Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-01-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus-Estonia begin talks

[02] Armed Chief: Cyprus Armed forces maintain top operational level

[03] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[04] Cyprus and India achieve progress in setting up IT park on the island

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[07] Cyprus President hopes for return of Turkish side to negotiations

[08] Cyprus and Estonia sign agreements on culture, education, organized crime

[09] Estonia’s President hopes EU will help solve Cyprus problem

[10] Cyprus and Estonia to enhance trade links

[11] Cyprus and Estonia discuss cooperation in education and culture

[12] PACE Political Affairs Committee approves Eorsi'sdraft report on Cyprus

[13] Cyprus and Estonia Ministers say aviation and maritime sectors to be broadened

[14] Cyprus and Estonia's Interior Ministers discuss mutual interest issues

[01] Cyprus-Estonia begin talks

1015:CYPPRESS:01

Cyprus-Estonia begin talks

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) -- The Presidents of Cyprus and Estonia, heading their respective delegations, began here today talks on bilateral relations as both countries look to their accession to the European Union later this year.

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos welcomed today at the Presidential Palace in a formal ceremony his Estonian counterpart Arnold Ruutel and his multi-party delegation, while the police band played the national anthems of the two countries.

[02] Armed Chief: Cyprus Armed forces maintain top operational level

1330:CYPPRESS:02

Armed Chief: Cyprus Armed forces maintain top operational level

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA)-- Despite the improvement of the feeling of security on the island due to the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, the continued occupation of the northern part of Cyprus and the illegal presence of Turkish troops, compels the Cypriot National Guard to maintain its forces at top operational level, National Guard Commander, Lieutenant General Athanasios Nicolodemos, said here Thursday.

Nicolodemos welcomed today Chief of Defence Forces of Estonia Vice-Admiral Tarmous Kouts, who is in Cyprus within the framework of Estonian President Arnold Ruutel's official visit to the island.

[03] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1445:CYPPRESS:03

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) - The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Friday and Saturday: 09/01/2004 to 10/01/2004 -------------------- On Friday, the weather will be locally partly cloudy, with showers while over the mountains some light snow showers are likely. The wind will be mainly northwesterly to northerly, gentle to moderate, 3 to 4 bf and the state of sea slight. The temperature will reach 11 degrees inland, 13 over the coastal areas and zero over the mountains.

During night time the weather will be mainly fine with some patchy cloud. The wind will be northwest 2 to 3 bf and the state of sea up to slight. The minimum temperature will range from minus over the mountains to 2 degrees inland and to 4 over the coastal areas. Frost will persist over the mountains but is also likely inland.

On Saturday, the weather will be mainly fine, with some patchy cloud. The wind will be southwest to northwest gentle 3 bf and the sea will remain slight. The temperature will reach 12 degrees inland, 15 over the coastal areas and 2 degrees over the mountains.

Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 11/01/2004 to 12/01/2004 ------------------------------ On Sunday and Monday the weather will be mainly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms while shnowshowers are likely over the mountains. The temperature will remain without any change.

[04] Cyprus and India achieve progress in setting up IT park on the island

1400:CYPPRESS:04

Cyprus and India achieve progress in setting up IT park on the island

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) -- The intention of Cyprus and India to set up an information technology park (IT park) in Cyprus is progressing well, and in February both sides will present their positions on the issue.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Yiorgos Lillikas said today that until the end of February India will submit a feasibility study covering the cost and the characteristics of the IT park, while Cyprus will prepare several scenarios regarding cooperation on governmental and private level.

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1430:CYPPRESS:05

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               84,85   (-1,20)

Traded Value                  CYP  2.254.697

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP  2.007.398   347,62   (-1,56)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.119,41   ( 0,65)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP  1.909.289   100,28   (-1,14)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     60.900    72,41   (-1,17)
Insurance Companies           CYP      7.308    16,08   (-1,65)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     41.478    58,56   (-0,36)
Tourism Companies             CYP      6.963    63,57   (-1,55)
Trading Companies             CYP     14.985    21,32   (-2,16)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     13.774    71,32   (-1,86)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP     16.621     3,46   (-2,54)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     58.611    11,54   (-3,35)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP          3    11,83   (-0,17)
Hotels                        CYP     17.224    38,07   (-0,73)
Other Companies               CYP     88.840    75,76   (-0,77)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[06] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1435:CYPPRESS:06

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 8 (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                 9            2         FAIR
Larnaca                12            3         FAIR
Limassol               12            4         FINE
Paphos                 11            5         FAIR

[07] Cyprus President hopes for return of Turkish side to negotiations

1440:CYPPRESS:07

Cyprus President hopes for return of Turkish side to negotiations

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos hopes that today's high level meeting in Ankara on the Cyprus issue would lead the Turkish side back to the negotiating table.

He also said decisions on Cyprus are taken in Turkey and subsequently Turkish Cypriot parties are briefed.

[08] Cyprus and Estonia sign agreements on culture, education, organized crime

1625:CYPPRESS:08

Cyprus and Estonia sign agreements on culture, education, organized crime

Nicosia, 8 Jan -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed hope that his Estonian counterpart's visit to Cyprus will signal a new era in the two countries' bilateral relations in all fields.

Estonian President Arnold Ruutel expressed satisfaction with his visit to Cyprus, noting that his country is very much interested ''in promoting cooperation with the countries of the Mediterranean and particularly in with Cyprus''.

Heading their respective delegations, Papadopoulos and Ruutel had here today talks on bilateral relations as both countries look to their accession to the European Union later this year.

[09] Estonia’s President hopes EU will help solve Cyprus problem

1650:CYPPRESS:09

Estonias President hopes EU will help solve Cyprus problem

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) Estonias President Arnold Ruutel expressed hope that the European Union will help solve the Cyprus problem.

[10] Cyprus and Estonia to enhance trade links

1725:CYPPRESS:10

Cyprus and Estonia to enhance trade links

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) -- Cyprus and Estonia agree that more effort should be made to enhance commercial and trade links and assist each other as European partners.

Addressing a seminar held here today at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Estonian President Arnold Ruutel and the chairman of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vasilis Rologis said accession to the EU in May this year will provide more opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

[11] Cyprus and Estonia discuss cooperation in education and culture

1910:CYPPRESS:11

Cyprus and Estonia discuss cooperation in education and culture

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades and Estonian Minister of Culture Urmas Paet discussed today issues of bilateral cooperation in their competent sectors.

Speaking after the meeting, Paet referred to the agreement signed earlier today for cooperation in culture, education and science between the two countries, noting that now the process of recognising diplomas of the two countries' universities will move faster and the way will be paved for exchanging scholarships.

[12] PACE Political Affairs Committee approves Eorsi'sdraft report on Cyprus

1915:CYPPRESS:12

PACE Political Affairs Committee approves Eorsi's draft report on Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) approved a draft report by Matyas Eorsi (Hungary, LDR) on the situation in Cyprus as its members called for a speedy solution to the Cyprus problem before the island enters the European Union in May.

The committee, which convened in Paris today, adopted the draft report, including draft resolutions and Eorsis recommendation on the situation in Cyprus and decided to discuss the issue within the framework of PACE winter session in Strasbourg to be held from 26-30 January and after Eorsis visit to the island between 11-15 January, an official statement said here.

A PACE press release said Eorsi will be received on 12 January by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and will meet the following day Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[13] Cyprus and Estonia Ministers say aviation and maritime sectors to be broadened

1920:CYPPRESS:13

Cyprus and Estonia Ministers say aviation and maritime sectors to be broadened

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Communications and Works Kyriakos Kazamias met today with Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Meelis Atonen, with whom civil aviation and commercial maritime were defined as sectors which could be included in the effort to broaden cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking after the meeting, Atonen said his country was expecting Cypriot investments in Estonia's high technology industry and noted ''we have a lot to do together''.

[14] Cyprus and Estonia's Interior Ministers discuss mutual interest issues

1940:CYPPRESS:14

Cyprus and Estonia's Interior Ministers discuss mutual interest issues

Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of the Interior Andreas Christou and his Estonian counterpart Margus Leivo met today to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as asylum, immigration and local administration.

Speaking after the meeting, Christou said they talked about Cyprus' experience in local administration issues and the impact of the issue on the Estonian effort to restructure the country, noting that in another meeting earlier today they discussed asylum and immigration matters.

Leivo said they found common approaches on many issues, adding that with the official accession of both countries to the EU in May this year, Estonia will know it has ''a good ally'' in Cyprus.

Christou said the two countries were delving into a ''new stage of relations and cooperation'', and expressed certainty that bilateral relations and the common European path would bring them closer through ''bilateral contacts and communication, in the search for solutions to common problems''.

He added that Estonia and Cyprus share common aspects, noting that they cooperated closely over the past few years and especially the past few months in their EU quest.

Speaking through an interpreter, Leivo said they discussed ''serious problems'' and ways to maintain regular contacts.

He also said he was happy to be in Cyprus and noted that he had met with Christou on several occasions in the context of various European meetings.

CNA/KS/RG/MK/2004 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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