Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-12-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus closes Agriculture chapter, Budget to close today

[02] UN expects replies possibly today, says spokesman

[03] Cyprus on US agenda in Turkey

[04] Greek Cypriot side working on response to Annan's letter

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[07] Helios Airways begins scheduled flights to London Luton

[08] Larnaca and Paphos Airports to be ready by 2006

[09] Grossman to arrive in Cyprus Wednesday

[10] Annan: There is still time to conclude an agreement on Cyprus

[11] Moeller: EU to consider all relevant factors on Cyprus

[12] Straw: UN proposals best opportunity for a prosperous Cyprus

[13] National Council agrees on letter to Annan

[14] Wolfowitz: US support urgent and lasting solution to Cyprus

[15] Cyprus and Egypt to sign exclusive economic zone next month

[01] Cyprus closes Agriculture chapter, Budget to close today

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Cyprus closes Agriculture chapter, Budget to close today

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 2 (CNA) -- Cyprus has closed one more chapter in its accession negotiations, that of Agriculture, and it is expected to close the last chapter, Budget, Tuesday.

[02] UN expects replies possibly today, says spokesman

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UN expects replies possibly today, says spokesman

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Dec 3 (CNA) -- The UN expects the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides to hand in their comments on a proposal Secretary General Kofi Annan put forward to both of them last month, with regard to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

[03] Cyprus on US agenda in Turkey

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Cyprus on US agenda in Turkey

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Dec 3 (CNA) -- US Undersecretary Marc Grossman will discuss the current opportunity to make peace in Cyprus during his meetings in Turkey, Cyprus and Greece, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher has said.

''The US has been pretty active, from the secretary's meetings and phone calls to the activities of the Undersecretary Grossman and our special Cyprus coordinator, to try to support the Secretary General, support the UN and encourage the sides to take this opportunity to reach a settlement,'' Boucher said.

[04] Greek Cypriot side working on response to Annan's letter

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Greek Cypriot side working on response to Annan's letter

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) -- The National Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, intends to hand over today its response to a letter by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on points of his blueprint for a political settlement that need to be negotiated.

The Council continued its discussions on Annan's proposal this morning and will reconvene in the afternoon to look into a draft letter of reply, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and his aides are working on.

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Dec 3(CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                              106,52   (2,16)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.567.566

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    876.158   428,83   ( 3,07)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    631.716   123,04   ( 3,05)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     97.210    90,74   ( 1,62)
Insurance Companies           CYP      7.855    23,66   ( 2,47)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     44.320    67,34   ( 0,64)
Tourism Companies             CYP      2.545   120,13   (-0,30)
Trading Companies             CYP     20.090    21,55   ( 0,05)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     27.534    75,09   ( 2,86)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP     24.579     4,01   ( 2,56)
Financial Services Companies  CYP    104.173    23,72   ( 1,37)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP        928    14,68   (-1,08)
Hotels                        CYP     55.348    52,49   ( 1,84)
Other Companies               CYP    232.939    97,67   ( 1,62)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 3 (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                  19          13          FAIR
Larnaca                  22          19          CLOUDY
Limassol                 21          17          FAIR
Paphos                   22          16          CLOUDY

[07] Helios Airways begins scheduled flights to London Luton

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Helios Airways begins scheduled flights to London Luton

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) Helios Airways announced here Tuesday the inauguration of scheduled flights to London Luton airport as of December 13 this year.

Speaking at a press conference, the companys Managing Director, Demetris Pantazis said the aim of the company is to offer the greatest possible safety and excellent service through an effective, low-cost and profit-making air company.

He said the companys chartered network covers more than 20 destinations, mainly from Great Britain, Ireland and European airports.

Helios Airways Commercial director, Viki Xita, said that the airline will fly to London Luton five times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Flights leave at 8.30 (local time) in the morning with arrival in London at 11.30 am (local time) and returning to Larnaca at 7pm (local time).

[08] Larnaca and Paphos Airports to be ready by 2006

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Larnaca and Paphos Airports to be ready by 2006

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) The new Paphos airport will be ready in the middle of 2005 while Larnaca Airport will be ready early 2006 and both will be managed by the Strategic Investor who will undertake their construction, Communications and Works Minister Averof Neofytou said here Tuesday.

[09] Grossman to arrive in Cyprus Wednesday

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Grossman to arrive in Cyprus Wednesday

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) US Undesecretary of State, Marc Grossman, arrives in Cyprus Wednesday morning to meet President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides.

Grossman arrives on the island from Ankara. His meeting with Clerides has been scheduled for 10 am local time. Accompanied by State Department officials, Grossman will make short statements to the press before departing.

[10] Annan: There is still time to conclude an agreement on Cyprus

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Annan: There is still time to conclude an agreement on Cyprus

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Dec 3 (CNA) UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan believes there is ''plenty of time'' until the Copenhagen Summit, for Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to conclude an agreement on Cyprus.

Annan refused to reveal what he will do if there is no settlement by December 12.

Replying to reporters questions, upon entering the UN headquarters in New York, Kofi Annan stated that his special adviser Alvaro De Soto is in the region ''working very actively with the leaders to get the answers.

[11] Moeller: EU to consider all relevant factors on Cyprus

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Moeller: EU to consider all relevant factors on Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) Danish Foreign Minister, Per Stig Moeller said the European Council decision on Cyprus is to take into account all relevant factors stressing that we will do that.

Speaking after meeting opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis in the Greek capital, Moeller was asked whether a solution to the Cyprus problem is a pre-requisite for the islands accession. According to the Athens News Agency (ANA), the Danish FM said he could not give a clear answer to the question.

[12] Straw: UN proposals best opportunity for a prosperous Cyprus

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Straw: UN proposals best opportunity for a prosperous Cyprus

Constantinople, Dec 3 (CNA) British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the UK believes that the proposals of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan form the best opportunity for a stable and prosperous future for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

In statements in Ankara, Straw said he hoped that there would be progress on the Secretary-Generals proposals submitted early November and that it would be possible to come to an agreement before December 12 when the Copenhagen European Council will take place.

[13] National Council agrees on letter to Annan

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National Council agrees on letter to Annan

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) - The National Council (top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question) concluded its two-day meeting tonight, having discussed the content of the letter President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides will be sending as a reply to a letter received on November 25 from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said the members of the National Council, who on many occasions were in agreement, expressed their views, which the President will take into consideration when writing his letter to Annan.

[14] Wolfowitz: US support urgent and lasting solution to Cyprus

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Wolfowitz: US support urgent and lasting solution to Cyprus

Constantinople, Dec 3 (CNA) The Cyprus problem was among the issues which US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Marc Grossman discussed with Turkeys Prime Minister Abdullah Gul in Ankara.

[15] Cyprus and Egypt to sign exclusive economic zone next month

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Cyprus and Egypt to sign exclusive economic zone next month

Nicosia, Dec 3 (CNA) Cyprus and Egypt will sign an agreement for the exclusive zone between the two countries in about a months time, said here Tuesday Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis.

Speaking after meeting Egypts Ambassador in Nicosia, Omar Metwally, Rolandis said the ministry would meet tomorrow with its advisors from NEXANT Company to discuss how to proceed with bids on how to transport natural gas to Cyprus.

Rolandis also said that he has an invitation to visit Algeria next week because they can supply Cyprus with natural gas. This way we will round up our contacts in the Mediterranean with the possible countries which might supply us with natural gas, he added.

Regarding the exclusive economic zone with Egypt, Rolandis said there are a couple of points concerning the wording of the document, which the government has pointed out to the Egyptian ambassador and he in turn conveyed them to Cairo.

The issue of the exclusive economic zone and possible future use of any (oil) reserves are progressing satisfactory, he added.

Rolandis said similar agreements are being promoted with Lebanon and Syria.

CNA/EC/MK/2002 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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