Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus' High Commissioner to Grenada presents credentials

[02] US reiterates support to Annan plan

[03] EU diplomat underlines Cyprus' contribution to EU Middle East policy

[04] Cyprus President signs condolences book for Ezer Weizman

[05] Cypriot Foreign Minister to pay official visit to Israel

[06] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[07] High Court acquits former Health Minister

[08] Cyprus insists on disassociating EU regulations

[09] Spokesman US follows double-standard policy on Cyprus

[10] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[11] Cyprus seeks joint border patrols off its northern coast

[12] Defence Minister: Occupation forces show no good will for demining

[13] Attorney General to submit resignation

[14] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[15] European Communities Court of Justice delegation to visit Cyprus

[16] Cyprus FM satisfied with French FM statement

[17] Finnish Parliamentarians to visit Cyprus

[01] Cyprus' High Commissioner to Grenada presents credentials

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Cyprus' High Commissioner to Grenada presents credentials

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus' Permanent Representative at the UN Andreas Mavroyiannis has reiterated the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to finding a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution to the Cyprus problem that would be cohesive and functional in the context of the EU and would be based on UN resolutions.

Presenting his credentials to Governor General of Grenada Sir Daniel Williams as Cyprus' new High Commissioner, Mavroyiannis said the Cyprus settlement should ''address the legitimate concerns of the Greek Cypriots, without depriving Turkish Cypriots of their rights and without allowing third states to meddle in the affairs of Cyprus.''

Accepting the credentials, Sir Daniel noted the steadfast and friendly position of his country to finding a just and permanent solution of the Cyprus problem, and praised the level of cooperation between the two countries in international fora.

He expressed gratitude towards Cyprus for its recent help to Grenada after typhoon Ivan, and said he hoped Cyprus, as an EU member-state, would continue to assist Grenada to develop its relations with the Union.

[02] US reiterates support to Annan plan

0915:CYPPRESS:02

US reiterates support to Annan plan

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- US State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli has reiterated the US support to the Annan plan for a solution to the Cyprus question.

Invited to say if the US Government can put the pressure of the international community to Turkey to leave Cyprus, implementing the UN resolutions, as it happens with Syria which is leaving Lebanon after 29 years implementing the UN resolutions, Ereli said ''our policy with regard to Cyprus is that the best solution for Cyprus is the Annan plan. And that, the Annan plan, provided a way forward that we believed met the needs of both communities.''

[03] EU diplomat underlines Cyprus' contribution to EU Middle East policy

0920:CYPPRESS:03

EU diplomat underlines Cyprus' contribution to EU Middle East policy

by Maria Koniotou

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus is ''the best placed EU member'' to help Brussels formulate its policy on the Middle East and has the ''best understanding'' about the Middle East issues, Head of the European Commission Representation to Cyprus Adriaan van der Meer said in an interview with CNA to mark the first anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the Union.

He appeared hopeful that the Cyprus House of Representatives would ratify the EU Constitution before May 29, when the French people will decide in a referendum whether to approve or reject it, noting that the new Constitution is very important to make the EU 25 function properly, from a democratic point of view, and in order to make clear who does what.

On the continuing Turkish occupation and division of the island, the EU diplomat said it would be ''very good'' if the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides could come with common proposals to the UN on amendments to the Annan plan, stressing that the EU would lend its support wherever possible and whenever requested towards the effort to find a negotiated settlement under UN auspices.

Van der Meer also noted that Cypriots are at this stage more interested in their individual rights as EU citizens than in EU general policy.

[04] Cyprus President signs condolences book for Ezer Weizman

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Cyprus President signs condolences book for Ezer Weizman

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos signed today the condolences book opened at the Embassy of Israel for the death of Israel's former President Ezer Weizman.

''With deep regret I learned about the death of the former President of the state of Israel. On behalf of the Cyprus people, the government and myself personally I express my sincere condolences to the people and the family of the deceased,'' Papadopoulos wrote in the book.

[05] Cypriot Foreign Minister to pay official visit to Israel

1210:CYPPRESS:05

Cypriot Foreign Minister to pay official visit to Israel

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou announced today that he would pay a two-day official visit to Israel on May 16-17.

Iacovou, who signed the condolences book at the Israeli Embassy for the death of former President of the country Ezer Weisman, said relations between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel were on a very high level and were continuously developing.

[06] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1220:CYPPRESS:06

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 28(CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Friday and Saturday: 29/04/2005 - 30/04/2005

On Friday, the weather will be mainly fine with temporal cloud, increasing in amount in the afternoon.

Northwesterly to Northeasterly light to gentle winds will prevail overnight, becoming gentle and later locally moderate sea breezes, during the day. State of sea generally slight during the day, becoming smooth to slight overnight.

Maximum temperature 28-29C inland, 23-24C over the east and south coasts, 21-22C over the west and north coasts and 18-19C over Prodromos. Minimum temperature generally 10-12C, but 7-8C over Prodromos.

Mainly fine weather to start with on Saturday, but local cloud may give some showers, mainly in the afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm. Local showers are likely near the coasts overnight.

Northwesterly to Northeasterly gentle winds, will prevail overnight, becoming gentle, but later locally moderate to fresh sea breezes, during the day. State of sea Slight to Moderate in the afternoon and early evening, but generally slight at all other times.

Maximum temperature 26-27C inland, 22-23C over the easte and south coasts, 20-21C over the west and north coasts and 16-17C over Prodromos. Minimum temperature generally 9-11C, but 6-7C over Prodromos.

Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 01/05/2005 - 02/05/2005

Sunday's weather is expected similar to Saturday's, although a slight fall in temperature is expected.

On Monday the weather is expected to be mainly fine, with no significant change in temperature.

Sea temperature: 19C

[07] High Court acquits former Health Minister

1220:CYPPRESS:07

High Court acquits former Health Minister

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- The High Court has acquitted former Minister of Health Constantina Akkelidou, who on 29 November 2004 was fined one thousand Cyprus pounds (around two thousand US dollars) having been pronounced guilty by the Nicosia District Court for interfering with the course of justice.

[08] Cyprus insists on disassociating EU regulations

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Cyprus insists on disassociating EU regulations

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government insists on the disassociation of the EU financial regulation worth 259 million euros for the Turkish Cypriots and the regulation for EU direct trade with the areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation, and believes there is no reason why certain countries should insist on connecting the two.

''We want the Turkish Cypriots to be helped. We do not see why all these countries are attempting blackmail by associating these two regulations,'' Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou said today.

Speaking after signing the condolences book at the Israeli Embassy for the death of former President Ezer Weisman, Iacovou said the two regulations and Turkey's EU accession course would be discussed during the visit to Cyprus by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rhen and Luxembourg's Minister Delegate for Europe Nicolas Schmit.

[09] Spokesman US follows double-standard policy on Cyprus

1310:CYPPRESS:09

Spokesman: US follows double-standard policy on Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides spoke today of ''a double-standard policy'' on behalf of the US administration as regards Cyprus.

The Cypriot official was commenting on yesterday's remarks by US State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli, who invited to say if the US administration could put the pressure of the international community on Turkey to leave Cyprus, implementing UN resolutions, as it the case of Syria which is leaving Lebanon after 29 years, he said the best solution for Cyprus was the Annan plan, which ''provided a way forward that we believed met the needs of both communities.''

[10] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1415:CYPPRESS:10

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS=1000

TRADED VALUE                        78.822,64

GSE GENERAL INDEX                       85,54     0,30     68.178,82
FTSE/CySE 20                           406,42     0,78     35.772,97
MAIN MARKET INDEX                    1.217,23     0,77     37.570,74
PARALLEL MARKET INDEX                1.046,23     0,49      2.502,26
INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX    1.000,12     1,36      6.018,52
MAIN AND PARALLEL MARKETS INDEX      1.210,68     0,76     40.073,00
BANKS INDEX                          1.240,00     0,86     23.103,77
HOTELS INDEX                           982,54    -0,11      3.528,08
ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX             1.019,67     0,96     25.762,93
FTSE Med (27/04/2005)                7.235,54    -1,05

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices
as compared to the last meeting.

[11] Cyprus seeks joint border patrols off its northern coast

1430:CYPPRESS:11

Cyprus seeks joint border patrols off its northern coast

By Gregoris Savva

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus is making efforts in the European Union for the launching of joint European operations to patrol the Cypriot territorial waters off the island's northern coast in a bid to curb illegal immigration trafficking and asylum seekers, Cypriot Justice and Public Order Minister has said.

In a interview with CNA on the occasion of one year after Cyprus' accession to the European Union (1 May 2004), Theodorou noted that after its accession to the European Union, Cyprus has become a "hot" destination for asylum seekers, adding that the numbers of asylum applications in Cyprus, EU's border in the southeastern part of Mediterranean, has gradually increased to 10,000 putting the island in the first place globally in comparison to its population.

''It is more than obvious that the accession to the EU has created an additional reason for asylum seekers to come to Cyprus,'' he noted.

The Cypriot Minister criticised Turkey for granting visas to citizens of islamic countries, allowing them to travel from Turkey to the areas of Cyprus it has been occupying since 1974 and its zero tolerance for illegal immigration trafficking networks that transfer immigrants to the occupied part of Cyprus. Immediately after illegal entry into the occupied areas, these illegal immigrants cross over to the government-controlled areas seeking political asylum.

''The continuing occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkey consists a vacuum in the control of the Republic's territory and a hole in EU's external borders,'' Theodorou added, noting that an illegal-immigrant-trafficking network was revealed in the occupied areas early in April, leading to the arrest in these areas of 20 people, including so-called ''police officers and civil servants.''

[12] Defence Minister: Occupation forces show no good will for demining

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Defence Minister: Occupation forces show no good will for demining

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus Defence Minister Kyriakos Mavronikolas said here today that there is no good will on behalf of the Turkish occupation forces for the demining of the cease-fire line dividing Cyprus since 1974.

Mavronikolas stated that the demining process in Zodia - Astromeritis area in Nicosia District has been completed, adding that the process will proceed in the remaining areas as scheduled by the Cypriot government's programme.

[13] Attorney General to submit resignation

1520:CYPPRESS:13

Attorney General to submit resignation

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus Attorney General Solon Nikitas has announced that he will submit his resignation to President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos.

In a written statement, he expresses ''regret'' at a decision by the Supreme Court, by nine votes to three, to acquit former Health Minister Constantina Akkelidou of charges of interfering with the course of justice.

[14] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1800:CYPPRESS:14

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 28 (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                 28          10          FAIR
Larnaca                 23          12          FINE
Limassol                23          15          FINE
Paphos                  21          11          FINE
---------------------------------------------------------------

[15] European Communities Court of Justice delegation to visit Cyprus

2020:CYPPRESS:15

European Communities Court of Justice delegation to visit Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) The President and the Judges of the Court of Justice of the European Communities will visit Cyprus from 5 to 9 May, at the invitation of the Cyprus Supreme Court.

The delegation will be received by President Tassos Papadopoulos on 6 May. It will also meet the islands Attorney-General and will confer with the President and Judges of the Supreme Court.

[16] Cyprus FM satisfied with French FM statement

2030:CYPPRESS:16

Cyprus FM satisfied with French FM statement

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) The Cyprus Foreign Ministry has expressed satisfaction for the understanding the French Foreign Ministry has shown as regards the embezzlement of properties belonging to Greek Cypriots, in the Turkish occupied north of the island.

A statement by the Foreign Ministry said that after action taken by the Ministry, the French Foreign Ministry posted a statement on its website warning about the risks of purchasing property in Cyprus' occupied areas.

[17] Finnish Parliamentarians to visit Cyprus

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Finnish Parliamentarians to visit Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 28 (CNA) A delegation of the Friendship Group Finland Cyprus at the Finnish Parliament arrives on the island on Monday, 2 May for a visit.

A statement by the House of Representatives said today the delegation, made up of the president of the group Marjukka Karttunen and parliamentarians Suvi Linden, Jutta Urpilainen and Jaako Laakso, will meet House President Demetris Christofias.

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