Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-09-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] CYPRUS FIR - TURKISH JETS

[03] CYPRUS - FILM FESTIVAL

[04] KARATE - LARNACA

[01] GOVERNMENT - CYPRUS ISSUE

He added that President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, addressing the UN General Assembly, deplored Turkeys threats and attitude, and described the reality at the talks for a Cyprus settlement, inter alia, making a general reference to the benefits the Turkish Cypriots would reap if hydrocarbons were found in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone.

Christophides furthermore dismissed the argument that on the one hand the hydrocarbons were an incentive for a settlement and on the other hand the Greek Cypriot side was removing this incentive.

``We want to send the message that there is a strong incentive for the Turkish Cypriots, which is enhanced by the finding of hydrocarbons, for a solution of the Cyprus problem,`` he said, adding that there are some thoughts about how the Turkish Cypriots could benefit, which would be announced after political decisions are taken.

Furthermore, Christophides said that President Christofias and the Government were monitoring developments very closely, in the light of Turkish threats against Cyprus, and that there was no reason to worry.

Commenting on Turkish press reports, which were reproduced in the local press, Christophides said that ``any scenarios regarding an aggressive stance on behalf of the National Guard, presented in the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press, lack seriousness.`` He added that the Greek Cypriot side was moving on a political level to avoid any tension and that these moves had a positive outcome, as proven by remarks by powerful countries, such as the USA and Russia, as well as the EU.

[02] CYPRUS FIR - TURKISH JETS

In statements to the press, Minister of Communications and Works Efthymios Flourentzou said he had no information concerning any incident of Turkish fighter planes harassing a Cyprus Airways flight, adding that Turkish planes violated air traffic rules in Nicosia FIR.

Speaking in Limassol, on the southern coast, Flourentzou said that Turkish planes violated air traffic rules in Nicosia FIR but had not violated Cyprus sovereign airspace, in a strict sense.

The Minister said that any use of Nicosia FIR needs to be authorized by the Cypriot authorities following a request, but instead, Turkey proceeded with issuing its own NOTAM and entered FIR Nicosia. There was no such request, Flourentzou went on and added that Cyprus has denounced the incident internationally.

[03] CYPRUS - FILM FESTIVAL

According to the organisers, entries from 98 countries for 10 categories, that exceed the compatibility of the usual festivals, will compete for the ``Golden Aphrodite`` award.

The 6th edition of the festival takes place in cooperation with the University of Nicosia and The Friends of Cinema Society and is under the auspices of the Municipality of Nicosia.

Categories include feature and short length films, animation, films about dance, films for teens and children, anti-war films and visualized poetry.

[04] KARATE - LARNACA

The opening ceremony will be held at the indoor Sports Centre of the American Academy in Larnaca.

A total of nine countries are participating in the championship, including Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania and so far 509 athletes.

The championship, under the auspices of President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, will wrap up on Sunday, 25 September.

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