Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-24

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greece says COREPER decision positive

[01] Greece says COREPER decision positive

By this decision, which according to Koumoutsakos is expected to be finalised by the Council of Foreign Ministers on Monday, "a correct solution is given to the longstanding pending issue of the funding Regulation with its separation from the issue of trade with the Turkish Cypriot community."

The foreign ministry spokesman said that "Greece steadfastly supports the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community under the self-evident precondition that the ways and means for this economic development must be in accordance with the United Nation's relevant decisions and resolutions on the issue of Cyprus and contribute to the effort for the reunification of Cyprus."

Koumoutsakos further said that "today's development constitutes tangible proof of the constructive stance of the government of Cyprus which contributes to the implementation of the Conclusions of the Council of April 26, 2004, with which 'facilitating the reunification of the island with economic integration and the improvement of contacts between the two communities in Cyprus' was pursued."

Lastly, Koumoutsakos underlined the "decisive contribution of the Austrian Presidency towards achieving the lifting of the deadlock, for which previous Presidencies have also worked, particularly that of Luxembourg."

PASOK

Main opposition PASOK party Foreign Policy, Security and Defence sector chief Christos Papoutsis also praised the COREPER agreement on the financial regulation for the Turkish Cypriots, saying that it was a "truly positive development".

"This agreement, which confirms the constructive stance of the Republic of Cyprus, constitutes a substantive step towards a new period of cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," he said.

Papoutsis added that he hoped the agreement will contribute substantively to efforts to solve the political problem and the reunification of Cyprus for the benefit of all its citizens in a common European future.

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