of the new airport ``will mark a new, more upgraded and better beginning for air transport,`` adding that ``the preconditions for achieving this aim are there.`` Cyprus Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou had his first trip from the new Larnaka International Airport. Speaking to CNA prior to his departure for London, Iacovou said the new airport ``is a modern and a European airport for which we all can be proud of.`` The new Larnaka International Airport, inaugurated on Saturday, opened today for Cyprus Airways and Easy-jet flights, while on November 17 the rest of the airlines will begin using the new terminal. At an estimated cost of 656.3 million euros, the new 10,000-square-meter-terminal features 67 check-in counters, 14 airline ticket desks, eight check-in kiosks, 16 Air-Bridges, seven security points, five aircraft Baggage conveyor belts and parking spaces for 2.450 cars, while its annual passenger capacity is 7.5 million. [02] GREEK PM - CYPRUS - DIVIDING WALLGreek Prime Minister George Papandreou has called on Europeans to pull down the last dividing wall in Europe, the wall that divides Cyprus in two so that there is a single Europe without occupation troops.Speaking from Berlin on Monday where he paid an official visit to attend celebrations on the occasion of the 20 years since the collapse of the Berlin Wall, Papandreou called on Europe to tear down the last remaining wall within its borders, namely, the wall that still separates and divides the island of Cyprus. ``As Greeks and as Europeans we must shout out: Tear down the last wall, the one that divides Cyprus in two,`` Papandreou underlined in his address. The Greek premier stressed that a free and united Europe should not tolerate walls or occupation forces, and promised to fight for a Europe free of any kind of ``wall``. [03] SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS TALKSThe Greek Cypriot side is not making any concessions in the direct talks for a solution to the Cyprus issue, stated Government Spokesman Stephanou, adding that the positions which the President of the Republic is submitting are on the basis and framework of the principles for a solution of the Cyprus issue, a bizonal, bicommunal federation.Invited to comment on statements by political parties over the course of the direct talks for a Cyprus settlement, the Spokesman said that during the four-day meeting of the National Council in September, it was decided that the Council would reconvene in November to re-evaluate Turkeys European aspirations and progress in view of December`s European Council. He said the National Council would convene to decide how to make use of this date with the aim to promote the solution of the Cyprus issue. [04] FOREIGN MINISTER - CYPRUS - EU PRESIDENCYMinister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou said his Ministry would be intensifying its actions in 2010 to prepare for the EU presidency in 2012.Presenting his Ministry`s budget before the House of Representatives` Committee of Finance, Kyprianou said the most important activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have to do with ``the promotion of our positions for the solution of the Cyprus problem.`` According to the budget, proposed expenditure is 83.7 million EUR, of which 78.4 million is regular expenditure, compared to 75 million in 2009, and 5.3 million development expenditure, which was around the same amount in 2009. Speaking before the Committee, Kyprianou requested the simplification of procedures in view of Cyprus holding the EU rotating presidency in 2012, both for the employment of staff for that period and for bypassing tender procedures to enhance the infrastructure. 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