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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 13-03-15Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
according to KRETYK Chairman says [01] President and Speaker express condolences over Andrew Athens` deathPresident Nicos Anastasiades has sent a message of condolences for the death of Andrew Athens to the family of the deceased and to the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)."It is with the most profound sorrow that we received the sad news of the passing away of Andrew Athens, a great Hellene and a great American. For his immense and valuable personal contribution to the just cause of Cyprus there are no words of gratitude that can truly express how much the people and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus appreciate Andrew Athens' personal decades-long efforts and dedication", the President noted. Speaker of the Parliament Yiannakis Omirou has also sent a message of condolences for the death of Andrew Athens to the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE). In his message Omirou says that Andrew Athens identified his name with the efforts to promote the positions of Hellenism worldwide and fought with courage to sensitize the American political leadership on Cyprus' struggle to free its Turkish occupied areas and restore human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people. [02] CTO to take part in Moscow's international tourism exhibitionThe Cyprus Tourism Organization will participate in the international tourism exhibition «MIIT» to be take place in Moscow from 19 to 22 March. In statements to CNA, Director General of the CTO Marios Hannides said to this end a CTO delegation will be in the Russian capital on Tuesday, while the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism George Lakkotrypis will also be visiting the exhibition on Wednesday.Hannides said in the context of the exhibition, the CTO delegation will continue its contacts in Moscow with Russian tour operators "to reach a final framework of cooperation in relation to Cyprus." He also said that the messages from Russia on tourism are more positive than last year, adding that Russian tourists are expected to increase by 120 thousand this year. Hannides also said that "we are making every effort to solve the problems arising in connection with flights to and from Russia," and expressed the CTO's concern about the possibility of Cyprus Airways, the island's national air carrier, reducing its number of flights from Russia. [03] Natural gas reserves in Cyprus' licensed blocks estimated at 40 tcf, according to KRETYK ChairmanNatural gas reserves in the six licensed blocks of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone may reach 40 trillion cubic feet (tcf), Cyprus Hydrocarbons' State Company (KRETYK) Chairman Charles Ellinas said today, while noting that with the necessary infrastructure, Cyprus could start exporting 2 tcf of liquefied natural gas annually by 2020.While addressing the 2nd Energy Forum, in Nicosia, Ellinas also urged for the quick implementation of a strategy to exploit natural gas reserves, ahead of important developments in the region. According to Ellinas, ENI/KOGAS and TOTAL will soon be conducting exploratory drills in their respective licensed blocks, worth around 2 bln dollars. Concerning block 9, KRETYK Chairman said that all indications point to a bigger reserve than that of block 12, with Ellinas saying that it may even be double. He added that a United States Geological Survey assessment showed that the Levantine basin may contain up to 122 tcf of natural gas, with Cyprus claiming 60 tcf from the share. [04] Eurogroup meeting to decide concrete measures for Cyprus, Swoboda saysFriday's Eurozone extraordinary meeting on Cyprus should decide concrete measures to help the country overcome its current crisis and to regain growth and competitiveness, the Group of Socialist and Democrats in the European Parliament said. According to a statement issued ahead of the Eurogroup meeting on Cyprus, the S&D Group calls on Eurozone finance Ministers to adopt without delay concrete measures that show the EU`s solidarity at this critical moment for the country by approving a bailout."Cyprus needs the EU support and solidarity and should be helped to stay in the eurozone. We are fighting for an inclusive and fair Europe - a strong and equal Europe based on the principle of solidarity", Hannes Swoboda, President of the S&D Group noted. He pointed out that the Eurogroup "should act on this basis by adopting financial bailout that enables Cyprus to overcome the crisis without damaging the social cohesion of the country". Concerning allegations about money laundering in Cyprus, Hannes Swoboda underlined that is important to avoid making sweeping generalizations and that any criticism must be based on specific facts. "Cyprus` extraordinarily big financial sector needs reordering. The restructuring of this sector should see the introduction of further safeguards against any kind of money laundering", he pointed out. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |