Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-12-31

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] New UNFICYP Commander appointed

[02] To CNA subscribers and associates

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[05] FM describes Turkish leaks to media on Cyprus as intentional

[06] Cyprus offers additional aid to Iran

[07] Cyprus President wishes 2004 ends artificial division of island

[01] New UNFICYP Commander appointed

0920:CYPPRESS:01

New UNFICYP Commander appointed

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Dec 31 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has announced that Major-General Herbert Joaquin Figoli Almandos of Uruguay has been appointed Force Commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

[02] To CNA subscribers and associates

1200:CYPPRESS:02

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- CNA wishes its subscribers and associates health, happiness and success in the new year, sharing the expectation of a solution to the Cyprus problem that will allow all Cypriots to enjoy the benefits of membership of the European Union.

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1705:CYPPRESS:03
Cyprus Stock Exchange
Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               80,58   ( 1,02)

Traded Value                  CYP    569.474

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    253.789   326,51   ( 2,10)
FTSE Med 100                                 5.862,48   ( 1,04)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    204.010    93,15   ( 1,55)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     67.682    69,77   ( 0,49)
Insurance Companies           CYP     36.121    15,21   ( 1,27)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP    135.722    57,17   (-0,16)
Tourism Companies             CYP      1.756    63,99   ( 1,88)
Trading Companies             CYP     10.313    20,10   (-0,25)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     22.151    69,70   (-0,85)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      2.880     3,28   ( 4,46)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     41.167    10,79   ( 0,65)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP        680    12,75   ( 9,54)
Hotels                        CYP      6.301    37,09   ( 0,43)
Other Companies               CYP     39.467    73,32   ( 1,83)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[04] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1710:CYPPRESS:04

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 31 (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                16            8         FAIR
Larnaca                18           11         CLOUDY
Limassol               19           11         FINE
Paphos                 20           11         FAIR

[05] FM describes Turkish leaks to media on Cyprus as intentional

1750:CYPPRESS:05

FM describes Turkish leaks to media on Cyprus as intentional

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou said here today that the government evaluates Turkish moves and statements related to the Cyprus problem but considers that news leaks made by Ankara to the press are intentional in an effort to create new positions on the Cyprus problem and the possibility of resuming negotiations.

In statements here Wednesday, Iacovou expressed the view that there is mobility on the Cyprus problem without however an indication from the Turkish side that it has formulated a view for talks in finding a solution.

[06] Cyprus offers additional aid to Iran

1800:CYPPRESS:06

Cyprus offers additional aid to Iran

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- The Council of Ministers decided today to offer additional aid of up to 20,000 US dollars, to the people of Iran following the destructive earthquake that struck the country last Friday.

[07] Cyprus President wishes 2004 ends artificial division of island

1810:CYPPRESS:07

Cyprus President wishes 2004 ends artificial division of island

Nicosia, Dec 31, (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed the wish that the New Year will see the end of the ''anachronistic and artificial division of Cyprus''.

In a televised message to the people of Cyprus for the New Year, President Papadopoulos said that 2004 would be a year of serious challenges and important opportunities.

He reassured that he would not spare himself of any hard work or efforts to achieve the goal of reaching a solution to the Cyprus issue.

President Papadopoulos also conveyed to the ''Turkish Cypriot compatriots a message of friendship, appreciation'' and expressed hope that the New Year will allow them to share with the Greek Cypriots the benefits and advantages stemming from the accession of a reunified Cyprus to the EU.

''Already in my letter to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, I have reconfirmed the steadfast and irrevocable will of the Greek Cypriot side to engage in negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan, whenever he decides, with the aim to reach a more functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, if it is possible before 1 May 2004'' the President stressed.

He expressed the wish that the ''much desired reunification will come bringing again hope and joy to the people of Cyprus who have suffered so much pain''.

Referring to the year of 2004, he expressed the view that it would be a historic landmark for Cyprus, since ''a vision of at least three decades will be fulfilled, with Cyprus becoming a full EU member state as of 1 May 2004''.

Cyprus President said that Cyprus' European course has been the greatest achievement of the Cypriot people since the declaration of the Republic of Cyprus.

He warned though that this achievement ''should not lead to complacency, self-satisfaction or inertia while endeavouring to attain a functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem''.

President Papadopoulos stressed that the Greek government, political parties and people have been the active supporters of Cyprus' efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem and to accede to the EU.

''We also have the full support of Greeks abroad, who strengthen with their multifarious activities, the struggle and the efforts of the people of Cyprus'', he added.

The President conveyed his wishes for the New Year to all Cypriots, to the soldiers, the refugees, the enclaved, the relatives of the missing persons as well as to the ones on duty in vital services this evening.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article