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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-05-25Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] BUNDESTAG - RESOLUTION - SPOKESMANA resolution adopted on Thursday by the German Federal Parliament has both negative and positive points, Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas has said, expressing the view that the German government will not adopt this position.He said provisions calling for the gradual withdrawal of Turkish troops and the lifting of the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots indicate, perhaps indirectly, that the members of the German Parliament are trying to exercise pressure on the two sides on the island in order to press on with a discussion on a political settlement in Cyprus. The most negative provision is the one referring to the lift of the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. Needless to say that we disagree with this, he stressed, and pointed to government efforts to provide financial and economic support for the Turkish Cypriots. Palmas welcomed the Parliaments call on the German Federal government to work in the EU negotiations with Turkey towards the phases withdrawal of that countrys troops stationed in the north of Cyprus. The resolution, he pointed out, does not question the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. We shall deal with the situation as this has arisen, but one has to distinguish between a resolution adopted by the parliament and the position of the EU German presidency, he added, noting the governments satisfaction with what the current presidency has already done. The resolution calls on the German government to begin work without delay on the adoption of the EU Commission proposal for a regulation on special conditions for trade with the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the government of Cyprus does not exercise effective control. It urges Berlin to make clear to Turkey that the EU expects the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement to be implemented in full. So far Ankara has refused to implement the protocol which provides for access to Cyprus ships and aircraft at Turkish ports and airports. The resolution wants the government of Germany to encourage the Cypriot government to lift its ban on contact with the parliament, administration, public institutions and educational establishments in the north of Cyprus. The Bundestag welcomes the demolition of the wall on Ledra Street in Nicosia, a unilateral move by the government of Cyprus to facilitate discussions for the opening of a crossing point between the northern Turkish occupied areas and the southern government controlled part of the island. The German parliament calls for work towards a political solution in Cyprus at the UN level. [02] HOUSE PRESIDENT - EU SPEAKERS MEETINGPresident of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias has pointed out that the intensification of parliamentary cooperation, especially in promoting the respect and implementation of fundamental principles and values on which the EU is based, should be a sector of major importance and action in the context of cooperation between parliaments.Addressing the meeting of EU parliament presidents, taking place in Bratislava on May 25 and 26, Christofias said these principles, such as the respect of human rights and international law, should not remain mere statements but should be implemented by all EU member states, as well as countries aspiring to join the EU and declaring their dedication to these principles. He noted that parliamentary cooperation is not a simple matter and pointed out that "the commitment we have undertaken, to regularly exchange information as national parliaments, through the specialised channels of communication we have created for this purpose, should be done as systematically as possible." "At the same time, we must welcome the implementation of the commitment the European Commission took for timely and direct transmission of legislative proposals and consultation documents to the national parliaments", which strengthens parliamentary role in decision making. Christofias said "the enhancement of knowledge through the simultaneous exchange of experiences on issues of concern to us cannot but be a plus in our effort to become more active, on the one hand as participants in making policy and legislation on an EU level, and on the other hand in their implementation at a national level," adding that "in this way the strengthening of the role of national parliaments leads to the reinforcement of the legalisation of the EU action and at the same time brings the European citizen closer to Europe." [03] CYPRUS AIRWAYS - LOANThe House plenary has postponed for two weeks a debate on a bill relating to the ratification of an agreement, guaranteeing a multi-million loan the national carrier has secured from a local bank. The loan, worth 78 million euro, was given to Cyprus Airways by the Hellenic Bank and the bill before the House concerns government guarantees for its payment.Social Democrats EDEK deputy Marinos Sizopoulos said in support of his proposal that the airline had not responded to repeated calls by the House Finance Committee to submit the names of the members of the Board of Directors and senior management who were responsible for the decisions leading to company losses during 2001-2003. He said the message he wants to send with the postponement is that the House should not be ignored when it asks for information on issues pending before it for debate. AKEL deputy Nikos Katsourides informed the plenary that the information requested had arrived earlier on Thursday, before the afternoon session of the House. Twenty-six of the MPs, who were present, backed the two-week postponement. [04] MARFIN POPULAR - BANK OF CYPRUSMarfin Popular Bank has decided to withdraw a resolution that was due to be put to the vote at the Annual General Meeting of Bank of Cyprus, instructing the Board of Directors to commence dialogue with Marfin about the terms and sectors for a strategic cooperation between the two banks. Marfin Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andreas Vgenopoulos met yesterday with Archbishop Chrysostomos II. According to a written statement read to journalists after the meeting, Archbishop Chrysostomos advised Vgenopoulos to withdraw the Banks resolution.The Church primate told reporters that ``Mr Vgenopoulos told me that even though he retains his positions, he will fully respect the views and suggestions of the Church, recognizing its leading role in Cypriot society.`` Vgenopolos said that during the meeting he had a detailed discussion with the Church primate in their capacity as the two biggest shareholders of the Bank of Cyprus. Marfin CEO also referred to the excellent cooperation he has with Archbishop Chrysostomos since his arrival in Cyprus. Archbishop told reporters that the Church has always been in favour of dialogue on all issues, national, social and business, but it believes that during this period the tension between the directors of the two banks is not conducive to talks. In our opinion the possibility to begin a dialogue could be reexamined in the future and under different circumstances, he said. Bank of Cyprus Annual General Meeting is scheduled for the 6th of June. Marfin pursued merger with its main rival setting on the table different proposals, all rejected by the Bank of Cyprus management and the Board of Directors. Its most recent proposal is that the two merge their international operations as a first step to a possible full merger at a later stage. But under Church advice the proposal was withdrawn. Marfin Popular Bank is the biggest shareholder in Bank of Cyprus with 8.18% stake. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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