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Cyprus European Union presidency will be fair, with no secret agenda

15 December 2011 / 21:12:47  GRReporter
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Anastasia Balezdrova

The Cyprus dispute, the economy of the island country, the detected deposits of natural gas in the exclusive economic zone and the Cypriot rotating presidency of the European Union were the topics presented by the Cypriot government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou during his meeting with media representatives in Athens.

From the outset, he did not express satisfaction with the current development of the direct negotiations to resolve the political dispute in Cyprus. "We support a bi-zonal bi-communal federation. I.e. one country, one citizenship, one international representation." The Cypriot government spokesman said the Cypriot Greeks adhere to the proposals stipulated in the United Nation resolutions to resolve the dispute. "We could not accept any solution in the form of a confederation or the existence of two separate states on the island. They are completely beyond the logic of the United Nations."

According to Stefanos Stefanou, the Turkish Cypriot state is preventing not only the progress in the negotiations, but is even withdrawing its support from already adopted or almost adopted convergence issues. The main topics on the agenda remain issues of property, territory, citizenship and settlers. Concerning the information it is possible that an international conference on the Cyprus dispute may be held  in order to resolve it by arbitration. Stefanos Stefanou said that a conference could be held only when both parties agree on the solution.

"The preparation of Cyprus for taking over the rotating European Union presidency is very intensive. From 1 January 2012, we will take up the issues relating to security and from July 1 - the Presidency of the European Union." Stefanos Stefanou said the government is ready to cope with the challenge of tackling the severe financial crisis in Europe. "Our priority will be to be an honest mediator that will pay particular attention to the issues of social cohesion and social price of crisis." The other two main topics for the island country are the establishment of common agricultural and maritime policies.

About a month ago, Ankara said it would suspend the negotiations for membership in the European Union during the six months of Cypriot presidency. "Ankara has already received a response from the European Union that it is a matter of institutions. Our position is equally clear."

With regard to the expectations for the detection of large deposits of natural gas in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, Stephanos Stephanou said that the government of Cyprus is ready for economic cooperation with Turkey after resolving the island’s political dispute. He explained that the drilling in plot 12 is in the last stage and then, the country will launch the second round of the competition for the issuing of permits. "The announcement will also be published in the Journal of the European Union and the criteria are defined by law. After collecting the bids, the competent ministry will begin direct negotiations with the companies, and so far, dozens have expressed their interest and bought the drilling results."

Regarding the country's economy, the spokesman of the Cyprus office indicated that it is negatively influenced by the global financial crisis and the crisis in the eurozone. "The crisis has brought to the fore the problems of the Cypriot economy. It is very much affected by the crisis in Greece, not only because two major Cypriot banks are exposed to the Greek market through the purchase of Greek government bonds, but also because of the loans granted to customers in Greece." Stefanos Stefanou said that his country has managed and will be able to cope with the situation, despite the "speculation that we are close to the support mechanism. Cyprus secured a loan from Russia in the amount of € 2.5 billion and has the resources to serve its obligations in 2012." He still does not exclude the possibility of Cyprus turning to other lenders if and when necessary. At the same time, the government did not consider the possibility of nationalizing banks. "The efforts are focused on their recapitalization," he said, adding that the unemployment in Cyprus is 8%. "It is well below the average rate across the European Union, but higher than the rate accepted in the country. Therefore, we are enhancing our efforts to deal with it as quickly as possible."

 

Tags: PoliticsCyprusCyprus disputeEconomyRotating presidencySpokesmanStefanosStefanou
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