Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-01-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] National Council convenes

[02] Government follows a targeted policy on natural gas issue

[01] National Council convenes

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that President Demetris Christofias needs the support of political parties in order to handle any designs by some circles to divert the agreed procedure of the ongoing UN-led talks.

This will be the fifth meeting of the leaders with the UNSG. The first took place in November 2010, followed by two more meetings in Geneva on January 26 and July 7, 2011, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finding a comprehensive solution as soon as possible. In Geneva, on 26 January, the sides agreed to intensify the negotiations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Since 1974, Turkey occupies 37% of Cyprus` territory in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, European Parliament decisions and resolutions, European Council decisions and other resolutions of international fora, which condemn the Turkish invasion and occupation. Ankara has proclaimed a so called `state` in the occupied areas of Cyprus, which the UN have called illegal and asked the international community not to recognise it. The illegal state is only recognised by Ankara.

The latest round of UN - led negotiations have been underway since 2008 between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

The Republic of Cyprus is a full EU member state since May 2004. Turkey aspires to join the EU but said it would not talk to Cyprus when Nicosia assumes the rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2012.

[02] Government follows a targeted policy on natural gas issue

Asked by reporters on Sunday about the second gas licencing round, Stephanou said that the Government, despite the provocations and threats on behalf of Turkey, has successfully promoted the issue and that is ``because of the very specific, targeted policy followed by the Government as well as good planning and careful movements being made.``

He pointed out that this policy will be continued with regard to the second gas licencing round based on the laws and regulations of both Cyprus and the EU. ``

Stephanou also said that the related documents have been sent to the EU to be translated for publication in the EU Official Journal and the next step will be finalising the contract documents.

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