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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-29Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT - MISSING PERSONSPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has assured that efforts will continue regarding the issue of missing persons, as well as the support to their families and the work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP).In a statement on the occasion of the Missing Persons Day, President Christofias notes that ``we are struggling so that Turkey meets its obligations and opens the archives of its army and other services, which will help towards the full determination of the fate of the missing persons.`` He notes that the families of missing persons have been struggling for the past 26 years to learn what happened to their loved ones, and assured that ``we are struggling on a daily basis for the full determination of the fate of each and every missing person.`` Referring to the work of the CMP, President Christofias said that the exhumation programme ``undoubtedly creates a climate of optimism for the course of the struggle to determine the fate of the missing persons`` but noted that exhumations and identifications did not close the chapter. ``Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to carry out individual investigations, a fundamental element that is provided for by internationally accepted principles on human rights, and is clearly stated in the European Court of Human Rights` decision,`` he pointed out, adding that it was for this reason that ``we are struggling so that Turkey meets its obligations and opens the archives of its army and other services, which will help towards the full determination of the fate of the missing persons.`` Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. [02] BELGIAN STATE SECRETARY FOR MIGRATION - VISIT IN CYPRUSBelgian State Secretary for Migration and Asylum Policy Melchior Wathelet will be arriving in Cyprus on Saturday for an official visit, accompanied by a multimember delegation, on behalf of the Belgian Presidency of the EU.The purpose of the visit is to discuss and exchange views on procedures and the situation in Cyprus concerning asylum issues, one of the Belgian Presidency`s priorities. The visit is being held as a result of the continuous representations by Cyprus to the EU for more practical solidarity among member states and a more balanced allocation of responsibilities regarding asylum issues. Wathelet will be discussing these issues with Minister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis. The Belgian official will be departing for Brussels later on in the day. [03] EUROPEAN COMMISSION - CYPRUS - RIVER BASINSThe European Commission is urging seven member states, namely Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia, to comply with EU water legislation and submit their plans for managing Europe`s river basins.The river basin management plans should have been adopted by 22 December 2009 at the latest. On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, Reasoned Opinions are therefore being sent. In the absence of satisfactory responses from the member states concerned within two months, the Commission may refer them to the European Court of Justice. According to a press release issued on Thursday, Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy requires member states to publish a management plan for each river district at the latest nine years after the legislation entered into force. Member states sharing international rivers must work together to produce a single international river basin management plan. The Water Framework Directive requires member states to consult the public and other interested parties on the plans and publish draft copies, allowing six months for comments in writing. Because of these requirements, public consultations should have started at the latest in December 2008. [04] EURO AREA - ECONOMIC SENTIMENT INDICATORThe Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) has improved further in both the EU and the Euro area in October 2010, however in Cyprus, after five months of continuous improvement, it has dropped.According to a report published by the EU Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs, the indicator increased by 0.5 of a point in the EU and, more significantly, by 0.9 of a point in the Euro area, reaching 104.1 in both areas. In both the EU and the Euro area the ESI is now above its long-term average. The majority of member states reported improvements in sentiment. Among the seven largest member states, France registered the most significant increase (+3.4), followed by the Netherlands (+2.8). Improvements were less pronounced in Poland (+0.5), Germany (+0.3), Italy (+0.3) and in the UK (+0.3). In contrast, sentiment worsened slightly in Spain (-0.2). France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK are all above their long-term average. In Cyprus, the indicator dropped from 93.1 points in September to 88.4 points in October. The Services Indicator worsened from +5 points in September to around -1 point in October, and the Industry Indicator went to -7 points in October from -4 points in September. The Retail Indicator improved from -15 points in September to -12 points in October, while the Construction Indicator went from -47 points in September to -49 points in October. Regarding consumers, the Consumer Confidence Indicator remained unchanged at -32 points, while the Business Climate Indicator for Employment improved to -11 points in October from -13 points in September. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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