Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK FM - UNSG - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] CYPRUS - GERMANY - TAXATION

[01] GREEK FM - UNSG - CYPRUS ISSUE

In statements after the 40-minute meeting, Droutsas said that the Cyprus problem was the main issue of the discussion, adding that Greece expects objectivity in view of Ban`s report to the Security Council for his Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.

Droutsas said he reiterated that Greece fully stands behind the UN Chief`s efforts on Cyprus.

``We want to see a settlement and the settlement in our view must be based on the UN Security Council resolutions but also on the full respect of the EU acquis communautaire since the Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the European Union and this must be taken into account in the search for a settlement,`` he stressed.

The Greek FM also said that ``we want to see objectivity from everybody involved in the process,`` adding that facts should be ``presented in an objective way and in a realistic way.``

``For us reality says that you have President Demetris Christofias who is putting forward from the beginning of this effort, very constructive, forthcoming proposals but unfortunately we see the Turkish Cypriot community and especially the new leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community Mr. Eroglu, expressing positions that remind us of the past, that are also abandoning in some terms the basis agreed upon for the solution of the Cyprus problem and we encourage also the Turkish Cypriot community to look into the issue of the settlement in the most constructive way``, Droutsas underlined.

Replying to a question, Droutsas said President Christofias is presenting ``in a very constructive and forthcoming way his proposals, fully committed to a settlement of the Cyprus issue.``

``But sometimes once again Im unhappy to repeat this but this is for us the reality, the Turkish Cypriot community, the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community is not responding in the same forthcoming and constructive manner to the proposals put forward by President Christofias,`` he concluded.

UN-backed talks between the leaders of the two communities began in September 2008 aiming at reaching a mutually agreed settlement to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[02] CYPRUS - GERMANY - TAXATION

The agreement was signed Friday by Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis and German Ambassador in Nicosia Gottfried Zeitz. Both of them pointed out that this new agreement further enhances ``the very good`` economic and commercial ties between Cyprus and Germany.

The Cypriot Minister described the agreement as very important, noting that negotiations had begun in 2005, taking into consideration the new economic facts in both states.

After long efforts, we have reached an agreement which is to the benefit of both states and further enhances the very good economic and commercial relations of our states, Stavrakis went on to say.

In his statements, the German Ambassador said he was satisfied with this new step adding that the new agreement further strengthens the ``already excellent financial relations between the two states``.

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