Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-02-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] US says Turkey better equipped now to solve outstanding issues

[02] Malta to encourage another effort for Cyprus solution

[03] Bosnia Herzegovina hopes to benefit from Cyprus' EU process

[04] UN SG's statement not objective, Cyprus President says

[05] Cypriot party leader meets EU Ambassadors in Ankara

[06] Greek Cypriots not presenting positions in unclear framework

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[08] Turkish FM: UN SG's statement concerns Greek Cypriots

[09] Cyprus remains a successful financial centre, pledges CB governor

[10] ITF General Secretary: Cyprus could influence EU maritime policy

[01] US says Turkey better equipped now to solve outstanding issues

0850:CYPPRESS:01

US says Turkey better equipped now to solve outstanding issues

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

New York, Feb 11 (CNA) -- Turkey at the beginning of 2005 should feel ''confident because it is more prosperous, and more democratic, with a bright future and a key place beside the United States and as part of Europe,'' US Undersecretary for Political Affairs Marc Grossman has said.

[02] Malta to encourage another effort for Cyprus solution

0920:CYPPRESS:02

Malta to encourage another effort for Cyprus solution

Nicosia, Feb 11 (CNA) - Malta will ''continue to exhort and encourage both communities in Cyprus to make another effort at reconciling their differences and reach a just and functional conclusion,'' the country's new High Commissioner to Cyprus, based in Athens, Saviour John Falzon, said and assured that ''our support for your country will remain steadfast.''

Presenting his credentials to President Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday, Falzon said ''the division of the island is unfortunate and the failure to reach an agreement on reunification on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federal state deemed to be fair, just and acceptable to both communities, is deeply regretted.''

[03] Bosnia Herzegovina hopes to benefit from Cyprus' EU process

1020:CYPPRESS:03

Bosnia-Herzegovina hopes to benefit from Cyprus' EU process

Nicosia, Feb 11 (CNA) -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's first Ambassador to Cyprus, based in Tel Aviv, Nedeljko Maslesa, has expressed hope that Cyprus will continue to support his country, which would benefit from the island's experience and knowledge in the process of accession to the EU.

Presenting his credentials yesterday to President Tassos Papadopoulos, Maslesa said he believed the decision of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina to send its first Ambassador to Nicosia would improve the already existing relationship between the two countries.

[04] UN SG's statement not objective, Cyprus President says

1230:CYPPRESS:04

UN SG's statement not objective, Cyprus President says

Nicosia, Feb 11 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's statement on Cyprus was not objective, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said here Friday, adding that he intends to request clarifications from Annan as to whether the UN chief will launch a new initiative on Cyprus.

The Cypriot President's comments came in the wake of Annan's statement yesterday in London, urging Papadopoulos ''to really put his views on paper the changes he would want to have,'' on the Annan settlement plan, indicating ''it would be helpful for anyone who is going to begin discussions or resumption of talks.''.

''We must study very seriously the full text of the Annan statement. From a first assessment I consider that the Secretary-General's statements are not objective. I don't think it is objective on the one hand to refer to statements and declarations made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan and on the other to ask our side to submit proposals and suggestions on paper,'' Papadopoulos said.

Noting that neither Erdogan has submitted proposals for changes on the Annan plan, the Cypriot President said ''I have not heard Annan to ask the Turkish side to do the same.''

President Papadopoulos said that the second issue that needs to be examined is the purpose of submitting proposals for changes on the plan and what would the Secretary General do after receiving these proposals.

He wondered whether Annan intends to undertake a new initiative on Cyprus and if this was the case what kind of initiative, adding that he believes that ''we must spare ourselves from the syndrome of arbitration and engage in substantive talks.''

''We cannot fail for a second time because that would be catastrophic for all and thus the need for substantive alterations to the Annan plan must be accepted'', the Cypriot President underlined.

Respodning to a question if the letter he sent to the UN chief on 6 June 2004 inluded the Greek Cypriot side's suggested changes on the Annan plan, Papadopoulos said that teh contents of that letter were known since it was sent to heads of state explaining the Greek Cypriot concerns and which in our view were the points bothering the Greek Cypriots that led them to vote against the Annan plan with such overwhelming majority.

''Therefore, whoever wants to learn which are the concerns that must be addressed in order to allow the Cypriot people to accept a peace plan based on the various proposals that have been submitted, can turn to this document,'' Papadopoulos said, adding that whoever says ''we do not know what it is you want'' has no excuse.

Asked if he intends to ask clarifications from Annan regarding yesterday's statements in London, Papadopoulos said ''we will examine what Annan exactly stated''.

[05] Cypriot party leader meets EU Ambassadors in Ankara

1405:CYPPRESS:05

Cypriot party leader meets EU Ambassadors in Ankara

by Maria Myles

Ankara, 11 Feb (CNA) -- The Cyprus problem, the concerns and expectations of the Greek Cypriots as well as the goals of a visit to Turkey by the main opposition party in Cyprus, the rightwing Democratic Rally (DISI), were the focus of discussions at a meeting today between a DISI delegation and ambassadors of European Union members here.

Speaking to Greek Cypriot journalists covering the visit, DISI leader Nikos Anastasiades said EU ambassadors expressed concern about the current stalemate in Cyprus and stressed the need for dialogue as a means of resolving problems.

[06] Greek Cypriots not presenting positions in unclear framework

1415:CYPPRESS:06

Greek Cypriots not presenting positions in unclear framework

Nicosia, Feb 11 (CNA) - Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said today that the Greek Cypriot side would not be presenting the UN with its negotiating positions on the Cyprus problem before the framework of the negotiations was clear, adding that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan himself had clarified neither what he expected exactly nor what his intentions were.

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

0000:CYPPRESS:08

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 11(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                 11           0          FAIR
Larnaca                 13           3          FAIR
Limassol                15           5          FAIR
Paphos                  14           5          FAIR

[08] Turkish FM: UN SG's statement concerns Greek Cypriots

1630:CYPPRESS:09

Turkish FM: UN SG's statement concerns Greek Cypriots

by Maria Myles

Ankara, 11 Feb (CNA) The Turkish government believes that Thursdays statements in London by the UN Secretary General with regard to Cyprus do not concern Ankara, according to Namik Tan, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[09] Cyprus remains a successful financial centre, pledges CB governor

1710:CYPPRESS:10

Cyprus remains a successful financial centre, pledges CB governor

Nicosia, Feb 11 (CNA) Cyprus was and remains one of the most successful financial centers in the world, Governor of the Central Bank Christodoulos Christodoulou has said today.

[10] ITF General Secretary: Cyprus could influence EU maritime policy

1950:CYPPRESS:12

ITF General Secretary: Cyprus could influence EU maritime policy

Nicosia, Feb 11 (CNA) --- General Secretary of the International Transport Federation (ITF) David Cockroft expressed hope that Cyprus would continue to bring the fleet that is under its flag in line with European requirements.

He added that with over 20% of the European fleet under its flag, Cyprus would be able to influence EU maritime policy.

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