Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-04-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Powell - Fischer discuss Cyprus

[02] US goal remains a unified Cyprus, says Ereli

[03] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[04] National Council discusses Cyprus developments after referenda

[05] Cypriot FM satisfied with General Affairs Council conclusion

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[07] EU delegation head: Green Line regulation to facilitate trade

[08] EU Ambassador: enlargement signals end of cold war, increased EU role

[09] EU adopts Green Line regulation

[10] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[11] American author launches expedition to find Atlantis

[12] Security Council respects Cyprus referenda result

[13] Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus (FULL TEXT)

[14] House approves last harmonisation bills before accession

[15] Fuel prices go up due to increase in consumer taxes

[16] PACE adopts resolution on Cyprus

[17] Australia accepts outcome of referenda

[01] Powell - Fischer discuss Cyprus

0900:CYPPRESS:01

Powell - Fischer discuss Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- US Secretary of State Colin Powell and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer have discussed the situation in Cyprus, following last week's referendum on a UN-proposed plan for a comprehensive settlement.

[02] US goal remains a unified Cyprus, says Ereli

0920:CYPPRESS:02

US goal remains a unified Cyprus, says Ereli

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- ''The United States goal is, was and remains, a unified Cyprus'', State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli has said.

[03] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1230:CYPPRESS:03

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Friday and Saturday 30/04/2004 to 01/05/2004 -------------------- The weather will be fine, warm and sunny most of the time over this period. Southwesterly to Northwesterly gentle to moderate breezes, 4 BF will prevail, especially during daytime.

Temperature will range between 13C and 27C inland, 15C and 24C over the coastal areas and between 8C and 18C over Troodos mountains.

Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 02/05/2004 to 03/05/2004 ------------------------------ Similar weather conditions as the previous two days, with no significant change in temperatures.

[04] National Council discusses Cyprus developments after referenda

1320:CYPPRESS:04

National Council discusses Cyprus developments after referenda

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- Cyprus National Council (top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem) met here today for more than two and a half hours to discuss developments in the Cyprus problem after the April 24 referenda in Cyprus on a UN plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said after the meeting that the Council members were briefed by President Tassos Papadopoulos and exchanged views.

President Papadopoulos also briefed the Council on his talks yesterday in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

The Council made up of parliamentary party leaders will continue discussion on Wednesday afternoon (May 5).

[05] Cypriot FM satisfied with General Affairs Council conclusion

1410:CYPPRESS:05

Cypriot FM satisfied with General Affairs Council conclusion

Larnaca, Apr 29 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou has expressed satisfaction with the conclusion on Cyprus of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held Monday in Luxembourg.

He said his proposal aimed to help the Turkish Cypriot community that would be allocated if Cyprus joined the EU as a reunified country, created very positive impressions, which contributed to the adoption of a positive conclusion by the Council.

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1440:CYPPRESS:06

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               82,80   ( 0,44)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.356.450

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP  1.027.491   362,87   ( 0,96)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.690,65   ( 1,20)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     968.493  105,28   ( 1,18)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP      67.303   73,01   ( 0,95)
Insurance Companies           CYP       4.268   16,26   ( 1,31)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      10.470   53,53   (-0,63)
Tourism Companies             CYP       4.991   55,34   (-1,04)
Trading Companies             CYP      26.109   23,34   (-0,47)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      22.209   65,48   (-0,21)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP       1.840    2,88   ( 1,77)
Financial Services Companies  CYP       7.564    9,16   ( 0,33)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP           0   12,47   ( 0,00)
Hotels                        CYP       2.171   31,52   ( 0,35)
Other Companies               CYP     226.405   66,68   (-1,14)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[07] EU delegation head: Green Line regulation to facilitate trade

1440:CYPPRESS:07

EU delegation head: Green Line regulation to facilitate trade

by Maria Miles

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- A European Union regulation on trade between the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus and the southern government controlled areas aimed at facilitating trade and other links across the Green Line, head of EU Commission delegation Ambassador Adriaan van der Meer has said, stressing that its significance lies in the fact that the regulation relates to intra-trade only.

In an interview with CNA, two days before the Republic of Cyprus joins formally the EU, Ambassador van der Meer said that the entire island of Cyprus would join on May 1 but the application of the acquis communautaire would be suspended in the northern part of the country, as provided for in the Accession Treaty.

The regulation will come into effect as of May 1.

His comments come in the wake of the rejection by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriots (76 per cent) of a UN-proposed solution plan for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, put to a referendum last Saturday. Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of the UN solution plan by 65 per cent.

''The Green Line (dividing the island) is not the external border of the EU,'' he said, noting that a special arrangement had to be agreed upon by EU members with regard to the crossing of persons, goods and services through the Green Line.

[08] EU Ambassador: enlargement signals end of cold war, increased EU role

1450:CYPPRESS:08

EU Ambassador: enlargement signals end of cold war, increased EU role

by Maria Miles

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- The head of the European Commission delegation here Ambassador Adriaan van der Meer congratulated today the people of Cyprus on their country's accession to the EU and invited them to take full advantages of the benefits the Union offers.

In an interview with CNA, two days before Cyprus and another nine countries officially join the Union, the Ambassador said this EU enlargement signaled the end of the cold war and increased the political clout of the Union in world affairs.

[09] EU adopts Green Line regulation

1520:CYPPRESS:09

EU adopts Green Line regulation

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- The Council of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved today a proposal entitled "Green Line Regulation", which determines the legal framework of the crossing of goods, persons and services as from 1st May 2004 in Cyprus.

The regulation clearly determines the legal framework of the demarcation line (dividing the government-controlled southern part and the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island) and safeguards that the "Green Line" does not constitute an external border of the EU. It also secures the central role of the Republic of Cyprus concerning the responsibility and control of commercial transactions, an official statement said here Thursday.

Regarding the treatment of goods arriving from the areas not under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, these shall be accompanied by a document issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce duly authorized for that purpose by the Commission, in agreement with the Government of Cyprus or by another body so authorized in agreement with the latter.

All goods coming from the north and comply with the EU conditions, shall have the status of Community goods.

According to the regulation, the competent authorities of the Republic shall check the authenticity of the document provided by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

[10] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1625:CYPPRESS:10
Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus
Nicosia, Apr 29 (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                 25            12           FINE
Larnaca                 27            14           FINE
Limassol                27            15           FINE
Paphos                  22            14           FINE

[11] American author launches expedition to find Atlantis

1805:CYPPRESS:11

American author launches expedition to find Atlantis

Limassol, Apr 28 (CNA) - In a quest to find lost Atlantis, American author Robert Sarmast will be launching an expedition this summer off the coast of Cyprus.

This morning, Sarmast spoke to the press about his expedition, noting that pinpointing Atlantis would be the most significant archaeological discovery ever.

The official launching of Cyprus Atlantis Expedition 2004 will be held tomorrow at midnight, to coincide with Cyprus' accession to the EU.

[12] Security Council respects Cyprus referenda result

1935:CYPPRESS:12

Security Council respects Cyprus referenda result

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Apr 28 (CNA) - The UN Security Council respects the outcome of the referenda in Cyprus on a UN plan for a settlement but shares the disappointment of UN chief Kofi Annan that efforts to reunite the island did not succeed.

In a press statement read to the reporters by the Council President after deliberations on the Cyprus problem, the Security Council reiterates its strong support for a comprehensive settlement, and looks forward to the Secretary General's forthcoming report in response to which the Council will need to give full consideration to the implications of the outcome of the referenda.

Replying to questions, Pakistan's Permanent Representative of Pakistan, said the statement was a weak text, noting that some wanted other references while others did not.

In its press statement, the Security Council says it ''takes note of the outcome of the referenda held in Cyprus on 24 April on the Comprehensive Settlement on the Cyprus Question. The Council respects the outcome of both referenda.''

''The Security Council shares the UN Secretary General's disappointment that efforts since 1999 to reunify the island have not succeeded and regrets that an extraordinary historic opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue has been missed,'' it adds.

It also ''reiterates its strong support for an overall political settlement in Cyprus'' and expresses its ''deep appreciation for the committed and sustained efforts of Secretary General Kofi Annan and his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto, in the implementation of the good offices mission, entrusted by the Security Council.''

[13] Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus (FULL TEXT)

1937:CYPPRESS:13

Security Council Statement on Cyprus (FULL TEXT)

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Apr 28 (CNA) - The UN Security Council issued a press statement today on Cyprus after deliberations. The full text of the statement is as follows:

''The Security Council takes note of the outcome of the referenda held in Cyprus on 24 April on the Comprehensive Settlement on the Cyprus Question. The Council respects the outcome of both referenda.

The Security Council shares the UN Secretary General's disappointment that efforts since 1999 to reunify the island have not succeeded and regrets that an extraordinary historic opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue has been missed.

The Security Council reiterates its strong support for an overall political settlement in Cyprus.

The Security Council expresses its deep appreciation for the committed and sustained efforts of Secretary General Kofi Annan and his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto, in the implementation of the good offices mission, entrusted by the Security Council.

[14] House approves last harmonisation bills before accession

1940:CYPPRESS:14

House approves last harmonisation bills before accession

[15] Fuel prices go up due to increase in consumer taxes

2000:CYPPRESS:14

Fuel prices go up due to increase in consumer taxes

[16] PACE adopts resolution on Cyprus

2030:CYPPRESS:15

PACE adopts resolution on Cyprus

Strasbourg, Apr 29 (CNA) - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted today a motion for a resolution on Cyprus with 47 votes in favour and 23 against, which was proposed by the Political Affairs Committee, through Hungarian MP Mattias Eorsi.

[17] Australia accepts outcome of referenda

2035:CYPPRESS:15

Australia accepts outcome of referenda

Nicosia, Apr 29 (CNA) -- Australia accepts the democratic choice made by both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the 24 April referenda, noting though its disappointment that a historic opportunity for reunifying the island has been missed, new High Commissioner of Australia, Garth Leslie Hunt stressed here today.

Presenting his credentials to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos Hunt added that Australia ''hopes for a durable and peaceful settlement, and for a re-united Cyprus''.

Receiving Hunt's credentials President Papadopoulos stressed that ''the result of the referendum does not mean rejection of a solution to the Cyprus problem but only of this particular solution on offer, which was not accepted as either balanced or fair''.

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