NEWS BRUSSELS EDITION

Issue No. 1 January 2010 Intensi cation of settlement talks Landmark court Cyprus News Agency decision on property rights The Cyprus Government hailed a landmark decision by the Court of Appeal in London on 19 January that judgments by the courts of the Republic of Cyprus about a Greek Cypriot-owned property in the Turkish- No good news from talks occupied area of Cyprus can be executed in other EU member states. The ruling followed a decision by the European Court of Justice in April 2009 upholding the competency of courts of the Republic of Cyprus to rule on property rights in the Turkish-occupied area even though such rulings could not be enforced in present circumstances. The London ruling meant that UK couple •Intensi ed talks... President Christo as (right) and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat step up the pace of their negotiations. Linda and David Orams were deemed to have illegally acquired a property in Lapithos, Further Christofias-Talat meeting maintains talks impetus The arrival of UN Secretary General Ban President Christo as, who on 13 January had near , which is in fact owned by Greek Ki Moon in Nicosia on late on 31 January a telephone conversation with US Secretary Cypriot Meletis Apostolides, who had been for two days of meetings served to focus of State Hillary Clinton. On 15 January the displaced by the Turkish invasion in 1974. international attention on the state of his President reviewed the state of the talks with It therefore con rmed Cypriot court rulings good o ces mission on the Cyprus problem. the National Council, the senior advisory dating from November 2004 that the couple Negotiations on a Cyprus settlement body on the Cyprus problem, consisting of must demolish the holiday home they had between President Demetris Christo as and party leaders and senior ministers. built on Mr Apostolides’ land, return the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had President Christo as on 20 January had property to him and pay rent retrospectively been intensi ed in January, as agreed at their a meeting with the UN Secretary General’s as well as legal costs. last meeting in 2009. However, a continuing Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander The court decision was described by news blackout on the detailed content of the Downer, to review the progress of the talks, President Demetris Christo as as legally talks meant that it was unclear whether any following which he wrote to the UN Security important because it  owed from EU substantive progress had been made. Council members and to EU member states and other European law and as politically Following a meeting on 4 January, explaining why the Turkish Cypriot proposals important because it had sent a message President Christo as and Mr Talat had three on governance and power-sharing were to the side seeking to deny the right to further sessions on 11, 12 and 13 January, unacceptable. His communication to the ownership and use of property. Government principally devoted to issues of governance UK Government precipitated a telephone Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, asked on •Handshake of friendship... President Christo as and power-sharing, and then four more on conversation about the Cyprus situation and 20 January whether the Government would welcomes the Greek Prime Minister to Nicosia. 25, 26, 27 and 29 January. These brought the the progress of the negotiations with Prime urge owners of property in the Turkish- number of meetings since the second phase Minister Gordon Brown on 22 January. occupied areas to follow Mr Apostolides’ of the talks began in September 2009 to 21 Following the completion of the intensive example, replied that the issues involved are and the overall number since the start of the talks on 29 January, Mr Downer declared both legal and political and should be dealt process in September 2008 to 61. that the two leaders had made “signi cant” with cautiously and carefully. Hopes that the Turkish Cypriot side progress and had left the meeting “feeling Mr Apostolides’ lawyer, Constantis would come to the intensi ed talks with positive”. He added that they would have Cantounas, said that the ruling of the London constructive proposals were dashed with the more to say after they had met Ban Ki Moon. court in favour of his client “has determined submission of a document on governance It was announced in Washington on 24 in a nal way that the legal rights of displaced and power-sharing that constituted a serious January that President Barack Obama will Cypriots against trespassers, as determined step backwards in the negotiating process. appoint a personal envoy on the Cyprus by the courts of the Republic of Cyprus, can Cyprus Government Spokesman Stephanos problem. The decision followed a meeting be enforced in the UK”. He said that the ruling Stephanou, speaking on 14 January, between a White House adviser and Greek- would act as a deterrent against speculation explained that the Turkish Cypriot document American leaders. It was welcomed by in stolen properties in the Turkish-occupied departed from previously agreed principles. President Christo as “provided that US policy area, where some 5,000 non-Cypriot EU A paper on governance and power- will respect the Republic of Cyprus and will nationals, mostly Britons, have bought sharing was then submitted to the talks by contribute to a just and viable settlement”. property.

Measures for tourist industry • Artemida village inaugurated • New bicommunal peace movement • Haiti relief efforts • Smoking ban in force • Van Rompuy in Nicosia • Vassiliou hearing • EU’s 2020 Strategy • Labour market outlook At At the same gathering, Finance Minister In the context of the aim of developing arrivals Tourist in Cyprus in December of The ve principles on which the initiative initiative the which on principles ve The Those with President Christo as included as Christo President with Those di culties. di Addressing the Tourism 2010 Forum in Cyprus Nicosia, said Mr that Paschalides “bearing in mind one of the that fundamental pillars of the Cyprus tourism is economy, it is essential for ort an to take place to get the best collective intense e and possible results”. Charilaos Stavrakis warned that “there no easy to solutions” are the decline in tourism. Noting the relative inability attract visitors with of high incomes Cyprus and high to purchasing power, he called for a tourist the focus improve to on strategy medium-term than temporaryproduct rather measures. winter tourism to seasonality redress of “sun, sea and the sand chairman (CTO) Organisation holidays”, Tourism traditional Cyprus Alecos Orountiotis stressed on that broader the its CTO in 6 “is c tourism implementing and speci winter January for plans targeted orts to solve e the problem of seasonality”. He added that advertising the by campaigns CTO are directed at attracting out-of-season Cyprus. to visitors 66,201 (compared with 72,127 in the same 2009 in arrivals total brought 2008) in month to 2,141,193, as against 2,403,750 in The 2008. biggest national makers fall was from in Britain, remained holiday- substantially which the nevertheless of largest visitors to Cyprus. Revenue source from tourism per 16.7 2009, in million €1,493 to amounted in 2008. on receipts down cent is based are: 1. support for enduring bizonal, a of peace creation the for and stability and bicommunal United Federal the need for urgent action Republic; on property and 2. population issues to for information full 3. settlement; a impeding prevent them 4. negotiations; the about from communities both communities two the between collaboration in the social, cultural, economic and political spheres; and 5. . forces” fascist and racist opposition to “separatist, To mark the intensive conclusion round of of the the settlement Nicosia, second talks in the UCPI calling approved on a “courageously, the resolution decisively and two immediately to leaders a compromise to solution on agreed proceed the principles. The basis resolution described of choice moral only “the as compromise a such  or our epoch”. Government Government as an act of people. Cypriot solidarity by the Greek Premier George joined with the Cypriot leader in unveiling a Papandreou, contribution. Cyprus’ who commemorating plaque Artemida, of area central the in located was It  Square”. “Cyprus re-namedwhich was

CTO Cautious Cautious optimism about prospects Mr Demetriou said that he and Mr Elcil Reconstructed Greek village inaugurated President Demetris Christo January 17 on as Christo Demetris President inaugurated the reconstructed Artemida village in the of southern Greece, Peloponnese which had in been devastated in res of forest the mid-2007 with the loss of the lives of 20 local inhabitants. The €14 million cost of the reconstruction of 77 homes and properties had been met by the Cyprus Winter walking... Trails in the beautiful Akamas peninsula Trails walking... Winter Formation Formation of bicommunal peace movement Hope Hope of tourism revival in 2010 • are ideal for out-of-season ideal for tourists. are Statistical Statistical Service gures January showed that the number issued of tourist arrivals on in Cyprus in 2009 decreased by 10.9 13 per cent compared with 2008 - the biggest year-on-year fall since 1991 but not as great industry by leaders. been feared as had once There was hope that the general the since especially decline 2010, in reversed could be end of the international recession impelled the World Tourism Organisation to predict global that by tourism numbers will increase in 2010. 3-4 per cent in 2010 was expressed Commerce, on Industry 26 and January Tourism by Antonis Minister Paschalides, who signs are both said encouraging and presaging that the The The United Cyprus Peace was Initiative launched (UCPI) on 13 communal January initiative as an supportive inter- to nd of orts a e solution to through the the Cyprus ongoing problem negotiating actsnationalism. extreme of to opposed and process The joint chairmen of the UCPI are Themos Demetriou and Sener between Elcil, representing organisations them in communities. Cypriot the Turkish 35 Greek Cypriot non-governmental and believe that progress has been made in the Nicosia settlement negotiations (see page 1) much and slow too much been has it that but too fragile. He therefore called for speedier progress and pledged people in to support of mobilise a that settlement, more there adding will be no good future for either unless the Cypriots Turkish or Cypriots Greek is resolved. problem Cyprus Mrs Charalambous noted that a slight The The CMP reported that since the launch Formal cation identi of exhumed Heralding Heralding a new as era in regards Cyprus Employment warning Employment Intensi ofcation Intensi on missing work A warning that 2010 is likely to be a di cult A warning that 2010 is likely to be a di January6 on given was employment for year by Labour and Charalambous. Sotiroula Social Insurance Minister decline in (see unemployment below) was in “a positive whilst development”, asserting December that “we must not become complacent and come that to the problem the has been She overcome”. conclusion said that her Employment Ministry Committee and will monitor the employment sector very closely continue the to National to help support businesses and to minimise . sta o lay the need to Statistical Service gures January showed issued that the on average of number 6 registered 2009 unemployed was 17,505, in a rise of the Cyprus 2008 52 average of per 11,541. in cent The seasonally on adjusted jobless gure for December 19,745, was a sharp December 2008 but 2.8 per increase cent fewer than compared  in November. with The The tripartite on UN-sponsored Missing Persons (CMP) Committee announced cation an on in intensi 2010 of 18 its January programme of exhumation, and cation return identi of the remains of persons listed as missing since the 1974 invasion and from the 1963-67 period. exhumation teams operating in This the Turkish- will involve in two northernand occupied part six Cyprus of areas. the Government-controlled of its project in August 2006, it has retrieved Those persons. 600 than more of remains the missing persons and 51 Cypriot of 145 Greek - 196 in formal families for to ed and returned total - identi have been missing 1,700 over of families the Thus burial. Cypriots from both ones. of their loved learn the fate to waiting communities are still remains by DNA the bicommunal testing laboratory of takes Institute the of place Cyprus Neurology and Genetics in Nicosia. er zone at (CING) in the UN bu located Ban on smokingBan A ban on smoking in all closed public places came into force on 1 January, as approved by the House 2009. of Under the Representatives new law, in smoking only is July now allowed in Transgressors, open whether and smokers or outside owners of areas. premises not property whilst €2,000, to up applying of nes the to liable ban, will be owners who do €1,000. ned up to not can be signs display “no smoking” the discouragement of Minister Christos smoking, Patsalides described ban Health as “a the gift for the He citizens”. said the aim was for a to create environment safe that vulnerable groups of the population and to  up the habit. give smokers to encourage Proposals Proposals for developing trade with Turkish Cypriots 1.8bn peace dividend 2 Science and technology links with USA New traffic rules and regulations to be introduced Trade Trade cit de expands as imports are sucked in Christo as cial Christo on visit o to Cuba Settlement would give Herman Van Rompuy visits Cyprus Vassiliou to continue A pledge that the EU stands ready to provide 1). In this context, he asked him to support all the advice and support possible for the the Republic of Cyprus in its e orts to reach as EU Commissioner Remains of Greek soldiers returned achievement of a Cyprus settlement was an agreement on the basis of a bicommunal, given by European Council President Herman bizonal federation with political equality and a The EU Commissioner-designate from Cyprus, Van Rompuy in talks with President Demetris single sovereignty as speci ed in UN Security Androulla Vassiliou, gave what was generally Christo as in Nicosia on 21 January. Having Council resolutions. regarded as an impressive performance at been appointed to the EU post in November Mr Rompuy said that a settlement of the a three-hour hearing before the European 2009, Mr Van Rompuy was on an introductory Cyprus problem is important for the EU, since Parliament (EP) on 14 January. Having held tour of EU capitals, in view of an informal EU “it is about ending divisions in Europe and the Health portfolio since 2008, Mrs Vassiliou summit to be held in Brussels in February. about stability in the region”. He commended has been given the more variegated role Speaking after a working lunch with Mr the leaders of the two Cypriot communities of Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Van Rompuy, President Christo as reported “for the framework they have established in Youth Commissioner in the new Commission, that he had briefed him on the negotiations in the talks and for their courageous e orts and which is expected to receive the EP’s formal progress in Nicosia and on the latest proposals strong and unabated commitment to work endorsement on 9 February. submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side (see page towards a solution”. Mrs Vassiliou stressed that “we should Cyprus News Agency High on the agenda of the meeting was make sure that every EU programme we the tackling of the economic crisis, the EU’s response to climate change, the EU’s 2020 apply has a direct impact on citizens’ lives”, Strategy (see below) and the issue of illegal stating that her key priorities included immigration. strengthening education provision in the EU, Cyprus is up to date in its preparations for increasing social mobility for young people its rst occupancy of the EU Presidency in and promoting culture and creativity. She the second half of 2012, said the Head of the also called for more resources for the training Cyprus EU Presidency O ce Andreas Moleskis of teachers. on 12 January. As regards infrastructure, the The Commissioner-designate for next step is the preparation of the buildings/ Enlargement and European Neighbourhood installations which will host delegates and the Policy, Stefan Fule (Czech Republic), told the media during meetings to be held in Cyprus. EP on 12 January that Turkey, if it wishes its Under the Lisbon Treaty, the established EU membership candidacy to advance, must system of a rotating EU Presidency held by implement the Protocol providing member states for six months continues in for the opening of Turkish ports and airports parallel to the appointment of Mr Van Rompuy to tra c from Cyprus. •Herman Van Rompuy with President Christo as in Nicosia. as President of the European Council. European Parliament EU on track to formulate 2020 Strategy Speaking after meeting representatives of a green economy. Mr Stavrakis said that in the political parties and the social partners both areas the Government had presented on 15 January to discuss the latest European comprehensive proposals. Commission (EC) proposals on the 2020 Mr Stavrakis expressed con dence that, Strategy aiming to make the EU the world’s notwithstanding its exposure to the global most competitive economic area, Finance nancial crisis, Cyprus would maintain its Minister Charilaos Stavrakis said that he economic growth rate advantage over the was launching a public dialogue, co- rest of the EU. He said that the challenge ordinated by the Planning Bureau, “to hear now was to solve the structural and scal the positions of the parties and the social problems of the Cypriot economy in order partners and to the greatest extent possible to maintain this advantage. He added to nd common denominators with a view that Cyprus’ normative rate of annual GDP to sending a response to the EC with the Cyprus does well in EU poverty ratings growth had been 4 per cent in recent years, •Parliament hearing... Mrs Vassiliou before Euro-MPs. greatest possible consent, to the bene t which had been reduced to 3-3.5 per cent by of the Cypriot economy and society”. He the nancial crisis. The comparable rates for stressed that “in general terms” the Cyprus the EU economy as a whole, he noted, were Government agreed with the content of the 2 per cent and 1-1.5 per cent. EC paper. The Eurostat statistical o ce on 8 January Relief aid for Haiti The EC document had three themes, the revised its gure for the contraction in rst being a knowledge-based economy. Cyprus’ GDP in the third quarter of 2009 from A donation of €100,000 to the international Mr Stavrakis said that the key for Cyprus “is 1.4 to 0.6 per cent, whilst the annual rate of emergency relief fund for the victims of how to depend more on practical research shrinkage was revised from 2.7 to 2 per cent. the devastating earthquake in Haiti was and research that can produce immediate In the 16-member euro zone, Greece and announced by the Cyprus Government positive results for the economy, rather than Spain also contracted in the third quarter, on 15 January. The overall emergency on theoretical research”. The second theme whereas the zone as a whole expanded by relief contribution of EU member states was the need for a social dimension to a new 0.3 per cent and the 27-member EU as a is estimated at €92 million. In addition, economy and the third the development of whole by 0.4 per cent. the European Commission has made a preliminary commitment of €30 million in emergency aid to Haiti, while the response of the EU in humanitarian and rehabilitation Eurostat survey of poverty rankings in 2008 aid in the medium to long term is estimated at €200 million. According to a Eurostat survey published on 2008 were found in Latvia (26 per cent), President Demetris Christo as wrote 18 January, around 16 per cent of Cypriots Romania (23 per cent), Bulgaria (23 per to his Haitian counterpart, President Rene had an income in 2008 which, after social cent), Greece, Spain and Lithuania (all 20 Preval, expressing the sympathy and transfers, put them below the poverty per cent). The lowest were in the Czech solidarity of the Cypriot people for the threshold and at risk of poverty as de ned Republic (9 per cent), the Netherlands and su ering of the Haitian people. In addition by the EU. For the 27-member EU as a whole, Slovakia (both 11 per cent) and Denmark, to the Government’s donation, fund-raising the at-risk-of-poverty rate was 17 per cent. Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden (all for the relief e ort in Haiti was launched by The highest at-risk-of-poverty rates in 12 per cent). the Church of Cyprus and by other bodies.

Helios trial adjourned •AutonomousApplications soon... Part of the airport re service. for asylum rise steeply Tourist arrivals and revenue down in August Turkish oil exploration threat rejected January. Winner of the European Museum of the Year award in 1991, only two years after N otes && NNewsews its opening, the museum is one of the cultural gems of Cyprus. Now, after a €5 million The State Literary Awards for publications An intensive action programme for the refurbishment, it has digital technology to in 2008 were announced by the Ministry Social Road Safety Alliance will be drafted provide visitors with a virtual tour of Nicosia of Education and Culture on 6 January. The by the Government in an e ort to curb through the centuries. President Christo as poetry award went to George Moraris for road tra c accidents, pledged President praised the educational role of the museum, his work "Rosmarinos". Stephanos Stavrides Christo as on 14 January. Speaking during noting that it “advertises the history and the won the short story award for "The Library of the signing at the Presidential Palace of cultural heritage of the last divided capital in Ravel". The essay/study award went to Eleni the European Road Safety Charter by 21 Europe, and of Cyprus in general”. Nikita for "Christoforos Savva: The Beginning Cypriot organisations, the President said Presenting the annual awards of the of a New Era in Cypriot Art". Ozay and Selcuk that the main responsibility for combating Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOK) in Akif took the chronicle/testimony award for "the plague" of road accidents rested with Nicosia on 18 January, President Christo as "Echo Since Old Times: the Turkish Cypriot the Government, but that the "active and praised the talent, professionalism and Community of Limassol and its Heritage". The substantial contribution of the citizens is social involvement of the Cypriot theatre Athens Olympiad “an historic event for Hellenism” writer's award for beginners was won jointly integral to the e ectiveness of the state's world and looked forward to the completion by Titsa Diamadopoulou for her collection e orts". He noted that over the last decade no of a new state theatre building in 2011. of short stories "A Dirty Dress"and Christos less than 947 persons lost their lives in road Actor Stelios Kafkarides was awarded the Argyrou for his poetry collection "Diving in accidents in Cyprus and many thousands grand prize for theatre and other awards Time". were injured. were made as follows: Stavros Louras (best Important  ndings at the Katalymmata The renovated and expanded Leventis performance), Stella Fyrogeni (best actress), ton Plakoton archaeological site on the Municipal Museum in Nicosia’s Old City was Despina Bebedeli (best director), Maria Akrotiri peninsula during the third season of formally opened by President Christo as on 9 Marmara (best script adaptation), Elena excavations in October-November 2009 were PIO Katsouri (best setting), Lakis Genethlis (best announced by the Antiquities Department costume design), Giorgos Kolias (best music), on 11 January. They included part of an early Liza Tsagaridou and Elena Hadjidaki (best Christian church of the late 6th or early 7th dance/movement), Miroslav Zdravkov (best century AD, which was destroyed in a mid- lighting design) and THOK (best children's 7th century earthquake. Expert analysis production). established that the building was the work The new Paphos International Airport of highly skilled builders from Cyprus or the was given a feather in its cap on 7 January Byzantine Empire. In a further report on 14 by the announcement that it had come January, the Antiquities Department said that top among the main European airports for the 2009 season of excavations at the Ayia the standard of its services in a survey of Varvara-Asprokremnos site had unearthed passengers  ying last summer with UK tour the earliest known structure belonging to operator Thompson Airways. Welcoming the Neolithic period, dating back to the 9th the verdict, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation millennium BC. said that the e ective operation of airports The continuation of water rationing was plays an important role in the promotion of con rmed by Agriculture, Natural Resources the tourist industry. and Environment Minister Michalis Polynikis An indication of the Nicosia area's distant on 13 January, despite heavy rainfall in the watery past has been given by the recent latter part of 2009 which increased reservoir discovery of prehistoric whale fossils contents to a third of capacity. Rationing in six di erent parts of the capital by for households was lifted over the holiday amateur palaeontologists George and Fani period, but an assessment of the post-holiday Constantinou together with Environment situation concluded that the 15 per cent cut Services director Antonis Antoniou. The in supply imposed last summer should be fossils are believed to be between one and maintained. Mr Polynikis remained con dent, two million years old and include the ribs and however, that Cyprus will cease to be reliant spine of whales estimated to have been 20 on rainfall from 2011 as new desalination •Handsome portal... The entrance to the Leventis metres long, living at a time when present- plants come on stream. Municipal Museum in the Old City of Nicosia. day Cyprus was below sea level. The two euro coin of Cyprus has won  rst prize in an international “best coin” competition run by Krause Publications, the US publisher of “World Coin News”. The prize Sporting highlights in January 2010 was presented on 30 January at a special ceremony at the World Money Fair in Berlin. Tennis. Cypriot star Marcos Baghdatis in August 2009, whilst Artymata, also the According to the judges, the coin possesses took his fourth Association of Tennis national record holder, became the  rst all-round appeal from both the aesthetic Professionals (ATP) title on 16 January, Cypriot woman to reach the  nal of the 200 and the commercial viewpoint and best winning the Medibank International metres. meets the requirements of circulation as tournament in Sydney, Australia. Boosted by APOEL football club of Nicosia, which a monetary unit. The “national side” of the vocal support from local , he reached the group stage of the European coin, featuring the cross-shaped Pomos idol defeated Richard Gasquet of France in two Champions League in 2009, won the team (picrolite) representing culture, was designed straight sets, 6-4 and 7-6. It was announced of the year award. Also honoured was the in a competition organised by the Central after the match that Baghdatis, who is now Cyprus Olympic Committee chaired by Bank of Cyprus by Tatiana Sotiropoulou and 31st in the ATP world rankings, would donate Ouranios Ioannides, for its hosting of the Erik Maell. $5,000 of his $67,260 winner's cheque to 13th Games of the Small States of Europe in

Central Bank of Cyprus the Haiti earthquake disaster appeal. On 23 June. January Baghdatis was sadly forced to retire injured from his third round match against CYPRUS NEWS - BRUSSELS EDITION is produced monthly Lleyton Hewitt in the Australian Open. by the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the Sports writers' awards. High-jumper EU. To receive a regular copy, by post or email, please Kyriakos Ioannou and sprinter Eleni contact: The Press Counsellor, Permanent Representation Artymata won the top 2009 awards of the of Cyprus to the EU, 61 Avenue Cortenbergh, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: 02 7395188, Fax: 02 7366573, Cyprus Union of Sports Writers, presented by email: presso [email protected] President Demetris Christo as at a ceremony in Nicosia on 14 January. National record Links Cyprus Government: www.cyprus.gov.cy holder Ioannou won the silver medal at the Ministry of Foreign A airs: www.mfa.gov.cy •Winning coin... The two sides of Cyprus’ two-euro piece. athletics World Championships in Berlin