Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

[02] CYPRUS -EUROZONE

[03] SARRIS WELCOMES

[04] G.LILLIKAS - DANISH PM

[01] PAPADOPOULOS-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

In statements to the press Papadopoulos referred to yesterday`s lunch he hosted, to left-wing AKEL, Democratic Party (DIKO) and the Social Democrats Movement which participate in his government, noting that he informed the party leaders of his intention to stand for re-election.

``I expressed my intention to run for re-election with the support of the three parties. I will announce my decision to the people soon,`` Papadopoulos noted.

Replying to a question whether the support of the three parties is a precondition to his decision to stand for re-election, Papadopoulos answered negatively, noting that the decision is solely up to him.

[02] CYPRUS -EUROZONE

Announcing the decision at a press conference in Brussels, he said he expects the European Council and the ECOFIN to endorse it, making Cyprus and Malta the two new members to join the euro area.

I am convinced that the EU Council will endorse todays decision. There is no question about it, as far as I am concerned, he told the press conference when asked about the possible political dimensions of having the Commission proposal ratified by the EU heads of state at the June summit.

Replying to questions about the adoption of the euro in the southern government controlled part of Cyprus and not in the northern Turkish occupied areas of the Republic, he explained that the acquis communautaire applies only in the areas under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus and not in the northern part of the country where the government does not exercise its control (because of the continuing Turkish occupation).

[03] SARRIS WELCOMES

Sarris was speaking after EU Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs Joaquin Almunia announced that he would recommend to the the European Council and the ECOFIN , the accession of Cyprus and Malta in the euro area.

``Today is a very important day,`` Sarris said, adding that the Commission`s decision represents the culmination of a long effort.

In statements after a meeting with Juergen Kroeger, Director of the Directorate General of Economic and Financial Affairs, Sarris pledged that his Ministry will work for the smooth introduction of the Euro in Cyprus.

Kroeger congratulated Cyprus for fulfilling all the convergence criteria in a sustainable way.

[04] G.LILLIKAS - DANISH PM

The unscheduled meeting took place when Lillikas before departing for Poland where he will hold an official visit, met with Rasmussen whose plane made a stopover in Larnaca airport on its way to Iraq. No statements were made after the meeting.

During his visit in Warsaw, Lillikas will have separate meetings with Polish President Lech Kaczynski and Polish Parliament President Ludwik Dorn and the Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz.

Lillikas will also hold a meeting with his Polish couterpart Anna Fotyga, followed by talks at the presence of delegations of the two countries.

The talks will cover issues such as the Cyprus problem, the EU - Turkish relations, the future of Europe and other matters of mutual concenrs.

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