Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-02-13

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] New FM Yiannitsis hails 'new opportunity to solve Cyprus issue'

[02] PM, opposition leader praise Cyprus negotiations agreement

[03] European Commission welcomes resumption of Cyprus talks

[04] Eurostat says Greece had highest GDP increase rate in EU in 3rd quarter

[05] Weather Forecast: Snow on Saturday

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

[01] New FM Yiannitsis hails 'new opportunity to solve Cyprus issue'

Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Friday hailed the ''new opportunity to solve the issue of Cyprus,'' expressing the ''great optimism and pride'' of the Greek government over the result of talks so far and underlining the ''great contribution of (former foreign minister) George Papandreou to this outcome.''

Speaking to reporters, Yiannitsis said that by a unanimous decision of Cyprus' leadership and the positive stance of Greece the finalised positions of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan received a positive reply.

He reminded that the President of the Republic and the Parliamentary parties have been briefed on the issue and referred to a public statement made in support by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday.

''The successful conclusion is due to the close cooperation of the Greek government with President Papadopoulos and the tough negotiating policy followed,'' he said.

According to the decision reached, talks under the auspices of Alvara de Soto will begin in Nicosia on February 19 and at the same time technical committees will get to work.

On March 22 the UN secretary general, together with the leadership of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, will examine pending issues which will have remained and which (if they remain open) will be referred to March 29 for examination by the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as by representatives from Greece and Turkey.

In the event that mutually acceptable decisions are not reached again, then the UN secretary general will undertake to present the finalised proposals.

[02] PM, opposition leader praise Cyprus negotiations agreement

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Friday ''today's agreement on the continuation of negotiations based on the Annan plan constitutes a decisive turning point for a final solution to the issue of Cyprus.''

Simitis added that the agreement creates the preconditions for substantive negotiating in a framework ruling out delays.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will negotiate with goodwill this time, adding that he looks forward in particular to the European Union's declared will to contribute to the shaping of the final agreement.

Simitis congratulated the representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Greek side, and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in particular who, as he said, handled issues with courage and effectiveness.

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said on his part ''the compromise settlement agreed in New York today paves the way for the resumption of negotiations to enable a solution to be found based on the Annan plan.''

Karamanlis expressed the hope that ''negotiations will reach a positive result this time to enable a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union on May 1 for the benefit of all its inhabitants.''

[03] European Commission welcomes resumption of Cyprus talks

BRUSSELS (ANA/A. Simatos/CNA) - The European Commission on Friday welcomed the resumption of the negotiations on Cyprus on the basis of a twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, describing it as an historical breakthrough.

In a press release, the Commission ''welcomes the commitment made by

the two parties in Cyprus to resume negotiations on the basis of the

Annan plan.''

Commission President Romano Prodi said ''the Commission considers that the chances for a comprehensive settlement have never been better,'' adding that ''it would bring to an end a division that has

been there already for too long.''

''There is no place for barbed wires, minefields and peacekeeping

forces in the European Union,'' he said.

In its statement, the Commission describes the New York agreement to

resume negotiations as an ''historical breakthrough'', which ''opens

up the genuine prospect that a united Cyprus could join the EU on the

1st of May 2004.''

''It is the result of determined efforts by the UN Secretary General

and all parties involved. The Commission underlines the assurances of

the EU to accommodate the terms of a settlement and will provide any

assistance needed for a successful outcome of the negotiations,'' it adds.

[04] Eurostat says Greece had highest GDP increase rate in EU in 3rd quarter of 2003

BRUSSELS (ANA/A. Simatos) - Greece had the highest GDP increase rate in the 15-nation European Union in the third quarter of 2003, according to data publicised by the EU statistical service Eurostat on Friday.

GDP increased by 5 percent in Greece during the third quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period of 2002, and by 1.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2003.

As regards the EU GDP average, it increased by 0.6 percent during the third quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period in 2002, and by 0.4 percent compared to the second quarter of 2003.

The GDP increase in the eurozone was 0.3 percent during the third quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period in 2002, and by 0.4 percent compared to the second quarter of 2003.

[05] Weather Forecast: Snow on Saturday

Local snowfall is forecast, especially in the east and south, with weather improving in the afternoon. Winds northerly, northwesterly strong to very strong and gale force in the Aegean. Temperatures in Athens -3C to 2C and in Thessaloniki from -8C to -2C.

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.291

Pound sterling 0.683

Danish kroner 7.510

Swedish kroner 9.219

Japanese yen 136.1

Swiss franc 1.591

Norwegian kroner 8.890

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.703

Australian dollar 1.632

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