Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-01-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALMUNIA - CYPRUS - EURO

[02] GREEK FM - CYPRUS VISIT

[03] MICHAELIDES` DEATH - BOOK OF CONDOLENCES

[04] FM JORDAN PALESTINIAN AUTHORITIES

[01] ALMUNIA - CYPRUS - EURO

The press release said the euro changeover has proved to be a success in Cyprus and Malta in the first week of January. The changeover of all cash and non-cash transactions to the euro appears to be going swiftly and without noteworthy problems.

After only a few days, the euro had already largely replaced the Cyprus pound and the Maltese lira in people`s wallets and purses. On 5 January, almost three out of four cash payments in shops were made in euro. While there were some queues in banks and shops on the first days of the new year and after a busy first week which also included the start of the winter sales in Malta, the situation seems to be progressively getting back to normal.

Almunia noted that ``it is now crucial that both countries continue to implement sound fiscal and budgetary policies so that they can fully benefit from economic and monetary union``.

Since 1 January, the euro is Cyprus` and Malta`s currency and euro banknotes and coins are officially in circulation on both islands.

According to the European Commission press release the ratio of euro cash payments in shops increased quickly during the first week: on 5 January (the first Saturday of the year), about three quarters of all cash payments in shops were already made in euro only (72% in Cyprus and 73% in Malta), according to a survey carried out among the Cypriot and Maltese population for the Commission. Retailers gave change exclusively in euro in virtually all cash transactions where change was given (97% in Cyprus and 99% in Malta).

On 5 January, at least three out of four citizens in both countries were carrying only or mostly euro cash in their wallets and purses (for banknotes: 74% in Cyprus, 76% in Malta; for coins 81% in Cyprus, 84% in Malta). In Malta, a majority of citizens had exclusively euro banknotes (58%) and euro coins (62%) in their wallets, though the respective figures in Cyprus were slightly lower at 32% and 40%.

As people appeared to be eager to exchange their national cash holdings into euro and to withdraw euro cash, there were still some queues at banks on Saturday, particularly in Malta, where the winter sales have already started. But the situation seems to be getting back to normal now. In Cyprus, some 179 000 over-the-counter exchanges and withdrawals were made between 1 and 4 January, involving some 253 million. In Malta, approximately 132 000 over-the-counter withdrawals took place between 1 and 5 January, for a total amount of around 88 million. Some 105 000 ATM withdrawals had been made in Cyprus by 4 January, and 202 000 in Malta up to and including 6 January.

With respect to the conversion of prices into euro, so far only a few incidents of undue price increases have been reported in both countries, for example for parking fees, cinema tickets and doctors` fees. The authorities are investigating all these cases and are asking those responsible to revert to the former prices where necessary.

Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any cases of unfair pricing to the authorities or consumer associations, the press release concluded.

ΦΩΤΟ 2 ΜΠΑΚΟΓΙΑΝΝΗ

GREEK FM - CYPRUS VISIT

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni will visit Cyprus to participate in the fifth Informal Conference of Foreign Ministers of the EU Mediterranean member-states.

The Conference will take place in Paphos between 17 and 18 January 2008.

The Foreign Ministers of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia are expected to participate.

PHOTO 3 TASSOS-VIVLIO SYLLYPITIRIWVN

MICHAELIDES` DEATH - BOOK OF CONDOLENCES

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed deep sorrow for the death of former Foreign Minister and former House President Alecos Michaelides, who passed away Sunday morning.

Papadopoulos, who signed the condolences book opened today at the House of Representatives, said that he cooperated for many years with Michaelides who had served his country faithfully.

Alecos Michaelides has contributed in a decisive manner to the hard, long and collective effort for Cyprus accession to the European Union, he wrote in the book.

House President Demetris Christofias, who also signed the condolences book, described Michaelides death as a great loss for Cyprus political life.

[02] GREEK FM - CYPRUS VISIT

The Conference will take place in Paphos between 17 and 18 January 2008.

The Foreign Ministers of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia are expected to participate

[03] MICHAELIDES` DEATH - BOOK OF CONDOLENCES

Papadopoulos, who signed the condolences book opened today at the House of Representatives, said that he cooperated for many years with Michaelides who had served his country faithfully.

Alecos Michaelides has contributed in a decisive manner to the hard, long and collective effort for Cyprus accession to the European Union, he wrote in the book.

House President Demetris Christofias, who also signed the condolences book, described Michaelides death as a great loss for Cyprus political life.

[04] FM JORDAN PALESTINIAN AUTHORITIES

An official statement said that during her visit to Jordan, Marcoullis will meet her Jordanian counterpart Salahhedin Al-Bashir.

From Amman, Marcoullis will travel to Ramallah where she will be received by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas.

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