Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Netanyahu: Regional cooperation in the field of energy

[02] Israel-Cyprus to best utilize hydrocarbon reserves

[03] Omirou condemns new Turkish provocations

[04] Tourist arrivals increase by 7.1% in January 2012

[01] Netanyahu: Regional cooperation in the field of energy

Netanyahu, who was making his opening remarks during a joint press conference with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias at the Presidential Palace, expressed the view that in the field of gas exploitation a regional approach may be followed, which, he noted, �perhaps begins with a regional cooperation between Cyprus and Israel but could extend to others if they choose to enter�.

Referring specifically to the hydrocarbon reserves found in the Exclusive Economic Zones of both Israel and Cyprus, Netanyahu said that �it is our view that if we can cooperate the sum of the total will be greater than the individual parts�.

�We are looking in the next months to complete a joint study to see how we can translate this cooperation into practical economic terms�, he added, expressing the view that large scale projects are better handled in cooperation with others.

Netanyahu also referred to the political problems of both Israel and Cyprus, pointing out that �we believe that those problems have to be solved through negotiations, they cannot be imposed from the outside, because imposed solutions do not work�.

�The only thing that works to advance peace and reconciliation between neighbours is to actually have a negotiation�, he said, adding that �this is what we seek with the Palestinians and this is what we believe must be followed in other cases as well�.

According to Netanyahu President Christofias was the first leader he called for help during the terrible fire at Carmel mountain in 2010, adding that the fact that President Christofias replied positively �was an expression of friendship and we tried to reciprocate it later when you had your tragedy�.

�This highlights something that is so natural for two liberal democracies�, Netanyahu pointed out, adding that �we are democracies we share values but yet we didn�t have this contact for so many decades and now we find it the most natural thing�.

He further gave an account of recent developments in the relations between the two countries, referring to a formal agreement for rescue and emergency services, and ongoing discussions on cooperation in the fields of economics and tourism.

�The flight from Israel to Cyprus is about 45 minutes, 45 minutes in 63 years�, Netanyahu said, adding that �it took us 63 years to make this 45 minutes trip for the Israeli PM and I want to thank you for the invitation and the friendship that is developing between the two countries�.

[02] Israel-Cyprus to best utilize hydrocarbon reserves

In his opening statement at the joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Nicosia, President Christofias said they discussed the energy-related developments in the region.

He noted that drilling in Block 12, which has confirmed the presence of hydrocarbon reserves, was within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and was undertaken on the basis of International Law and more specifically the provisions of the Convention of the Law of the Sea.

``In view of the fact that, hydrocarbon reserves have also been confirmed in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the State of Israel, our common effort and goal is the best possible utilization of these reserves for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, as well as for the consolidation of peace and stability in the region``, he stressed.

[03] Omirou condemns new Turkish provocations

``Once again Turkey proves to be a destabilizing factor in the wider region of Eastern Mediterranean by directly undermining security, stability, peace and cooperation in the region,`` he said.

He added that �the policies of modern piracy and gunboats must be addressed decisively by the international and European community� and that Turkey should get the message that it can not go unpunished, when continuing to undermine directly the peace in the region.

He further said that Turkey�s acts, possibly in response to the visit of Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to Cyprus, is a further proof that if the international and European stances remain limited to verbal condemnations, then Turkey will continue and escalate its aggressive behavior.

The House President urged the European Union, particularly in regard to Turkey`s European course, to make it clear that if the country wants to have a European future should immediately end its provocative, sassy and cocky behavior, recalling at the same time that Cyprus is a full member of EU.

[04] Tourist arrivals increase by 7.1% in January 2012

According to the data, arrivals of tourists reached 47.610 in January 2012 compared to 44.442 in January 2011, are recording an increase of 7,1%.

It is added that an increase of 4,9% was recorded in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom (from 15.292 in January 2011 to 16.040 in January 2012) and 8,1% increase from Greece (from 7.286 to 7.879 this year).

On the other hand a decrease of 11,0% was recorded in tourist arrivals from Russia (3.446 in January 2012 compared to 3.873 in January 2011).

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