Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] EU prospect backs efforts for solution, says President

[03] EuroMP's refuse meetings with illegal Turkish Cypriot "MP's"

[04] Cyprus - Greece defence pact implemented as planned

[05] President Clerides for meeting in Athens

[06] Clerides - Kasoulides on Cyprus' EU entry

[07] Renewal of UNFICYP approved

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.82 (-0.40)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  84.94 (-0.38)
Approved Investment Companies          65.88 (-0.41)
Insurance Companies                    60.84 (-0.52)
Industrial Companies                   80.68 (-0.40)
Tourist Industries                     63.97 (-0.87)
Commercial Companies                   50.13 (-0.34)
Other Companies                        61.65 (-0.02)

Trading Volume                         CYP 691031.081

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] EU prospect backs efforts for solution, says President

In his intervention today at a meeting of the 12 countries aspiring to join the EU, President Clerides also noted that Cyprus "is ready to successfully face the challenge" and said that "harmonisation with the acquis communautaire is being steadily and successfully carried out."

He expressed certainty that harmonisation "will be completed to a great extent by the time of the commencement of accession negotiations".

Cyprus is the only applicant country for which the European Commission has issued an avis, in June 1993, considering the Republic "eligible" for entry.

On March 6 1995 the Council of Ministers agreed on the framework of a structured dialogue with Cyprus, with a view to opening membership negotiations six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

"The healthy state of the economy of the Republic of Cyprus and its compliance with the Maastricht convergence criteria prepares the ground for the timely conclusion of negotiations," President Clerides told today's meeting.

Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and European Commission President Jacques Santer briefed the leaders from 10 former eastern bloc countries, namely Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria, along with Cyprus and Turkey, on the recent EU summit which finalised a new treaty.

In his intervention, President Clerides reiterated the government's "appreciation and support to the determined efforts of the central and eastern European countries and the Baltic States for accession".

"All of us, together with the 15 countries of the EU, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, we will face the challenge of the enlarged European family of the third millennium," he added.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, the President said "it is common knowledge that Cyprus' irreversible accession course opens a unique window of opportunity to the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem."

"I wish to reiterate that as we approach the forthcoming UN sponsored direct talks in New York, our aim remains an early solution to the Cyprus problem," Clerides said, noting a settlement must be based on agreements reached between the two sides till today, UN resolution and fundamental EU principles.

Negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will take place near New York from July 9 - 13.

"We look forward to a continued substantial and sustained engagement of the Union in our efforts," President Clerides told the EU and other applicant member countries.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:03

[03] EuroMP's refuse meetings with illegal Turkish Cypriot "MP's"

A five-member delegation, headed by the so-called "president" of the illegal "parliament" Haki Atun, visited Brussels Thursday and Friday, in a bid to hold meetings with the Commission and EuroMP's.

According to CNA sources, both the Commission and the Belgian government refused to meet the so-called MP's, while they were also turned down by the leader of the Europarliament Socialist Group, Pauline Green, who told them she does not recognise any institution of the puppet state.

Only Ankara recognises the illegal regime unilaterally set up in 1983 in the areas occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion of the island.

After they found most "doors closed", the Turkish Cypriots met two British EuroMP's as well as Dutch European Parliament rapporteur on the Cyprus issue Jan Willem Bertens.

CNA NB/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Greece defence pact implemented as planned

Speaking today at a ceremony for Greek Cypriot officers who graduated from military academies in Greece, Eliades said all countries interested in a viable and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem should "seriously take into account the Turkish sides stance and policy" shortly before the July direct negotiations for a solution in Cyprus.

Eliades was referring to recent violations of the Republic's air space by Turkish military aircraft, which the government has protested to the UN.

He also said the joint defence pact, agreed by the two governments in 1993, is a cooperation agreement in the military field within "a joint defence plan, to tackle a common threat."

"The pact exists and is being continued as originally planned," Eliades said, stressing however that the Greek Cypriot political leadership has chosen to solve the Cyprus problem through peaceful means.

On his part National Guard chief Nicolaos Vorvolakos described the implementation of the pact as "a fact of great importance, which changes the balance in the area to the benefit of the Greek nation as a whole".

Commenting on a recent government decision to withhold flights of Greek military planes over Cyprus during exercises, Eliades reiterated it is "a gesture of good will" taken to create a good climate for the upcoming talks.

The Defence Minister also stressed one cannot compare the legal flights of Greek planes with the illegal violation of Cyprus' air space by Turkish military aircraft.

CNA KK/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:05

[05] President Clerides for meeting in Athens

The President will be leaving Monday morning and will call on Stephanopoulos soon after his arrival.

On Tuesday, July 1, Clerides will hold talks with the Greek Premier, followed by a meeting of delegations from the two countries, statements to the press and an official lunch hosted by Simitis.

The governments of Cyprus and Greece are expected to discuss the Cyprus problem, ahead of UN-led direct negotiations between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, to be held July 9-13, in the US.

During his stay in the Greek capital, President Clerides is scheduled to have a working breakfast with former Greek Premier Constantinos Mitsotakis and a meeting with the new leader of the conservative New Democracy party, Constantinos Karamanlis.

It is expected that leaders of other Greek parties will call on the President of the Republic during his visit.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Clerides - Kasoulides on Cyprus' EU entry

In statements today on the sidelines of a meeting in Amsterdam, during which the European Union (EU) briefed twelve countries aspiring to join its ranks on the recent Union summit, Clerides said the meeting was "useful" and noted it will contribute to the EU enlargement process.

Apart from Cyprus and Turkey, 10 former Eastern block countries that have applied for EU membership also took part in the meeting.

Speaking at a press conference in the Dutch capital, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides stressed that Cyprus is in compliance with the Maastricht convergence criteria and is politically, economically, socially and culturally ready to embark on accession negotiations.

He pointed out that a number of EU council decisions show that Cyprus will be among the first group of countries with which accession talks will begin and noted Cyprus does not feel competitive towards any other country which has applied for membership.

The EU has issued a positive avis for Cyprus and decided that accession talks will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

The Commission opinion on Turkey's application for entry, issued in 1989, was negative because of Ankara's bad human rights record, while the avis for the former Eastern block states are expected to be issued in mid July.

Replying to questions, Kasoulides said the government would have no objections to Turkey joining the EU, provided its troops that occupy part of the island since 1974 are removed and Ankara's relations with Athens improve.

He described a demand that Turkey should become an EU member at the same time as Cyprus as "unrealistic", stressing that Nicosia is already in a position to join the EU, whereas Ankara has yet to comply with the aquis communautaire.

Kasoulides also rejected claims made by Turkish Foreign Minister- designate Tansu Ciller, who represented her country to the meeting, that the treaties through which the Republic of Cyprus was established do not allow the country to join the EU unless Turkey is also a member.

Noting that the EU is an international organisation, Kasoulides stressed that Turkey was the first to violate the treaties in 1974 when it invaded and occupied part of Cyprus.

Kasoulides said Cyprus cannot be punished twice, once in 1974 and again with regard to its EU accession bid, stressing that the EU prospect contributes towards efforts for a solution to the Cyprus question. He added that EU accession will also benefit Turkish Cypriots and said it will also prevent a repetition of what occurred in Cyprus in 1974.

CNA NB/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2015:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Renewal of UNFICYP approved

The Council resolution reiterated that the status quo in Cyprus is unacceptable and reaffirmed that a settlement must provide for a bi- communal and bi-zonal federation, that will not allow union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession.

It adds the state of Cyprus should have "a single sovereignty and international personality and a singe citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and comprising two politically equal communities".

Renewing the 1,200-member force, deployed on the island since 1964, the Council welcomed the UN Secretary-General's decision to begin a "sustained process of direct negotiations between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities".

The UN-led talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, are scheduled to take place July 9-13 in a retreat near New York.

The resolution calls on the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to "commit themselves to this process of negotiations" and urges them to "cooperate actively and constructively with the Secretary-General and his special advisor on Cyprus", former Ecuador Foreign Minister Diego Cordovez.

Kofi Annan is expected to open the negotiations and Cordoves will then take on responsibility.

Referring to a European Union decision to open accession negotiations with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, the resolution describes it as "an important development that should facilitate an overall settlement".

The Council also reiterates its concern with the "continuing excessive levels of military forces and armaments" in Cyprus.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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