Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-10

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Christofias: Document on freedoms is a victory

[02] FinMin urges Russian companies to exploit pros of Cyprus economy

[03] Maronite Patriarch: Friendship between Maronites and Cyprus will

grow

[04] Health Minister to pay an official visit to Israel

[01] President Christofias: Document on freedoms is a victory

Speaking in Limassol, President Christofias said that Turkish nationals can become citizens of the Republic of Cyprus only when they go through European conditions.

Earlier this week, President Christofias had sent to the political parties, which participate in the National Council, the general framework of the positions of the Greek Cypriot side submitted during the ongoing negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus issue along with the document outlining the convergences of January 29, 2010.

The document provides for implementation of freedoms of establishment, movement, labour, business and economic activity.

In his remarks today, President Christofias said the document about the four freedoms is a great victory for the Greek Cypriot side and explained that the document does not concern Turkish nationals, as it was interpreted by some, but Cypriot nationals. He clarified that there is a limit on the establishment of Turkish nationals to maintain the demographic ratio 4 to 1, meaning that for every four Greek nationals settling in Cyprus one Turkish national would have the right of establishment and thus obtaining the citizenship.

According to the President, the substance is that all Cypriot citizens will be able, in the framework of a federation, after a small transitional period, to choose where to live freely, to exercise economic activities, to work, purchase and sell, with the only difference that since we signed for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, some will have a restriction in exercising their political rights in that state.

I dont think this is what the Greek Cypriots want. What the Greek Cypriots are asking, said the President, is to be able to move freely and settle anywhere, throughout the Republick, exercise all activities, all freedoms that we have achieved.

Referring to the issue of weighted-voting and cross-voting, President Christofias said there is a new element, which removes the divisive provision of the 1960 Constitution for the election of President and Vice President separately by both communities, and now, every Cypriot will have a say as to who will be president and vice president.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article