Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] CYPRUS ACTION PLAN FINANCIAL CRISIS

[03] DEFENCE MINISTER - MISSILES DESTRUCTION

[04] GERMANY CYPRUS EXHIBITION

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

``We will not spare any efforts or initiative for a just and agreed solution to the Cyprus problem, a bi-communal bi-zonal federal solution,`` the President said, adding that this solution must secure the right of displaced persons to return to their homes.

Addressing the Annual General Assembly of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, President Christofias made a special reference to the nine municipalities located in the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

He said the government supports the financial independence of local authorities and announced that state funding to the Municipalities for 2009 will amount to 75 million euro, increased by 15.2 million or 25% compared to the 59.8 million euro of 2008.

The President said that apart from state funding, the government will continue to fund by 50 per cent the automation of Municipal services and the construction of new municipal buildings by 25 per cent.

Christofias also pledged that the government will continue to grant the Municipalities a special funding of 28.4 million euro to cover the loss of income for the local authorities as a result of the cancellation of professional tax.

``Strengthening local administration means upgrading the local communities, it means a better standard of living for all citizens regardless of place of residence,`` Christofias said, adding that upgrading local administration to respond to new demands and future needs in the community is a declared objective of his government.

[02] CYPRUS ACTION PLAN FINANCIAL CRISIS

Stavrakis participated Wednesday in a meeting, convened by President Demetris Christofias, and attended by Ministers of Labour and Social Securities, Interior, Communications and Works, the Government Spokesman and the Undersecretary to the President, as well as the head of the Planning Bureau, to discuss the international financial crisis and its effects on the Cypriot economy.

Speaking after the meeting, Stavrakis assured that the Cypriot economy moves at a satisfactory pace with a growth rate at the end of 2008 amounting to 3.8%, which is more that double of the Euro area, a fiscal surplus of 1% of Cyprus` GDP as well as a spectacular decrease of public debt from 60% to 49% of GDP. He added that he expects a 3% growth rate for 2009, inflation amounting to 2,5% and a small fiscal surplus despite the deteriorating global financial situation.

[03] DEFENCE MINISTER - MISSILES DESTRUCTION

In his speech at a joint meeting of the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Co-operation of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), that is taking place in Vienna, Papacostas said the government is determined to declare its commitment for the withdrawal of these missiles.

The government, he said, acknowledges the threats from the uncontrolled production and the use of these anti-aircraft weapons, which in terrorists hands can be used for terrorist activity. These weapons are capable of costing innocent lives and hampering peace and stability in the world.

[04] GERMANY CYPRUS EXHIBITION

The archeological exhibition, which opened in the German city of Karlsruhe in the Baden-Wuerttemberg state, bears the title The time of the heroes. The dark centuries of Greece, 1200-700 B.C.

According to an official press release, the exhibition is organised by the Karlsruhe Museum with the cooperation of the Archeology Department of the Republic of Cyprus. The exhibition, which was inaugurated Friday, will stay open until February 2, 2009.

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