Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Direct negotiations not on agenda

[03] Cyprus European House opens

[04] President stresses need for good industrial relations

[05] UN Under Secretary General will visit Cyprus

[06] Government supports decriminalisation of homosexuality

1635:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.73 (+0.34)

Highest: 82.46 (2/1/97)
Lowest : 73.90 (30/1/97)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  86.64 (+0.20)
Approved Investment Companies          69.31 (+0.67)
Insurance Companies                    58.70 (-0.31)
Industrial Companies                   83.49 (+0.36)
Tourist Industries                     62.72 (+0.63)
Commercial Companies                   52.25 (+0.85)
Other Companies                        56.44 (+2.58)

Trading Volume                         CYP 419873.050

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Direct negotiations not on agenda

This was stated here, today, by Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, commenting on press reports that President Clerides' visit to New York, during the second week of June, will coincide with the first round of direct negotiations with Denktash.

Kasoulides said President Clerides will attend the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on the environment and development, scheduled for June 23 to 27, in New York.

He did, however, point out that the decision for direct talks "is not on the agenda, because we are still in the process of proximity talks."

UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel, has been holding separate meetings with President Clerides and Denktash, in a bid to prepare the ground for direct negotiations. The proximity talks are expected to continue till early June.

Meanwhile, in his daily press briefing Government Spokesman, Manolis Cristofides, did not exclude the possibility of a meeting to discuss the Cyprus problem before or after the UN Session.

He added there are no details as to if and when such a meeting will take place nor if President Clerides will meet Dentkash, while in New York.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800 CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus European House opens

Addressing the opening ceremony, at Famagusta Gate within Nicosia's Venetian walls, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides said "Cyprus has always felt part of the main body of Europe, at its outer edges towards the Middle East."

Cyprus' European orientation, he pointed out, is "acknowledged by the European Union (EU) with its decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference."

Making special reference to the division of the island, as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation, Kasoulides stressed the government aim is re-unification "for the benefit of all the inhabitants, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins."

Asked to comment on a statement made at the ceremony, by German Euro-MP, Doris Pack, that if Cyprus wants to join the EU it has to solve its political problem, Kasoulides replied that "if there is one party that wishes for a solution that is us."

Pack did point out, however, that Cyprus belongs to Europe and expressed the hope it will soon join the EU.

In his address, the Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Nicosia, Gilles Anouil, referred to the special meaning of May 9, the date the European Community was born, which is no other that "a promise and a pledge for a better future."

"Forty-seven years later", he added, "let us, present and prospective EU members, celebrate together the birth of this unique adventure in the pursuit of peace on our piece of earth."

On his part, Chairman of the Cyprus House, Marios Eliades, noted the importance of the principle of unity in diversity, especially in the case of Cyprus. He expressed the wish the European House will "symbolise the will of Greeks and Turks and all inhabitants of Cyprus for a new start."

The view that Cyprus has a lot to offer Europe was also expressed by Arno Krause, President of the International Federation of European Houses, who noted the need for peaceful re-unification of the island.

"Now that Germany has achieved re-unification, Cyprus has to follow the same path", he said, adding that "this unification has to be achieved by means of peace and not war."

There are over a hundred European Houses throughout the continent, which aim at promoting the European ideals for peace, freedom, democracy, equality and respect for human rights, as well as respect for the individuality of each national culture.

"Zenon" is situated in the old part of Cyprus' capital.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[04] President stresses need for good industrial relations

Referring to this year's growth rate, he said it is expected to be over 3 per cent.

President Clerides said the government is exerting all efforts to implement those measures which would reinforce economic activity, such as subsidies and financial aid, aiming at modernising tourism and agriculture.

The President of the Republic thanked the industrialists for their contribution to the island's economic achievements, after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of part of Cyprus, and called on them to be pioneers in modernising the economy.

OEV Chairman, Andreas Pittas, stressed the need for national consensus in order to adapt to the new global economic environment and extraordinary technological progress.

Pittas expressed gratitude to the government for the positive measures it has taken in the last 18 months, noting they have strengthened the economy as a whole, and especially the industry, tourism and agriculture fields.

He described the years until 2000 as very crucial for the island's economy, and called on the trade unions, in the private as well as the public sector, to show self-restraint in their demands.

Addressing the meeting, Federation of Greek Industries Chairman, Iasson Stratou, noted the excellent relations between Greek and Cypriot businesspeople, and said Greek industrialists are promoting Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU).

Stratou said that in the economic field, Cyprus constitutes a positive example, and meets all of the Maastricht convergence criteria.

Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Vassilis Rologis, stressed the need for modernisation of the island's economy as "our planet is transformed into a small village."

Rologis added Cyprus' accession to the EU will help secure "the future economic stake" and urged everyone involved to cooperate in order to secure the island's successful economic future.

President Clerides awarded three companies the 1996 "European Prize" of excellent performance, which are "Chara Fashions Ltd", "Pittas Dairy Industry Ltd" and "Muskita Aluminium Co. Ltd".

CNA GG/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1955:CYPPRESS:05

[05] UN Under Secretary General will visit Cyprus

The visit was confirmed today by Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, who clarified that Prendergast will not take part in the on- going UN-proximity talks and that he will also visit Ankara and Athens.

Christofides said Prendergast "will have meetings with the interested parties in Cyprus (Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides), Greece and Turkey and he will then prepare a report for the UN Secretary General."

Asked whether the UN official will take part in the proximity talks, Christofides replied negatively, noting that he will exchange views with the interested parties on the present state of affairs and hear their evaluations.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, said Prendergast's visit will contribute to the efforts by UN Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel, who is carrying out the proximity talks between the two sides, for direct negotiations.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Government supports decriminalisation of homosexuality

"We cannot continue to deny decriminalisation of homosexuality," Christofides said, expressing the hope that "mature thought will prevail."

"Failure to abide by the ruling of the European Court on homosexuality, will have serious consequences", Christofides warned, pointing out it could even lead "to ejection of the state which does not implement decisions."

Noting that the government has taken its responsibilities by sending the bill to the House of Representatives, he called upon the House members to act in the same way. The decision to send the bill to the House of Representatives was taken unanimously by the Council of Ministers comprised by Democratic Rally (DISY) and Democratic Party (DIKO) members, Christofides said. In a debate in Parliament yesterday, DIKO expressed opposition to the bill, while DISY MPs said they would vote by conscience. Opposition parties AKEL and EDEK are still to decide, while the United Democrats have expressed their approval of the bill.

Christofides stressed that decriminalisation of homosexuality has been approved in all European countries, including Greece.

Attorney General, Alecos Markides and Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, will brief the House of Representatives Legal Affairs Committee next Thursday, May 15, on the implications of a negative vote.

Meanwhile, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos has expressed the Church's opposition to decriminalisation of homosexuality which he describes as "against natural law."

In a written statement, the Archbishop supports that if the bill is approved it will affect the family institution and will lead to immorality.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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