Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-01-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] OCCUPIED AREAS T/C PROTEST

[02] GOVERNMENT GENEVA MEETING

[03] CYPRUS PALESTINE FM

[04] SPOKESMAN FINANCIAL MEASURES

[01] OCCUPIED AREAS T/C PROTEST

The massive rally was organized by the platform of Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions comprising approximately 30 trade unions, organizations and political parties opposing the policy followed by Dervis Eroglou illegal government. The Platform demands civil and labour rights and the re-unification of the country. The demonstrators protested against the package of financial measures the illegal government, following Turkeys instructions, tries to implement in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Participants were holding placards, inter alia, with slogans against Turkey and the Turkish government, while on two placards the flag of the Republic of Cyprus was pictured. The Turkish Cypriot parties Turkish Republican Party, Democratic Party, Democratic Society, United Cyprus and New Cyprus were participating in the rally along with the biggest unions of workers in the occupied areas, in the so called state and semi state services, telecommunications and electricity authorities, health sector, banks and education system, teachers and professors.

The main slogan on the podium of the rally was There is no salvation for ourselves. All together or none of usť. Representatives of the organizers estimate that the participants in the rally exceeded 20.000, while other estimations refer to 40.000 people. The protesters adopted a declaration A declaration prepared by the platform was approved.

In the declaration, the support to a solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest is stated.

[02] GOVERNMENT GENEVA MEETING

He added that President Christofias will continue to negotiate on the agreed basis for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation in line with the UN resolutions, and expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will also demonstrate such attitude.

As regards the Geneva meeting between President Christofias, Turkish Cypriot leader and Ban Ki moon, Stephanou said that the UN Secretary expressed his readiness to make available to both sides UN experts on technical issues regarding property issue. He pointed out however that it depends on each side how they will take advantage of the expertise, knowledge and assistance these experts could offer, explaining that the UN experts will not participate in the negotiations.

[03] CYPRUS PALESTINE FM

Following a meeting and offical talks with the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riad Malki, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, Kyprianou was asked by journalists whether the Republic of Cyprus is considering to follow the example of other countries and upgrade its Representative Office in Ramallah. Kyprianou responded by saying that the issue is on the table. He said that any decision on the issue will be announced whenever it is taken, adding that this will happen in due time.

During a press conference after the meeting, the two men said they focused on the Cyprus problem and the Middle East peace process, as well as on bilateral issues, EU-Palestine relations and the Union for the Mediterranean issue. The forthcoming visit of President Christofias to the Palestinian territories and efforts to secure a UN Security Council resolution against Israeli settlement activities were also discussed.

The Palestinian Foreign Minister said that the two sides talked about EU-Palestinian relations, in light of Cyprus EU Presidency during the second half of 2012. The forthcoming visit of President Christofias to the Palestinian territories in March also featured on the agenda. Malki said that they talked on the necessary preparations, in order to make the Presidents visit not only historic, but also a complete success.

Malki also said that from his part he briefed Kyprianou on the current phase of negotiations in the Middle East, as well as the actions the Palestinian side undertakes to revive the peace process.

[04] SPOKESMAN FINANCIAL MEASURES

We are satisfied that the European Commission in its announcement recognizes and underscores that Cyprus fulfills its targets as a result of the measures taken by the Government, Stephanou said.

The Government will continue to implement is programme aiming both to tackle the impact of the global financial crisis and the fiscal consolidation of Cyprus economy, he added.

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