Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-12-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Mild tremor reported in Cyprus

[02] Cox hopes ''elections'' result will contribute to reconciliation

[03] EU leaders urge Turkey to support UN efforts for Cyprus solution

[04] European Council conclusions - Cyprus (Full text)

[05] Spokesman says T/C politician reaffirms G/C position

[06] Simitis hopes ''elections'' to facilitate Cyprus settlement

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[09] European Council conclusions - Turkey (Full text)

[10] EU leaders say Cyprus solution would ease Turkey’s EU aspirations

[11] Papadopoulos satisfied with EU conclusions on Cyprus (1)

[12] Papadopoulos satisfied with EU conclusions on Cyprus (2)

[13] Chirac calls on Ankara to help reach Cyprus settlement

[14] Berlusconi calls on Ankara to help find Cyprus settlement

[01] Mild tremor reported in Cyprus

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Mild tremor reported in Cyprus

[02] Cox hopes ''elections'' result will contribute to reconciliation

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Cox hopes ''elections'' result will contribute to reconciliation

Brussels, 12 Dec (CNA) -- European Parliament President Pat Cox has expressed the hope that the result of the so-called elections in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus on Sunday, 14 December, will be one that contributes to the reconciliation on the island.

Answering to questions at a press conference here today after addressing the European Council, he expressed the hope for a united Cyprus in the EU, noting also that Turkey's contribution towards that direction would help its own European aspirations.

[03] EU leaders urge Turkey to support UN efforts for Cyprus solution

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EU leaders urge Turkey to support UN efforts for Cyprus solution

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) -- EU leaders have reiterated their preference to a reunited Cyprus joining the Union when enlargement will take place next May and urged all parties, and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts for an immediate resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals.

In its conclusions on Cyprus, at the end of the European Council summit here today, the EU also said it considers that there is a good prospect of reaching a just, viable and functional settlement by 1 May 2004 noting that it is ready to provide financial assistance for the development of the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus.

It stressed in line with its relevant conclusions, the European Council reiterates its preference for a reunited Cyprus to join the Union on 1 May 2004, in order to allow all Cypriots to enjoy a secure and prosperous future and the benefits of EU accession.

The Council noted it considers that there is a good prospect of reaching a just, viable and functional settlement by 1 May 2004 consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and again urges all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts and, in this context, calls for an immediate resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals".

The Union reiterates its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. In this context, the European Council welcomes the Commission's willingness to offer assistance for a speedy solution within the framework of the acquis.

[04] European Council conclusions - Cyprus (Full text)

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European Council conclusions Cyprus (Full text)

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) --

In line with its relevant conclusions, the European Council reiterates its preference for a reunited Cyprus to join the Union on 1 May 2004, in order to allow all Cypriots to enjoy a secure and prosperous future and the benefits of EU accession.

It considers that there is a good prospect of reaching a just, viable and functional settlement by 1 May 2004 consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The European Council therefore again urges all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts and, in this context, calls for an immediate resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals.

The Union reiterates its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. In this context, the European Council welcomes the Commission's willingness to offer assistance for a speedy solution within the framework of the acquis.

[05] Spokesman says T/C politician reaffirms G/C position

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Spokesman says T/C politician reaffirms G/C position

Nicosia, Dec 12 (CNA) - Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said today that Dervis Eroglu, so-called prime minister in the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic, reaffirmed through statements the Greek Cypriot position about who is ruling in the occupied areas.

According to Chrysostomides, Eroglu said yesterday that the financial assistance from Turkey was deposited in the account of the Turkish so-called embassy in the occupied areas and that not a penny could be transferred without the signature of the so-called Ambassador.

[06] Simitis hopes ''elections'' to facilitate Cyprus settlement

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Simitis hopes ''elections'' to facilitate Cyprus settlement

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) - Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed hope today in Brussels that the so-called parliamentary elections in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus would result in a political form that would facilitate a solution of the Cyprus problem before May 1st, 2004, when Cyprus will become a full member of the EU.

Asked if he spoke with any of his counterparts today regarding the so-called elections, Simitis replied in the negative, noting however that during meetings over the previous days he saw ''a hope that from the so-called elections there will be a political formation that would facilitate a solution before Cyprus' accession to the EU''.

He also expressed hope that the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community would stop maintaining their ''extreme positions''.

The Greek Prime Minister said he was satisfied with the Brussels European Council conclusions, including the references to Cyprus and Turkey.

On Turkey, he pointed out the paragraph referring to the significance of Turkey's political will to reach a settlement in Cyprus.

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Dec 12 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               81,74   ( 1,39)

Traded Value                  CYP    302.072

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    194.536   329,25   ( 1,55)
FTSE Med 100                                 5.798,88   ( 1,05)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    154.465    93,60   ( 1,92)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     37.222    69,99   ( 1,38)
Insurance Companies           CYP      3.058    15,34   ( 3,51)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     11.261    57,88   ( 0,98)
Tourism Companies             CYP      1.602    68,62   ( 0,15)
Trading Companies             CYP     13.735    20,88   ( 1,95)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     11.964    70,56   (-1,71)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP        539     3,31   ( 1,53)
Financial Services Companies  CYP      9.008    11,39   ( 3,17)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP          0    11,76   ( 1,82)
Hotels                        CYP      9.259    37,78   ( 1,29)
Other Companies               CYP     28.368    75,42   ( 1,15)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 12 (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                18            7         FAIR
Larnaca                19           11         FAIR
Limassol               20           10         FAIR
Paphos                 20           11         FAIR

[09] European Council conclusions - Turkey (Full text)

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European Council conclusions - Turkey (Full text)

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) --

''The European Council welcomes the considerable and determined efforts by the Turkish government to accelerate the pace of reforms, many of which are significant in political and legal terms. The legislative packages so far adopted, the first important steps taken to ensure effective implementation, as well as the progress in addressing many priorities under the Copenhagen political criteria and in the revised Accession Partnership have brought Turkey closer to the Union.

Turkey has also made significant progress in meeting the Copenhagen economic criteria. However, further sustained efforts are needed, in particular as regards strengthening the independence and functioning of the judiciary, the overall framework for the exercise of fundamental freedoms (association, expression and religion), the further alignment of civil-military relations with European practice, the situation in the Southeast of the country and cultural rights. Turkey also has to overcome macro-economic imbalances and structural short shortcomings.

The European Council underlines the importance of Turkey's expression of political will to settling the Cyprus problem. In this respect a settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the principles set out in section 4 below, would greatly facilitate Turkey's membership aspirations.

[10] EU leaders say Cyprus solution would ease Turkey’s EU aspirations

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EU leaders say Cyprus solution would ease Turkeys EU aspirations

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) -- The European Council has underlined that a settlement of the Cyprus problem would greatly facilitate Turkey's EU membership aspirations.

In their conclusions on Turkey at the end of the European Council in Brussels today, EU leaders also stressed the importance of Turkey's expression of political will to settling the Cyprus problem.

They also welcomed the considerable and determined efforts by the Turkish government to accelerate the pace of reforms, many of which are significant in political and legal terms, noting that the legislative packages so far adopted, the first important steps taken to ensure effective implementation, as well as the progress in addressing many priorities under the Copenhagen political criteria and in the revised Accession Partnership have brought Turkey closer to the Union.

The EU leaders also said Turkey has made significant progress in meeting the Copenhagen economic criteria, adding however that further sustained efforts are needed, in particular as regards strengthening the independence and functioning of the judiciary, the overall framework for the exercise of fundamental freedoms (association, expression and religion), the further alignment of civil-military relations with European practice, the situation in the Southeast of the country and cultural rights. Turkey also has to overcome macro-economic imbalances and structural short shortcomings.

In the conclusions, the European Council underlines the importance of Turkey's expression of political will to settling the Cyprus problem. In this respect a settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the principles set out in section 4 below, would greatly facilitate Turkey's membership aspirations.

[11] Papadopoulos satisfied with EU conclusions on Cyprus (1)

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Papadopoulos satisfied with EU conclusions on Cyprus (1)

by Katerina Nicolaou

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) - Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed his satisfaction over the reference to Cyprus in the Brussels European Council conclusions adopted at the end of the summit here Friday.

Speaking at a press conference, President Papadopoulos said Cyprus has no reason to veto a possible accession of Turkey to the EU, if the neighbouring country conforms to the acquis communautaire and shows in practice that it is acting like a European country.

He said the reference to Cyprus adopts the policy of the Cyprus government and calls on all sides to support the UN Secretary-General in his efforts to find a solution, and especially Turkey and the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community.

''This is what we had pursued and what has been included in the conclusions as far as Cyprus is concerned'', President Papadopoulos added.

[12] Papadopoulos satisfied with EU conclusions on Cyprus (2)

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Papadopoulos satisfied with EU conclusions on Cyprus (2)

by Katerina Nicolaou

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) - Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed satisfaction over the Brussels European Council conclusions regarding Cyprus, which urge all parties concerned and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

Speaking here today at a press conference after the European Council wrapped up its works, President Papadopoulos said that Cyprus would have no reason to veto a decision for accession talks between the EU and Turkey if the latter complied with the acquis communautaire and in practice demonstrated that it behaves like a European country, including meeting the condition that no EU country can have its military forces on the soil of Europe.

Replying to questions, he said the paragraph on Cyprus says that the Council supports the policy that a plan proposed by UN chief Kofi Annan is accepted as the basis for negotiations and calls upon all sides, in particular Turkey and the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community, to assist the UN Secretary General for the immediate commencement of negotiations on Cyprus.

He also noted that the European Council refers in its conclusions to the readiness of the EU to help in various aspects.

''Although Cyprus is not one of the prerequisites of the political dialogue, more and more countries of the European Union make it a point that if no solution is found to the Cyprus problem it will be a great obstacle to Turkey's European expectations'', the President added.

In a remark that in the Commission's strategy paper the sentence was a bit different, namely that ''if the problem persists then it will be a serious obstacle'' in contradiction to the present reference that ''a settlement would greatly facilitate Turkey's membership aspirations'', President Papadopoulos said that ''it says the same thing only in the positive way''.

[13] Chirac calls on Ankara to help reach Cyprus settlement

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Chirac calls on Ankara to help reach Cyprus settlement

by Katerina Nicolaou

Brussels, Dec 12 - French President Jacques Chirac has underlined the need for the reunification of Cyprus and has called upon Ankara to contribute to efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.

[14] Berlusconi calls on Ankara to help find Cyprus settlement

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Berlusconi calls on Ankara to help find Cyprus settlement

Brussels, Dec 12 (CNA) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, called on Ankara today to contribute constructively towards finding a solution of the Cyprus problem.

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