Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-10-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus denounces Turkish provocations at Strovilia

[02] Earthquake hits Cyprus

[03] British envoy meets President and Foreign Minister

[04] Four US priorities with regard to Cyprus

[05] EU leaders to agree on ten candidate countries

[06] Cyprus expresses sympathy to Russian Federation

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[09] Greek FM says Cyprus settlement should be in line with UN and EU

[10] House of Representatives condemns hostage taking in Moscow

[11] Cyprus and Britain sign MoU on illegal immigrants in SBA

[12] Weston to visit Cyprus for meetings

[13] Lord Hannay holds meetings in Nicosia

[14] President decorates Vassiliou for EU accession work

[15] Military exercises postponed in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey

[16] EU leaders agree on ten candidate countries

[17] Verheugen confirms existence of peace plan for Cyprus

[01] Cyprus denounces Turkish provocations at Strovilia

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Cyprus denounces Turkish provocations at Strovilia

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Oct 25 (CNA) -- Cyprus has denounced once again to the UN the continuing Turkish violation of the status quo in the island's south-eastern area of Strovilia.

The Republic's Representative at the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly (Special Political Committee) Menelaos Menelaou briefed members of the Committee that the Cyprus government had received information about further provocations by the Turkish army in the same area.

[02] Earthquake hits Cyprus

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Earthquake hits Cyprus

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) -- An earthquake measuring 4,6 on the Richter scale rattled parts of Cyprus early this morning, with no damage reported.

[03] British envoy meets President and Foreign Minister

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British envoy meets President and Foreign Minister

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) -- Britain's special representative for Cyprus, Lord David Hannay, discussed over a working breakfast this morning developments in the Cyprus problem and the next steps to be followed in the framework of the UN-led talks, aiming to solve Cyprus' protracted political problem.

[04] Four US priorities with regard to Cyprus

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Four US priorities with regard to Cyprus

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) -- The US has four priorities with regard to its relations to Cyprus, relating to support for the UN peace effort, cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, law enforcement cooperation and promoting strong commercial relations, a priority US Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson has described as ''the best'' of all four points.

In his first public speech since arriving on the island two months ago, Klosson stressed the sense of urgency that exists in efforts to find a settlement that would meet ''the legitimate interests'' of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides.

[05] EU leaders to agree on ten candidate countries

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EU leaders to agree on ten candidate countries

Brussels, Oct 25 (CNA) -- European Union leaders meeting in Brussels are expected to endorse today the recommendations of the Commission that Cyprus and nine other countries become members of the EU in 2004.

According to the draft presidency conclusions, a copy of which has been obtained by CNA, the 15 leaders will agree that all ten countries fulfil the political criteria for accession and will be able to fulfil the economic criteria and assume the obligations of membership from the beginning of 2004.

The Union is expected to confirm its determination to conclude accession negotiations with these countries - namely Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia - at the European Council in Copenhagen on 12-13 December and sign the Accession Treaty in Athens in April 2003.

In a reference to the Cyprus problem, the 15 European leaders ''reiterate their preference for a reunited Cyprus to join the EU on the basis of a comprehensive settlement and urge the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize the opportunity and reach an agreement before the end of accession negotiations this year.''

The Union will continue to fully support the substantial efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations for reaching a settlement, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the draft says.

''The EU will accommodate the terms of such a comprehensive settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principles on which the EU is founded.

''In the absence of a settlement, the decisions to be taken in December by the Copenhagen European Council will be based on the conclusions set out by the Helsinki European Council in 1999,'' under which a settlement is not a precondition for the accession of Cyprus but ''all relevant factors'' will be taken into account.

In view of a Cyprus settlement, the EU is expected to earmark appropriations totaling 206 million euros over the three year 2004-2006 period, to enable the northern part of Cyprus under Turkish military occupation to catch up with the areas under the control of the Cyprus government.

[06] Cyprus expresses sympathy to Russian Federation

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Cyprus expresses sympathy to Russian Federation

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides expressed concern over the terrorist action in Russia and the hostage taking of hundreds of innocent civilians in a Moscow theatre.

The minister conveyed the sympathy and support of the government and people of Cyprus to the people and government of the Russian Federation and hoped the incident will end peacefully.

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               87,15   (-0,50)

Traded Value                  CYP    664.607

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    372.199   330,19   (-0,48)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    201.957    93,45   (-0,01)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     30.992    79,73   (-0,31)
Insurance Companies           CYP     56.942    18,42   (-0,59)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     22.864    61,69   (-1,77)
Tourism Companies             CYP     11.201   104,92   (-1,38)
Trading Companies             CYP     12.683    19,68   ( 0,20)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      3.348    61,82   (-0,58)
�nformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      4.923     3,29   ( 0,61)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     84.964    17,82   ( 0,34)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP        110    14,83   ( 0,47)
Hotels                        CYP     41.641    47,74   (-0,31)
Other Companies               CYP    147.033    84,15   (-1,74)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Oct 25 (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                  29          15          FINE
Larnaca                  27          17          FINE
Limassol                 29          18          FINE
Paphos                   26          16          FINE

[09] Greek FM says Cyprus settlement should be in line with UN and EU

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Greek FM says Cyprus settlement should be in line with UN and EU

Brussels, Oct 25 (CNA) - Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou said here today that an agreement for a Cyprus settlement should be in line with United Nations resolutions on Cyprus and the acquis communautaire of the European Union, of which the island will soon be a member.

[10] House of Representatives condemns hostage taking in Moscow

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House of Representatives condemns hostage taking in Moscow

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) - The House of Representatives has condemned the terrorist action of Chechen separatists who are holding hostage around 700 people in a Moscow theatre since Wednesday, describing it an ''abominable and inhuman action''.

[11] Cyprus and Britain sign MoU on illegal immigrants in SBA

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Cyprus and Britain sign MoU on illegal immigrants in SBA

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) - Cyprus and Britain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of a Protocol on the Sovereign British Bases (SBA) as far as illegal migrants and asylum seekers are concerned.

[12] Weston to visit Cyprus for meetings

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Weston to visit Cyprus for meetings

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) - US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston arrives here tomorrow in the framework of his ''normal round of meetings'' as regards the Cyprus issue.

[13] Lord Hannay holds meetings in Nicosia

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Lord Hannay holds meetings in Nicosia

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides said the meetings of Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus Lord David Hannay with President Glafcos Clerides and himself were taking place at the ''right time'' since negotiations are underway to gather information which will allow the UN Secretary General to decide whether he will submit a plan for a an overall Cyprus settlement.

[14] President decorates Vassiliou for EU accession work

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President decorates Vassiliou for EU accession work

Nicosia, Oct 25 (CNA) - The head of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of Cyprus to the European Union, George Vassiliou, was presented here today with the Great Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus for his laborious and multidimensional work in bringing the island closer to accession to the European Union.

[15] Military exercises postponed in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey

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Military exercises postponed in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey

[16] EU leaders agree on ten candidate countries

2020:CYPPRESS:16

EU leaders agree on ten candidate countries

Brussels, Oct 25 (CNA) - European Union leaders meeting in Brussels tonight endorsed the recommendations of the Commission that Cyprus and nine other countries become members of the EU in 2004.

According to the final conclusions of the Brussels European Council, the 15 leaders agreed that all ten countries fulfill the political criteria for accession and will be able to fulfill the economic criteria and assume the obligations of membership from the beginning of 2004.

The Union confirmed its determination to conclude accession negotiations with these countries - namely Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia - at the European Council in Copenhagen on 12-13 December and sign the Accession Treaty in Athens in April 2003.

In a reference to the Cyprus problem, the 15 European leaders ''reiterate their preference for a reunited Cyprus to join the EU on the basis of a comprehensive settlement and urge the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize the opportunity and reach an agreement before the end of accession negotiations this year.''

The Union will continue to fully support the substantial efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations for reaching a settlement, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the conclusions say.

''The EU will accommodate the terms of such a comprehensive settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principles on which the EU is founded'', they continue.

[17] Verheugen confirms existence of peace plan for Cyprus

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Verheugen confirms existence of peace plan for Cyprus

Brussels, Oct 25(CNA) - European Commissioner on Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, confirmed to CNA the existence of a plan by the UN Secretary-General for a Cyprus settlement and said it was up to the UN chief when he would submit it to the two sides on the island.

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