Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-01-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriot Foreign Minister says EU accession changes much

[02] Cyprus FM and Central Bank Governor discuss Cypriot economy

[03] China supports an agreed solution on Cyprus

[04] EU Mayors to examine ways of granting aid to tsunami-hit areas

[05] Iacovou briefs Archbishop Audi on Cyprus problem

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[08] Lebanese Minister says EU has role in Middle East question

[09] Indefinite strike at Cypriot public sector averted, agreement reached

[01] Cypriot Foreign Minister says EU accession changes much

0920:CYPPRESS:01

Cypriot Foreign Minister says EU accession changes much

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Beirut, Jan 14 (CNA) -- Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou has said that Cyprus' accession to the European Union has brought about great changes and it is now incomprehensible for the Cyprus problem to be pending, adding that the problem can be solved on the basis of UN resolutions and European principles.

In statements to CNA, Iacovou said that the Greek Cypriot side is ready for a settlement and has made many concessions, but pointed out that it would accept neither partition nor the creation of two separate states under the disguise of a confederation.

[02] Cyprus FM and Central Bank Governor discuss Cypriot economy

1035:CYPPRESS:02

Cyprus FM and Central Bank Governor discuss Cypriot economy

Nicosia Jan 14 (CNA) -- Cypriot Finance Minister Makis Keravnos and Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Christodoulou discussed here Thursday the latest developments in the local economy and the government's action plan aiming at Cyprus' entry to the Eurozone in 2007.

[03] China supports an agreed solution on Cyprus

1110:CYPPRESS:03

China supports an agreed solution on Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 14 (CNA)-- China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has expressed his country's firm support for an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions and UN Charter principles.

According to an official press release issued here today, Zhaoxing met yesterday with Ambassador Sotos Zakheos, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the sidelines of the international meeting of Small Developing Island States, taking place in Mauritius.

[04] EU Mayors to examine ways of granting aid to tsunami-hit areas

1200:CYPPRESS:04

EU Mayors to examine ways of granting aid to tsunami-hit areas

Nicosia, Jan 14 (CNA)-- Nicosia mayor Michalakis Zampelas departs today for Paris to participate in Saturday's conference of mayors of the capitals of European Union member-states and other international organizations, with a view to explore ways for the effective and swift distribution of aid to the countries in Southeast Asia, devastated by the tsunamis.

[05] Iacovou briefs Archbishop Audi on Cyprus problem

1250:CYPPRESS:05

Iacovou briefs Archbishop Audi on Cyprus problem

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Beirut, Jan 14 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou met today in Beirut with Orthodox Archbishop Audi, with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem and the prospects for a settlement, as well as Turkey's European Union accession course and the consequences this will have.

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1505:CYPPRESS:06

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 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                 16            5           CLOUDY
Larnaca                 18            9           CLOUDY
Limassol                19            9           CLOUDY
Paphos                  19            9           CLOUDY

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1510:CYPPRESS:07

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Jan 14 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS=1000

TRADED VALUE                       507.218,22

GSE GENERAL INDEX                       76,79     0,85    460.016,90
FTSE/CySE 20                           355,51    -0,01    329.923,60
MAIN MARKET INDEX                    1.064,02     0,01    317.495,62
PARALLEL MARKET INDEX                  985,82     2,20     20.248,09
INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX    1.009,98     3,01     38.071,38
MAIN AND PARALLEL MARKETS INDEX      1.060,86     0,08    337.743,71
BANKS INDEX                          1.075,95    -0,31    220.258,59
HOTELS INDEX                           969,07     1,34      9.322,00
ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX               923,74     0,93     98.854,67
FTSE Med (12/01/2005)                7.114,56     0,63

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices

[08] Lebanese Minister says EU has role in Middle East question

1835:CYPPRESS:08

Lebanese Minister says EU has role in Middle East question

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Beirut, Jan 14 (CNA) -- Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Hammoud, who met today in Beirut with his Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou, said that the European Union could play a fundamental, important and practical role in efforts to solve the conflict between the Israelis and the Arabs.

Speaking after the meeting, Iacovou reaffirmed that both countries would continue to cooperate in the political and other fields, adding that the Republic of Cyprus intended to open a commercial office in Beirut soon and to send people to examine the possibility of common activities in the tourism sector.

Hammoud welcomed Iacovou, who he said had brought Europe to the Lebanese borders.

He added that Lebanon had much in common with Europe and especially Cyprus, and expressed gratitude to the islands government for helping the Lebanese during troublesome periods.

Hammoud said the Cyprus problem was an area that interested Lebanon and noted that talks today also revolved around the situation in Iraq and how it will emerge after the upcoming elections in the country.

«We confirmed the common position for unity, sovereignty and independence to prevail in Iraq», he said.

He added that they also discussed the Palestinian question and the situation after the election of the President of the Palestinian Authority.

The Lebanese Minister said he expressed his countrys views on the role Europe must play, noting that it was fundamental, important and practical.

He pointed out that Europe could help in practice, in a serious and responsible manner, towards finding a settlement of the conflict between the Israelis and Arabs.

We heard good words from Mr. Iacovou on these issues, he said.

Hammoud said they also discussed bilateral relations and the necessity to implement bilateral agreements that have been signed, as well as the need to conclude the legal and constitutional procedures necessary for the signing and implementation of agreements pending between the two countries.

We express our joy that Mr. Iacovou is among us, as well as for the talks we had and our cooperation with his European identity and his heart beating in the Middle East, Hammoud concluded.

Iacovou said they had an extensive exchange of views, noting that the accession of Cyprus to the EU is a major achievement for the people of Cyprus.

We have worked very hard to create the institutions and the economic base, which would have taken us into the Union successfully. So, we are a member of the Union as of the 1st of May of last year, but no one has moved Cyprus geographically from this area and no one has changed the sentiments of Cyprus towards the peoples of this area, he said.

He noted that he shared his colleagues view that we enjoy excellent relations at all levels, at political, governmental but also at the level of the people because of the fact that we played host to so many Lebanese people in Cyprus.

We shall continue to work together on political issues but also on many practical issues we have a very sufficient framework of agreements so that we can cooperate at the practical level, Iacovou said.

Iacovou noted it is our intention to open a commercial office in Beirut very soon, adding that we will also send people to examine the possibility of having joint activities in the field of tourism, in which we have developed quite a significant level of expertise.

He added that we have discussed specific issues, the situation in Iraq, the lack of progress in the Palestinian question and how we can move forward the situation in The Lebanon.

Iacovou said he also briefed his interlocutors on the situation in the Cyprus problem, as it develops particularly after the accession of Cyprus to the EU but also Turkeys application to commence negotiations for accession.

The Cypriot Minister returns home tonight.

CNA/RG/EC/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

[09] Indefinite strike at Cypriot public sector averted, agreement reached

2035:CYPRESS:09

Indefinite strike at Cypriot public sector averted, agreement reached

Nicosia, Jan 14 (CNA) --Government and trade unions on the island reached an agreement today to a wage freeze until 2006 after exhaustive mediation averted a scheduled indefinite strike.

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