Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT - NEW MINISTERS

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER - COMMISSIONERS

[03] CYPRUS - UNEMPLOYMENT

[04] CYPRUS - FRANCOPHONIE MONTH

[01] GOVERNMENT - NEW MINISTERS

Erato Kozakou Marcoullis has been appointed Minister of Communications and Works, replacing Nicos Nicolaides, and Demetris Eliades has been appointed Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, replacing Michalis Polynikis.

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said the two new Ministers will be sworn in on Tuesday, at the Presidential Palace, and will then assume their duties.

Erato Kozakou Marcoullis was born in Limassol, in 1949. She is a graduate of Law and of Political Science and Public Law from the University of Athens, and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Helsinki.

On 16 July 2007, she was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by former President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, and held the position until 28 February 2008. Marcoullis also served as a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1980 until 2007. She has been married since 1970 to Dr. George Marcoullis, Associate Professor of Medicine, Oncologist/Hematologist. They have a son, Panos.

Demetris Eliades was born in 1947 in Lefkoniko village, in the Famagusta district. He studied law at the University of Athens and has been exercising the legal profession since 1980. He was an MP for Famagusta from 1985 to 2001 and served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment and a member of other Committees. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Union, a member of the European Association of Legislation since 1990, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Bank since 2005. He is married to Angeliki Hadjisavva. They have two children, Sophia and Yiannis.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER - COMMISSIONERS

Speaking after his meeting with Fule, Kyprianou said he expressed Cyprus` views concerning cooperation between the Commission`s Enlargement Directorate and the Republic of Cyprus, adding that there was room for improvement and that cooperation could become much more productive and constructive, given that there were common aims.

They furthermore agreed to meet again soon to discuss specific issues, in the presence of their associates.

Replying to questions, Kyprianou said he presented the government`s views on the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, and the Republic`s objections concerning the regulation for direct trade, which are ``legal and based on principle.``

[03] CYPRUS - UNEMPLOYMENT

According to data published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, unemployment rate for males in Cyprus reached in January 6.1% (unchanged compared to December 2009), while female unemployment was 6.4% (6.2% in December 2009).

There is no data for January regarding youth unemployment rate in Cyprus (under-25). In December 2009, youth unemployment reached 16.5% (unchanged compared to November).

EU27 unemployment rate was 9.5% in January 2010, unchanged compared with December 2009. It was 8.0% in January 2009. The euro area (EA16) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.9% in January 2010, the same as in December 20094. It was 8.5% in January 2009.

[04] CYPRUS - FRANCOPHONIE MONTH

Demetriou said that the decision of Cyprus to join the International Organization of La Francophonie was taken taking into account the prospects created for the country from its participation in such a prominent Organization.

The Minister said that since September 2006, the Republic of Cyprus participates actively in events organized jointly in Cyprus by the 16 member countries which are members of La Francophonie.

Furthermore, he recalled that in a message on March 20, 2009, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias had reiterated Cyprus confidence in and adherence to the universal values of fraternity, tolerance, democracy and human rights promoted by the International Organization of La Francophonie.

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