Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] EP calls on Turkey to return sealed-off section of Famagusta

[02] National Council convenes today

[03] Minister: EU must take into account Cyprus` energy developments

[04] Cabinet approves measures for economic growth

[01] EP calls on Turkey to return sealed-off section of Famagusta

In a declaration on the 14 February 2012 on the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants, the European Parliament notes that the city of Famagusta in the Republic of Cyprus was captured by the invading Turkish forces in August 1974.

It adds that a section of Famagusta was then sealed off and remains uninhabited, under the direct control of the Turkish military.

The EP points out that the return of the Famagusta sealed-off section to its lawful inhabitants would facilitate efforts toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, it notes the 1979 High Level Agreement and UNSC Resolutions 550(1984) and 789(1992) as well as the 2008 Report of the Committee on Petitions on Petition 733/2004.

As a result, in its declaration, the EP ``calls on the Government of Turkey to act according to the aforementioned UNSC Resolutions and Report Recommendations and return the Famagusta sealed-off section to its lawful inhabitants, who must resettle under conditions of security and peace``.

It also ``urges the EU institutions to coordinate their efforts with Parliament to promote Turkeys cooperation``.

Concluding, it ``instructs its President to forward this declaration, with the names of the signatories[1], to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States, the UN Secretary General and the Government of Turkey``.

The European Parliament recalls its 1993 resolution on Cyprus, its 2009 resolution on Turkeys progress report and Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure.

The Republic of Cyprus, which became a full EU member state in May 2004, is divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974. Cyprus will assume the six monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2012.

Turkey occupied 37% of the sovereign territory of the Republic and forcibly expelled about 180.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Another 20.000 Greek Cypriots, who remained in the occupied areas, were also forced to eventually abandon their homes and seek refuge in the safety of the government controlled areas.

As a result of the invasion, 1619 Greek-Cypriots were listed as missing, most of whom soldiers or reservists, who were captured in the battlefield.

The city of Famagusta in the Republic of Cyprus was captured by the invading Turkish forces in August 1974. That section of Famagusta was then sealed off and remains uninhabited, under the direct control of the Turkish military.

The Republic of Cyprus has since 1974 declared the ports in the occupied areas as closed since it can not exercise its full control over them.

The fenced-off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta called Varosha- was abandoned by its lawful inhabitants, during the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Varosha remains since 1974 a sealed area, a ghost town, since the Turkish army does not allow visitors or the lawful inhabitants of the area to visit it.

In July 2010, the Cypriot President proposed the return of the fenced-off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations, combined with the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices for use by the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots alike and the restoration of the medieval part of the town of Famagusta. The Turkish side has rejected the proposal.

UNSC resolution 550, adopted in 1984, calls upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus and considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.

[02] National Council convenes today

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias is expected to continue briefing the leaders and representatives of political parties on developments in the Cyprus issue, following his latest contacts.

One more all - day session of the National Council will take place Friday, February 17.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for the fifth time in January 2012, at the Greentree mansion in New York. In his statements, following the meeting, Ban said limited progress was achieved and invited both sides to make decisive moves in the chapters of governance, property and citizenship.

[03] Minister: EU must take into account Cyprus` energy developments

Speaking on Tuesday at the EU Council of Energy Ministers in Brussels, Antoniadou said that in the past Cyprus was not able to participate in existing regional cooperation, due to the absence of a natural gas market, noting that it was necessary to participate in regional groups that are to be created and to submit proposals for projects of mutual interest.

Antoniadou pointed out that, in the light of the recent discovery of natural gas in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone, as well as possible deposits in other blocks, the Government is examining possible infrastructure for natural gas.

Given that such energy infrastructure can contribute to enhancing EU energy security, Antoniadou noted that it was necessary that the proposed regulation takes into account these recent developments in Cyprus and the broader region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Council also discussed the proposed Directive on energy performance, which proposes a series of obligatory measures that would contribute to the joint effort for saving energy by 20% by 2020, on an EU level.

[04] Cabinet approves measures for economic growth

Speaking to the press after the Cabinet meeting, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the measures do not include the construction of casinos.

Spokesman noted that achieving a successful fiscal consolidation, maintaining a favorable taxation system for businesses as well as the promotion of development projects, are the main preconditions for economic growth.

According to Stephanou, the new measures cover all the areas of economic activities and they include, amongst others, the encouragement of employment, the improvement of the framework for foreign investments, the introduction of mechanism for the funding of small businesses, the upgrading of the taxing system for the real estates and the support of the tourist industry and the green growth.

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