Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-10-09

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus ready for EU membership beginning of 2004, Commission says

[02] Indian Premier concludes official visit

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Spokesman: particularly important day for Cyprus

[05] Maltese Minister for Economic Services to visit Cyprus

[06] Cyprus signs protocol on accession of the EC to Eurocontrol

[07] Maltese Minister’s visit postponed

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[09] Commission asks Council to conclude Cyprus negotiations

[10] Greek and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders meet

[11] Verheugen says Turkey needs encouragement

[12] Commission's recommendations historic, says EU ambassador

[13] Prodi calls ten candidate states, including Cyprus, to join EU

[14] ''Group of Luxembourg'' statement

[15] Foreign Ministry pleased with Commission's report

[16] Greek Foreign Minister congratulates Cyprus on Commission's report

[17] EU Delegation head refers to ''a historic day''

[01] Cyprus ready for EU membership beginning of 2004, Commission says

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Cyprus ready for EU membership beginning of 2004, Commission says

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Oct 9 (CNA) -- The European Union Commission recommends in its report ''Towards the enlarged Union) to conclude the accession negotiations with Cyprus and nine other applicant countries by the end of the year with the aim to sign the Accession Treaty in the spring of 2003.

The report, to be released today, hopes to see a reunited Cyprus join the EU and appeals particularly to Turkey to support fully the effort to find a comprehensive settlement his year.

It notes that if there is no solution, the EU December summit will decide on Cyprus' accession on the basis of previous Union decisions in Helsinki, which says that a political settlement would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition. The decision also says that all relevant factors will be taken into consideration, when the time comes for the EU to take its decision on Cyprus.

The Commission recommends that EU support for Turkey's pre-accession preparations be enhanced and notes that Turkey does not fully meet the political criteria to begin accession negotiations.

''Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia fulfill the political criteria and will have fulfilled the economic and acquis criteria within the framework foreseen for accession by the European Council,'' the report says.

These countries, it adds, will be ready for membership from the beginning of 2004.

''The Commission recommends to conclude the accession negotiations with these countries by the end of this year with the aim to sign the Accession Treaty in spring 2003,'' it says.

On the Cyprus question, the Commission hopes to ''see a reunited Cyprus acceding to the EU on the basis of a comprehensive settlement, as the best outcome for all concerned.''

''As indicated in the conclusions of the Seville European Council, the EU is ready to accommodate the terms of a political settlement in the accession arrangements in line with the principles on which the EU is founded,'' it says.

Furthermore, the report notes ''the Commission welcomes that substantial UN involvement will continue and urges all parties concerned and in particular Turkey to lend full support to efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement this year.''

It says that Cyprus' terms of accession ''can be adapted to reflect the comprehensive settlement as well as the implications for the application of the acquis throughout the island,'' it adds.

The Commission has proposed that considerable resources should be made available to ''enable the northern part of the island to catch up and to back up a settlement.''

These resources, it notes, should remain available in all circumstances.

''In the absence of a settlement, the decisions to be taken in December by the Copenhagen European Council will be based on the principles set out by the Helsinki European Council in 1999,'' the Commission says in the conclusions and recommendations in the report ''Towards the enlarged Union''.

The report points out that acceding countries need to implement the acquis by the date of accession, except in cases where transitional arrangements have been agreed.

The Commission believes that a specific safeguard clause needs to be introduced in the Accession Treaty to allow the Commission for a limited period of time to take appropriate measures in the internal market field and in the area of freedom, security and justice.

On Turkey's accession course, the Commission report says that constitutional reforms and legislative packages in the country have made ''considerable progress towards the Copenhagen political criteria.''

''Nonetheless considerable further efforts are needed,'' it says, pointing out that ''Turkey does not fully meet the political criteria.''

The Commission report notes that the reforms in Turkey contain a number of significant limitations, many of the reforms require the adoption of regulations or other administrative measures and that a number of important issues such as the fight against torture and ill treatment and questions concerning civilian control of the military have yet to be adequately addressed.

''Against this background and in view of the next stage of its candidature, the Commission recommends that the EU should enhance its support for Turkey's pre-accession preparations and should provide significant additional resources for this purpose,'' the report says.

The Commission will propose a revised Accession Partnership and intensify the process of legislative scrutiny.

It recommends renewed efforts to extend the Customs Union and improve its functioning with a view to deepening EC-Turkey trade relations and increasing investment flows.

''Turkey is encouraged to pursue its reform process and thus to carry forward its candidature for EU membership,'' the report concludes.

[02] Indian Premier concludes official visit

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Indian Premier concludes official visit

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides bid today a warm farewell to his honoured guest, the Prime Minister of India Attal Bihari Vajpayee at a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

As the flags of both countries fluttered in the autumn breeze, the police band played the national anthems and a guard of honor presented arms.

President Clerides met the Indian Premier at the entrance to the Palace, where a red carpet was laid.

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               80,45   ( 0,06)

Traded Value                  CYP    313.590

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    185.453   304,86   (-0,54)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    120.650    83,96   (-0,04)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     36.451    76,59   ( 0,01)
Insurance Companies           CYP        794    19,10   (-0,47)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     14.740    60,51   ( 0,17)
Tourism Companies             CYP      6.958    95,63   (-1,18)
Trading Companies             CYP     15.082    18,55   ( 0,32)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     17.247    58,97   ( 0,96)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      4.845     3,24   ( 0,00)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     12.123    14,15   (-1,05)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP     11.289    14,97   ( 0,00)
Hotels                        CYP      7.677    45,60   ( 0,42)
Other Companies               CYP     45.639    79,72   ( 0,28)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[04] Spokesman: particularly important day for Cyprus

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Spokesman: particularly important day for Cyprus

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- The government said today is a ''particularly important'' day for Cyprus with regard to achieving one of the Republic's major objectives, that of acceding to the European Union.

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said the European Commission will issue later today its progress report on Cyprus and all indications are that it will be positive, but noted that the day is not for jubilations because there are still other stops on the way to full membership.

[05] Maltese Minister for Economic Services to visit Cyprus

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Maltese Minister for Economic Services to visit Cyprus

[06] Cyprus signs protocol on accession of the EC to Eurocontrol

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Cyprus signs protocol on accession of the EC to Eurocontrol

[07] Maltese Minister’s visit postponed

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Maltese Minister's visit postponed

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- A visit by Maltese Minister for Economic Services, Josef Bonnici, scheduled from 14-16 October 2002 has been postponed, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism announced.

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) - Today's weather and temperatures for Cyprus,
according to the Meteorological Service at Larnaca International
Airport are:

Temperatures (degrees Celcius)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Station               Maximum     Minimum       Weather
(At 1200 UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nicosia                  29          16          FAIR
Larnaca                  29          19          FINE
Limassol                 29          18          FINE
Paphos                   27          18          FINE

[09] Commission asks Council to conclude Cyprus negotiations

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Commission asks Council to conclude Cyprus negotiations

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- European Commission President Romano Prodi said today the Commission wants Cyprus to join the EU as a single unified island and recommends that the European Council conclude the accession negotiations with Cyprus as quickly as possible.

Addressing the European Parliament and presenting the Commission's report on enlargement, Prodi appealed to the parties involved in the Cyprus problem to step up their efforts to reunite the island.

''We hope for the reunification of the island even though the (Helsinki) conclusions do not make the reunification a precondition for accession'', he said.

Prodi recommended that ''the European Council concludes the accession negotiations with Cyprus as quickly as possible'' and noted that ''the Commission wants Cyprus to join as a single unified island''.

He also appealed ''to the parties in question to step up their efforts to reunite the island''.

''We are asking everyone to assist in this effort made by the UN Secretary General to find a solution by the end of the year'', he said.

[10] Greek and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders meet

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Greek and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders meet

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- The latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the expected report of the European Commission on enlargement and especially Cyprus, were the main issues discussed here Wednesday during a meeting of leaders or representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties at the UN-controlled Ledra Palace Hotel, in Nicosia.

[11] Verheugen says Turkey needs encouragement

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Verheugen says Turkey needs encouragement

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- European Commissioner on Enlargement Gunter Verheugen said today that Turkey has made remarkable progress towards democratisation and its human rights record, and suggested that the country should be encouraged to continue along these lines.

Addressing the European Parliament, which is dealing with the European Commission's reports on enlargement, Verheugen said the Commission would make proposals to ensure that ''the door remains open for Turkey''.

Verheugen said ''the Helsinki strategy was not a mistake'' and that ''since the Helsinki process, Turkey in terms of human rights and democracy has made more progress than in the past 15 years but we couldn't expect Turkey within 18 months to fulfill all the political criteria required for accession negotiations''.

[12] Commission's recommendations historic, says EU ambassador

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Commission's recommendations historic, says EU ambassador

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- The European Commission's recommendations on Cyprus, presented to the European Parliament today, will officially seal the fact that Cyprus has always belonged in Europe, politically, geographically and culturally, Head of the Commission's Delegation in Nicosia, Adriaan van der Meer, said.

In a statement issued after the presentation of the Commission's enlargement report at the European Parliament, van der Meer described the recommendation for Cyprus to join the Union as ''historic'', noting that the island would change from an accession to an acceding country.

[13] Prodi calls ten candidate states, including Cyprus, to join EU

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Prodi calls ten candidate states, including Cyprus, to join EU

Brussels, Oct 9 (CNA) -- The European Commission wants a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union (EU) and believes this is the best solution for all, said Commission President Romano Prodi as he announced that Cyprus is among the countries with which the European Council should conclude negotiations by the end of the year for accession to the EU.

In his speech before the European Parliament on the final lap of enlargement, Prodi hoped for real progress towards reunification of the island, even if the Helsinki European Council does not make it a precondition for entry and recommended that the Council concludes negotiations speedily with Cyprus. He also appealed to the parties concerned to attain the island's reunification.

While declaring that the Commission considers Cyprus, with the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia have fulfilled the economic and acquis criteria and will be ready for membership from the beginning of 2004, he said the Commission therefore recommends to conclude the accession negotiations with these countries by the end of this year with the aim to sign the Accession Treaty in spring 2003.

Regarding Cyprus, Prodi said: Let us hope for real progress towards reunification of the island, even though the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council do not make it a precondition for entry. The Commission wants a reunited Cyprus to join the EU and believes this is the best solution for all.

He also said in recommending that the Council conclude negotiations speedily with Cyprus, the Commission is also issuing a fresh appeal to the parties concerned to work to attain the island's reunification. We call on everyone to rally to the process now under way under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General so that we can get a solution before the year's end.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third. The UN-led negotiations which began in January have yet to produce results because of the intransigence of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Prodi also announced that in view of Bulgaria's and Romania's progress over the last year, the Commission notes the date, 2007, that those countries have set themselves for accession and adds the Commission will do its utmost to ensure that this objective can be achieved.

On Turkey, Prodi said, through constitutional reform and a series of legislative packages, Turkey has made considerable progress in meeting the Copenhagen criteria, adding that nonetheless, further efforts are needed.

The Commission is therefore recommending that the EU give more support for Turkeys pre-accession preparations, Prodi said, adding that the Commission will also propose a revised Accession Partnership and step up legislative scrutiny. The Commission President also said Turkey is encouraged to pursue its reform process and so advance its candidacy for EU membership.

Referring to the ten first-wave countries, Prodi explained the overall performance of their economies is improving and their growth rates are higher than ours, their inflation rates and deficits are being kept under control and direct foreign investment is flooding in which proves that the markets have confidence.

Prodi pointed out that there remain deficiencies in some sectors and some countries and that these failings have to be remedied before accession, noting the Commission will work with the authorities of these countries to settle problems in good time.

Another weakness identified, he said, is the inadequate preparation for implementation of the acquis in some crucial areas such as customs services, taxation, veterinary and plant-health controls, the institutions to manage and supervise agricultural policy and the departments in charge of managing and controlling structural funds.

Two extremely serious problems, he added, which infects many of these countries are corruption and the trafficking in human beings.

Prodi said the objective is to sign the Accession Treaty in spring next year and the Commission hopes that the Brussels European Council of 24 and 25 October will take the necessary decisions on the chapters still open, namely agriculture, financial issues and institutions. That way we can negotiate and conclude these chapters before Copenhagen, he added.

The European Commission President said when he took the office he made a commitment, three years ago, that the top priority of his Commission would be enlargement. Three years later I am standing here to tell you that this commitment has been honoured, he said, adding, the Commission has done its job and kept its promise.

Less than 13 years ago, Berlin was still divided by the wall of shame and now the wall has fallen, Germany has been reunified. Thanks to this newfound freedom, we have restored the historical unity of the peoples of Europe, he added.

The Commission president said the public should be told about the benefits of enlargement, namely stability in Europe, unification of an artificially divided continent and the creation of the biggest single market in the world.

Enlargement is the new frontier of the European project, said Prodi, noting it will give impetus to trade, investment, education and research. Enlargement is our political masterpiece, he said, noting the cost of enlargement is slight compared with the cost of non-enlargement.

Prodi urged for a realistic and positive information campaign in the coming months, adding that the new EU needs a clear, stable, geographical shape and institutional framework that is understood by all our citizens. In other words, the time has come for a European Constitution, he said.

CNA/MK/EC/GP/2002 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

[14] ''Group of Luxembourg'' statement

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Group of Luxembourg statement

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- The chairmen of the Committees on European Affairs of the Parliaments of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia and Poland reiterated their determination to conclude the accession negotiations at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002, so that they become full members of the EU as of January 1, 2004.

In a statement at the end of their meeting in Cracow, Poland, on Monday, the seven states expressed the hope that the Brussels European Council in October 2002 will present the candidate states with a financial package which will balance the rights and duties arising from EU membership and fully use all the opportunities provided by Agenda 2002.

[15] Foreign Ministry pleased with Commission's report

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Foreign Ministry pleased with Commission's report

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has expressed his ''full satisfaction with the positive decision of the European Commission, which recommends to the European Council the accession of Cyprus and does not differentiate it from the other nine candidate countries''.

In a written statement issued here tonight after the presentation of the enlargement report by the Commission at the European Parliament, Kasoulides says ''it is an important step, necessary to pave the way for the big political struggle until Copenhagen, a struggle that I believe will be won''.

Kasoulides points out that Cyprus' Chief Negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou, his negotiating team, the government departments and the Law Office all ''worked hard for this goal to be successful''. He also praises ''the diplomatic service for its successful outward political effort''.

[16] Greek Foreign Minister congratulates Cyprus on Commission's report

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Greek Foreign Minister congratulates Cyprus on Commission report

By Costas Iordanides

Athens, Oct 9 (CNA) -- Greece has congratulated Cyprus for being recommended by the European Commission to conclude the accession negotiations by the end of the year and sign the Accession Treaty next year.

In a statement Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said this decision gives Cyprus a significant impetus which will have to be utilised when the final decision will be taken at the European Council in Copenhagen in December.

[17] EU Delegation head refers to ''a historic day''

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EU delegation head refers to ''a historic day''

Nicosia, Oct 9 (CNA) -- Ambassador Adrian van der Meer, head of the European Commission delegation here, believes that the essence of the European Commission's recommendations on enlargement will remain as it is, even though the possibility for changes exists.

Speaking to the press after the release of the Commission's progress reports and the strategy report, he said in technical terms Cyprus will become an acceding country soon.

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