Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-11-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] DEFENCE MINISTER STATEMENTS

[02] EUROMIL PRESIDUM CYPRUS - 2013

[03] LOCAL ELECTIONS PREPARATIONS

[01] DEFENCE MINISTER STATEMENTS

According to an official announcement, Eliades, who was speaking after visiting the US Navy frigate USS Ramage, at Limassol harbour, said that the United States is a great country and power who may contribute decisively in establishing conditions of peace and stability in the region.

This, he went on, is also the permanent aim of the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Moreover, the Minister remarked that the presence of great powers in the regions is evidence to their interest to preserve stability.

Eliades was also asked to comment on a statement by Turkeys Minister of Transport, who said that Turkey will not allow Cyprus to materialise its plans concerning natural gas.

The Minister responded that sovereign rights derive from international law and that Cyprus is exercising these rights.

We are not going to engage in a game of threats and tension, Eliades noted, adding that Cyprus is abiding by international law. ``This is the reason why the international community and the great powers respect, recognise and protect the exercise of our sovereign rights,`` the Minister concluded.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based Noble Energy, off Cyprus south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkeys moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

[02] EUROMIL PRESIDUM CYPRUS - 2013

A statement by the Cyprus EUROMIL member association said the meeting was successful and accepted the proposal of the Cypriot delegation to host the biennial general assembly that will be held in the first half of 2013.

The statement said this is a great success for Cyprus as the island will be visited by military organizations from 25 countries, providing the National Guard and Cyprus the opportunity to be promoted.

The Presidium brought together delegates of EUROMIL member associations for the exchange of experience and best practice.

[03] LOCAL ELECTIONS PREPARATIONS

Demetriou told CNA that the total number of registered voters is 546.11, of whom 12.343 are citizens from member states of the European Union.

All citizens of the Republic of Cyprus as well as those of other EU member states aged 18 years and over, who normally reside in Cyprus, have the right to vote in the forthcoming local authority elections.

Most of the citizens from member states of the EU are Greeks and British. The number of voters from Greece is 4.382 and from Britain 4.639. Most of the EU citizens live in the district of Paphos, on the west. The new registered voters in these elections are approximately 12.000.

The submission of Municipalities` candidacies will be made on November 17 and those of the communities` on November 21.

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