Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-01-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] MERKEL - TURKEY - CYPRUS TALKS

[02] MISSING - MEETING

[03] CYPRUS - QATAR - PROJECT

[04] EUROSTAT - TRADE DEFICIT

[01] MERKEL - TURKEY - CYPRUS TALKS

A press release issued by Merkels office concerning her recent visit to Cyprus says that the German Chancellor assured President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias of Germanys support to efforts for a Cyprus settlement and commended his efforts to create a momentum in the ongoing UN led direct negotiations on the Cyprus problem.

We particularly appreciate your courage, the creativity which you show, Merkel said, adding that unfortunately so far there has been no response to this readiness for compromise.

According to the press release, Merkel underlined that Germany supports mediating efforts by the UN and added that it will be indicated during the dialogue with Turkey in the future that there needs to be progress in the process. As Germany, other EU member states and NATO are interested in a Cyprus settlement, she added.

The press release also stressed that the Federal Republic of Germany supports the necessary process of reconciliation not only due to its own experience of division but also due to its interest in cooperation between NATO and the CFSP, which is very limited, according to the Chancellor, adding that irrelevant of the result, negotiations between the EU and Turkey must move on.

Merkel also underlined that the reunification of Germany cannot become a model for the reunification of Cyprus as the historic background is different, noting however that Germany is willing to contribute with its own experiences on the issue of property. With regard to bilateral relations between the two countries, the press release said that Germany was among the first countries to have established diplomatic relations with Cyprus since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 and has been an important financial partner of the country.

The island has been divided since 1974 to the Greek Cypriot southern part and to the northern part. The Republic of Cyprus is an EU member state since 2004. The conflict complicates the cooperation between the EU and NATO, the press release concluded.

[02] MISSING - MEETING

Speaking after the meeting, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said representatives of the Anthropological Laboratory, the Institute of Genetics and the Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons and Undeclared Prisoners attended the meeting, in the presence of Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and the Spokesman.

``This meeting aimed at further coordination to speed up the procedure regarding the identification of the remains of missing persons, so that the process can move forward faster,`` Stephanou said.

[03] CYPRUS - QATAR - PROJECT

Stephanou noted that letters are also exchanged between the two governments within the framework of ongoing talks.

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias` interest in the matter remains strong and constant, he said, adding that the matter has been discussed between President Christofias and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani at their meetings.

Cyprus and Qatar signed in April 2010 two agreements and four memoranda of understanding, covering sectors such as air services and the creation of a joint venture for a project opposite Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, including a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, offices and apartments.

[04] EUROSTAT - TRADE DEFICIT

The total value of Cyprus` exports reached 900 million EUR, recording an increase of 14% compared to the same period the previous year. Imports were up by 8%, reaching 5 billion EUR in value.

The first estimate for the Eurozone trade balance with the rest of the world in November 2010 gave a 0.4 billion EUR deficit, compared with 3.1 billion EUR in November 2009. The October 2010 balance was 4.7 billion EUR, compared with 4.8 billion EUR in October 2009. In November 2010 compared with October 2010, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.2% and imports by 4.4%.

The first estimate for the November 2010 extra-EU27 trade balance was a 14.7 billion EUR deficit, compared with -7.3 billion EUR in November 2009. In October 2010 the balance was -7.9 billion EUR, compared with -6.4 billion EUR in October 2009. In November 2010 compared with October 2010, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.3% and imports by 6.1%.

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