Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Prospects for boosting Cyprus-Russian commercial relations

[03] UN talks - new story

[04] Cyprus to host conference on money laundering

[05] Russian Foreign Ministry statement on Cyprus

[06] President on Athens talks

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.70 (+0.22)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  84.76 (-0.01)
Approved Investment Companies          65.25 (+0.29)
Insurance Companies                    61.30 (+0.81)
Industrial Companies                   80.08 (+1.15)
Tourist Industries                     64.37 (+0.11)
Commercial Companies                   49.87 (+0.04)
Other Companies                        62.09 (+0.15)

Trading Volume                         CYP 708395.102

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Prospects for boosting Cyprus-Russian commercial relations

Nicosia, Jul 2 (CNA) --- Commercial and tourist relations between Cyprus and Russia are very satisfactory and could develop even further, Commerce Industry and Tourism Minister Kyriakos Christofi, has stressed in an interview to CNA.

As he pointed out, the government and Russian officials are co- ordinating their efforts in order to further boost commercial relations between the two countries.

Answering a relevant question, Christofi said the Russian market and especially the tourist market are of great importance to Cyprus and noted an increase in the number of Russian tourists visiting the island every year.

He said that, "while there were 120,000 arrivals last year, this year we expect a 15-20% increase which means up to 150,000 arrivals".

Christofi said he was confident that the new Cyprus Airways office in the centre of Moscow, inaugurated last week, will contribute a great deal to these efforts.

He added that according to surveys carried out by his Ministry, "Russian tourists spend a lot of money, compared to tourists from other countries".

Concerning tourism in general, the Minister said that by the end of this season it is expected to be at the same level as last year.

He explained that "Cyprus is facing keen competition because of other equally attractive destinations on offer", noting that "for this reason keeping the same levels of tourism becomes very important".

CNA KN/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPRESS:03

[03] UN talks - new story

Clarifying earlier statements by CNA, Feissel said at the first closed meeting with the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, on Wednesday afternoon, 9 July, Cordovez intends to make "an oral presentation of his thoughts which will be designed to help launch the discussions."

Cordovez intends to give the two community leaders (President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash) the talking points on his presentation.

Last week it was announced here that Cordovez would be submitting a paper to the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus at the New York talks.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1840:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus to host conference on money laundering

The main topic of the three-day meeting will be the impact of organised crime on the banking systems of different countries in the region.

The conference will be open to suggestions for the application of effective measures that will guard against the use of the banking system for laundering the proceeds generated from criminal activities.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, Afxentis Afxentiou, will address the meeting along with speakers from the US, Britain, Switzerland and other countries.

Presentations will also relate to the action taken by different countries in their effort to combat money laundering.

Andreas Philippou, Chief Senior Manager of the Central Bank of Cyprus, will outline the measures Cyprus is taking to fight international financial crime.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Russian Foreign Ministry statement on Cyprus

A statement on Cyprus by a Russian Foreign Ministry official, issued here today, said Russia hopes that the serious approach of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides to a Cyprus settlement, as described in June's UN Security Council resolution, would help reach the necessary compromise solutions.

The resolution reaffirms its position that a Cyprus settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded.

It also notes that the state of Cyprus will comprise two politically equal communities in a bicommunal and bizonal federation and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession.

The Russian statement considers particularly important the call on the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot community to cooperate actively and constructively with the UN Secretary-General at next week's direct negotiations.

Referring to a document Russia submitted to a meeting of Security Council members in April this year, the statement expresses the conviction that the use of the possibility this Russian initiative offers would be able to give a push to dealing with the basis for a settlement.

The interest of the international community in achieving progress towards a Cyprus settlement is proved by the dispatch of special envoys from twelve states and the European Union to New York to work on the outer circle of the talks, it adds.

Russia will be represented to the talks by Vladimir Tchizhov, Head of the Third Directorate for European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1040:CYPPRESS:06

[06] President on Athens talks

The President noted that Cyprus' accession course to the European Union is not likely to be among the items of discussion during next week's direct negotiations, under UN auspices.

Speaking on his return from the Greek capital, the President also said the UN intends to outline its views orally at the start of the face-to-face talks, and give what one could call "talking points" to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

"I was informed that the so-called paper would be what one would call talking points on what we will hear orally. I am not surprised that Mr. Feissel (top UN envoy in Cyprus) has clarified that the presentation at the talks will be oral," President Clerides said, commenting on reports about the submission of a paper at the direct negotiations.

Last week when details surfaced about the UN talks, it was officially announced that a paper would be submitted to President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at the first closed meeting of the talks.

The President said the talking points would relate to the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Asked if he agrees with the view that a Cyprus solution is possible in 1998, Clerides replied "I believe the real effort will be made in 1998, we do not know if a solution will emerge (in 1998), and as things stand at present, we have not come to the conclusion that we can say that there will be a solution."

Invited to say if the UN would raise the issue of Turkish Cypriot involvement in accession negotiations, Cyprus is due to start with the EU next year, the President said he did not think the UN would deal with Cyprus' accession course.

"This matter falls under EU and not UN competency, it is not part of the issues to be discussed in the direct talks," he added.

The President denied press reports that the Athens meetings dealt with a "give and take" process at the New York talks.

"We have not discussed what we will give or take, we discussed and reaffirmed in general terms the safety limits (within which we will negotiate)," he said.

These, he added, do not run contrary to the decisions of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to his meeting next week with US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke, the President said "Holbrooke would seek to find out the basic issues, our positions on them" and try to ascertain whether be any compromises can be made.

He also said while in New York for the talks there will be meetings with envoys of other countries interested in efforts for a settlement in Cyprus.

Replying to questions, the President denied categorically press reports in Athens suggesting that the Cyprus government was displeased with the appointment of former Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Alexandros Sandis, as Greece's representative to the New York talks.

Moreover he reiterated that "there has been no change in either our positions or those of the Greek government on the joint defence pact we agreed on (in November 1993)" which provides for sea, air and land cover for Cyprus from the Greek military in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive.

Referring to his discussions with the honorary President of the main opposition New Democracy party in Greece, Constantinos Mitsotakis, the President said he had "a wide ranging discussion on the Cyprus problem, the situation in Turkey and how it affects efforts to promote a solution in Cyprus."

Commenting on the situation in Turkey, President Clerides noted that one has to take into account whether the government would have a substantial majority and the time it would remain in office. Elections may take place in Turkey as early as February, he added.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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