Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-05-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT SLOVAKIA G/C - T/C

[02] CYPRIOT FM - TURKEY - EU

[03] SLOVAKIA - G/C-T/C - JOINT COMMUNIQUE

[04] FINANCE MINISTRY ECONOMY - GROWTH RATE

[01] PRESIDENT SLOVAKIA G/C - T/C

In a video address, during an event at the Slovak Foreign Ministry to mark 20 years of bicommunal dialogue, President Christofias expressed satisfaction for the fact that his party`s ideas and policy (AKEL) of rapprochement between the two communities in Cyprus has been materialised by then Ambassador of Czechoslovakia in 1989.

The meetings, he noted, have become an institution and have been taking place regularly.

``These meetings have proved to be a useful tool for the relations of the parties and contributed decisively to the development of friendly relations between the participating parties``, President Christofias said.

The President of Cyprus thanked Slovakia on behalf of the entire Cypriot people for its contribution throughout the years.

``In the future, I hope soon, when we will manage to solve the Cyprus problem and reunify our common homeland, the contribution of Czechoslovakia and Slovakia will constitute a golden page in our history``, he stressed.

In his address, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that the ongoing talks for Cyprus have begun with the aim ``to unite our island under the bicommunal, bizonal federation, with political equality with a single international personality, and with a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot constituent state of equal status``.

He noted his determination ``to do everything to find a just and permanent solution this year``.

He also referred to the importance of bicommunal dialogue, saying it is supportive also for the ongoing Cyprus talks.

The commemorative event of the parties began with a speech by Slovak Foreign Minister who said that the presence of the parties in Bratislava shows their determination to reach a solution in Cyprus.

He reassured once more that his country would assist efforts for a Cyprus solution, and said that the solution must be found by Cypriots themselves.

On behalf of the European Parliament, Vice President Mechtild Rothe, said that after 20 years of bicommunal dialogue, there is now a chance for Cyprus and expressed wish that the ongoing talks would yield results.

The EU, she said, hopes that Cyprus will soon be reunified and noted that the main work for the reunification process, is done by Cypriots.

On behalf of UNSG`s Special Representative in Cyprus, Taye Brook Zerihoun, Commander of the UNFICYP force in Cyprus, Admiral Mario Sanchez Debernardi, said that the UN by conviction and by mandate consider that helping the two communities in Cyprus is essential.

He referred to the importance of bicommunal dialogue saying that the meetings reflect the will of the Cypriot people for reunification.

The solution, he said, must be found from Cypriots for Cypriots and expressed the view that hopes are high that peace efforts will be successful.

The two leaders, he went on to add, will need the support of all, especially of the Cypriot parties in their effort to reach a solution.

Speaking on behalf of the Commission, head of the task force for the Turkish Cypriot community at the DG Enlargement, Andrew Rasbash, said that the period now is important for the Cyprus issue.

He referred to President of the Commission Manuel Barrosso`s steering group on Cyprus, and said that its aim is to support the negotiation process in Cyprus and ensure the necessary supervision to prepare and support the reunification of Cyprus.

The Commission, he said, does everything possible to help the two leaders in their efforts for the achievement of a solution.

Referring to the parties` meetings, he said they create the necessary atmosphere for the successful conclusion of negotiations, and later on of the referenda that will follow among the people and the implementation of the solution.

On behalf of the Czech EU Presidency, Ambassador of Czech Republic in Nicosia, Jan Bondy, sai�: ``20 years of dialogue, I dont think there is much to celebrate``, but noted the importance of dialogue in solving political problems.

Dialogue, he noted, is communication, which is very important for Cyprus.

Bondy pointed out that what is needed in Cyprus is a �clever wedding�, as he said, between the two communities, a wedding that would reunify the island in the united Europe.

[02] CYPRIOT FM - TURKEY - EU

Replying to questions after a presentation of the work carried out by the Ministry since he took over his duties, Kyprianou said that we are preparing for all scenarios in view of the milestone of December, when Turkeys EU course will be assessed.

Kyprianou noted that �it is too early to determine a strategy, because a lot depends largely on the course of the negotiations for a Cyprus settlement. We are preparing for all scenarios always in consultation with the Greek government, he said and recalled that �there is no veto as it existed in 2004 or later to officially halt Turkeys accession process, there should be a joint decision of the 27�.

[03] SLOVAKIA - G/C-T/C - JOINT COMMUNIQUE

The Cypriot politicians met Friday in Bratislava to mark 20 years of bicommunal dialogue between them, a dialogue that is taking place at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia, under the auspices of the Slovak Embassy in Nicosia.

The Joint Communique states that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders of political parties have agreed that the objective of the ongoing efforts is the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant UN resolutions and with respect to the rights and freedoms of all Cypriots.

[04] FINANCE MINISTRY ECONOMY - GROWTH RATE

A press release issued here Friday, quotes Eurostat flash estimates released earlier today, pointing out that Cyprus is the only EU and Euroarea member state to present growth rate in Q1, while the economies of the other 26 member-states declined. The Finance Ministry notes that ``the measures adopted will support Cyprus` constructive and tourists sectors during the following months which are expected to be the hardest.``

``The Ministry believes that the Cypriot economy continues to present momentum mainly in the services sector and that this trend will be maintained throughout 2009, given the correct financial policy observed by the state,`` the release adds.

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