Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus to proceed with minefield clearance, despite Turkish stance

[02] EU accession an opportunity for solution, Cyprus President says

[03] Finland hopes for united Cyprus to join EU

[04] New Zealand expresses regret over lack of Cyprus rolution

[05] Cyprus issue must be seen in wider European perspective, Barnier says

[06] EU Commissioner concludes working visit

[07] Britain supports implementation of ECHR judgment on Loizidou

[08] Italy considers uncompromising Turkey’s agreements with illegal regime

[09] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[10] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[11] Exhibition of Cyprus artifacts opens in New York

[12] Weston convinced that NGO observers will examine illegal elections in north

[01] Cyprus to proceed with minefield clearance, despite Turkish stance

0830:CYPPRESS:01

Cyprus to proceed with minefield clearance despite Turkish stance

Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA) -- Cyprus is determined to proceed with the issue of minefield clearance within the buffer zone, despite the Turkish Cypriot stance on the issue, an official press release says.

[02] EU accession an opportunity for solution, Cyprus President says

0920:CYPPRESS:02

EU accession an opportunity for solution, Cyprus President says

Nicosia, Oct 24, (CNA) -- Cyprus' accession to the EU provides an opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has stressed, expressing the hope that the Turkish side will abandon its intransigence and approach positively the peace plan for Cyprus, submitted by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

[03] Finland hopes for united Cyprus to join EU

1140:CYPPRESS:03

Finland hopes for united Cyprus to join EU

Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA) -- Finland has expressed hope that the Cyprus problem will finally be solved based on the plan submitted by the UN Secretary-General and a united Cyprus enters the European Union next May.

The Finnish position was set out by the new Ambassador of Finland to Cyprus Kari Johannes Veijalainen, who is based in Tel Aviv, while presenting yesterday his credentials to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

He said Cyprus has a respected position in Europe and in the world. "As an acceding country to the European Union Cyprus has further strengthened its status and has already for some time participated actively in the EU cooperation. I am happy to state that cooperation between our two countries has been excellent, not least in preparation of the Intergovernmental Conference."

The Finnish diplomat noted that bilateral relations between Finland and Cyprus have always been excellent. "Contacts between our two countries are manifold. Traditionally we have cooperated closely within the Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the process that started as a Conference held in Helsinki in mid 1970s. The United Nations and the Council of Europe are other important fora for our cooperation. But naturally our membership and forthcoming membership of Cyprus in the European Union will make our interaction deeper and broader than ever before in our relations."

He said as a concrete contribution of his country to the efforts of the United Nations to reach a peaceful settlement to the long overdue division of Cyprus, thousands of Finnish young men and their commanders served as UN peacekeepers on this island starting from the mid sixties, and "we still maintain a small presence in UNFICYP."

Today, he noted, "a new opportunity has been offered to the parties of the conflict for peaceful reunification of the two communities. We do hope in Finland that the opportunity will be seized and that the Cyprus problem will finally be solved based on the Plan submitted by the Secretary - General of the United Nations. There is time to conclude the negotiations before the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. Thus, Cyprus could enter the European Union next May united."

Veijalainen said Finland looks forward to the accession of Cyprus as one of its new partners in the enlarged European Union. "I am sure we will have many common interests in various fields. Your membership in the European Union will give us new possibilities for close and mutually beneficial cooperation in the future. My Government has already taken the decision to send a resident Ambassador to Cyprus soon after it will become member of the European Union. That will again give a new and important impetus to our relations."

Replying President Papadopoulos said Cyprus and Finland, both members of the great European family, are linked together by a long standing tradition of excellent relations and co-operation. "Our common support towards European integration and our firm adherence to the principles of democracy and respect of human rights strengthen even further this tradition. In this respect we greatly value the support rendered by the Government of Finland to the difficult course of Cyprus towards the European Union."

Undoubtedly, the accession of Cyprus to the EU will give a new impetus to our co-operation, particularly in the fields of commerce and tourism.

President Papadopoulos said Cyprus noted with appreciation Finland's interest and long-standing involvement in efforts to reach a just settlement of the Cyprus problem. "We acknowledge the significant contribution of thousands of Finns that served in UNFICYP since 1964. No doubt they have helped to forge bonds of mutual confidence and friendship between the two countries."

Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos said unfortunately, the latest initiative of the UN Secretary General, to achieve a settlement to the Cyprus problem, resulted in a deadlock solely due to the negative approach of the Turkish side. This attitude demonstrates the obvious lack of political will on the part of the Turkish side to negotiate in good faith with the aim of finding an honorable compromise.

"Despite this setback our side remains committed to engage in substantial negotiations on the basis of the Secretary Generals Plan, with the aim to achieve a functional and viable solution in line with the relevant UN resolutions and international law. We stand ready to work closely with the Secretary General of the UN towards this objective hoping that the other side will finally show the necessary political will," the Cypriot President added.

He stressed that "the forthcoming accession of Cyprus to the European Union offers a unique opportunity for the settlement of the Cyprus problem. We do hope that the other side will finally show the necessary political will and take advantage of this development."

CNA GP/2003

[04] New Zealand expresses regret over lack of Cyprus rolution

1215:CYPPRESS:04

New Zealand expresses regret over lack of Cyprus rolution

Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA) -- New Zealand has expressed disappointment that an opporunity for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem has been lost.

The Rome-based new High Commissioner of New Zealand to Cyprus Julie Clare MacKenzie stated that "like many, we had hoped that the Annan Plan of earlier this year would form a basis for resolution. Like others, we were disappointed that the opportunity was missed."

[05] Cyprus issue must be seen in wider European perspective, Barnier says

1400:CYPPRESS:05

Cyprus issue must be seen in wider European perspective, Barnier says

Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA) -- European Commissioner for Regional Policy and Institutional Reform Michel Barnier stated that during his meetings here he conveyed the message that the issues of the island have to be seen in the wider perspective of Europe as a whole and not just on a purely local basis and that the EU favours a settlement of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Secretary General's peace plan.

Speaking through an interpreter, Barnier said during a dinner he had last night in the occupied town of Kyrenia with representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties and two ''mayors'' he heard some very strongly opposed views and that ''the main argument was around the lack of confidence they felt for the Annan plan, in terms of guaranteeing security and in terms of political fairness as they see it.''

[06] EU Commissioner concludes working visit

1410:CYPPRESS:06

EU Commissioner concludes working visit

Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA) -- EU Commissioner for Regional Policy and Institutional Reform, Michel Barnier, on the island for a two-day working visit, met here today with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, House President Demetris Christofias and Foreign Minister Giorgos Iacovou.

[07] Britain supports implementation of ECHR judgment on Loizidou

1415:CYPPRESS:07

Britain supports implementation of ECHR judgment on Loizidou

By Kyriacos Tsioupras

London, Oct 24 (CNA) -- British Minister for Europe Denis MacShane said his government supports the implementation of the relevant judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the efforts currently underway in Strasbourg to achieve this.

Asked by Labour MP Andrew Dismore if Britain will make a statement about the current position in the case of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou at the ECHR, MacShane said an outcome which would satisfy the Committee of Ministers that the judgments of the Court had been properly respected is within our grasp.

[08] Italy considers uncompromising Turkey’s agreements with illegal regime

1500:CYPPRESS:08

Italy considers uncompromising Turkeys agreements with illegal regime

By Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Oct 24 (CNA) -- EU's Italian Presidency considers uncompromising with the acquis communautaire and contrary to the Annan Plan as well as harmful in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem the so-called framework agreement between Turkey and the illegal state in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas for a "customs union".

[09] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1540:CYPPRESS:09

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Oct 24(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                31         17              CLOUDY
Larnaca                29         18              CLOUDY
Limassol               27         18              CLOUDY
Paphos                 33         17              CLOUDY

[10] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1545:CYPPRESS:10
Cyprus Stock Exchange
Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               86,14   (-0,59)

Traded Value                  CYP    437.757

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    269.624   344,87   (-0,85)
FTSE Med 100                                 5.502,56   (-1,22)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    190.758    98,34   (-0,63)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     26.429    73,83   (-0,30)
Insurance Companies           CYP      4.011    16,43   (-0,54)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     42.945    58,23   (-0,38)
Tourism Companies             CYP     16.353    74,08   (-0,50)
Trading Companies             CYP     11.913    21,51   (-0,69)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     52.450    72,77   (-1,19)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      7.316     3,65   (-0,82)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     18.507    12,71   (-1,32)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP          0    12,35   (-0,88)
Hotels                        CYP      3.764    42,96   (-0,12)
Other Companies               CYP     51.091    79,22   (-0,35)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[11] Exhibition of Cyprus artifacts opens in New York

1700:CYPPRESS:11

Exhibition of Cyprus artifacts opens in New York

Apostolis Zoupaniotis

New York, Oct 24 (CNA) -- An exhibition entitled ''From Ishtar to Aphrodite 3200 Years of Cypriot Hellenism'' presenting art and artifacts from the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus opened here Wednesday at the Onassis Cultural Centre.

The exhibition, under the auspices of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, is co-organised by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities and the Onassis Foundation and was inaugurated by Under Secretary to Cyprus President Christodoulos Pasiardes, in the presence of the Director of the Cyprus Department of Antiquities and curator of the exhibition Sophocles Hadjisavvas and President of the Onassis Public Benefit Foundation Stelios Papademetriou, Archbishop of America Demetrios, Cypriot and Greek diplomats and other dignitaries.

[12] Weston convinced that NGO observers will examine illegal elections in north

2015:CYPPRESS:12

Weston convinced that NGO observers will examine illegal elections in north

Nicosia, Oct 24 (CNA)-- US State Department Special Coordinator on Cyprus Thomas Weston stated today that he is confident that European non-governmental organisations (NGO) will be monitoring the so-called elections scheduled for December 14 in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.

''I am convinced that there will be some NGO's who will be examining, studying the elections in the north'', Weston said.

Weston who wrapped up his official contacts on the island today, told a press conference that he does not expect the restart of the UN-led negotiations before the so called elections in the occupied areas.

The US envoy referred to his contacts in Ankara, Athens and Cyprus with a view to resume the UN-led talks for the solution of the Cyprus question, pointing out that in all three places, ''there is an understanding on the necessity to solve the Cyprus problem and a wish to do so''.

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