Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriot President participates in CoE Warsaw Summit

[02] Cyprus Foreign Minister pays official visit to Israel

[03] Cyprus President: No conditions and restrictions for new Cyprus talks

[04] Cyprus President: Turkey must comply with EU regulations

[05] French driver wins Cyprus Rally 2005

[06] FM: Cyprus to play a role between EU and Middle East

[07] Exploitation of properties intensified after Talat took over

[08] CoE Summit opens in Warsaw

[09] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[10] Israel wishes to enhance relations with closest EU neighbour, Cyprus

[11] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[12] Cypriot President signs CoE conventions in Warsaw

[13] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[14] Énterpol European Regional Conference to take place in Cyprus

[15] Cyprus first wine producer in Mediterranean, archaeologists say

[16] Geogian embassy to open in Nicosia

[17] Cypriot President said property core issue of settlement talks

[01] Cypriot President participates in CoE Warsaw Summit

0850:CYPPRESS:01

Cypriot President participates in CoE Warsaw Summit

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Warsaw, May 16 (CNA) -- The Third Summit of the Council of Europe begins today in Warsaw, with the participation of heads of state and government of the 46 member-states, as well as five observers and three organisations with a special guest status.

Cyprus, a member-state itself, is represented by President Tassos Papadopoulos, who arrived in the Polish capital late last night and is expected to address the summit on Tuesday morning, during the Summit's third session.

Today, President Papadopoulos is expected to sign the three conventions on the prevention of terrorism, the trafficking of human beings and money laundering.

[02] Cyprus Foreign Minister pays official visit to Israel

0900:CYPPRESS:02

Cyprus Foreign Minister pays official visit to Israel

by Athena Arsalidou

Jerusalem, May 16 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou began today a two - day official visit to Israel at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom, during which he will also meet with leaders of the Palestinian Authority.

Among the issues to be discussed will be Cyprus' policy to act as a bridge among Europe and the Middle East, the enhancement of the Cyprus - Israeli bilateral affairs, the definition of the exclusive economic zone in the territorial waters, the Cyprus issue, as well as Cyprus' determination to offer its help to the people of Gaza, as soon as conditions allow that to happen.

[03] Cyprus President: No conditions and restrictions for new Cyprus talks

0945:CYPPRESS:03

Cyprus President:No conditions and restrictions for new Cyprus talks

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that there should be no conditions, restrictions or other predetermined issues during a new round of Cyprus talks, stressing that ''no talks will start if there were the prerequisites for success''.

Papadopoulos said the meetings of his emissary to the UN, Tasos Tzionis, beginning today, would be both procedural and substantial.

Speaking to the press yesterday prior to his departure for Warsaw, Poland, to attend the Third Summit of the Council of Europe, Papadopoulos said ''we have undertaken the commitment to keep these consultations confidential, to the extent possible,'' replying negatively to a question whether there is anything new as regards the procedure.

[04] Cyprus President: Turkey must comply with EU regulations

1010:CYPPRESS:04

Cyprus President: Turkey must comply with EU regulations

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that Turkey should comply with EU regulations in order to join the European Union as a full member.

Invited to comment on information that Turkey plans to take a unilateral decision towards the EU on October 3 instead of signing the Customs Union Protocol with the ten new member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, Papadopoulos said that the EU regulations ''are explicit and unequivocal and Turkey has the obligation to comply with these conditions.''

[05] French driver wins Cyprus Rally 2005

1015:CYPPRESS:05

French driver wins Cyprus Rally 2005

Limassol, May 16 (CNA) -- Citroen's Sebastien Loeb extended his overall lead in the FIA World Rally Championship, after cruising to an emphatic victory in the Cyprus Rally, round six of the 16-event series, in Limassol, yesterday.

Rocky stages and dry, dusty conditions caused a high rate of attrition among the leading cars and both former World Champions Marcus Gronholm and Petter Solberg were sidelined with engine problems on day one.

This paved the way for Loeb to pull away from the field and he eventually cruised to the finish 4m 09.5s ahead of second-placed Austrian Manfred Stohl, who took a career-best second overall in his OMV-backed Citroen Xsara.

[06] FM: Cyprus to play a role between EU and Middle East

1020:CYPPRESS:06

FM: Cyprus to play a role between EU and Middle East

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- Cyprus is expected to play an active role in issues concerning the Middle East, Foreign Minister George Iacovou has said.

Speaking before flying to Israel yesterday, Iacovou described his official visit to this neighbouring country as important due to the role Cyprus is expected to play between the European Union and the Middle East.

''Our European partners see us as a European Middle-Eastern country. They consider that we have good knowledge of the problems of our region and everybody expects that Cyprus will play an active role in issues concerning the Middle East '', Iacovou said.

[07] Exploitation of properties intensified after Talat took over

1030:CYPPRESS:07

Exploitation of properties intensified after Talat took over

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that after Mehmet Ali Talat became Turkish Cypriot leader the illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties in Cyprus' Turkish- occupied areas has been planned and goes on intensively, adding that those interested in the creation of tension must apply to Talat.

Papadopoulos said that ''the right of owners to claim their properties in every legal and legitimate way that the EU and European Court of Human Rights institutional conditions offer is a human right and no one has the authority or the right to mediate, intervene or deprive the owner to have this right.''

Invited to comment Talat's statement that he would not mind to have an exchange of properties, Papadopoulos said that ''this is a fundamental demand of the Turkish side even before the Annan plan was tabled,'' adding that ''we will never accept such an arrangement.''

[08] CoE Summit opens in Warsaw

1200:CYPPRESS:08

CoE Summit opens in Warsaw

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Warsaw, May 16 (CNA) -- The Third Summit of the Council of Europe began today in Warsaw, with the participation of heads of state and government from the 46 member-states of the Council of Europe, as well as five observers and three guest organisations.

Cyprus is represented by President Tassos Papadopoulos, who is scheduled to address the Summit tomorrow, in the context of the third session.

The Summit was opened this morning at the Royal Castle in the centre of the historic town of Warsaw by Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski who said borders should be linking rather than dividing and that unity beyond boundaries strengthens unity and solidarity.

[09] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1245:CYPPRESS:09

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Tuesday and Wednesday: 17/05/2005 - 18/05/2005

Mainly fine weather. Misty conditions will prevail locally overnight. Southwesterly to northwesterly gentle to moderate breezes, 3 to 4 BF during daytime and northwesterly to northeasterly light to gentle breezes 2 to 3 bf overnight. The sea state will be generally slight.

Temperature will range between 15C and 32C inland, between 15C and 29C over the coastal areas and between 12C and 25C over the mountainous areas.

Outlook for Thursday and Friday: 19/05/2005 - 20/05/2005

Mainly fine weather. Temperature will note a gradual increase.

Sea temperature: 20C

[10] Israel wishes to enhance relations with closest EU neighbour, Cyprus

1400:CYPPRESS:10

Israel wishes to enhance relations with closest EU neighbour, Cyprus

By Athena Arsalidou

Jerusalem, May 16 (CNA) -- The government of Israel wishes to enhance its relations with Cyprus, especially after the island's accession to the European Union a year ago, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom stressed today, receiving in Jerusalem his Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou who is paying a two-day official visit to Israel.

"After you joined the Union you became the closest neighbour of Israel to the EU. We have a lot in common. We have to work together to enhance our relations and have a better cooperation. I hope that we will have this opportunity today to start a dialogue," Shalom said.

The Cypriot Minister said that by entering the EU, Cyprus brought Israel closer to Europe and added that the partners of Cyprus in the Union expect that it plays a role in matters concerning the Middle East.

[11] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1435:CYPPRESS:11

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, May 16 (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                       273.927,55

GSE GENERAL INDEX                       86,08    -0,50    256.522,07
FTSE/CySE 20                           409,44    -0,19    137.326,80
MAIN MARKET INDEX                    1.227,17    -0,18    133.724,22
PARALLEL MARKET INDEX                1.023,32    -1,15      6.256,33
INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX    1.017,42    -1,02     15.151,57
MAIN AND PARALLEL MARKETS INDEX      1.219,43    -0,21    139.980,55
BANKS INDEX                          1.252,61    -0,21     96.538,37
HOTELS INDEX                           985,50    -0,62        767,10
ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX             1.007,76    -0,83    115.312,47
FTSE Med (13/5/2005)                 7.432,35    -0,01

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices
as compared to the last meeting.

[12] Cypriot President signs CoE conventions in Warsaw

1520:CYPPRESS:12

Cypriot President signs CoE conventions in Warsaw

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Warsaw, May 16 (CNA) -- Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos signed today in Warsaw three conventions on the prevention of terrorism, the trafficking of human beings and money laundering, in the framework of the Third Summit of the Council of Europe.

The Cypriot President arrived in Warsaw late last night for the Summit, which began today in the Polish capital, with the participation of heads of state and government of the 46 member states, including Cyprus, as well as five observers and three organisations with a special guest status.

[13] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1655:CYPPRESS:13

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (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          16          FAIR
Larnaca                 27          15          FINE
Limassol                25          17          FINE
Paphos                  25          16          FINE
---------------------------------------------------------------

[14] Énterpol European Regional Conference to take place in Cyprus

1700:CYPPRESS:14

Énterpol European Regional Conference to take place in Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- Senior law enforcement officials from Europe will meet here, from May 25-27, at the 34th Interpol European Regional Conference.

A Cyprus Police press release said the conference would focus on operational issues such as coordinated police response and support in major international crises such as the Asian tsunami, and on crime areas including trafficking in human beings, drugs and organized crime.

[15] Cyprus first wine producer in Mediterranean, archaeologists say

1725:CYPPRESS:15

Cyprus first wine producer in Mediterranean, archaeologists say

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) Cyprus has unveiled yet another archaeological surprise, according to Italian archaeologists, conducting scientific work on findings of the Cyprus Department of Antiquities.

They believe that Cyprus was the first wine producer in the Mediterranean, around 6,000 years ago, and wine drinking habits and objects unique to the island in 2000 BC have influenced other cultures and exist to this day.

[16] Geogian embassy to open in Nicosia

1850:CYPPRESS:16

Geogian embassy to open in Nicosia

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) The Council of Ministers has approved the opening of a Georgian embassy in Nicosia.

An official statement said that the Cabinet also approved the appointment of Lasha Zhvania as the first ambassador of Georgia to Cyprus, based in Tel Aviv.

[17] Cypriot President said property core issue of settlement talks

2000:CYPPRESS:17

Cypriot President said property core issue of settlement talks

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Warsaw, May 16 (CNA) -- Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said today that those claiming that they avidly want the resumption of talks to solve the Cyprus problem should not act unilaterally to create faits accomplis in order to eradicate the property issue of a UN solution plan, which will be at the centre of talks, if they resume.

In statements in Warsaw, on the sidelines of the Third Summit of the Council of Europe, President Papadopoulos said his speech tomorrow to the Summit would focus on the need for the immediate implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions.

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