Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN SC President hopes efforts to reunify Cyprus will continue

[02] Pakistan wishes to strengthen relations with Cyprus

[03] Cyprus Government strongly condemns bomb attack in Damascus

[04] Portugal wants early Cyprus settlement

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[07] Central Bank increases key interest rates

[08] Irish Ambassador congratulates Cyprus people on EU accession EMBARGOED

[09] EU Ambassador: A new chapter begins for Cyprus EMBARGOED

[10] Cyprus President says joy over EU accession overshadowed by grief EMBARGOED

[01] UN SC President hopes efforts to reunify Cyprus will continue

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UN SC President hopes efforts to reunify Cyprus will continue

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Apr 30 (CNA) -- UN Security Council president, Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN, Gunter Pleuger has expressed hope that efforts to reunify Cyprus will not end now but will continue ''at the appropriate time once new efforts seem to be conducive to a success.''

[02] Pakistan wishes to strengthen relations with Cyprus

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Pakistan wishes to strengthen relations with Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- The Government and the people of Pakistan are desirous of maintaining and strengthening the cordial relations that exist between Cyprus and Pakistan, new Lebanon-based High Commissioner of Pakistan to Cyprus Asma Anisa said yesterday presenting her credentials to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Papadopoulos stressed ''we shall continue seeking a solution that will meet the expectations and hopes of all Cypriots.''

[03] Cyprus Government strongly condemns bomb attack in Damascus

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Cyprus Government strongly condemns bomb attack in Damascus

Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government has strongly condemned the April 27 bomb attack in Damascus, killing four people.

An official press release says the Cyprus government expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the persons who lost their lives, to the injured, their families, the Syrian government and the people of Syria.

[04] Portugal wants early Cyprus settlement

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Portugal wants early Cyprus settlement

Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- A viable and lasting solution must be based on the respect of equal rights, security, progress and prosperity for all Cypriots citizens, new Portuguese Ambassador to Cyprus Jose Carlos da Cruz Almeida said yesterday presenting his credentials to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Furthermore he reiterated the importance that Portugal attaches to an early comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question.

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1545:CYPPRESS:05
Cyprus Stock Exchange
Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               82,40   (-0,48)

Traded Value                  CYP    561.185

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    320.015   361,39   (-0,41)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.618,19   (-1,08)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     264.860  104,50   (-0,74)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP      15.499   72,77   (-0,33)
Insurance Companies           CYP       2.235   16,24   (-0,12)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      13.409   53,92   ( 0,73)
Tourism Companies             CYP       1.780   54,98   (-0,65)
Trading Companies             CYP      27.379   23,27   (-0,30)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      20.286   65,18   (-0,46)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP       2.561    2,83   (-1,74)
Financial Services Companies  CYP       9.947    9,12   (-0,44)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP       3.860   12,65   ( 1,44)
Hotels                        CYP       3.162   31,60   ( 0,25)
Other Companies               CYP      78.862   66,12   (-0,84)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1550:CYPPRESS:06
Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus
Nicosia, Apr 30 (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                 27            11           THUNDERSTORMS with
rain
Larnaca                 24            13           FAIR
Limassol                23            14           FINE
Paphos                  22            13           FAIR

[07] Central Bank increases key interest rates

1855:CYPPRESS:07

Central Bank increases key interest rates

Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- Cyprus Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Christodoulou announced that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to increase the key-interest rates by one percentage unit, bringing the marginal lending facility (Lombard) to 5.5% and the overnight deposit facility to 3.5%.

Announcing the Committee's decision, Christodoulou said that the increase of the key interest rates is a strong message for the support of the Cyprus pound against the unfounded rumours for the devaluation of Cyprus' currency.

[08] Irish Ambassador congratulates Cyprus people on EU accession EMBARGOED

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EMBARGOED UNTIL 2400 LOCAL TIME (2100 GMT)

Irish Ambassador congratulates Cyprus people on EU accession

Nicosia, May 1 (CNA) -- Irish Ambassador to Nicosia John Swift congratulated here at midnight the people of Cyprus on their accession to the European Union and assured of solidarity and support in the years ahead.

Speaking at Eleftheria (Freedom) Square in Nicosia, were EU celebrations took place, Swift, whose country currently holds the Union's Presidency, also noted that the EU's clear preference was a united Cyprus and expressed his government's regret that in line with the outcome of the referenda this was not possible.

''The Presidency continues to believe that a majority of Cypriots, across both communities, wish to share their destiny as citizens of a united Cyprus in the European Union,'' the Ambassador said, noting that the EU, its member states, institutions and Presidency believe that such future is in the best interest of both communities and of the Union.

[09] EU Ambassador: A new chapter begins for Cyprus EMBARGOED

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EMBARGOED UNTIL 2400 LOCAL TIME (2100 GMT)

EU Ambassador: A new chapter begins for Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - A new chapter begins tomorrow for Cyprus as it officially becomes a European Union member, head of the European Commission delegation in Nicosia Ambassador Adriaan van der Meer said here at midnight, noting that Cyprus' accession to the EU if of manifold significance.

In an address at celebrations in Eleftheria (Freedom) Square in Nicosia on the occasion of Cyprus' accession to the EU, van der Meer congratulated Cypriots for joining the EU

''This is an important event and Cyprus will join the EU together with nine other new member states,'' the EU diplomat said, adding that ''this enlargement results in the end of the division of the European continent, the countries of Central Europe and the Baltic states will now also find their rightful place inside the EU.''

[10] Cyprus President says joy over EU accession overshadowed by grief EMBARGOED

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EMBARGOED UNTIL 2400 LOCAL TIME (2100 GMT)

Cyprus President says joy over EU accession overshadowed by grief

Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed great joy for the island's accession to the European Union but noted that at the same time this joy is overshadowed by grief because the moment cannot be celebrated with Turkish Cypriot compatriots due to the absence of a solution to the island's division.

In an address on Cyprus' accession to the European Union, President Papadopoulos said that Greek Cypriots want to enjoy and share the benefits of accession with the Turkish Cypriots as they are entitled to them as legitimate citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

He stressed that the fate of the Turkish Cypriots is with the Greek Cypriots and called on them to embark on the new course commencing today in the interest of all for the benefit of a reunited homeland.

President Papadopoulos thanked Greece and the EU for their contribution to Cyprus' accession and paid tribute to the contribution of his predecessors, the House of Representatives, the civil service and the people of Cyprus who, despite the enormous pain for the occupation of their land, found the courage, strength and stamina to toil and make the necessary sacrifices so as to realise the goal of accession.

In his address, the President notes, ''This moment signals a momentous milestone in Cyprus' history. It is the second most important historic landmark after the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus 44 years ago.''

He added that ''this moment marks the successful conclusion of a long effort and the hopeful beginning of a new course and a new era for Cyprus.''

''As from this moment, the Republic of Cyprus formally becomes a member of the European Union. It becomes a full, integral and inseparable member of the great European family,'' he said, noting that ''just an moment ago we were Cypriot citizens, from now and forever we are officially European citizens, without, at the same time, forfeiting our national identity.''

President Papadopoulos said, ''Our people are justly celebrating the great historic event of accession. For they see their sacrifices being vindicated, their vision materialise, their goal being attained and their dream come true.''

''Our great joy for our accession to the European Union is overshadowed by our grief because we could not celebrate this moment together with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and our great disappointment for the absence of a solution to our national problem,'' President Papadopoulos stressed.

He noted that, ''We do not want to enjoy the benefits of accession on our own. We want to share them with the Turkish Cypriots. They too are entitled to these benefits and this joy as legitimate citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. We are expecting them. Their place is here with us, so that we can embark, hand in hand, on the new course commencing today in the interest of all of us, for the benefit of our common country. A reunited homeland.''

President Papadopoulos pledged ''to continue to work and endeavour for the reunification of our people and our country and for a functional and viable solution,'' noting that ''the rejection of one particular plan does not amount to the end of our efforts and our mission.''

''The end will come only through the proper solution which will ensure and guarantee permanent peace, prosperity for everyone and a better European future for all the citizens of Cyprus,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos added that ''accession to the European Union does not create rights only, it entails also obligations and responsibilities.''

''We will claim and we will enjoy those rights. At the same time we will fulfil our obligations and undertake our responsibilities. Our aim and ambition is not to be a recalcitrant member of the Union but a constructive and creative partner,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos expressed his gratitude to Greece, the European countries and the European Union for their contribution to Cyprus' accession.

He also extolled the contribution of his predecessors, the House of Representatives, the civil service and the many eponymous and anonymous, who ''worked hard, judiciously and constantly in order to translate the dream of Europe into reality.''

''But over and above everyone else, the praise and honour should go to our people, our industrious and creative people, who despite the enormous pain for the occupation of their land, found the courage, the strength and stamina to toil and make the necessary sacrifices so as to realise the dream of accession,'' he said.

''Now that this dream has come true, there are new horizons and new perspectives both for our people and our land,'' President Papadopoulos said, adding that ''EU enlargement entails the expansion of the role and the potential of the united Europe, this historic continent, which is being revitalised through the union of its members and the pooling of its resources, this eternal continent, whose name is not a simple geographical term but a common ground of universal principles and culture.''

As far as the enlarged European Union is concerned, ''today comes the beginning of a new historic journey, an historic leap from a turbulent past to today's reality and tomorrow's hope,'' he said.

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