Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-13

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 CYPRUS TALKS

[02] SLOVAK PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] COMMITTEE TOURISM MEASURES

[04] AIRPORTS - PASSENGERS - RECORD

[01] PRESIDENT CYPRUS TALKS

Receiving the credentials of new Ambassador of Ecuador in Nicosia, Rafael Veintimilla Chiriboga, the Cypriot President said that in defining and clarifying the basis of the new round of negotiations we agreed that this would be a process by the Cypriots for the Cypriots.

He stressed that we must protect this achievement until the end and we must work step by step to reach convergence and agreement on every issue without artificial deadlines and without arbitration by third parties.

The Cypriot President expressed conviction that the Cypriots, myself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, can achieve this for the sake of our people.

President Christofias stressed that unfortunately, despite our intensive efforts, after four months of work I do not have real progress to report. A number of secondary issues have been agreed but there remain, however, significant differences of approach to the issue of the Powers and Functions of the Central Government, the system of Governance, as well as on foreign relations.

But he noted that during the course of the negotiations the Greek Cypriot side has submitted proposals which take into consideration the interests of the whole people of Cyprus with the aim to create a federal structure which preserves the unity of the country, ensures respect for the rights of its citizens and safeguards efficient governance.

Addressing the new Ambassador of Ecuador in Nicosia, the Cypriot President said that Cyprus highly values his countrys principled stance on the Cyprus problem, based on respect for international law, the UN Charter and the UNSC resolutions.

Referring to bilateral relations, he said that Cyprus looks forward to deepening and expanding its trade and commercial relations with Ecuador for the benefit of the people in both countries.

As a member of the European Union we stand ready to render any assistance possible for the enhancement of the relations of Ecuador with the European Union in a consistent and multifaceted way, he concluded.

Presenting his credentials, the new Ambassador expressed the satisfaction of Ecuador for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

To have a friend and ally in the centre of such an important process of integration is a motive of joy for Ecuador since the Republic of Cyprus` status as full member will allow a further approach in the excellent relations that Ecuador has with the member countries of this community, he stressed.

[02] SLOVAK PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

The position is outlined in a statement issued by the Office of the President which said that Gasparovic received on January 9 President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias. The statement notes that Christofias visited Slovakia on the occasion of celebrations of the countrys adoption of the euro as its national currency.

Gasparovic assured his Cypriot counterpart that Slovakia will continue to offer its support to the dialogue for a solution to the Cyprus issue. Christofias thanked Gasparovic for Slovakias long term support in efforts to reunite the island and described as very positive the contribution of the Armed Forces of Slovakia in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

[03] COMMITTEE TOURISM MEASURES

The Committee convened Tuesday to discuss the world financial crisis and its repercussions on Cyprus tourism and hotel industry. It also analyzed the prospects of the industry and exchanged views on the measures that must be taken.

President of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), Panos Egglezos, told a press conference that the world financial crisis will most probably affect Cyprus tourism industry, at least during the current year.

[04] AIRPORTS - PASSENGERS - RECORD

According to a press release, throughout 2008 over 7,238,000 passengers passed through the country`s International Airports, which translates into an increase of 3.26% and overturns the previous record last year of 7,009,803 passengers.

Approximately 5.5 million passengers passed through Larnaca International Airport during 2008, an increase of 4% in relation to 2007, while an increase in passenger traffic was also recorded at Paphos International Airport where about 1,760,000 passengers used Cyprus` second International Airport in 2008.

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