Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-11-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriot Finance Minister presents 2005 budget to House plenary

[02] Cyprus says Turkey has many Copenhagen criteria obligations

[03] German official says Ankara must recognise Cyprus Republic

[01] Cypriot Finance Minister presents 2005 budget to House plenary

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Cypriot Finance Minister presents 2005 budget to House plenary

Nicosia, Nov 25 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Finance Iacovos Keravnos presented the state budget for the year 2005 before the plenary of the House of Representatives today, stating that the government is seeking the cooperation of the political parties and the widest possible consensus of all productive powers in order to achieve the goals it has set.

The Minister noted that the government would continue throughout 2005 its policy to restore the economy, in a modern growth context, to the situation that would safeguard the income of all workers for a dignified standard of living.

Keravnos said the political framework of the budget was based on the administration programme of President Tassos Papadopoulos and the obligations deriving from Cyprus being a full member of the EU.

He said the budget provided for 2.70 billion Cyprus pounds revenue and 3.50 billion pounds expenditure, while net revenues and expenditure would reach 2 and 3.10 billion pounds respectively.

Keravnos noted that according to the 2005 state budget without the implementation of measures to clean up the economy, the public deficit would reach 5.8% of the Gross Domestic Product compared to 4.8% in 2004 and 6.3% in 2003.

[02] Cyprus says Turkey has many Copenhagen criteria obligations

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Cyprus says Turkey has many Copenhagen criteria obligations

Nicosia, Nov 25 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou said today that Turkey has many legal obligations deriving from the Copenhagen criteria, and Cyprus' positions have been argued at the EU Council of Ministers on October 11, adding that among these positions is the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey.

In comments to CNA on foreign press reports about his statements in Berlin after a meeting with his German counterpart Yoschka Fischer, Iacovou said a reporter asked if the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus was a precondition for the commencement of Turkey's EU accession negotiations and if Germany would show understanding in case Cyprus refused to negotiate with a country that did not recognise her.

Iacovou said Fischer answered the question, saying that it is obvious that the negotiations are carried out by all 25 EU member states.

The reply was considered satisfactory and Iacovou made a general comment, saying that ''we must not necessarily speak about a crisis but a constructive utilisation of the situation provided to the benefit of all.''

[03] German official says Ankara must recognise Cyprus Republic

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German official says Ankara must recognise Cyprus Republic

Nicosia, Nov 25 (CNA) - President of the European Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag Matthias Wissmann said today that the non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey was totally in contradiction with Ankara's obligations towards the EU.

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