Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - EU - TURKEY

[01] PRESIDENT - EU - TURKEY

President Christofias raised the issue of Turkey`s aggressiveness in the context of discussions for a tougher policy towards Syria and Iran.

``I wondered what position the European Council takes when a country knocking on the door of the EU is following a shameless aggressive policy against a member state, and I am referring to Turkey with its aggressive and provocative behaviour lately, which leads to harsher positions in the Cyprus problem,`` the President noted.

He said he pointed out that ``the EU has a duty to make it absolutely clear to Turkey that it is not possible for a third country to set terms regarding who will be holding the presidency, at any time,`` adding that his position was supported by member states.

President Christofias said EU High Representative Catherine Ashton referred to the continuous contact with the Turkish leadership, making clear that the EU member states are 27, not 26, adding that the summit in December would discuss Turkey`s behaviour.

He added that Cyprus will propose a draft decision concerning EU-Turkish relations, and Turkey`s stance towards Cyprus.

President Christofias said he also briefed his counterparts on the stance of Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu on the Cyprus problem, noting that the meeting in New York at the end of the month between the UN Secretary General, President Christofias and Eroglu will be taking place without any progress achieved during talks to solve the Cyprus problem.

Referring to Sunday`s meeting, President Christofias said they discussed the deceleration of economic growth, high deficits, instability in the financial sector and problems in the banking sector. He noted that decisions were taken concerning fiscal consolidation, the reduction of public debt and the protection of financial stability.

He added that they also discussed the consolidation of the single market in the Eurozone and on an EU-wide level, and that emphasis was given to social cohesion, however the members states would have to take decisions to support small and medium sized enterprises and other actions in the sectors of innovation, the digital market and reducing red-tape.

Cyprus supported the decisions to boost growth and fiscal consolidation, noting that it should be accompanied by measures to boost employment and social cohesion, the President said.

``We also supported strengthening coordination based on the principle that the actions mutually decided would be implemented in a manner that takes into consideration the particularities and practices of each country,`` he said.

President Christofias furthermore referred to the Commission`s intention to introduce an issue that is causing reactions and has to do with the balancing of the taxation policy of the member states on businesses.

``We have our own views on this issue. We do not agree with them. Our view is that if such a move is made, Cyprus will lose since it attracts foreign investments which will be affected, and the same goes for Malta, Ireland, Slovakia and other countries. When the Commission`s proposal comes, we will voice our views,`` he added.

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