Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-06-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] HOUSE WORLD REFUGEE DAY

[02] MINISTER ITALY RELATIONS

[03] GOVERNMENT GAZA

[04] REAL ESTATE PRICES DROP

[01] HOUSE WORLD REFUGEE DAY

``In a free and reunified Cyprus, the right to return should be safeguarded as a fundamental human right, as of course all human rights and basic freedoms for all Cypriots``, Acting President of the House of Representatives, Sophoclis Fyttis, told the House Plenary Thursday.

Referring to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Fyttis said it should be based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the international law, the EU values and principles, as well as the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979.

``On the occassion of the World Refugee Day, we think about the suffering of the refugees of Cyprus, who are kept away from their homes for the last 37 years, as a result of the Turkish invasion and continuous occupation of Cyprus since 1974``, he said.

He reiterated the willingness of the House of Representatives to continue struggling for justice in Cyprus and for the respect of the right of the refugees to return to their homes.

Furthermore, he commented on recent statements by the Turkish Cypriot leadership, which rejected the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes in Kerynia and Morphou, occupied by Turkish troops since the summer of 1974.

``Such statements do not contribute to the achievement of progress in the framework of the Cyprus negotiations. On the contrary, they undermine the talks and jeopardise any slight progress, creating disappointment to those who truly want a solution``, he concluded.

[02] MINISTER ITALY RELATIONS

In statements after a working breakfast, here with Italian investors, organized by Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA), at the presence of Italian Ambassador to Cyprus Alfredo Bastianelli, Paschalides said the Italian investors expressed their satisfaction over the quality of services offered to businesses in Cyprus.

Paschalides said that commercial, tourism and investment relations between Cyprus and Italy could improve through the cooperation of interested parties and by organizing seminars.

On his part, Bastianelli noted that Italy is the second biggest exporter in Cyprus, something that contributes to mutual investments, and noted the need that Italian businesses use Cyprus strategic position for their activities in markets in the broader region.

As regards the issue of tourism, the Italian Ambassador described Cyprus as a superb destination and noted that the flow of tourists can be increase in a sustainable way.

[03] GOVERNMENT GAZA

The Ministry also recalls the joint initiative of Cyprus and Greece to send humanitarian aid to Gaza from Cyprus, which is still in force.

The Governments decision to forbid the sailing of ships from Cyprus to Gaza seeking to break the siege was announced on May 28, 2010. The Government said its decision was taken with a view to serve the vital interests of the country.

[04] REAL ESTATE PRICES DROP

The drop in prices follows an increase by 53.7% between the first quarter of 2006 and the third quarter of 2008. According to CBC, house prices showed relatively larger fluctuations than apartment prices.

It is further noted that Residential Property Price Indices record a positive correlation with the annual changes in Cyprus GDP, and in particular, the index records changes ahead of GDP adjustments.

Thus, the index recorded its first negative annual change in house prices during the first quarter of 2009, that is a quarter before Cyprus GDP recorded negative rate during the second quarter of 2009. According to CBC, the biggest increase in house prices between the first quarter of 2006 and third quarter of 2008 was in Famagusta, by 88.1%.

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