Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Iacovou: EU recognizes G/C side's contribution to resumption of talks

[02] Papadopoulos - Denktash meeting put off

[03] Spokesman: postponement of meeting due to Denktash's move

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[06] Foreign Minister sees ''uneasy and nervous'' Denktash at talks

[07] Asylum-seekers in Cyprus up 364 percent

[08] Education and Justice ministers to visit Slovakia and Brussels

[09] Russia says unresolved Cyprus question cause of tension

[10] House President anticipates UN intervention in talks

[11] Mavronicolas says Greek Cypriot side creating good climate

[12] National Council convenes on Saturday to discuss Cyprus talks

[13] Greek Cypriot side to respond to Denktash letter, says Spokesman

[01] Iacovou: EU recognizes G/C side's contribution to resumption of talks

0910:CYPPRESS:01

Iacovou: EU recognizes G/C side's contribution to resumption of talks

Larnaca, Feb 25 (CNA) -- The European Union values the Greek Cypriot side's contribution to the resumption of the Cyprus peace talks, recognises that the deadlines are really short but wishes for a settlement by 1 May 2004, Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou has said.

Speaking upon his return last night from Brussels Iacovou referred to the intervention at the EU Council of Ministers of EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, who noted that even though there are a lot of issues to be agreed on, it is possible to reach an agreement within the deadlines set by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

[02] Papadopoulos - Denktash meeting put off

1200:CYPPRESS:02

Papadopoulos - Denktash meeting put off

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) -- Today's meeting between Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, within the framework of the UN-led Cyprus talks, has been put off, after the Greek Cypriot asked to be given time in order to look into a document tabled by Denktash late last night.

CNA has learned that in his new document Denktash raises again all issues for discussion, even the core issues, reiterating his long-standing positions.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told CNA that in view of the positions Denktash had put forward and the need for the Greek Cypriot side to give answers, today's meeting would not take place.

UNFICYP's spokesman Brian Kelly told CNA ''today's meeting has been put off until tomorrow at the request of one of the parties.''

President Papadopoulos conferredg this morning at the Presidential Palace with the Greek Cypriot side's negotiating team. Greek Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos was also at the Presidential Palace.

Meanwhile Denktash, who was informed on the phone by Alvaro de Soto, the Special Advisor of the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus problem, while going to the meeting's venue at Nicosia Airport, that today's meeting was put off, said the Greek Cypriot time had asked for some time to look into the document he submitted yesterday.

[03] Spokesman: postponement of meeting due to Denktash's move

1410:CYPPRESS:03

Spokesman: postponement of meeting due to Denktash's move

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) -- Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said here today that this morning's meeting, in the context of the ongoing UN-led peace talks, was postponed because of written positions Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had communicated to the Greek Cypriot side late last night.

The spokesman said the talks, due to have taken place at 1000 local time in the presence of UN Secretary General's special adviser Alvaro de Soto, would continue tomorrow.

''Today's meeting has been postponed because of the positions put forward by Denktash. We expect the talks to continue tomorrow,'' Chrysostomides said.

Asked if the Greek Cypriot side will reply to Denktash's document, the spokesman said ''certainly, we will respond appropriately to the positions Denktash presented us with in the early hours of today.''

Asked if the answer to Denktash will be communicated in a letter or at the negotiating table, he said this would be decided in time.

Replying to questions, the spokesman said the Greek Cypriot side will reply to all points raised by the Turkish Cypriot leader.

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1435:CYPPRESS:04

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               88,03   ( 0,77)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.194.921

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    806.364   380,46   ( 1,77)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.293,06   (-1,90)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     680.913  109,57   ( 1,63)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     129.606   76,77   ( 0,58)
Insurance Companies           CYP       2.561   16,19   (-1,34)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      34.801   57,76   ( 0,38)
Tourism Companies             CYP       6.444   64,09   (-0,12)
Trading Companies             CYP      46.963   23,65   ( 0,90)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      16.397   70,69   (-0,39)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      11.831    3,32   ( 1,22)
Financial Services Companies  CYP      26.731   10,88   ( 0,37)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP          15   11,62   (-4,91)
Hotels                        CYP       6.181   36,08   (-0,88)
Other Companies               CYP      82.205   72,31   (-0,30)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1437:CYPPRESS:05

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 25 (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                 18             6           FAIR
Larnaca                 18            10           FINE
Limassol                19            10           FINE
Paphos                  18             9           FINE

[06] Foreign Minister sees ''uneasy and nervous'' Denktash at talks

1435:CYPPRESS:06

Foreign Minister sees ''uneasy and nervous'' Denktash at talks

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou believes that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash does not feel at ease at the negotiating table nor does he appear comfortable with what goes on during discussions at the UN-led peace negotiations.

The minister was speaking in the wake of reports that Denktash had tabled documents at the talks which fall short of the philosophy of the UN proposal under discussion.

[07] Asylum-seekers in Cyprus up 364 percent

1650:CYPPRESS:07

Asylum-seekers in Cyprus up 364 percent

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) - Cyprus recorded an increase of 364 percent in the year 2003 regarding immigrants seeking asylum, from 950 in 2002 to 4,410 in 2003, according to figures announced by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

[08] Education and Justice ministers to visit Slovakia and Brussels

1655:CYPPRESS:08

Education and Justice ministers to visit Slovakia and Brussels

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) Justice and Public Order Minister Doros Theodorou leaves for Bratislava today at the invitation of the Slovak Interior Minister to sign an agreement between the two countries on combating organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.

[09] Russia says unresolved Cyprus question cause of tension

1700:CYPPRESS:09

Russia says unresolved Cyprus question cause of tension

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) - The Russian Federation considers the Cyprus question a serious international problem, which if unsolved creates tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[10] House President anticipates UN intervention in talks

1740:CYPPRESS:10

House President anticipates UN intervention in talks

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) House President Demetris Christofias said Cyprus expects the UN to intervene so that negotiations can take place without the two sides merely outlining their already well known ideas.

Speaking after meeting Australias special representative for Cyprus Jim Short and Greeces Ambassador in Nicosia Christos Panagopoulos, Christofias said the Greek Cypriot side naturally wants to examine a document submitted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash last night and wishes to outline its views and positions on the dangers this document may pose.''

[11] Mavronicolas says Greek Cypriot side creating good climate

1745:CYPPRESS:11

Mavronicolas says Greek Cypriot side creating good climate

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Defence Kyriakos Mavronicolas said today that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to contribute to creating a good atmosphere and thus has substantially reduced its defence budget.

[12] National Council convenes on Saturday to discuss Cyprus talks

1830:CYPPRESS:12

National Council convenes on Saturday to discuss Cyprus talks

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) - The National Council convenes on February 28 to be briefed by President Tassos Papadopoulos and evaluate the course of talks to solve the Cyprus problem, in the light of the stance Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is maintaining in the negotiations.

[13] Greek Cypriot side to respond to Denktash letter, says Spokesman

2030:CYPPRESS:13

Greek Cypriot side to respond to Denktash letter, says Spokesman

Nicosia, Feb 25 (CNA) The Greek Cypriot side will reply to the document submitted Tuesday night by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and will give a proper response to this paper, which is essentially a repetition of Denktashs positions with regard to the peace effort for a Cyprus settlement.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told reporters after the Council of Ministers meeting that negotiations will continue tomorrow as scheduled, in the context of the ongoing UN-led peace talks.

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