Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-12-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] ''Today Cyprus is a member of the European Union'', says Simitis

[02] Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Cyprus (correction)

[03] Cyprus joins European Union (correction)

[04] De Soto to brief Tuesday UN Security Council on Cyprus

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[06] Clerides receives hero’s welcome on return from EU Council

[01] ''Today Cyprus is a member of the European Union'', says Simitis

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''Today Cyprus is a member of the European Union'', says Simitis

By Maria Myles

Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) -- ''Today Cyprus is a member of the European Union,'' Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said here, welcoming the decision by the European Union to invite Cyprus to become a full member of the Union in 2004.

Simitis repeatedly stressed at a press conference that the EU decision does not lessen the desire to work for a political settlement in Cyprus, which once achieved it will serve regional peace and stability as well as the interests of Greece and Cyprus.

Simitis announced that he would be visiting Cyprus in April next year in his capacity as president of the European Council. Greece takes over the six-monthly presidency of the EU in January 2003.

''We have achieved two fundamental objectives, Cyprus received a crystal clear decision on its accession and we maintain the momentum in the efforts to settle the Cyprus question,'' he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the European Council, which ended today in Copenhagen.

Today, he said, ''we turn a page in history, Europe opened its doors to Cyprus, Cyprus is with us in Europe,'' he told a packed pressroom.

On the political situation in Cyprus, he said Greece believes the revised version of a UN proposal on a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus ''continues to be the basis for agreement and Greece considers the Annan proposal a realistic basis which can help reverse the current division of the island.''

''I hope that Turkey realises that there is no other way to go but to contribute to a settlement in Cyprus,'' he said, adding that the goal from now on is to find a solution.

Asked about future plans with regard to Cyprus, he said he and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides have decided on a series of moves which he did not wish to make public at this stage.

To those who might think that Cyprus and Greece, having secured accession, will let the political solution wait, he said ''the solution serves the interests of Cyprus and Greece, and peace and stability in the region.''

''We cannot have progress in Cyprus in the long term if there is no settlement,'' he said, adding that ''those who suggest that we have to wait for a solution are those who do not really want Cyprus to move on.''

[02] Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Cyprus (correction)

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Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) --

Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Cyprus (full text)

CORRECTED TEXT

10. In accordance with the above paragraph 3, as the accession negotiations have been completed with Cyprus, Cyprus will be admitted as a new Member State to the EU. Nevertheless the European Council confirms its strong preference for accession to the European Union by a united Cyprus. In this context it welcomes the commitment of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to continue to negotiate with the objective of concluding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by 28 February 2003 on the basis of the UNSG's proposals. The European Council believes that t h o s e p r o p o s a l s o f f e r a unique opportunity to reach a settlement in the coming weeks and urges the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize this opportunity.

11. The Union recalls its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. In case of a settlement, the Council, acting by unanimity on the basis of proposals by the Commission, shall decide upon adaptations of the terms concerning the accession of Cyprus to the EU with regard to the Turkish Cypriot community.

[03] Cyprus joins European Union (correction)

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Cyprus joins European Union

CORRECTED STORY

Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) -- The east Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been extended an invitation to join the European Union, 12 years after submitting its application for membership of the European Communities.

The historic moment for Cyprus comes after a dramatic two-day attempt by the UN to clinch a deal to include a united Cyprus in the EU ranks failed because of the Turkish intransigent stance.

European Union leaders said today in the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council that as accession negotiations have been completed with Cyprus, Cyprus will be admitted as a new EU member state.

However, the Council confirmed its strong preference for accession to the European Union by a united Cyprus and welcomed the commitment of the two sides on the island to continue to negotiate to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by 28 February 2003 on the basis of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans proposals.

It said in the absence of a settlement, the application of the acquis to the northern part of the island should be suspended, until the Council decides otherwise on the basis of a proposal by the Commission.

The European Council said as the accession negotiations have been completed with Cyprus, Cyprus will be admitted as a new Member State to the European Union.

Nevertheless, it noted, the European Council confirms its strong preference for accession to the European Union by a united Cyprus.

In this context, it welcomes the commitment of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to continue to negotiate with the objective of concluding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by 28 February 2003 on the basis of the UNSGs proposals, the conclusions said.

The European Council believes that t h o s e p r o p o s a l s o f f e r a unique opportunity to reach a settlement in the coming weeks and urges the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize this opportunity, the conclusions remarked.

The Union recalls its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principle on which the EU is founded, they added.

''In case of a settlement, the conclusions noted, the Council, acting by unanimity on the basis of proposals by the Commission, shall decide upon adaptations of the terms concerning the accessions of Cyprus to the EU with regard to the Turkish Cypriot community.

Furthermore, the European Council has decided that, in the absence of a settlement, the application of the acquis to the northern part of the island shall be suspended, until the Council decides unanimously otherwise, on the basis of a proposal by the Commission.

''Meanhwile the Council invites the Commission, in consultation with the Government of Cyprus to consider ways of promoting economic development of the northern part of Cyprus and bringing it closer to the Union'', the European Council concluded.

In addition, a declaration of the Council meeting in Copenhagen on 12 December 2002 said the fact that, as things stand at present, Cyprus and Malta will not take part in EU military operations conducted using NATO assets once they have become members of the EU will not, within the limits of the EU Security Regulations, affect the right of their representatives to participate and vote in EU institutions and bodies, including COPS, with regard to decisions which do not concern the implementation of such operations.

Regarding enlargement, the conclusions said today marks an unprecedented and historic milestone in completing this process with the conclusion of accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, adding that the Union now looks forward to welcoming these States as members from May 1, 2004.

They said this achievement testifies to the common determination of the peoples of Europe to come together in a Union that has become the driving force for peace, democracy, stability and prosperity on our continent, adding that as fully fledged members of a Union based on solidarity, these States will play a full role in shaping the further development of the European project.

[04] De Soto to brief Tuesday UN Security Council on Cyprus

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De Soto to brief Tuesday UN Security Council on Cyprus

By Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Dec 14 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will brief Tuesday UN Security Council on recent developments regarding efforts to reunite Cyprus.

A UN spokesman said the Cyprus problem would be the second issue on the 15-member body's agenda to be discussed during informal consultations.

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 14 (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                  13           2          CLOUDY
Larnaca                  15           4          CLOUDY
Limassol                 15           6          CLOUDY
Paphos                   15           6          CLOUDY

[06] Clerides receives hero’s welcome on return from EU Council

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Clerides receives heros welcome on return from EU Council

Larnaca, Dec 14 (CNA) Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides received a heros welcome here Saturday night on his return from Copenhagen where he secured on Friday the islands accession to the European Union during the European Council there.

Expressing sadness because a solution to the Cyprus problem was not achieved and thus a united Cyprus did not enter the EU, he said the confidence which the EU membership provides will enable the government take bold steps in the next weeks which will help towards a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Clerides also promised the government will not overlook that Turkish Cypriot who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus are entitled to enjoy the rights and advantages, which the acquis communautaire offers.

Accompanied by his entourage, the Presidents plane touched down late this afternoon as light rain fell in the coastal town of Larnaca.

All members of the Council of Ministers, deputies, prominent businesspeople, dignitaries and journalists packed the VIP lounge and applauded the President as he entered the room.

Speaking to the press, Clerides said, yesterdays day was historic, both for the European Union and for Cyprus.

He explained that for the EU, despite the difficulties, intricacies, and the conflicting interests, its historic enlargement was attained with the inclusion of ten states to the already 15 member states. For the EU, a new dynamic is being created which leads to the further strengthening of the cohesive bonds between the peoples and its member states, he said.

For Cyprus, Clerides added, after many years of efforts, a vision has come alive, the vision of Cyprus entry to the EU, where within its ranks it will be an equal member with the other member states.

Our joy over this historic development would have been complete if a solution to the Cyprus problem was achieved. I am deeply saddened because an overall settlement to the Cyprus problem was not secured. Despite our efforts in the last years, despite the flexibility which we have repeatedly showed, despite our willingness to compromise to find a solution to our problem, this aim could not be achieved, he added.

I express the hope that the Turkish Cypriot community and its leadership will realise the great advantages and prospects which derive from accession, and show the necessary flexibility in the immediate future to achieve the aim of solving the Cyprus problem, Clerides said.

He remarked that Cyprus accession to the EU provides an additional foundation of confidence to take bold steps in the next weeks, which will create a better climate and in turn will help towards a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Now comes the time for unity and contemplation and to strive for a better Cyprus, home for all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, Latin, the President said, and repeated the political commitment to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest.

President Clerides also promised the Cyprus government will not overlook our Turkish Cypriot compatriots who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that those who are entitled to, will enjoy the rights and advantages which the acquis communautaire offers to the states and its people.

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