Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-12-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - MEMORIAL SERVICE

[02] CHRISTOFIAS - PAPADOPOULOS` GRAVE

[03] PRESIDENT - EU COUNCIL

[04] EU - CLIMATE CHANGE

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Thursday night, unknown persons violated the grave of Tassos Papadopoulos, who passed away last year, and removed the body, leaving only an empty coffin, which was found on Friday morning. The Police are investigating the case.

The memorial service was led by Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, in the presence of the island`s leadership, including President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian.

The government was represented by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides.

Also, present were Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Spyros Kouvelis on behalf of the Greek government, leaders and representatives of Cypriot and Greek political parties, Ministers, relatives, friends and former associates of Tassos Papadopoulos, and others.

In a memorial service address, Dr. Kypros Nicholaides said Tassos Papadopoulos was a leader who was aware of the fact that he was managing the future of a whole nation and thus did not buckle to threats or pressure.

Nicholaides praised Tassos Papadopoulos` work and contribution, noting especially the rejection of the Annan plan in 2004, which he believed would have dissolved the Republic of Cyprus and legalised the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus.

He said Tassos Papadopoulos raised the feeling of self-respect and dignity, left behind a heroic heritage of resistance to the pressure of third parties, and sent out the message that it is the people who decide on their fate and not conquerors or powerful forces.

The memorial service was followed by a trisagion and the laying of wreaths at the grave of Tassos Papadopoulos.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS - PAPADOPOULOS` GRAVE

It is an unacceptable, sacrilegious, immoral and condemnable act that is an affront to our morals, our traditions, our civilization and respect towards the dead, he stressed.

Speaking on Friday in Brussels, after the end of the EU Summit, President Christofias said that this action causes repulsion and it is very upsetting, it disrupts the unity of our people, which is so necessary on the home front.

President Christofias called on the people of Cyprus to remain calm, saying this act was a provocation. I cannot describe it any other way, he added.

[03] PRESIDENT - EU COUNCIL

Stressing that Cyprus is among the countries affected by climate change, President Christofias noted that Cyprus has contributed a symbolic amount to this fund. He added that European leaders will meet again in Copenhagen to review the situation a day before the conclusion of the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen and take any necessary decisions.

President Christofias stressed that the European Council adopted the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on EU enlargement, which includes references to Turkey as well.

[04] EU - CLIMATE CHANGE

In its conclusions, adopted Friday by the heads of state and government, the European Council refers to the UN Conference on Climate Change, which continues its deliberations in Copenhagen, noting that it constitutes an historic opportunity for the international community to act together to respond to the challenge of climate change.

Meanwhile, in statements to the press, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU Presidency, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, saying that all EU member states as well as the Commission will contribute to it. In statements at the press conference, European Commission President Manuel Barrosso described the Swedish Presidency as a successful one, saying that it has done a superb job.

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