Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TITOV - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] NEW HOUSE PRESIDENT - INTERVIEW WITH CNA

[03] FM - TRANSITIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LIBYA

[04] BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER - 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - TITOV - CYPRUS ISSUE

Titov said that he had very fruitful and open discussions with President Christofias on issues regarding bilateral cooperation and some regional and international issues as well. ``My visit is a kind of a follow up of those decisions which were taken during the state visit of our President to Cyprus last year``, he noted.

To remark that some members of the international community, including Turkey want to change the negotiating process and have an international conference for the Cyprus problem and asked about the Russian question on this issue, Titov said ``the position of the Russian Federation is that any international conference must deal with the external issues and not with the domestic issues of a certain state.``

Asked if he discussed with Christofias the issue of oil explorations in the Mediterranean sea, Titov said they just discussed it ``in a way that we have some plans as far energy cooperation is concerned. But it wasnt discussed in some further details,`` he added.

[02] NEW HOUSE PRESIDENT - INTERVIEW WITH CNA

As he noted the Cypriot people expressed their disappointment in the political system in the unprecedented percentage of abstentions (21%) in last months parliamentary elections.

Omirou, President of the Movement of Social Democrats EDEK, was elected new President of the House of Representatives on June 2, following the May 22 parliamentary elections. He was elected in the third round of voting at the House plenary, with 28 votes from the MPs of EDEK, the Democratic Rally (DISY) and the European Party and Zacharias Koulias, formerly of the Democratic Party, and now independent.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Omirou said he expects to be briefed on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, in his capacity as House President, the second highest post in the Republic of Cyprus, stressing the need to expose Turkeys intransigence through parliamentary fora.

The new Speaker also said he will have a personal involvement in the House preparations for the Cyprus EU Presidency in the second half of 2012 and revealed his intension to travel to Athens next week on his first official visit abroad since his election.

Asked about his first priority, Omirou said the priority is to see the House committees start producing legislative work and to exercise parliamentary control. As of next Thursday, the first bills will be tabled, MPs will put forward various issues for discussion and parties will begin to work.

[03] FM - TRANSITIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LIBYA

Kyprianou expressed Cyprus government support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Libya, reiterating Cyprus support to a political solution and stressing the need to achieve peace and protect the civilian population.

Foreign Minister also underlined that human rights should be respected by all sides, pointing out that national reconciliation should be achieved after the conflict.

Kyprianou informed the delegation about Cyprus actions and initiatives for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Libya.

Head of the delegation and Vice President of the Transitional National Council of Libya, Ghoga Abdelhafid briefed the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the positions and the program of the Council and informed him about the situation in Libya, the economic difficulties and the humanitarian problems.

[04] BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER - 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

In an interview with CNA, British High Commissioner Matthew Kidd said that the main target of the events is to promote the Olympic spirit, the key themes which are a vital part of London 2012, the principles and values of Olympic Games and to demonstrate events that are happening in Britain and the links between Britain and Cyprus.

As he explained in the interview, the London 2012 Games offers educational opportunities both as an inspiration and as an opportunity for all children to learn about the values which are the core of the Olympic movement. In this framework, he announced that British athletes will visit schools in Cyprus and provide inspiration to young people.

Kidd analyses the vision of the organizers of the Games to develop sustainable and eco buildings, which will benefit the communities around the Olympic facilities and will have a long-term payback. In addition, he refers to sustainability, legacy, design and accessibility, equality and inclusion, health safety and security, as the key themes and priorities of the British authorities for the Olympic Games.

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