Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-08-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - LIBYA - REGIME

[02] CYPRUS ISSUE - TALKS

[03] ECONOMY - MEASURES

[04] RENEWABLE ENERGY - PLAN

[01] CYPRUS - LIBYA - REGIME

In a statement on the developments in Libya, Stephanou said the position of the Republic of Cyprus has been that ``there should be an end to the Gaddafi regime, an end to the bloodshed so that the people can determine their fate through democratic means.

Stephanou said President of the Republic Demetris Christofias conveyed this position during his recent visit to Paris where he met French President Nikola Sarkozy.

It is extremely important, Stephanou said, that in the post Gaddafi era which Libya is entering, to secure a smooth transition to democracy, where conditions of tolerance, peace, justice, human rights will prevail, for the good of the people and the region.

Asked if the government maintains the same position as far as Syria is concerned, the Spokesman replied and for Syria, we are in continued dialogue and contact with the EU.

Our demand is to see an end to the bloodshed, he added.

[02] CYPRUS ISSUE - TALKS

Tuesdays meeting was the fourth of a series of all day meetings to take place over the next several weeks until October, as agreed during a meeting between the leaders of the two communities and the UN Secretary General in Geneva on July 7th, 2011.

The UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Liza Buttenheim told reporters that leaders` representatives will continue the discussion on governance and power sharing on Wednesday at 15.00. Furthermore, she said that the leaders will meet again on Friday in accordance with their agreed schedule, to discus the remaining chapters.

She also announced that President Christofias and Dervis Eroglu have agreed to hold a make up meeting for the postponed meeting on August 5 and this meeting is to take place on 14th of September.

[03] ECONOMY - MEASURES

In statements on Tuesday, Stephanou said that the Government had agreed on a package of measures with the political parties, and that the measures concerning civil servants would be discussed with their trade unions, adding that an agreement was reached with the trade unions that altered certain points of the initial agreement.

However, he said, the majority of the measures sent to the House of Representatives are still in the package, adding that ``there is a balance in everyone`s contribution, there are measures of a structural nature, including the pension scheme for the civil service and broader civil service, there are measures with an immediate implementation and result.``

Stephanou said the Government has promised a second package of measures, on which the Minister of Finance is working, with an aim to present its outline before the discussion of the first package at the plenary of the House of Representatives on Thursday.

[04] RENEWABLE ENERGY - PLAN

Briefing the members of the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives on the Government`s plants regarding renewable energy sources, Antoniadou said, that the national action plan would cover the island`s energy needs by 13% from renewable energy sources by the year 2020

She noted that the ministerial committee examining the issue, which includes the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Agriculture and the Interior, met on Monday to discuss ways to expedite the issuing of licences and promoting the production of energy from renewable sources, and decided to update the action plan, appreciating the contribution of those sources in covering the energy deficit along with the current prices.

Chairman of the Committee on Commerce Lefteris Christoforou said the Committee would continue to support and demand that solar and wind energy be introduced to all households.

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