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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-22Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] GOVERNMENT - BAGIS STATEMENTSGovernment Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has stated that the goal of the negotiations is to find a Cyprus settlement that will end Turkeys occupation and reunite the land and its people.Stephanou affirmed moreover that this effort will continue, in accordance with UN resolutions, the principles of international and European law and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, which provide for a bizonal bicommunal federation. Commenting on recent statements by Turkish State Minister Egemen Bagis, Stephanou said that they repeat in essence previous unacceptable positions, which are in conflict with UN resolutions and the decisions of the EU, which Turkey wants to join. There is one state in Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus and there exists only the Cypriot people, comprising the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, Stephanou stressed. Moreover, he said that Turkeys secessionist act to declare an illegal break-away state in Cyprus has been condemned by the UN Security Council. He also noted that Turkey cannot continue its illegal behavior, occupying Cyprus and trying at the same time to upgrade the structures and institutions of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime. Stephanou finally remarked that in an earlier statement, Bagis had said that Turkey will not abandon Cyprus and its kindred (the Turkish Cypriots). Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has recently put things in a different way, Stephanou added, recalling a statement by the Turkish Premier, saying that Turkey is in Cyprus in pursuit of its strategic interests. [02] LIBYA -CYPRIOT CITIZENSThe Government of the Republic of Cyprus is closely monitoring developments in Libya and is in constant contact with the EU and Greece in case Cypriots need to be flown out of the country, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Tuesday.``There is a number of Cypriots there, about 140, and, despite the problems in communications and transport, our Embassy in Libya is in close contact with most of the Cypriots there,`` Stephanou said. He added that ``we are in coordination and constant contact with the EU, as in the case of Egypt,`` and that ``there is close contact and coordination with Greece and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, so that, if necessary and if decided, the Cypriots will be transported out of Libya.`` Ambassador of Cyprus in Tripoli Pericles Stivaros told CNA that there are 17 Cypriots living in Libya -from mixed marriages-, while 124 Cypriots work in companies of Cypriot, European or international interests. He added that the Embassy is in contact with Cypriots in Libya and is making arrangements to repatriate them in the event they wish to do so. [03] ITF -TURKEY - EMBARGO - CYPRUSThe International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has called on the government of Turkey to end the embargo on Cyprus flagged vessels.In a letter sent to Turkish Minister of Transport and Communications Binali Yildirim, ITF President and Dockers Section Chair Paddy Crumlin and ITF Seafarers Section Chair David Heindel noted that the time has come when the government of Turkey might well consider that the ban on Cyprus flagged vessels no longer serves any useful purpose. Referring to the ongoing occupation of Cyprus northern part, they noted that current negotiations aiming to solve the problem give hope for a peaceful and amicable settlement of the issues and withdrawal from Cyprus by Turkey. It is in this framework, they added, that they support the request of their maritime affiliated labour organization, the Federation of Transport Petroleum and Agricultural Workers of Cyprus Cyprus Workers Confederation (SEK), to urge the Government of Turkey to withdraw the ban on Cyprus flagged vessels calling at Turkish ports. It is also stressed that there has been a direct impact on the employment rights of seafarers who are engaged on Cyprus flagged vessels, whose work opportunities are lessened as a direct result of the ban. [04] EU AGRICULTURE COUNCIL - CYPRIOT MINISTERThe European Commissions report on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) was discussed at the EU Agriculture Ministers Council which took place Monday in Brussels. Cyprus was represented by Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Demetris Eliades.In his intervention, the Cypriot Minister agreed with the Commissions position that a balanced development of the rural areas in relation to urban areas should be the basic aim of the CAP, noting that this can be better implemented by emphasizing on the coordination of the structural funds which support similar actions. Eliades said he was in favor of the reinforcement of rural development measures which could contribute to the support of rural employment and the promotion of opportunities for a secondary occupation. In addition, he pointed out that small farms and their local products should be supported due to their important contribution to the preservation of the environment. An economically viable agriculture could attract more young people to this field, he stressed, noting that a strong infrastructure, like health care and education, is needed as a motivation to young farmers to stay in the country. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |