Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[03] Measures for movement of public-use vehicles for Turkish Cypriots FULL TEXT

[04] Measures for movement of goods for Turkish Cypriots FULL TEXT

[05] Cypriot politicians agree on need for Cyprus settlement

[06] Government announces new measures for Turkish Cypriots

[07] New Cypriot High Commissioner to Saint Lucia presents credentials

[08] Cypriot UN Permanent Representative briefs Annan on CBM

[09] Cyprus protests to UN against Turkish ''celebrations'' on invasion day

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

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Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Jul 30 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               74,51   ( 0,07)

Traded Value                  CYP     377.905

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP     183.671  330,42   ( 0,38)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.162,35   ( 0,16)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     141.046   95,94   ( 0,11)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP       2.773   72,37   ( 0,39)
Insurance Companies           CYP         558   12,23   ( 2,51)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      12.234   47,60   (-0,46)
Tourism Companies             CYP       1.441   45,04   ( 0,51)
Trading Companies             CYP      16.017   20,56   ( 0,24)
Building and Cement Companies CYP       1.534   61,40   (-0,39)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP       1.700    2,34   ( 0,86)
Financial Services Companies  CYP       1.669    6,82   (-1,59)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP         678   10,83   (-0,28)
Hotels                        CYP       3.671   27,46   (-0,11)
Other Companies               CYP      29.098   61,14   ( 0,53)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[02] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

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Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jul 30 (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                 38            25          FINE
Larnaca                 33            23          FINE
Limassol                34            23          FINE
Paphos                  30            22          FINE

[03] Measures for movement of public-use vehicles for Turkish Cypriots FULL TEXT

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Measures for movement of public-use vehicles for Turkish Cypriots

Nicosia, Jul 30 (CNA) - Following is the full text of the measures of the government of the Republic of Cyprus for the movement of public-use vehicles for the Turkish Cypriots:

The Regulation that was adopted by the Council of the European Union regarding the demarcation line regulates, inter alia, the movement of persons and goods, and consequently, public-use vehicles and their owners.

For the faster and more effective implementation of the Regulation, and although it is not being proposed by the Regulation, it is deemed necessary that the movement of Turkish Cypriot-owned public-use vehicles be freed.

On the basis of the existing legislative accords in Cyprus and those of the European Union, no mechanically-driven vehicle is used for any other road use unless it is equipped with a road service license or a license for access to the profession of the road haulage and passenger transport operator respectively, and according to each case. In addition, none of the mechanically driven vehicles can be driven by a person who is not a holder of a professional driving licence, as it is foreseen by the prevailing Cypriot Legislation.

Consequently, Turkish Cypriot owners of public-use vehicles do not have the right to use their vehicles for the transport of goods or passengers to or from the free areas if they do not hold the aforementioned licences. Moreover, these vehicles cannot be driven by persons who are not holders of a professional driving licence.

The Government, in the framework of its declared and applied policy of rendering the Regulation on the demarcation line more effective so as to facilitate the movement of Turkish Cypriots with mechanically-driven vehicles and the transport of goods and passengers to the government-controlled areas, has decided the amendment of the relevant legislation. This amendment allows for the granting, free of charge, of a temporary driving licence to Turkish Cypriots, as well as a temporary road service licence (circulation licence) to vehicles, which will be valid for one year. The relevant circulation licence for trucks will be granted after the trucks are pronounced appropriate by the competent authorities of the Republic.

The Governments decision to grant appropriate temporary licences applies to: · Trucks to transport goods for own account, · Trucks to transport goods for hire or payment, · Tourist buses and couches that carry out extraordinary routes, and · Taxis owned by Cypriots who reside legally in the non-government-controlled areas of the Republic, provided that they fulfil the conditions set by the Minister of Communications and Works, according to the prevailing legislation. Moreover, all the relevant laws, documents and material to be examined for acquiring the necessary certificates, have begun to be translated into Turkish.

With regard to the conditions that are set by the competent Minister on the basis of the Decision of the Council of Ministers, the following is mentioned in order to inform all interested parties:

(a) Movement of trucks

The transport of Turkish Cypriot goods from the Turkish occupied areas to the Government controlled areas will be carried out with:

(i) Trucks which belong to commercial or other businesses and the goods belong or belonged to the said business and are transported by it in the framework of its activities. In the case of small trucks with up to 10,000kilos GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), a temporary road service license (circulation license), (it will be valid for one year) and a roadworthiness certificate (it will be valid for one year) must be secured.

Also, if the trucks have 7,500 kilos or more GVW, they have to be driven by a driver who has a professional drivers license and the goods have to be accompanied by a letter/certificate issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce stating that the specific truck is used to transport goods for own account.

(ii) In the case of large trucks of more than 10,000 (GVW), a temporary road service license (circulation license), (it will be valid for one year) will be issued, after an application is submitted to the Licensing Authority, which will be accompanied by a letter/certificate issued by the by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce stating that the specific truck will be used to transport goods for own account.

In addition a temporary road service license (circulation license) (it will be valid for a year), and a roadworthiness certificate (valid for a year) will be secured and the vehicle will be driven by a driver who has a professional drivers license.

(iii) Trucks to transport goods for hire or payment.

Until 31.12.2004, for trucks of more than 10000 GVW, the preconditions will be in force and implemented. From 1.1.2005, the harmonization directives on the Access to the Profession of the Road Haulage and Passenger Transport Operator Laws 2001-2003 will be implemented.

In all three cases, licenses will be secured which will only allow the licensees to transport their goods from and to the occupied areas of the Republic.

b. Movement of Trucks of Extraordinary Lines (Tourist Buses)

What is mentioned in a (ii) above applies, regarding the movement of trucks for the transport of goods for hire or payment (on behalf of third persons).

It is noted that the licenses which will be granted will only allow the licensees to transport groups of passengers on excursions of a specific destination or tours, conferences, seminars, etc, from the occupied areas to the free areas of the Republic and bring back the same group of passengers to the occupied areas.

c. Movement of Taxis

The provisions of the amending Regulation of Road Traffic Law of 2003, (N.88(I)/2003) will apply and a temporary license for a city or a rural taxi will be granted, which will only allow the transport of passengers, on a hire basis, from the occupied areas to the free areas and their return.

From April 2003, when the free transport of Turkish Cypriots to the free areas began, until 30/06/2004, 65464, 12491 and 32074 Turkish Cypriots were transported from the checkpoints of Ledra Palace, Pergamos and Stovilia, respectively. (total 110029). A number of 839 ordinary driving licenses were issued or renewed as well as 72476 temporary licenses of road use (circulation) and an equal number of temporary driving licenses.

During the same period, 232283 Turkish Cypriot vehicles entered the free areas of the Republic.

[04] Measures for movement of goods for Turkish Cypriots FULL TEXT

1655:CYPPRESS:04

Measures for movement of goods for Turkish Cypriots

Nicosia, Jul 30 (CNA) - Following is the full text of the measures of the government of the Republic of Cyprus to facilitate the movement of goods and the development of contacts and economic relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots:

The European Union Councils Regulation 866/2004 of 29.4.2004 (regulation concerning the crossing of people, goods and services across the division line) aims at facilitating commerce and at the development of contacts and financial relations between Cypriots who live in the areas controlled by the Government and those who are in the occupied areas through the establishment of special rules.

The Government has made specific Proposals to the European Union for the promotion of further measures in order to establish those rules and procedures which will make practically possible and easier the commercial exchanges across the line and will result to the further development of the exchanges and other financial relations between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.

It should be noted that the measures concern only products and merchandise which are produced in the non controlled areas and products which have in some way been processed in these areas, as provided in the relevant articles of the Customs Code (Article 23 and 24), that is the raw materials these products are made of have undergone substantial processing, e.g. timber converted into furniture. They are not considered as having been processed which have simply assembled or have undergone maintenance or preservation works. In addition, the fourth measure concerns products and merchandise, irrespective of their origin, provided that the goods and merchandise are intended for the non-controlled areas and are produced in the controlled areas or have been legally imported in them.

On the basis of the above the Republic of Cyprus has suggested the implementation of the following measures:

1. Exclusion from the obligation to register in the V.A.T. Register

According to the acquis communautaire, which is implemented in the areas under the effective control of the Government, persons who belong to the non controlled by the Government areas have the obligation to register in the V.A.T. Register when they sell goods or provide services to persons who are in the areas controlled by the Government and when the value of these goods or services exceeds £9000.

The registration of those persons will entail multiple obligations such as book and record keeping, submission of three-month tax statements and payment of V.A.T. This would also create problems of tax control which would make trade between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots difficult.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

The Governments Proposal to the European Union is the endorsement of a simplified measure according to which the person who is located in the areas which are not controlled by the Government will not be registered in the V.A.T. Register. Instead, the buyer of the goods or the recipient of the services who is in the controlled areas and is registered in the V.A.T. Register will have the obligation to pay the tax.

This measure will allow the Turkish Cypriots to sell their merchandise to the controlled areas without the need to be registered in the V.A.T. Register and follow the other tax procedures.

This measure concerns the sales that occur when the buyer is registered in the V.A.T. Register.

2. Plan for the sale of goods directly to consumers

Simplified measures, Article 24 of E.E.C Directive 77/388 for merchants who sell goods directly to consumers

This measure concerns the sale of goods to the consumers in the controlled areas by persons in the non-controlled areas who cross the line with their merchandise.

In this case, as well, on the basis of the acquis communautaire (sixth community directive on VAT) the aforementioned merchants who sell goods to consumers in the controlled areas have the obligation to register themselves in the VAT register. The difficulties which may be encountered from such registration have already been mentioned.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

In order to avoid these difficulties, the Government has, also in this case, proposed a special plan through which the aforementioned merchants will not register in the VAT register. However, when they travel across the line to the areas controlled by the Government there will be a registration of their merchandise or a declaration of the quantity of their merchandise. Analogous registration (or statement regarding quantity) will be carried out, when the same traders cross the line on their return. The Value Added Tax will be submitted by these persons only after the sale of their goods directly to the consumers and with the provision that the value of merchandise within a period of one year, will exceed the sum of £9.000.

This measure will give the opportunity to sell products wholly produced or are processed in the non government controlled areas, directly to consumers in the government controlled areas, without the need to register for VAT of undertake other procedures that might obstruct the exercise of commerce between the two communities.

3. Movement of goods through the line without the imposition of duties

Article 4 (2) of (EC) Regulation 866/2004

According to Article 4 (2) of the Regulation, goods which are entirely produced or processed in the areas outside the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, when they travel across the line, are subject to duties, if these goods are entitled to export return, in the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, in other words return of the imposed duties. A great number of agricultural goods, like for example the citrus crops, are subject to export returns and surcharges of equivalent result when they cross the line.

This provision of the Regulation basically inhibits the free and surcharge-free entry of these goods in the customs territory of the Community through the line. These goods constitute the basic goods that are produced in the areas that do not fall under the effective control of the Government. This provision substantially, renders the development of this kind of trade through the line impossible.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

Amendment of article 4 (2) of the Regulation (EC) 866/2004

The Government has suggested the amendment of the Regulation at this specific point so that the goods which are entitled to export return and which are entirely produced in the non-controlled areas are exempt from duties or surcharges of equivalent result when they cross the line and are considered as community goods. In this way, the free movement of these goods and the assistance to the Turkish Cypriots will be reinforced by providing them with the possibility to trade these goods in the entire Community territory.

4. Imposition of zero VAT on goods, which cross the line to the non-controlled areas

Article 5 of the Regulation (EC) 866/2004

According to the article 5 (3) of the Regulation goods which cross the line towards are B are not exempt from VAT on the basis of the article 15 (1) (2) of the Regulation 77/388/EC. That is, products allowed to cross the line transported from areas under the control of the Government to the occupied areas, are not exempt from VAT. That is, these products are not to be considered as having been transported outside the taxable area of the Community, even though the implementation of the acquis is suspended in the areas that are not controlled by the Government.

In practice, this article renders the acquisition of these products financially difficult for trade purposes by persons living in the areas not controlled by the Government since these products, in order to be obtained, 15% VAT will have to be paid. This has as a result the limitation of the prospect for further development of trade and economic relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

Amendment of Article 5 of the Regulation (EC) 86/2004

The Government has asked for the amendment of this article to the effect that goods entering the Republic of Cyprus through the ports and airports in the controlled areas, as well as goods sold by persons registered in the VAT Register, for trade purposes and are destined for the areas not controlled by the Government are taxed with zero VAT, that is with no burden to the buyer, for VAT purposes.

[05] Cypriot politicians agree on need for Cyprus settlement

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Cypriot politicians agree on need for Cyprus settlement

Nicosia, Jul 30 (CNA) -- Right-wing Democratic Rally President and opposition leader Nicos Anastasiades and leader of the Republican Turkish Party and so-called prime minister in the Turkish occupied areas of the island Mehmet Ali Talat, agreed here today on the need to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Anastasiades, heading a delegation, met at the Republican Turkish Party offices with Talat in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia and discussed on ways to promote a Cyprus settlement.

[06] Government announces new measures for Turkish Cypriots

1845:CYPPRESS:06

Government announces new measures for Turkish Cypriots

Nicosia, Jul 30 (CNA) - The government of the Republic of Cyprus announced today a series of new measures regarding the movement of public-use vehicles for Turkish Cypriots to the government controlled areas, as well as the movement of goods and the development of contacts and economic relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

The new measures have been submitted to the European Commission and aim at facilitating the implementation of the EU Council's Green Line Regulation, that was adopted on April 29, 2004.

Announcing the measures today during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism George Lillikas expressed hope that ''the Turkish Cypriot side would respond to the facilitations and the measures that mostly serve the Turkish Cypriots.''

Asked about the implementation of the measures, the Minister of Commerce said, ''if the EU adopts the facilitations proposed by the Cyprus government, then the measures could be implemented immediately.''

Director of the President's Diplomatic Office Tasos Tzionis said that the EU was briefed orally over a month ago on the government's proposals and later on the Republic submitted its proposals in writing. ''The first EU reaction was encouraging and positive,'' Tzionis said.

Part of the trade package announced by the Minister of Commerce is exempting Turkish Cypriots from registering or paying Value Added Tax (VAT) if they sell their goods directly to Greek Cypriot consumers to the government controlled areas.

This measure will allow Turkish Cypriots to sell their merchandise to the controlled areas without the need to be registered in the VAT Register and follow the other tax procedures.

Minister of Communications and Works Charis Thrassou announced the measures for the movement of public-use vehicles for the Turkish Cypriots, saying that they aim to facilitate the movement of Turkish Cypriots with mechanically driven vehicles and the transport of goods and passengers to the government-controlled areas.

Thrassou said the government would grant, free of charge, a temporary driving licence to Turkish Cypriots, as well as a temporary road service licence (circulation licence) to vehicles, which will be valid for one year.

[07] New Cypriot High Commissioner to Saint Lucia presents credentials

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New Cypriot High Commissioner to Saint Lucia presents credentials

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Jul 30 (CNA) - Cyprus' Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, presented his credentials yesterday to Deputy Governor General of Saint Lucia Victor Girard, as new High Commissioner of Cyprus to Saint Lucia.

Presenting his credentials, Mavroyiannis said that for thirty years Cyprus has been a victim of Turkey's invasion and occupation of the island's northern third, which resulted the violation of the people's human rights, noting that Cyprus and Saint Lucia both focus on the principles of freedom, peace, democracy and respect of human rights.

[08] Cypriot UN Permanent Representative briefs Annan on CBM

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Cypriot UN Permanent Representative briefs Annan on CBM

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Jul 30 (CNA) - Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations Andreas Mavroyiannis send a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan informing him on the confidence-building measures that the government of the Republic of Cyprus announced on 16 July 2004.

''The measures aim at promoting cooperation and confidence between the two communities in Cyprus and developing a sense of security among Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, thus contributing to the efforts towards resolving the Cyprus problem,'' Mavroyiannis says in his letter to Annan dated 23 July 2004.

[09] Cyprus protests to UN against Turkish ''celebrations'' on invasion day

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Cyprus protests to UN against Turkish ''celebrations'' on invasion day

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Jul 30 (CNA) - Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the United Nations Andreas Mavroyiannis protested in a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan against the ''celebrations'' in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, for the 30th anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, July 20, 1974.

The ''celebrations'' were attended by high-ranking Turkish government officials, headed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul.

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