Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-04-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN ENVOY - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[02] COMMERCE MINISTER - GLOBAL RUSSIA BUSINESS MEETING

[03] CYPRUS - TRADE DEFICIT

[01] UN ENVOY - CYPRUS PROBLEM

In his address at the ``Global Russia Business Meeting`` held Monday in Limassol, Downer referred to the efforts undertaken in the context of the direct talks between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus aiming at achieving a solution on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation which will reunify the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation.

Downer said that a solution to the Cyprus problem is difficult to be achieved due to the history of the island, the distrust and suspicion existing between the two communities.

He also said that convergences have been achieved on some issues discussed during the direct negotiations while some other issues are more difficult to reach an agreement, bringing as an example the issue of property.

The top UN envoy on Cyprus expressed certainty that the Cyprus problem can be resolved on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, adding that countries such as Russia and its colleagues at the United Nations Security Council have always been interested in solving the problem and reunifying the island.

Moreover he expressed the opinion that there is no other formula to solve the Cyprus problem than that of bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

He said that not everybody in Cyprus likes it, adding that some dislike it.

Abandoning the effort to achieve a solution based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation would mean abandoning any hope for reunification of the island, Downer warned.

In conclusion, Downner referred to the important role Russia in the world economy and to the cooperation between Cyprus and Russia in various sectors of the economy.

The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot community have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

[02] COMMERCE MINISTER - GLOBAL RUSSIA BUSINESS MEETING

In his address at the ``Global Russia Business Meeting`` held in Limassol, Paschalides said, inter alia, that Russia ``plays a key role in the global economy, as evidenced by the high levels of investment inflows and outflows to and from the country`s economy, its leading role in the emerging BRIC economies and its rich natural resources on which many countries rely``.

Referring to the importance the EU attaches to Russia, he said that the EU ``has a vital interest in promoting the prosperity of its largest neighbour. The European and Russian markets are fundamentally complementary``.

[03] CYPRUS - TRADE DEFICIT

Specifically, the trade deficit was 370,7mn euro in January 2011 compared to 374,5mn euro in January 2010.

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