Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU decision on Turkey in late 2004, Cyprus not a criterion

[02] EU to take final decision on Cyprus today

[03] UN invites Cyprus parties to meet at Danish Foreign Ministry

[04] US envoy: Still time to get Cyprus comprehensive settlement

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[07] Papandreou says draft EU conclusions on Cyprus ''fully satisfactory''

[08] Central Bank drops to 5% the Lombard interest rate

[09] Annan: Cyprus talks will continue

[10] Papandreou says Cyprus joins now, problem solved later

[11] Cypriot official: Cyprus problem cannot be solved today

[12] Turkish Cypriots demonstrate as UN talks fail

[13] UN envoy informs Rasmussen on Cyprus efforts

[14] UN: Unprecedented progress must be consolidated to reach solution

[01] EU decision on Turkey in late 2004, Cyprus not a criterion

0230:CYPPRESS:01

EU decision on Turkey in late 2004, Cyprus not a criterion

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- The European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey as soon as possible if the December 2004 European Council decides that the country fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria.

Announcing the decision, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there was no direct link between a decision as regards the Turkish application and the Cyprus question, adding that apart from the fact that the EU would not be in a position to do so, it would also be unfair on Turkey.

He also expressed hope that a solution to the Cyprus conflict can be found and hopefully it can be found before we conclude the enlargement negotiations at this summit.

In his opening statement, Rasmussen said that the Presidency has got acceptance of the packages we have presented to the candidate countries, that is these packages will now be the basis for the final negotiations with the candidate countries.

Tomorrow morning I will have meetings with some of the candidate countries, before we start the meeting in the European Council. I will try to conclude negotiations early morning tomorrow on the basis of the mandate I have got from my colleagues tonight, he added. Rasmussen noted that this is a very satisfactory result for the Presidency.

He then said that we have made a decision as far as Turkey is concerned and that the Turkish government has already been informed.

First of all, I would like to stress that the EU wants to send a strong and a positive message to Turkey. We acknowledge the progress made in Turkey, we acknowledge the strong determination of the new government to carry through fundamental reforms of the Turkish society, he said.

Rasmussen added that the reform packages presented in Turkey constitute a major step forward in the fulfilling of the political criteria.

He noted that the EU intends to strengthen the relations with Turkey in several areas, such as customs union, trade relations and pre-accession assistance.

In addition to that, we have made the following decision tonight: If the European Council in December 2004 on the basis of the report and the recommendation from the Commission decides that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria, the EU will open accession negotiations with Turkey, he announced.

Asked when accession negotiations would begin if the December 2004 decision is positive, the Danish Prime Minister said the answer is clear, as soon as possible, because we stick to the principle that Turkey can get a date for the start of accession negotiations if and when Turkey fulfils the political criteria.

He summarised saying that if the European Council in December 2004 decides that Turkey fulfils the political criteria, then accession negotiations can be opened as soon as possible.

Rasmussen noted that there are certain practical procedures that have to be followed.

Invited to say what the implications for Cyprus would be this weekend if the European Council will decide in December 2004 on Turkeys application, Rasmussen said: I do not see any direct link between a decision as regards the Turkish question and the Cyprus solution.

Seen from a Turkish perspective, it would not be fair to add a solution to the Cyprus conflict as a new political criteria that should be fulfilled. Seen from a European Union perspective, we are not in a position to compromise on the political criteria in exchange for a Cyprus solution. So there is no direct link between the two decisions, he said.

He expressed hope that a solution to the Cyprus conflict can be found and hopefully it can be found before we conclude the enlargement negotiations at this summit.

Asked if he had asked for a declaration from the 25 to assure that Turkey will be a member if the Copenhagen criteria are met, Rasmussen said we have not discussed that.

When asked by a reporter about the criteria that say candidate countries should have good relations with their neighbours and if Turkey did not have such a problem as regards Cyprus, the Danish Prime Minister said he would not comment on a hypothetical question.

I dont think Turkey will have neighbouring problems as far as Cyprus is concerned and all in all I think Turkey has a responsible government and responsible political leaders and they realise that their relations with the EU will be influenced by the steps taken by the Turkish government, so I dont foresee any problems, he added.

Rasmussen said that in the morning he will be meeting with the Prime Minister of Poland and that he had not yet decided if he would be meeting with others before the European Council convenes into its second day.

[02] EU to take final decision on Cyprus today

0325:CYPPRESS:02

EU to take final decision on Cyprus today

by Maria Myles

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- The European Union has said that it will take its decision on Cyprus' accession by 1630 today (Friday), having been informed about the outcome of continued efforts by the UN in the form of proximity talks which will take place Friday between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides.

Greek prime minister Costas Simitis announced this here today at a press conference, adding that it was pretty clear that neither the Turkish Cypriot nor the Turkish side appear willing to conclude a deal on Cyprus, adding that Ankara cannot carry on for ever its negative stance and cannot be allowed to exploit the question of Cyprus to meet its own goals.

With regard to Turkey's demand to get a date for the start of accession negotiations with the EU, the Greek Premier said the Union will assess the situation in December 2004 and then decide on a date.

Speaking at a press conference after Thursday's working dinner of the 15, Simitis said the EU Council will have before it today two options on Cyprus, one relating to Cyprus' accession with a political settlement and the other without a settlement.

He said all member states reiterated their position that the political settlement of the Cyprus question is not a precondition for the country's accession.

''If there is no solution, Cyprus will join the EU,'' he said.

The Greek Premier said UN Secretary General informed the Danish Premier that today there will be proximity talks on Cyprus and there is a possibility that a solution may emerge out of this negotiation.

[03] UN invites Cyprus parties to meet at Danish Foreign Ministry

1445:CYPPRESS:03

UN invites Cyprus parties to meet at Danish Foreign Ministry

By Maria Myles

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- The United Nations have invited representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, as well as representatives of Cyprus' guarantor powers, namely Greece, Turkey and Britain, and a representative of the United States at a meeting at the Danish Foreign Ministry.

The Greek Cypriot side is represented by Attorney General Alecos Markides, an aide to President Glafcos Clerides, while ailing Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is represented by Tahsin Ertugruloglu.

[04] US envoy: Still time to get Cyprus comprehensive settlement

1400:CYPPRESS:04

US envoy: Still time to get Cyprus comprehensive settlement

By Rebekah Gregoriades

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Weston, believes there is still time to get a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

For this reason, he was due to attend a meeting at the Danish Foreign Ministry convened Friday by the United Nations also attended by representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides and the island's guarantor powers, Greece, Turkey and Britain.

The Greek Cypriot side is represented by Attorney General Alecos Markides, an aide to President Glafcos Clerides, while Tahsin Ertugruloglu represents ailing Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

A representative of the Danish Foreign Ministry told CNA that UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto and his team are already at the ministry.

In a statement after meeting the Cypriot delegation at a Copenhagen hotel accompanied by US Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson, Weston said we are obviously in the middle of a very intense process at a very crucial time.

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1430:CYPRESS:05

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 13 (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           1          FINE
Larnaca                  14           4          FINE
Limassol                 14           6          FINE
Paphos                   15           6          CLOUDY

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1455:CYPPRESS:06

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Dec 13 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                              112,03   ( 1,42)

Traded Value                  CYP  2.304.978

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP  1.151.488   449,40   ( 1,10)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    860.827   130,04   ( 2,04)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     91.898    93,81   ( 1,71)
Insurance Companies           CYP     21.461    24,90   ( 0,57)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     67.499    69,92   ( 1,88)
Tourism Companies             CYP      2.968   120,08   (-0,16)
Trading Companies             CYP     23.813    21,89   ( 0,64)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     17.013    84,96   ( 1,70)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP     19.467     4,15   (-0,24)
Financial Services Companies  CYP    134.612    24,88   (-0,08)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP         42    15,54   ( 3,95)
Hotels                        CYP     52.329    55,07   ( 0,71)
Other Companies               CYP    373.952   101,07   ( 0,47)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[07] Papandreou says draft EU conclusions on Cyprus ''fully satisfactory''

1545:CYPPRESS:07

Papandreou says draft EU conclusions Cyprus ''fully satisfactory

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou described as fully satisfactory the reference to Cyprus in the draft conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen.

He clarified however that because of the developments with Poland on the financial aspect of the enlargement, the leaders of the 15 EU member states have not yet discussed the conclusions on Cyprus.

In the draft conclusion two different references to Cyprus have been included under the headline In case of an agreement (six paragraphs) and In case of no agreement (three paragraphs).

[08] Central Bank drops to 5% the Lombard interest rate

1645:CYPPRESS:08

Central Bank drops to 5% the Lombard interest rate

Nicosia, Dec 13 (CNA) The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Cyprus decided here Friday to drop by 0.5%, to 5,00% the interest rate on the marginal lending facility (Lombard).

[09] Annan: Cyprus talks will continue

1845:CYPPRESS:09

Annan: Cyprus talks will continue

By Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Dec 13 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said efforts to reach an agreement on Cyprus would continue, adding that the talks on Cyprus have not collapsed.

Annan said he hoped the work that has been done will not be wasted and that the people of Cyprus, both Turkish and Greeks, will see an advantage in pursuing this effort and bringing it to a fruitful conclusion.

Invited to give his reaction to the collapse of the talks for a Cyprus settlement on the sidelines of the Copenhagen European Council, Annan replied I wouldn't call it collapse. By collapse you mean we don't have an agreement yet. I think we will assess where we are and then see how we move forward. But, I wouldn't say the talks collapsed. We hadn't had an agreement, but we will continue.

Asked by journalists as he entered the UN headquarters, whether he was disappointed, bearing in mind that the international community invested a lot on this effort, Annan replied absolutely.

[10] Papandreou says Cyprus joins now, problem solved later

1855:CYPPRESS:10

Papandreou says Cyprus joins now, problem solved later

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- The Copenhagen European Councils final decision on Cyprus accession to the European Union will be taken tonight, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said, expressing the conviction that the decision would be positive.

Speaking to Cypriot journalists at the Marriott hotel in Copenhagen, where the Greek delegation is staying, Papandreou said Greece would like a reunited Cyprus to join the Union, noting that Greeces next aim was a settlement to the islands political problem.

The Greek Minister said he was pleased that the Turks said they would work over the next two months to solve the Cyprus problem, instead of threatening.

[11] Cypriot official: Cyprus problem cannot be solved today

1900:CYPPRESS:11

Cypriot official: Cyprus problem cannot be solved today

by Maria Myles

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- The Cyprus problem cannot be solved today, Cyprus Attorney General Alecos Markides said here today, after a last ditch attempt by the UN to have an agreement signed by the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides on a comprehensive settlement before the European Union takes its final decision on Cyprus' accession.

Speaking outside the Eigtveds Pakhus, a building adjacent to the Danish Foreign Ministry, Markides expressed disappointment about today's development but stressed that the Greek Cypriot side will continue in good faith the negotiations to find a solution in Cyprus, if possible by 28 February 2003, so that a reunited Cyprus can sign the Treaty of Accession in April 2003.

''There were no negotiations, this issue is finished. The question of Cyprus cannot be resolved today. Cyprus moves ahead with accession without a political settlement,'' Markides said.

He said the Greek Cypriot side, having accepted a UN proposal as a basis for negotiations, will keep its word and continue negotiations after Copenhagen with a view at finding a solution.

[12] Turkish Cypriots demonstrate as UN talks fail

1930:CYPPRESS:12

Turkish Cypriots demonstrate as UN talks fail

Nicosia, Dec 13 (CNA) -- Hundreds of Turkish Cypriots in the occupied north of Cyprus demonstrated for peace and called on their leader Rauf Denktash to quit as the European Union is preparing to welcome later Friday Cyprus into its ranks while UN talks at the Danish capital to secure an eleventh hour settlement to the division of Cyprus failed, because of the Turkish negative stance.

Turkish Cypriots voiced their opposition to the policy followed by Denktash during a demonstration, the second in less than a month, exhibiting the frustration of the Turkish Cypriot community to a non-solution to the Cyprus problem.

[13] UN envoy informs Rasmussen on Cyprus efforts

2015:CYPPRESS:13

UN envoy informs Rasmussen on Cyprus efforts

by Maria Myles

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General's special envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto has sent a letter to the president of the European Council, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmoussen with regard to the outcome of his efforts to have an agreement on a solution of the Cyprus problem signed.

Well-informed diplomatic sources told CNA here today that in his letter de Soto informs Rasmoussen about the course and the outcome of the consultations he has had with interested parties and in particular the Turkish Cypriot side, to whom he talked to today for about two hours.

[14] UN: Unprecedented progress must be consolidated to reach solution

2020:CYPPRESS:14

UN: Unprecedented progress must be consolidated to reach solution

By Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Dec 13 (CNA) -- The UN has said it is very important the unprecedented progress that has been made on the Cyprus problem be consolidated and efforts to be redoubled to achieve a settlement until 28 February 2003.

UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard said it is regrettable the current opportunity has been missed yet both sides expressed their willingness to continue negotiations. He also said the UN Security Council would convene on Cyprus either Monday or Tuesday.

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