Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriot, Greek FMs confer on Cyprus

[02] CA chairman spells out problems at AGM

[03] Kasoulides returns from Athens talks

1020:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cypriot, Greek FMs confer on Cyprus

"We insist that this is the time to have a Cyprus solution and we believe there must be a final end to the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus," Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said Friday night in Athens after a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides.

In his remarks, Kasoulides said he briefed Pangalos and his aides on the first round of direct talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides and "exchanged views on how to handle developments in the next round of negotiations" due in mid-August in Switzerland.

Thanking the Greek government for its support in Cyprus' effort to join the European Union, Kasoulides said "we also look forward to a settlement in Cyprus on the basis of international law and we reaffirm our political will to negotiate in a positive and constructive spirit for a solution."

Pangalos said the Greek government is determined to stand by the Cypriot government using all its contacts and work for a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

He said the start of EU - Cyprus accession talks early next year offers an opportunity for a settlement of the protracted Cyprus question.

A Cyprus solution, he added, will be a significant step towards the improvement of the climate in Southeastern Mediterranean and will promote Turkey's prospects towards Europe.

Kasoulides and Markides return to Cyprus later today.

CNA MM/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] CA chairman spells out problems at AGM

He said increasing competition, high running and labour costs and negative trends, which not only continue but get worse, have brought the company to a virtual standstill and "unless drastic measures are taken, we will soon find ourselves facing a complete financial deadlock."

On a more upbeat note, Kyriakides told the company's Annual General Meeting that Cyprus Airways "has the possibility not only to survive but also to develop and spread its wings, by exploiting its positive features, such as Cyprus' geographical location, existing alliances, a good public image and traditional Cypriot hospitality."

In his address, he said in 1996 the company suffered losses worth 5.2 million Cyprus pounds (one pound is about two US dollars) and this year, losses are expected to reach seven million.

"CA must be turned into a competitive, viable, autonomous and self- sufficient economic unit, flexible and dynamic which should operate in the same effective manner as a private company," the chairman pointed out.

To achieve this objective, he outlined the short-term and long-term targets the company should aim at, including "drastic cut in costs, increased productivity, adjustment of the air network with abolition of routes operating with a loss, extension of alliances and assessment of present services and activities."

He said the company froze all procedures to hire new staff, reduced overtime pay and started operating a duty-free shop in the arrivals hall at Larnaca airport to help achieve its goals.

The first phase of company's strategic programme, he said, concluded that "Cyprus Airways is in a bad financial situation and a weak competitive position" and added "there is no longer any room for complacency and illusions that the state will sustain in life a profitless and ineffective company."

The second phase of the programme, which deals with all company activity, is currently underway and will be concluded in September.

CNA MM/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kasoulides returns from Athens talks

Speaking on his return from a visit to Athens, Kasoulides noted "this exchange of views showed a convergence of opinion on almost all the issues at hand" and said he briefed his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos on the latest developments, ahead of the forthcoming negotiations and prior to a meeting of the island's political leadership on Friday.

Referring to Turkey's threats to partially integrate Cyprus' northern Turkish occupied areas, Kasoulides said Greece shared the position the Cypriot government has adopted on the matter and agreed with its response to the Turkish provocations.

Asked if the threats will be protested at international fora, Kasoulides said "the matter is being handled in the appropriate manner and this is either through the normal procedures or other means, which shall remain confidential."

Kasoulides was accompanied by Attorney General Alecos Markides who was President Glafcos Clerides' legal advisor at the UN talks, earlier this month near New York.

CNA MAN/MM/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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