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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-08-05
CONTENTS
[01] FM - NEW MINISTER
[02] FINANCE MINISTRY - NEW MINISTER
[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - FAMAGUSTA
[01] FM - NEW MINISTER
Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis
and her predecessor Markos Kyprianou underlined the major challenges
lying ahead, as regards the Cyprus problem and the assumption of the EU
Presidency by Cyprus, during the second half of 2012, at a ceremony
held on Friday, following the appointment of new Ministers by President
Demetris Christofias. Outgoing Minister Kyprianou thanked Ministry of
Foreign Affairs employees for their support and cooperation, noting
that the last three and a half years that he had served as Foreign
Minister were full of challenges for him. He added that the Foreign
Ministry`s task and the Minister`s duties are demanding and that they
must be fulfilled with very few human and material recourses especially
if you consider that we have to face a very difficult opponent,
Turkey.``
Kyprianou added that most of the goals he set when he took over the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been accomplished. I leave the
Ministry in good hands, Kyprianou said, and underlined that he and
Marcoullis ``have a common approach regarding Cyprus` role
internationally.`` On her behalf, Marcoullis said that she feels like
going back home since she was a member of the diplomatic family for
more than 30 years. On 16 July, 2007 the former President of the
Republic, the late Tassos Papadopoulos, appointed Marcoullis as
Minister of Foreign Affairs, in which position she served until the end
of the Presidents term of office, the 28th of February 2008. I take
over a Ministry which was in good hands, Marcoullis said. ``We face
many challenges and we need to intensify our efforts so we can face
these challenges, she said. I`m sure that everyone will do their
outmost to succeed in their mission, she said. There are major
challenges, especially regarding the Cyprus problem where we must face
a very powerful opponent, which becomes even stronger, economically and
politically, she said.
[02] FINANCE MINISTRY - NEW MINISTER
Newly appointed Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias pledged to do
everything possible, together with his colleagues at the Ministry of
Finance, to help Cyprus overcome the economic crisis, adding we have no
right to fail. Speaking during a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance
where he was handed the post by his predecessor Charilaos Stavrakis,
Kazamias urged all to show a high sense of responsibility at the
difficult times the island is facing. He said I want to, and will try,
like my predecessor, to take over the ministry and everyone to proceed
towards the finishing line with success, because like people who love
their country, we have no right to fail. Kazamias said he decided to
undertake this difficult task, knowing from first hand, the incessant
efforts in the previous years and especially the last three and a half
years, in the midst of all the difficult, anti-social conditions that
have shaped up the international and local economic environment.
Stressing that now was not the time to make a go into an analysis of
what has happened I pledge to do whatever I can, with all the knowledge
that I have, together with your cooperation, to complete the work.
Kazamias said there is work that needs to be done, adding that he will
take over the social dialogue in the middle of the procedure, as a
meeting was held Thursday in the presence of President of the Republic
Demetris Christofias, a new one is scheduled for Monday and decisions
have to be taken by Tuesday so that the relevant legislation can be
prepared from Wednesday which will be forwarded to the House of
Representatives for immediate approval. The leaders of trade unions
PASIDI, SEK and PEO in their statements said that decisions on the
package of measures in a bid to consolidate public finances will be
taken next Tuesday in a meeting with the Minister of Finance and later
on with President Christofias. They said the only issue outstanding is
the pension programme.
[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - FAMAGUSTA
The return of Famagusta does not mean abandoning the other occupied
areas of Cyprus, but will create a positive climate for the success of
the efforts for a Cyprus settlement, said Friday Speaker of the
Parliament of Cyprus Yiannakis Omirou, after meeting with a delegation
of the Greek Parliament, and Mayors of Greek towns. The delegation is
visiting Cyprus at the invitation of occupied Famagustas Mayor and
municipal council and will attend a series of anti-occupation events
marking the 37th anniversary since the seizure of the town by the
Turkish troops in the summer of 1974. The House Speaker said that the
international and European community gave priority to the issue of the
return of Famagusta, because the city remained vacant for 37 years,
becoming a real ghost city.
This is a violation, not only of the principles of international and
European law, but also a violation of any concept of civilization. It
is an act of barbarism, ``he said. He added that with the delegation
they discussed Turkey`s refusal to return, as obligate, the city of
Famagusta to its lawful residents, according to Security Councils
resolutions and high level agreements. Head of the bipartisan
delegation, PASOK MP Pemi Zouni, said that they are participating in
the anti-occupation events for Famagusta, with the hope that these
events will soon be unnecessary, because the Cyprus problem will be
solved in a proper way. She reiterated at the same time, that the Greek
parliamentary parties support and keep pace with the struggle of
Cyprus.
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