Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-04-16

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM EU AMBASSADORS DIRECT TRADE

[02] NEGOTIATING TEAM CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] FM ROMANIA VISIT

[04] PARLIAMENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

[01] FM EU AMBASSADORS DIRECT TRADE

An official press release notes that ``Kyprianou had a meeting today at the Foreign Ministry with the accredited Ambassadors of the EU member-states to Cyprus.``

``The Minister briefed the European diplomats on the Cypriot government`s positions concerning the proposal of the European Commission for the direct trade regulation,`` the release adds.

The regulation on direct trade with the Turkish Cypriot community was approved by the Commission on April 26 2004, two days after separate simultaneous referenda took place among the islands two communities on a blueprint submitted by the then UN SG Kofi Annan for a comprehensive settlement. The proposed solution was rejected by the Greek Cypriots and approved by the Turkish Cypriots. The Commission announced it would promote the regulation through the European Parliament. Nicosia believes, as Kyprianou said yesterday, that the regulation is legally wrong and does not conform to the April 2004 Council conclusions.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] NEGOTIATING TEAM CYPRUS ISSUE

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou confirmed the meeting, without giving further details.

``The group on the Cyprus problem convenes regularly, as it is one of the groups assessing and discussing various issues concerning both the negotiations as well as the issues regarding the Cyprus problem in general,`` Stephanou said replying to questions. Stephanou refrained from replying to a question whether the team assessed any scenarios in view of the ``election`` in the occupied areas, assuring that he Government ``evaluates many data and conditions.``

[03] FM ROMANIA VISIT

During his visit, Kyprianou will be received by Prime Minister Emil Boc and Vice Prime Minister Marko Bela.

Discussions will focus on bilateral relations, EU affairs and other regional and international issues, and Kyprianou will brief the Romanian officials on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

[04] PARLIAMENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Steen held a joint meeting with the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights Sophoclis Fittis, the Chairman of the Committee on Crime and on the Fight Against Drugs and Addictive Substances Yiannakis Thoma, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women Dina Akkelidou, and the Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee on Internal Affairs, Skevi Koutra-Koukouma.

During the meeting they discussed in depth the issue of human trafficking, and analyzed the measures and the policies adopted by the Republic of Cyprus, against human trafficking.

The Cypriot Members of the Parliament stressed to their British counterpart that the legal framework of Cyprus is fully harmonized with the European Acquis Communautaire and the international conventions. They also underlined that the full implementation of the legislation is one of the top priorities of the Parliament.

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