Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Parties agree on seats in occupied municipalities

[02] Cyprus, Greece have role in Balkans and Middle East

[03] Cyprus Airways, Virgin clinch deal

[04] 1995 Tourist statistics released

[05] Cyprus, Greece stick to common policy

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[01] Parties agree on seats in occupied municipalities

The 88 municipal seats in the nine municipalities under Turkish occupation since 1974 will be distributed according to the parties' electoral strength in May's parliamentary elections.

Ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) will get 30 seats, main opposition AKEL 29, coalition Democratic Party (DIKO) 15, socialist EDEK 9 and United Democrats 5.

The decision to proceed in this manner, instead of holding elections for the occupied municipalities, was taken at a meeting of a House special committee.

On Monday candidates for the remaining municipalities, in the government controlled areas of the Republic, will submit their candidature to the chief returning officer.

The municipal elections are scheduled for December 15.

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus, Greece have role in Balkans and Middle East

The President stressed, however, that serving the interests of fresh political alliances and the new emerging balance of powers must be founded on international law and the rule of law.

''World politics needs additional morality and justice, more than anything else,'' the President told a workshop of the ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party here today on foreign policy matters.

Changes in the Balkan region and the Middle East create not only hopes for improved ties among countries in the area but also pose ''serious dangers for peace in the wider region,'' Clerides said.

''Cyprus and Greece can and must play an important role in shaping a political chart of new alliances and balance of powers aimed at progress and welfare of the people of the region, under conditions of stability, security and peace, '' he added.

To achieve this, the President explained, international law and the rule of law must be applied to minimise risks and protect the rights of all people, including Hellenism.

''Peace and prosperity will be dealt with a serious blow, should the will of the more powerful nations be imposed on weaker nations,'' he warned.

Cyprus, the President pointed out, subscribes to a policy of promoting the rule of law with ''conviction, patience and determination.''

''This policy consists of finding a Cyprus solution through negotiations on the basis of UN resolutions and high level agreements (providing for a bicommunal, bizonal federation) and of pressing for membership of the European Union,'' he said.

He also noted that a joint defence dogma, agreed with Greece in November 1993 to provide military backing in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive, gives Cyprus increased security and a better negotiating position.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides said Cyprus' foreign policy looks to the future and aims at establishing a free and united Cyprus under conditions of peace, security and progress, without Turkish occupation troops in its territory.

''The effectiveness of our foreign policy is inevitably linked to developments around the globe, where nothing is static and changes take place at an alarming rate,'' he said.

Changes in the political scene in Europe have brought to the forefront new prospects and fresh responsibilities to build the Europe of tomorrow.

''This prospect conveys a message of hope for us as we head towards membership of the EU,'' he added, and noted that the road to accession is ''narrow and littered with problems.''

On the Cyprus problem, Michaelides said any fresh initiative will have to adopt an overall approach and focus on the crucial aspects, including security.

Welcoming increased American and British involvement in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, the Minister called on the EU to show more involvement.

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Airways, Virgin clinch deal

Cyprus Airways has announced the deal which provides for joint flights to Britain via Athens.

Passengers can fly to the Greek capital with Cyprus Airways, with a brief stop over before boarding a Virgin flight to London, the announcement said.

Air fares for this deal are ''specially low'', it added but failed to specify the exact amount.

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] 1995 Tourist statistics released

A press release, issued by the Department Friday, said most tourists came from European countries, with Britain retaining 40 per cent of the total, followed by Germany with 11,2 per cent, Switzerland with 5,2, Sweden with 4,7, Russia with 4,5 and Greece with 3,1 per cent.

The number of excursionists, who did not stay overnight in the country, increased by 4,3 per cent and reached 153.400 in 1995.

The movement of travellers to and from Cyprus recorded a 3,8 per cent increase compared with 1994. More than 2.5 million travellers visited the island.

In the year under review, there were in operation 2.480 tourist accommodation units registered with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation with a total capacity of 78.427.

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus, Greece stick to common policy

He also stressed that Greece and Cyprus will stick to the agreed strategy, irrespective of the content of any outside attempt dealing with the Cyprus problem.

Speaking after a meeting here this evening with Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, Tsohatzopoulos said ''we reiterated once more that our course of action stands firm.''

Initiatives, dealing with current issues, he pointed out, shall not affect this course, be they moves or initiatives, positive or negative.

''The fact is we are on a steady course and we continue along the agreed strategy,'' he added.

''Our efforts rely on formulating all the necessary prerequisites to enable us to have effective defence capability in the context of our joint defence doctrine,'' he added.

Greece and Cyprus, he pointed out, have created the best prerequisites for this.

He also noted that joint efforts are directed towards Cyprus' membership of the EU.

''We also stand firm in our objective to find an overall, democratic, acceptable and viable settlement in Cyprus based on UN principles,'' Tsohatzopoulos told the press.

In his remarks, the Foreign Minister said Tsohatzopoulos' visit to Cyprus, which ends tomorrow, signifies the rapid pace at which the joint defence pact proceeds.

''We are very pleased to see that the political implications of the joint defence doctrine, as far as our security is concerned, is positive,'' he said.

This, he explained, will contribute towards a Cyprus solution.

''Cyprus cannot remain without any defence capability when the danger comes from within the country itself (the continuing Turkish occupation of part of the island),'' he concluded.

Tsohatzopoulos leaves Sunday, after a four-day official visit, whose prime objective is to review the defence doctrine and decide on future moves.

CNA MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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