“Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations” to Open at Smithsonian in September
Media only: Becky Haberacker (202) 633-5183; Kelly Carnes (202) 633-2950 

Exhibition Features More than 200 Artifacts on View for the First Time in the United States

Cyprus, the eastern-most island in the Mediterranean Sea, situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, has been a meeting point for many of the world’s great civilizations. From its 11,000-year history, Cyprus has woven its own distinctive history and culture.

“Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations” will be on view at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History from Sept. 29 through May 1, 2011. The exhibition is presented on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus.
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The President of the Republic presided over a meeting of the National Council - May 12, 2010
The President of the Republic Mr. Demetris Christofias presided over a meeting of the National Council. After the meeting, the Government Spokesman Mr. Stephanos Stephanou made the following statement to the press:

"The meeting of the National Council, which lasted several days, continued today in a very constructive climate. The President of the Republic expressed his positions today and replied to all the questions and positions that were raised in the previous meetings of the National Council on the various issues of the Cyprus problem. There was a dialogue, the President summarized several issues and it was agreed that, at the next meeting of the National Council on 19 May, the dialogue will continue on the specific issues and on those summarized by the President of the Republic and that until then the parties will be able to submit specific issues that can be discussed at the meeting of the National Council.”
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Foreign Minister Kyprianou: Turkey must stop hiding behind the Turkish Cypriots
Larnaca, May 9 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou called on Turkey to undertake its responsibilities with regard to the Cyprus issue and “stop hiding behind the Turkish Cypriots.”

Invited to say whether the Cyprus talks -- set to resume on May 26th -- will pick up from where they left off before the so-called “elections” in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, Minister Kyprianou said that the answer to that will be given at the negotiating table.
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Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos urges Turkey to meet EU commitments to help open negotiating chapters
Brussels, May 11– The Spanish Presidency expressed interest in opening new chapters in EU accession negotiations with Turkey, said Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who chaired the EU-Turkey Association Council on Monday, May 10 in Brussels, pointing out that Ankara must also make “the relevant efforts.”

“The Spanish Presidency believes that we must continue the negotiation process with determination and move towards the opening of new chapters,” Moratinos said at a press conference after the meeting in which he reiterated that Spain will continue efforts to ensure compliance with the commitment to the full integration of Turkey into the EU.
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Cyprus under EDP
Brussels, May 12 – Cyprus is under the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP), the European Commission announced here today.

The Commission also welcomed the willingness of the Cypriot authorities to bring the general government deficit below 3% of GDP, noting however the need to define a more expenditure-driven consolidation strategy.

According to a press release, issued today, the European Commission examined on Wednesday the updated stability program of Cyprus, which was submitted to the Commission on 13 April 2010. This follows the Commission's previous assessments of the stability and convergence programs of 25 Member States on 17 March, 24 March and 14 April.
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