Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-01-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - LEBANON

[02] GOVERNMENT - BONDS

[03] CYPRUS - TURKEY - VIOLATIONS

[04] CYPRUS - INFLATION

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER - LEBANON

According to an official press release, Kyprianou said it was a very friendly and constructive meeting, during which they discussed relations between Cyprus and Lebanon, adding that he had the opportunity to brief Hariri on developments in talks to solve the Cyprus problem.

Kyprianou also said Lebanon and Hariri personally are interested in the reunification of Cyprus, adding that they also discussed cooperation in various sectors and the exchange of experience to tackle common challenges in fields such as energy, water management, and climate change.

He also assured of Cyprus` full support to the strengthening of relations between Lebanon and the EU, pointing out that Cyprus, due to its geographical position and its proximity to Lebanon, is ready to support those relations.

Furthermore, Kyprianou asked Hariri to consider Cyprus a friend, which will promote Lebanon`s interests in the EU.

Replying to questions, Kyprianou said Cyprus is interested in peace in the region, and that Cyprus` position is that the Palestinian and Middle East questions must be resolved through the establishment of a Palestinian state within the borders of 1967.

He also said occupation in the countries of the region should be terminated and that their integrity, including their sovereignty, must be respected and safeguarded, adding that Cyprus was ready to support these efforts as an EU member.

Kyprianou also met with Minister of Energy and Water Gerban Bassil and Minister of Public Works and Transport Ghazi Aridi.

[02] GOVERNMENT - BONDS

Stavrakis reviewed the issue with Central Bank officials, while there was also a telephone conversation with the foreign banks that will issue the long term bonds and particularly with the Swiss Union Bank of Switzerland, the German Deutsche Bank and the French Societe Generale.

In his statements, Stavrakis did not reveal the value of the bonds, noting that probably their duration would be between 5 and 10 years depending also on the suggestions made by the three banks.

Finance Minister explained that the public needs for this year approach 2.5 billion euro, with the largest amount stemming from the need to refinance the existing public debt which is about to expire.

[03] CYPRUS - TURKEY - VIOLATIONS

The violations were recorded from 1 October to 26 November last year.

In a letter addressed to the UN Secretary General, Cyprus Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Minas Hadjimichael said that Turkeys policy of non-observance of rules and regulations governing international aviation continues to gravely jeopardize flight safety and perpetuate insecurity and apprehension on the island.

Turkeys systematic attempts to undermine the sovereignty and unity of the Republic of Cyprus by promoting an illegal secessionist entity, arrogating to itself, inter alia, the right to control part of the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus, further complicate the efforts to build trust and confidence between the two communities, Hadjimichael added.

He noted that such policies and actions provide ample demonstration of the irresponsible behaviour of a country that now serves as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

[04] CYPRUS - INFLATION

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December 2009, decreased by 0.35 units or 0.31% to 112,60 units compared to 112.95 in November 2009, a decline attributed mainly to decreases in the prices of certain fresh vegetables, potatoes and diesel for central heating. Increases have also been recorded in the prices of certain clothing items and petrol and diesel for motorcars.

The rate of inflation for December 2009 rose to 2.0% compared to 1.4% in November 2009 and 2.1% in December 2008.

For the period January-December 2009, the CPI recorded an increase of 0.3% compared to the corresponding period of 2008, which is the lowest annual inflation rate since 1965.

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