Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-01-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN GENEVA MEETING

[02] GAROYIAN CHINA MEETINGS

[03] STEPHANOU - QATAR INVESTMENT

[04] CYPRIOTS TRAVELS INCREASE

[01] SPOKESMAN GENEVA MEETING

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Monday that President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias will go to the Geneva meeting in a constructive spirit and with good will, showing the necessary realism, in order to serve our firm goal, which is the achievement of a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest possible.

We expect the other side to show the same stance and same consistency on the basis of the solution, so that we can achieve progress that would pave the way for the solution, he stressed.

Stephanou pledged that the Greek Cypriot side will continue its efforts for a solution despite any difficulties faced on the negotiating table.

Despite the stance demonstrated by the other side, our side continues with the same consistency and commitment to the UN resolutions with an aim to reach a solution in Cyprus, he stressed.

The Spokesman said that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be based on the relevant UN SC resolutions, the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, which provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Invited to comment on recent statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the Spokesman said that the best reply we can give is President Christofias consistency on the negotiating table for a solution based on what has been mutually agreed by the two sides, which is a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which is also included in many UN resolutions.

Of course we expect the other side to show consistency and respect towards the UN resolutions, he went on to stress.

The Spokesman noted that the Turkish side unfortunately often refers to the so called existence of two states and two peoples in Cyprus, underlining that such statements contravene the various UN resolutions.

He recalled that the UN resolutions have condemned Turkeys secessionist action of declaring a so-called state in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus. He also recalled that the UN resolutions consider Turkeys action as invalid and call upon the international community not to recognise this illegal entity.

The Republic of Cyprus, which became a full EU member state in May 2004, is divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and since then occupy 37% of Cyprus territory. UN - led Cyprus talks are underway between President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu with a view to reunify the country.

The UNSG has invited both leaders at a meeting in Geneva on the 26th of January to review progress made so far at the Cyprus talks and decide on the next steps.

[02] GAROYIAN CHINA MEETINGS

Cyprus House President and a delegation from the House of Representatives comprised the MPs Yiannakis Thoma, Averof Neofytou, Andreas Angelides, Fedias Sarikas and Demetris Syllouris, held a meeting on Monday in Xi`an, China, with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People`s Congress.

Speaking during the meeting, Garoyian referred to the strong bonds and the honest friendship between Cyprus and China, and to the 40th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In addition, Garoyian stressed that the two countries have never disagreed on international or regional issues. ``There have always been common positions and common perceptions on the adoption of common policies to face international challenges``, he said.

[03] STEPHANOU - QATAR INVESTMENT

He added that the government of Cyprus believes that this investment would lead to new investments and open more prospects for the Cyprus economy and the relations between the two states.

The Spokesman, who held last weekend, together with Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis, contacts with Qatari officials on the joint development project, said that their trip to Qatar took place in the framework of contacts and negotiations underway considering Qatars investment.

This investment is very important because it will give new impetus to our bilateral relations. It is very important for the economy of Cyprus and I hope that soon we will be in a position to say more, he pointed out.

[04] CYPRIOTS TRAVELS INCREASE

On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, issued by the Statistical Service, 1.246.378 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad during the period January December 2010, compared to 1.172.268 in the corresponding period of last year recording an increase of 6.3%.

According to the survey, in January - December 2010 there was an increase of 2.6% on the trips of residents to Greece (from 417.710 in period January December 2009 to 428.686 in period January December 2010) and 9.7% increase to the United Kingdom (from 271.990 to 298.440 this year).

Some 89.228 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in December 2010 compared to 89.287 in the corresponding month last year recording a decrease of 0.1%.

Accordingly, in December 2010 there was a decrease of 9.1% on the trips of residents to Greece (30.410 in December 2010 compared to 33.461 in December 2009) as well as 2.6% decrease from the United Kingdom (26.712 compared to 27.432 last year).

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