Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] House approves VAT increase and abolishes defence levy

[02] Italian Minister arrives to sign agreements

[03] EU Environment Commissioner visits Cyprus

[04] UN talks continue

[05] EU Commissioner stresses benefits of EU environmental law

[06] Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Cyprus

[07] European Commissioner holds talks in Cyprus

[08] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[09] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[10] Danish EU presidency posts diplomat in Nicosia

[01] House approves VAT increase and abolishes defence levy

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House approves VAT increase and abolishes defence levy

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) -- The plenary of the House of Representatives approved yesterday two bills providing for an increase of the Valued Added Tax (VAT) and the abolishing of a defence levy Cypriots have been paying to the defence fund.

The Value Added Tax will increase from 10% to 13% as of July 1, 2002 and to 15% as of January 1, 2003. The defence levy paid by the employees and the self-employed will be abolished as of June 1, 2002, but companies are still obliged to pay the levy.

The two bills were tabled before the plenary, as part of the tax reform promoted by the government, within the framework of Cyprus' harmonization with the EU laws and regulations.

[02] Italian Minister arrives to sign agreements

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Italian Minister arrives to sign agreements

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) -- Italian Interior Minister Claudio Scajola arrives here today, heading a delegation, on a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Cyprus Minister of Justice and Public Order Nicos Koshis.

Scajola and Koshis will hold talks and sign a cooperation agreement to combat organized crime and especially illegal immigration.

The two Ministers will also discuss the plans to set up a European Border Police Squad, in the wake of the recent decisions taken at the EU Seville summit.

[03] EU Environment Commissioner visits Cyprus

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EU Environment Commissioner visits Cyprus

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) -- European Union Commissioner responsible for the Environment Margot Wallstrom, currently visiting the island, has said that Cyprus had asked for a number of derogations and transition periods with regard to the implementation of EU laws and regulations on environmental concerns.

Speaking here yesterday, at a joint press conference with Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Costas Themistocleous, Wallstrom noted that Cyprus is not facing many problems in its harmonization effort with the acquis communautaire in the environmental field.

[04] UN talks continue

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UN talks continue

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met for an hour and a half today, in the context of UN-led peace talks.

The two leaders talked about the Belgian constitutional model as part of discussions on governance which is one of the four cores issues. The other three are security, territory and property.

According to reliable sources, the discussion on the Belgian constitution has come to an end.

[05] EU Commissioner stresses benefits of EU environmental law

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EU Commissioner stresses benefits of EU environmental law

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) -- Between 64 and 126 premature deaths could be avoided in Cyprus from applying European Union air quality standards, EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said here today, addressing a seminar on Industrial Development and Environmental Protection, organized by the European Institute of Cyprus and the Federation of Industrialists and Employers.

Underlying that the main benefit in applying EU environmental legislation is to public health, Wallstrom noted that EU laws do not just involve costs but also provide benefits and that Cyprus has an advantage over other candidate countries in that some of the benefits of environmental protection are already making themselves shown.

[06] Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Cyprus

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Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Cyprus

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kamal Kharrazi, arrives in Cyprus on July 1 for a three-day official visit, during which he will sign two agreements and a memorandum.

One agreement will be signed at the Foreign Ministry and provides for cultural, educational and scientific cooperation, while the second will be signed at the Ministry of Communications and Works on merchant shipping.

[07] European Commissioner holds talks in Cyprus

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European Commissioner holds talks in Cyprus

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) - European Commissioner for the Environment, Margot Wallstrom, was received this morning by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, who she said continues to strive for a solution of the Cyprus problem, despite difficulties.

She added that the EU is closely following the UN-led talks between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and hopes that there will be a positive outcome.

Speaking after the meeting, Wallstrom said the President understands the great importance of environmental issues and noted that they had a very interesting discussion on the acquis communautaire chapter on the Environment.

[08] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

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

CSE General Index                               94,81  ( 0,37)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.063.705

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    556.058   402,61  ( 0,52)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    346.494   113,50  ( 0,88)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP    145.095    84,78  ( 0,19)
Insurance Companies           CYP     58.164    28,32  (-0,07)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     83.882    62,08  ( 1,47)
Tourism Companies             CYP      9.242    86,68  (-0,60)
Trading Companies             CYP     30.774    20,74  ( 0,63)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     19.035    52,42  (-0,10)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      6.247     3,60  (-1,10)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     58.360    13,86  (-2,46)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP      4.106    17,19  ( 2,02)
Hotels                        CYP     67.954    51,62  ( 0,47)
Other Companies               CYP    181.948    91,68  (-0,30)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[09] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jun 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                  36          23          FINE
Larnaca                  30          22          FINE
Limassol                 31          24          FINE
Paphos                   30          22          FINE

[10] Danish EU presidency posts diplomat in Nicosia

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Danish EU presidency posts diplomat in Nicosia

Nicosia, Jun 28 (CNA) - The government of Denmark has decided to post Danish diplomat Knud Johansen in Nicosia, who is to manage the tasks relating to the European Union (EU) presidency in Cyprus, during the second half of the year 2002, when Denmark will be holding the rotating EU presidency.

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