Presidency for a Better Europe APRIL 2012 Cyprus will take the helm of the EU Presidency of the Council Monthly Bulletin Issue 25 for the first time in its history. Covering the period 1-31 March ‘Solidarity’ and ‘effectiveness’ IN BRIEF will mark the C y p r u s ENERGY P r e s i d e n c y. A m e m o r a n d u m o f A n d r e a s Cooperation was signed for the Mavroyiannis, EuroAsia Interconnector, an D e p u t y underwater electric cable Minister for on March 23rd. It will link Israel, Cyprus and Greece with E u r o p e a n the European electricity A f f a i r s t o l d network. The project aims to those gathered produce 2000 megawatts, of at a seminar for which the Electricity Authority Deputy Minister Andreas Mavroyiannis at the press conference to announce the 100 of Cyprus (EAC) will produce p u b l i c days until the EU presidency. Source: Cyprus News Agency 1,000-1,200. The discovery of administration hydrocarbons will contribute to executives on March 14th in Nicosia. The major issues facing the this figure. The estimated completion date is 2016. Cyprus Presidency are the financial crisis and economic recovery. Commenting on the Multiannual Financial Framework, he said ‘the ENLARGEMENT ultimate goal is to reach a political agreement by the end of 2012”. Cypriot Minister of Foreign Cyprus, he said, would give emphasis on the efforts for a Better Affairs Erato Kozakou- Marcoullis reiterated Cyprus' Europe: “An EU committed to fundamental values, that will promote support to Montenegro's sustainable solutions.” Taking over the Presidency for the first time in its EU accession on March 14th, history, Cyprus will prove to its partners that it is a reliable, fair and adding that accession serious member state, he said. It is also an opportunity at national level, negotiations most probably will as the challenge will give a chance for modernisation of its civil service. start during the Cypriot EU Presidency. The Montenegrin Foreign Minister said that he  Marking the occasion of the 100 days countdown at a press sees Cyprus as a ''role model'' in conference on March 20th, Mavroyiannis said that Cyprus will work terms of the challenges assumed hard to create a ‘better Europe’ for its citizens. by small states. The Deputy Minister noted that the presidency is a huge

challenge for Cyprus, “being a small state with a small-sized public INVESTMENT service.” Recognising the turbulent economic times, Mavroyiannis said Hermes Airports and a Chinese that the challenge is enormous but that Cyprus was ready. The full firm signed a multimillion programme will be released in June. euro deal on March 23rd. At another meeting on the same day, Mavroyiannis reiterated his Under the terms of the deal support of NGOs. Empowering civil society was stressed as an Far Eastern Phoenix will invest millions in renovating the old important part of the presidency’s priorities. With this in mind, he Larnaca airport building into a encouraged the 60 NGOs from both communities to write to the commercial showroom, bonded ministries and the Cyprus EU presidency secretariat. warehouses for Chinese goods and a small conference centre. In order to fulfill this pledge civil servants from all ministeries President of Hermes Airports were present at the event. The Minister also reminded NGOs that they Iacovos Iacovou said it will ‘act may organise events under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency, “there as a bridge uniting China with is a call to submit proposals to the secretariat” he noted, as the deadline Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He also said that Cypriots for submissions has been extended to the end of April. All these events will be given priority when would be included in an official calendar, giving more visibility to the securing jobs on the project. organisations. “Our vision”, he noted, “is to promote Cyprus as a ‘filoxenos topos’, a hospitable place”. CABINET RESCHUFFLE After the decision of Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias to step down, due to health concerns, President Christofias proceeded with a small cabinet reschuffle. Replacing the Finance Minister is Vassos Shiarly, former General Manager of Bank of Cyprus. Neoklis Sylikiotis is the new Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, who replaced Praxoula Antoniadou. Sylikiotis’ place at the Ministry of Interior was taken up Eleni Mavrou, Minister of the Interior (left) and Finance Minister Vassos Shiarly by former Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou. (right). Source: PIO/Cyprus News Agency.

Commissioners on Presidency Preparations European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian EU ENERGY HUB Ciolos said that Cyprus is ready to assume its responsibilities at the head Providing uninterrupted of the EU this July. It comes at an important time for the EU as talks energy to the EU, that’s what Commerce Minister Neoklis continue on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). Sylikiotis called for in a speech at the Investment Energy On March 1st during a joint press conference with Minister of Summit in Athens, March 28th. This follows the discovery of a Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Sophoclis Aletraris, the large reserve of natural gas in Commissioner expressed his wish for an agreement on CAP reform. He the Exclusive Economic Zone of noted that Cyprus is a small country and added that small countries Cyprus in December 2011. usually play their mediation role better than bigger countries. Clinching bilateral deals are ‘high on the agenda’ for the Minister. He noted that this C l i m a t e could remap Europe’s energy Commissioner Connie map with Cyprus as a new hub. H e d e g a a r d a l s o e x p r e s s e d h e r INTERPRETATION AGREEMENT On March 20th in Nicosia, the c o n f i d e n c e o v e r Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Cyprus’ ability to p r e s i d e n c y s i g n e d a deal with climate M e m o r a n d u m o f i s s u e s . I n cooperation w i t h t h e s t a t e m e n t s a t a European Commission’s DG for Interpretation. It concerns the press conference in translation of EU presidency Nicosia on March meetings to be held in Cyprus 16th, she said “it in the second term of 2012. It was signed by Head of the s e e m s t h a t Cyprus EU presidency awareness is rising Secretariat Emmanuela Minister Aletraris (left) and European Commissioner Connie Hedegaard in Cyprus because Lambrianides and Director (right). Source: Cyprus News Agency o f t h e w a t e r General of DG Interpretation Marco Benedetti. situation and drought situation and the weird weather”. TRADE Aletraris noted that the two sides discussed a number of issues Total exports were up by concerning the period Cyprus will be chairing the EU, like the 23.7% in 2011 and stood at 1.4 informal Environment Council, next July, and several legislative billion euro. Most of these initiatives Hedegaard intended to put forward to the Council. exports concern industrial p r o d u c t s , m a i n l y Concerning international talks on climate change, Hedegaard pharmaceuticals. Notably noted that the Commission and the Cyprus Presidency would be export of services is on the working closely together during the Presidency semester. increase in the area of tourism. Foreign Visits: Lebanon, Italy and France SEARCH AND RESCUE In Beirut Foreign Minister Dr Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis met with her Cyprus and France carried out Lebanese counterpart Adnan Mansour on March 15th. She said Cyprus an aeronautical search and would do ‘everything possible’ to promote EU-Lebanon ties when rescue exercise in the sea south of Cyprus on March 5th. Cyprus takes over the EU presidency in July. On issues for cooperation, Defence Minister Demetris she recalled that one of the areas that has potential is energy following Eliades noted that it was the the discovery of natural gas and possibly oil in the Eastern first time an exercise of such an Mediterranean. extent took place. It involved a maritime accident response and ship piracy. Attending the  On another visit on March 13th, the minister was in Rome to discuss exercise were the French the pressing Mediterranean issues for the presidency such as Ambassador and military attaché of the Embassy, officers immigration, the economic crisis and the Southern Neighbourhood. At a of the Search and Rescue of the working lunch with her Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi, they reaffirmed Republic of Cyprus and the friendly relations between the two countries and discussed how they police. could strengthen bilateral cooperation.

 March 20th saw the Minister travel to Paris, to meet French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé who pledged his full support to Cyprus when it takes over the presidency of the EU. Alain Juppé reiterated the firm position of France for a Cyprus solution on the basis of international and European law and the UN resolutions. During their meeting Marcoullis Source: Cyprus News Agency and Juppé also discussed issues such as EU enlargement, immigration, Eurozone crisis and the Arab spring. BALKAN CHAMBERS Nicosia hosted the General Assembly of the Association MEPs Send a Clear Message to Turkey of Balkan Chambers on On March 29th the March 16th. Talks centred on European Parliament investment prospects in Cyprus. Chamber of Commerce and adopted a resolution on Industry President Phidias Turkey’s EU progress Pilides said there has been much report. Cyprus Foreign interest for investment from Minister Erato Kozakou- Balkan countries. Marcoullis said that it sent a clear message to SPORT Turkey regarding its Cyprus champions APOEL Nicosia qualified for the last obligations to Cyprus and eight of the Champions League, the EU. to become the first Cypriot The European Parliament Hemicycle in Brussels, Belgium. Source: team to reach quarter-finals of European Parliament Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia on any European competition. They faced Real Madrid in the March 31st, the Minister noted that the resolution voted by MEPs called C h a m p i o n s L e a g u e for the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from the island, and quarterfinals on March 27th, asks Ankara to stop the influx of Anatolian settlers to the occupied part and achieved a 3 goal defeat to of Cyprus. the 9 times winners. Marcoullis also noted that the resolution refers to the legal compliance of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone with the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the convention. The resolution goes further to say, “it regrets Turkey’s statements that it will freeze relations with the Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012 if a solution to the Cyprus issue is not found by then.” The Parliament called on Turkey to remember its obligations as a candidate country and that it must commit to “serene relations with the EU and all its Member States.” The Parliament’s resolution clearly supports the ongoing negotiations on the reunification and says that the settlement of the Source: EPA CyprusMONTHLY issue is BULLETIN now “a ISSUEmatter 25 of urgency”. APRIL 2012 Committed to a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Solution Marking the four STOLEN CULTURE year anniversary of Dating back to the 13th century, Byzantine frescoes that were the start of direct illegally exported from the t a l k s, P re s i d e n t island’s Turkish occupied northern Demetris Christofias part have returned to Cyprus. The frescoes had been cut into 38 stressed that he will pieces by the thieves who had sold remain committed them on the black market. They were restored by the Texas-based to a bi-zonal, bi- Menil Foundation on behalf of communal solution. the Church of Cyprus in 1985 I n a p r e s s and had been on loan until February 2012. Speaking at a c o n f e r e n c e o n press conference on March 27th March 21st, he the Archbishop of Cyprus commented that Chrysostomos II expressed his President Christofias (centre) at the press conference March 21st calling for a gratitude for their return. They are now on exhibition at the what is essential is bi-zonal, bi-communcal solution. Source: Cyprus News Agency. d e d i c a t i o n t o Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in Nicosia. According achieve a solution to the Head of the Cyprus through negotiations under the UN auspices and pointed out that the next weeks are decisive and will require taking critical decisions. President Christofias extended a message of friendship and peaceful co-existence to the Turkish Cypriots.

 Speaking on March 30th, the Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou expressed readiness to continue negotiations. He said that the Greek Cypriot side is waiting for the decisions of the UN Secretary

General on the future of negotiations, as there is no other way to solve the Source: Cyprus News Agency Cyprus problem than through talks. He reiterated that agreement on the Church, the inauguration of the internal aspects of the Cyprus issue is a prerequisite for an international hall where the frescoes are now conference. He expressed his regret that the Turkish Cypriot side puts kept may take place in July when Cyprus takes over the EU rotating forward positions that do not serve the basis of a solution for a bi-zonal, bi- Presidency. The Archbishop communal federation. Stephanou explained that this is the reason for the declared the Church is working unsuccessful negotiations up to this point, as the Turkish Cypriot side has hard alongside the government to restore all stolen artifacts. violated commitments that were undertaken by the two sides before the UN Secretary General. READ MORE Famagusta: Proposal for Return Cyprus Government www.cyprus.gov.cy President Christofias said that the preconditions for the return of Varosha Foreign Affairs Ministry www.mfa.gov.cy Permanent Representation of Cyprus to (the fenced-off area of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta) to its the EU www.mfa.gov.cy/permrepeu legal inhabitants are ‘crystal clear’. The President spoke in response to a report in the Turkish daily Milliet about a possible opening of Varosha on July 1st as Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU. Cyprus News - Brussels The President recalled that he submitted a proposal concerning edition is produced monthly Famagusta in 2010, but it has yet to be accepted. The city of Famagusta by the Press Office of the was captured by invading Turkish forces in 1974. It was sealed off and Permanent Representation of remains a virtual ‘ghost town’ under the direct control of the Turkish the Republic of Cyprus to the military. EU.

For all subscription enquiries In May 2010, the Cypriot President proposed the return of Varosha please contact : directly at the UN, combined with the opening of the port of Famagusta pressoffi[email protected] under EU auspices for use by the Turkish and Greek Cypriots alike. 61 Avenue Cortenbergh, 1000 UNSC resolution 550 dating to 1984 considers all attempts to settle any Brussels, Belgium. part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of its administration to the United Nations.

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