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- Ελληνικά
The Government Spokesman, Mr.Konstantinos Letibiotis, responded today to journalists' questions in the framework of his briefing to the media, held at the Presidential Palace.
Asked about the issue of Block 6 of the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Spokesman said that the Ministry of Energy has made its own initial estimates, but everything will be discussed with the consortium now that there are concrete data.
He added that the main objective of the Government's planning is "as soon as possible, the Cypriot citizen, the Cypriot consumer, Cypriot households will be able to have access to cheaper energy. So, setting timetables that are achievable, realistic and concrete is something that, of course, is in our thoughts."
Asked about the recent British newspaper article on Famagusta, the Spokesman said it was similar to others we have seen in the past.
"But at the same time, we never downplay any article, any information, particularly with regard to our occupied areas. Our diplomatic actions and our diplomatic interventions are constant and it is through active diplomacy that we believe that all these are answered," he said.
Asked to refer to the statements of the UK High Commissioner and asked in this context what to expect from the meeting between the President of the Republic and the UK Foreign Minister in London, the Spokesman said: "What we have said, and there have already been representations made by the Foreign Office, is precisely because in this new period that lies ahead of us, we believe that we all need to be particularly careful in our public statements, especially a country like the UK and with the involvement that it has within the United Nations (UN) with the Cyprus issue.
What we will convey once again is precisely the importance of both the public positions on the part of the UK, the mobilization on the part of Turkey to come back to the negotiating table to restart the talks from the point where they have been interrupted and for our efforts to reach a solution within the resolutions of the Security Council, that is, on the basis of a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation."
Asked where the 1 billion for defence is being ignored, the Spokesman said: "You understand that like the state budget, it is presented every year to the House of Representatives and debated, it is available and can be studied by any of the members of the legislature. What is important and what we have said through the President's programme of governance and it is what already seems to be being implemented from the first budget that this Government has prepared, is the gradual increase in the funds dedicated to defence expenditure and particularly in terms of the defence armouring of our country. In this direction, the government of Nicos Christodoulides will continue to increase spending for the defence armour of our country, in line with international standards of other organisations."
In response to a clarifying question on the issue of one billion, the Spokesman said: "We should specifically study that figure in accordance with what happened in previous years. It is already before the Ministry of Defence.
I reiterate that what is important, what the present administration sets as a very high and primary objective is the gradual increase in defence spending, which is something that the President of the Republic has also mentioned in his programme of governance, so that the defence armouring of our country is at the optimum level."
I reiterate that what is important, what the present administration sets as a very high and primary objective is the gradual increase in defence spending, which is also something that the President of the Republic has mentioned in his programme of governance, so that the defence armouring of our country is at the optimum level.
Asked if there is any news regarding the implementation of the maritime corridor for the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Spokesman said: "The Republic of Cyprus has drawn up a very concrete plan in very distinct phases, stages, which, already put to the test and can be implemented."
At the level where the Republic of Cyprus could take responsibility, this has been achieved with great success.
A proposal is available to the international community which is being discussed, which is recognized in terms of its usefulness. If there is something more concrete that will be announced at the appropriate time."
Asked about the President's visit to London, the Spokesman said: "It is a visit that was in the plans of the President's visits. You understand that in view of the developments in the Cyprus issue, following the appointment of the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General (SG), [THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO LONDON] has been postponed earlier."
Asked if the Pyla Consensus has been definitively scuttled, the Spokesman said: "No work is taking place in the Pyla area. This is something that we are not satisfied with. We have said from the very first moment we took the initiative to reach this Compromise that - we believe that the implementation of the Compromise - the implementation of all the provisions of the Compromise is for the benefit of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriot compatriots and we call once again on the occupying regime to understand the benefits that can accrue through the implementation of all the provisions of the Compromise."
Finally, in response to another question, Mr. Letibiotis said that the President of the Republic has discussed with delegations of occupied municipalities the possibility of a campaign aimed at encouraging young people from occupied municipalities to register on the electoral rolls.
(PM/EAth/MS)
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