Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus wins gold, silver medals at Med Games

[02] Cypriot President welcomes approval of EU Constitution

[03] Cyprus President's statement on EU Constitution approval (Full Text)

[04] Cypriot President bestows state medal on Swedish Archaeologist

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Commission welcomes Cyprus' EU Constitution ratification

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[08] Cyprus settlement strategic goal, new Greek Ambassador says

[09] Cyprus certain of objective British EU presidency

[10] Britain wants to hear how to reach agreed Cyprus solution

[11] Talat repeating Denktash's tactics, Spokesman says

[12] Cyprus police seizes large quantity of drugs

[01] Cyprus wins gold, silver medals at Med Games

0835:CYPPRESS:01

Cyprus wins gold, silver medals at Med Games

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- Cypriot Kyriacos Ioannou won yesterday a gold medal in men's high jump event, with a 2.24 m. jump, at the Mediterranean Games being held in Almeria, Spain.

Cyprus also won the silver medal at the same event with Ioannis Constantinou reaching 2.21 m.

Cyprus is in the 12th position of the medals table with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

[02] Cypriot President welcomes approval of EU Constitution

1240:CYPPRESS:02

Cypriot President welcomes approval of EU Constitution

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed deep satisfaction with the adoption yesterday by the island's parliament of the EU Constitutional Treaty.

''I would like to express my deep satisfaction and that of the overnment for the adoption by the House of Representatives of the law, which ratifies the European Union Constitutional Treaty, based on the constitutional provisions in force,'' President Papadopoulos says in a written statement issued today.

He says ''I am particularly pleased that this decision was taken following a constructive and an in depth discussion during which all views were heard and the pros and cons of all options were stated.''

President Papadopoulos adds that the government, recognising the need for citizens to be aware of the content of the Treaty and participate in a procedure that directly affects their future, embarked on a wide campaign to inform and discuss with citizens an issue that directly concerns and affects society as a whole as well as the Republic of Cyprus.

The Constitutional Treaty is a result of the most enlarged dialogue which has ever taken place in the history of European integration, the Cypriot President notes.

''This creates a legacy which should lead to our future course towards a Europe of social solidarity and progress which should come from its citizens, and be directed towards its citizens,'' he adds.

''We hope that this procedure for the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, which has recently faced serious difficulties, will have an auspicious outcome thus imparting further momentum to European integration and reinforcing the position of the Union, internationally'', President Papadopoulos concludes his written statement.

After a two-day debate the island's House of Representatives approved by majority (30 in favour, 19 against, 1 abstention) last night the European Constitution. 

Cyprus is the first European Union member-state to ratify the European Constitution after the decision of the European Council (16-17 June) in Brussels to allow some time for reflection, following the failure of EU leaders to approve the Constitution at their summit, nearly two weeks ago.

[03] Cyprus President's statement on EU Constitution approval (Full Text)

1240:CYPPRESS:03

Cyprus President's statement on EU Constitution approval (Full Text)

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) --

I would like to express my deep satisfaction and that of the Government for the adoption by the House of Representatives of the law, which ratifies the European Union Constitutional Treaty, based on the constitutional provisions in force.

I am particularly pleased that this decision was taken following a constructive and an in depth discussion during which all views were heard and the pros and cons of all options were stated.

The Government, recognizing the need for citizens to be aware of the content of the Treaty and participate in a procedure that directly affects their future, embarked on a wide campaign to inform and discuss with citizens an issue that directly concerns and affects society as a whole as well as the Republic of Cyprus.

The Constitutional Treaty is a result of the most enlarged dialogue which has ever taken place in the history of European integration. This creates a legacy which should lead to our future course towards a Europe of social solidarity and progress which should come from its citizens, and be directed towards its citizens.

We hope that this procedure for the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, which has recently faced serious difficulties, will have an auspicious outcome thus imparting further momentum to European integration and reinforcing the position of the Union, internationally.

CNA GP/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

[04] Cypriot President bestows state medal on Swedish Archaeologist

1310:CYPPRESS:04

Cypriot President bestows state medal on Swedish Archaeologist

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- Swedish Archaeologist Paul Astrom was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Merit of the Republic of Cyprus for his contribution in the island's history and archaeology.

The medal was awarded Thursday by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos at a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1420:CYPPRESS:05

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Jul 1 (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                       482.456,94

GSE GENERAL INDEX                       84,67    -0,83    472.838,15
FTSE/CySE 20                           402,47    -0,80    397.766,81
MAIN MARKET INDEX                    1.207,36    -0,81    413.713,43
PARALLEL MARKET INDEX                1.006,27    -1,33      7.022,01
INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX      955,02    -0,93     27.694,04
MAIN AND PARALLEL MARKETS INDEX      1.199,65    -0,83    420.735,45
BANKS INDEX                          1.233,11    -0,73    352.599,19
HOTELS INDEX                           993,51     0,48      3.138,00
ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX               928,96    -1,07     26.882,72
FTSE Med (30/6/2005)                 7.655,33    -0,02

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

[06] Commission welcomes Cyprus' EU Constitution ratification

1455:CYPPRESS:06

Commission welcomes Cyprus' EU Constitution ratification

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- The European Commission has welcomed yesterday's ratification by the Cypriot House of Representatives of the European Constitutional Treaty, noting that the message Cyprus sends is an important sign of its commitment to Europe.

In a declaration, the Commission says that ''Cyprus yesterday became the 12th member state to ratify the EU Constitution,'' adding that ''this demonstrates the determination of Cyprus to see the benefits of the Constitution become a reality.''

''The message from Cyprus is an important sign of its commitment to Europe, and we welcome this strong and encouraging message,'' it points out.

The Commission says that ''with regard to the Constitution, we are of course in a very different situation today, compared to the time before the French and Dutch negative referenda,'' adding that ''the European Council recently met to debate the ratification process on the EU Constitution, in light of the result of these.''

''It agreed a Declaration that provides for a period of reflection, while also giving member states the freedom to continue the ratification process if they so wish. Whatever the final outcome of the process, the Commission is determined to use the period of reflection to assist member states in developing a broad debate to listen to our citizens' concerns and reflect more generally on what Europe is for,'' it notes.

Concluding its declaration, the Commission says it ''will play its role and will visit all the member states to kick-start this 'Plan-D' of dialogue, debate and democracy,'' adding that it will then ''present a forward looking strategy paper to the June 2006 European Council that draws on the listening exercise.''

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1600:CYPPRESS:07

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jul 1 (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                 37          20          FINE
Larnaca                 32          21          FINE
Limassol                32          22          FINE
Paphos                  29          20          FINE
---------------------------------------------------------------

[08] Cyprus settlement strategic goal, new Greek Ambassador says

1720:CYPPRESS:08

Cyprus settlement strategic goal, new Greek Ambassador says

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- The solution of the Cyprus problem is a common goal, new Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Demetrios Rallis has said, adding that Greece will not spare any efforts until the a just, viable and comprehensive settlement to the problem is reached.

Rallis presented his credentials to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, who praised Greece's role in Cyprus' accession to the European Union and particularly its support towards the Cypriot positions after the 24 April 2004 referenda, when the Greek Cypriot community rejected UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement.

[09] Cyprus certain of objective British EU presidency

1745:CYPRESS:09

Cyprus certain of objective British EU presidency

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) - Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides appeared today certain that Britain, which as of today assumes the European Union's rotating presidency, would follow an objective tactic, focusing its efforts, as the other presidencies, on the interests of Europe.

Replying to questions, Chrysostomides also said that it is much easier for a member state to express its national interests when it is just a member than when this state holds the EU presidency.

[10] Britain wants to hear how to reach agreed Cyprus solution

1855:CYPPRESS:10

Britain wants to hear how to reach agreed Cyprus solution

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- Britain wants to continue to move the Cyprus settlement process, new British High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millett has said, adding that he looks forward to hearing ''in more detail'' how an agreed settlement could be reached.

Millet presented here today his credentials to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, who reiterated his commitment for an agreed settlement of the Cyprus problem that would be a result of negotiations and not of arbitration and strict deadlines.

[11] Talat repeating Denktash's tactics, Spokesman says

1940:CYPPRESS:11

Talat repeating Denktash's tactics, Spokesman says

Nicosia, Jul 1 (CNA) -- The ''letter-sending campaign'' initiated by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat constitutes a repetition of the positions expressed by former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the past thirty years, Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said here today.

Chrysostomides was commenting on a letter sent by Talat to all European Union member states except Cyprus, EU Commission President Jose Barroso and other EU officials with regard to the Cypriot House of Representative's ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty.

[12] Cyprus police seizes large quantity of drugs

2000:CYPPRESS:12

Cyprus police seizes large quantity of drugs

Limassol, Jul 1 (CNA) -- The Cypriot Drug Law Enforcement Unit seized today 107 kilos of cannabis and ''scan'' smuggled to the island in a container that reached the southern town of Limassol port from South Africa.

In statements, the Unit's Chief Charitos Yiangou said that this was one on the biggest drug quantities smuggled to Cyprus, adding that the Police will be in position to proceed with arrests when the container's custom clearing papers examination is completed.

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