Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN chief urges leaders to make decisive steps towards solution

[02] CEAS should be completed during Cypriot presidency, says Minister

[03] Commerce Minister: visit to Israel successful

[04] Less asylum seekers and illegal immigrants apply to Cyprus

[01] UN chief urges leaders to make decisive steps towards solution

Speaking after talks at the Greentree Estate in Long Island, New York, with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Ban said that at the end of March he would be hearing about the process from his Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer and, "if his report is positive, consistent with the relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May."

Ban thanked the leaders of the two communities for accepting his invitation to join him at Greentree over the last two days, noting that "this has been our fifth meeting together to support the leaders` work to develop a comprehensive settlement for Cyprus, building on the steady efforts that have been made on the island since the resumption of negotiations more than three years ago."

"When we met in Greentree last October, the leaders expressed confidence that they could reach a settlement. The two sides have continued their negotiations since that time to meet this objective. Just before this latest meeting at Greentree, I wrote to the two leaders pointing out that the talks have moved into the final phase. Substantive discussions at Greentree were an integral part of this phase, leading to a multilateral conference and an ultimate settlement. Both leaders responded by reiterating their commitment to a solution," he said.

He pointed out that "the two sides came to Greentree with three main challenges to resolve" namely "the election of the executive, property and citizenship."

"I asked the leaders to use this time to make decisive moves. Discussions over these two days were robust and intensive, although limited progress was achieved. I reminded the leaders that this process is Cypriot-owned and Cypriot-led. The UN is not here to impose solutions upon the sides," Ban said.

The UN Secretary General noted that "in terms of next steps, I have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks, to which they agreed."

"Today my Special Adviser Mr. Downer will brief the Security Council in informal consultations. I will be providing a report to the Security Council on the status of the negotiations at the end of February. At the end of March I will seek a review of the process from my Special Adviser, Alexander Downer. If his report is positive, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May," he added.

Ban noted that "at this stage of the talks, to maintain the momentum and continue negotiations, even in an intensive manner, is not enough."

"I have urged the leaders to make decisive steps to move to a final agreement," he added.

Ban also said that "the UN remains convinced that it is in the interest of all Cypriots to reach a durable settlement," adding that "my Special Adviser and his team have been doing their utmost to assist the process and they remain ready to assist the sides in this important task."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] CEAS should be completed during Cypriot presidency, says Minister

In statements at Larnaca Airport before departing for Copenhagen to take part in the Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Informal Council Meeting, Sylikiotis said that the Council will set out the priorities of the current Danish presidency and the issues that the Cypriot presidency will deal with in the coming months.

He said it is important that we begin to become more actively involved and that Cyprus should start acting like the next presidency. The issues on the agenda are very important, in particular the policy that has to do with the Common European Asylum System.

This issue, he added, should be completed during the Cypriot presidency and described as important the work that will be done during the Danish presidency so that during the Cypriot presidency we will complete this great task assigned by the EU.

[03] Commerce Minister: visit to Israel successful

Antoniadou headed a multi-member Cypriot delegation to attend a Business Forum co-organised in Tel Aviv by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Commerce and the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce.

During her visit, the Minister held a series of meetings with a number of Ministers and officials from the Israeli government with whom she discussed a number of important issues such as commerce, tourism, energy, research and technology.

Antoniadou delivered a speech at the forum on the prospects that are created for the Eastern Mediterranean region following the discovery and future exploitation of hydrocarbons in the region.

[04] Less asylum seekers and illegal immigrants apply to Cyprus

In statements at Larnaca airport on his departure for Copenhagen, Sylikiotis noted that the recent census held in Cyprus has shown that the vast majority of foreign nationals in Cyprus come from other EU countries while citizens from third countries constitute one third of all foreign citizens on the island.

He said that the vast majority of citizens from third countries work as house maids or in companies with international activities. Sylikiotis noted that this shows that citizens from third countries do not take up jobs from the locals.

He noted that according to data from the Aliens and Immigration Department, Cyprus is not an attractive destination for immigrants any longer, noting that due to policies implemented during the past few years there was a vast decrease of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers influx from Cyprus` northern Turkish occupied areas.

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