Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis and Papadopoulos hold talks in view of Cyprus talks

[02] Simitis welcomes UNSG's initiative for Cyprus talks

[03] Commission proposes Finance Minister for Cyprus Commissioner

[04] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[05] Papadopoulos and Simitis agree on Cyprus problem handling

[06] Marcos Kyprianou - Curriculum Vitae

[07] Karamanlis underlines need for just and functional Cyprus solution

[08] President departs for New York to discuss Cyprus with UN chief

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[10] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[11] Cyprus and Greece sign Research and Development protocol

[12] EESC President to hold two-day official visit to Cyprus

[13] Annan sees historic opportunity for unified Cyprus entering EU

[14] Annan expects sides to present positions tomorrow

[01] Simitis and Papadopoulos hold talks in view of Cyprus talks

1020:CYPPRESS:01

Simitis and Papadopoulos hold talks in view of Cyprus talks

Athens, Feb 9 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis confer here today, in view of the resumption of UN-led Cyprus talks tomorrow in New York, after the invitation the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has extended to Papadopoulos and to the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[02] Simitis welcomes UNSG's initiative for Cyprus talks

1210:CYPPRESS:02

Simitis welcomes UNSG's initiative for Cyprus talks

by Christa Nikolaou

Athens, Feb 9 (CNA) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has welcomed the UN Secretary-General's initiative for the resumption of UN-led Cyprus talks, which aims, as he noted, at having a reunited Cyprus joining the EU as an equal and full member.

Speaking to the press here today after the talks he had with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, Simitis reiterated the readiness of Cyprus and Greece for the resumption of talks, under the UN auspices, stressing that it is up to Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's regime to show that they indeed want a solution to the Cyprus problem, in the UN framework.

Papadopoulos said that it is the firm policy of the Cypriot government to respond to every invitation by the UN Secretary-General for talks, in the framework of the UN chief's mandate and on the basis of UN resolutions.

''So this time again, making clear what we have always declared, we are ready for the resumption of the negotiations. Our side has made a serious and huge preparation for the conclusion of the points that remain blank and we are ready for the negotiations,'' he added.

Papadopoulos leaves later today for New York responding to Kofi Annan's invitation for the resumption of the Cyprus talks tomorrow.

Simitis furthermore referred to the ratification tomorrow by the Greek Parliament of the Accession Treaty of the 10 new members of the EU, including Cyprus, noting that ''the parliament's decision tomorrow consists the culmination of a long-standing effort and in this regard great importance is attributed to it.''

[03] Commission proposes Finance Minister for Cyprus Commissioner

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Commission proposes Finance Minister for Cyprus Commissioner

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Feb 9 (CNA) -- The European Commission has proposed Markos Kyprianou, Cyprus' Finance Minister, as the Republic's Commissioner.

Kyprianou's name was included in a list of ten Commissioners for each of the ten acceding countries, announced here today by the Commission.

[04] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1320:CYPPRESS:04

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 9 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Tuesday and Wednesday: 10/02/2004 to 11/02/2004 --------------------

Tuesday ------- WEATHER: Medium and high cloud will gradually increase with possibility of local light rain.

WIND: Variable, initially light to gentle 2-3BF and in the afternoon at times up to gentle to moderate 3-4BF.

SEA STATE: Smooth to Slight

TEMPERATURE: Max/Min 18/10 inland, 18/12 over the coastal areas, 13/8 over the mountains.

Wednesday --------- WEATHER: Partly cloudy with risk of local light

WIND: Gentle to moderate Southwesterly to Westerly winds, 3-4BF becoming up to moderate 4BF and locally strong 5BF, in the afternoon.

SEA STATE: Slight gradually up to Moderate.

TEMPERATURE: 1-2C decrease from Tuesday.

Outlook for Thursday and Friday: 12/02/2004 to 13/02/2004 ------------------------------ Thursday: Same as Wednesday with decrease in temperature.

Friday: Mainly cloudy with rain. Snowfall at times over Troodos area. Temperature will note further decrease.

[05] Papadopoulos and Simitis agree on Cyprus problem handling

1335:CYPPRESS:05

Papadopoulos and Simitis agree on Cyprus problem handling

by Christa Nicolaou

Athens, Feb 9 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed here today identity of views on the handling of the Cyprus problem.

Simitis and Papadopoulos have welcomed the UN Secretary-General's new initiative to invite the two sides on the island to talks in New York tomorrow and reiterated their countries' readiness to resume negotiations aimed at a Cyprus settlement immediately.

''Following the invitation by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the immediate resumption of the Cyprus peace process, we deemed necessary with Mr. Papadopoulos to meet today. We welcome the Secretary- General's new initiative that aims at a reunited Cyprus joining the EU on May 1'', Simitis told a joint news conference.

He noted that the UN chief's deadline is very slim and coincides with the pre-election period in Greece.

[06] Marcos Kyprianou - Curriculum Vitae

1340:CYPPRESS:06

Nicosia, Feb 9 (CNA) -- The European Commission has proposed Markos Kyprianou, Cyprus' Finance Minister, as the Republic's Commissioner.

Kyprianou's name was included in a list of ten Commissioners for each of the ten acceding countries, announced here today by the Commission.

The list of names will be submitted for ratification to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Marcos Kyprianou was born in Limassol on 22 January 1960, the second son of the late President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou.

He obtained a degree in law from the Law School of the University of Athens. He attended graduate studies at Trinity College, Cambridge University, where he specialised in International Law and Tax Law and was awarded a Masters degree in Law (LLM). He continued his studies at Harvard Law School and was awarded a Masters degree in Law, specialising in Company Law and Taxation.

Thereafter, he worked as a trainee at the Human Rights Commission of the Council of Europe and carried out research in International Law at the University of Cambridge. He is an associate member of the American Bar Association, member of the Harvard Law School Association of Europe, and member of the International Bar Association.

He practised law in Nicosia from 1985 until his appointment as Minister of Finance in the cabinet of President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos on 28 February 2003.

Political career: -Municipal Councillor for Nicosia, from 1986 to 1991. -Member of the Democratic Party (DIKO), President of its youth organisation NEDIK from 1993-1997, member of the Central Committee of DIKO since 1986 and of the Political Committee of the party since 1990. -Elected to the House of Representatives for Nicosia District in the 1991 parliamentary elections under the banner of the Democratic Party and re-elected in 1996 and 2001.

He has served as the Parliamentary Leader of DIKO and Chairman of the delegation of the House of Representatives to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). He has also served as the Chairman of the House Standing Committee for the Areas Close to the Demarcation Line and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs.

[07] Karamanlis underlines need for just and functional Cyprus solution

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Karamanlis underlines need for just and functional Cyprus solution

by Christa Nikolaou

Athens, Feb 9 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos met here today with Greece's opposition New Democracy President Costas Karamanlis.

[08] President departs for New York to discuss Cyprus with UN chief

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President departs for New York to discuss Cyprus with UN chief

by Christa Nicolaou

Athens, Feb 9 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos left today for New York, having met with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens.

In New York, President Papadopoulos will participate in talks on the Cyprus problem, called by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

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[10] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Feb 9 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               85,06   (-1,68)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.039.933

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    790.863   362,80   (-2,24)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.323.20   (-0,47)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    709.315   104,62   (-2,63)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     44.066    73,17   (-0,50)
Insurance Companies           CYP      4.422    15,67   (-1,26)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     55.006    56,75   (-1,95)
Tourism Companies             CYP      8.909    56,56   (-1,75)
Trading Companies             CYP     39.975    21,60   ( 0,51)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      6.913    69,10   ( 0,04)
�nformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      4.321     3,29   (-0,60)
Financial Services Companies  CYP      9.306    10,78   (-2,36)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP          0    11,83   (-2,79)
Hotels                        CYP     10.898    36,29   (-0,19)
Other Companies               CYP     47.662    72,52   (-0,55)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[11] Cyprus and Greece sign Research and Development protocol

1540:CYPPRESS:11

Cyprus and Greece sign Research and Development protocol

by Christa Nikolaou

Athens, Feb 9 (CNA) -- Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Cyprus Finance Minister Marcos Kyprianou signed here today a protocol on Research and Development.

[12] EESC President to hold two-day official visit to Cyprus

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EESC President to hold two-day official visit to Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 9 (CNA) - President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Roger Briesch arrives in Cyprus for a two-day official visit.

[13] Annan sees historic opportunity for unified Cyprus entering EU

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Annan sees historic opportunity for unified Cyprus entering EU

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Feb 9 (CNA) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said today that the people of Cyprus have an historic opportunity to unify their country and enter the European Union together with great economic and social benefits for them, noting that a unified Cyprus entering the EU will really help reduce tensions in the Aegean region, will improve relations all around in the region and it will also facilitate Turkey's entry into Europe.

Speaking on arrival at UN Headquarters, Annan referred to tomorrow's meeting in New York with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, saying that he has made proposals to them to discuss, adding that ''we don't have much time if we are going to meet the deadline of 1 May'', when Cyprus will officially become an EU member.

[14] Annan expects sides to present positions tomorrow

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Annan expects sides to present positions tomorrow

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Feb 9 (CNA) - Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said today that although there were no details on Annan's meetings tomorrow with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, he imagined that ''the opening steps will be for the two sides to present their current position''.

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