Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-11-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Cyprus remains a problem for EU - Turkish relations

[03] Athens and London support Cyprus' EU accession course

[04] Court holds final hearing in case against Turkey

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.16 (+0.12)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.22 (+0.08)
Approved Investment Companies          59.34 (-0.15)
Insurance Companies                    55.63 (+0.14)
Industrial Companies                   72.46 (-0.11)
Tourist Industries                     62.69 (+0.77)
Commercial Companies                   38.98 (+0.15)
Other Companies                        59.96 (+0.54)

Trading Volume                         CYP 459978.624

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1917:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus remains a problem for EU - Turkish relations

In a speech today at the International Press Institute, EU External Affairs Commissioner, Hans van den Broek, said he expects Ankara to give "positive signs" in three issues.

He said these are the respect of human rights in Turkey, improvement of Ankara's relations with Greece and progress in efforts towards a settlement of the protracted Cyprus problem.

"Such positive signs in aforementioned fields would create a positive atmosphere in the development of EU relations with Turkey," Van den Broek added.

Meanwhile, a German Euro-MP, preparing a report on the development of Turkey's relation with the EU, said this would be a problem for as long as the Cyprus question remains unresolved.

Speaking Thursday before the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, Joahanes Swoboda also called on Ankara to stop its threats to annex the part of Cyprus it occupies since it invaded the island in 1974.

Turkey and the illegal regime in the northern occupied areas of Cyprus signed an agreement this summer to partially integrate the occupied area if the EU begins accession talks with the Cyprus government in the spring of next year.

"Turkey should prove that it has the will to cooperate. As long as the Cyprus problem remains unresolved this will be an obstacle in the development of the Union's relations with Turkey," Swoboda said.

He also said the European Parliament should follow developments within Turkey so that it would be in a position to know whether any progress in its record of human rights respect is achieved.

CNA NB/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2015:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Athens and London support Cyprus' EU accession course

Costas Simitis and Tony Blair had a 90-minute meeting in London today, with the Cyprus question being one of the main issues on their agenda.

Simitis described their discussion as "very friendly" and said they agreed that "the EU accession talks with Cyprus should begin as expected, without a solution to the Cyprus problem being a prerequisite."

They also agreed a Cyprus settlement should be based on numerous UN resolutions, adopted since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of the island's territory.

Cyprus' accession talks with the EU are scheduled to begin in spring 1998.

Simitis said he also discussed with his British counterpart the issues of EU enlargement and monetary union, as well as the situation in the Balkans and bilateral relations.

The Greek Premier said any state wishing to enhance its relations with the EU should accept the Union's principles and values.

"This is our position for any country and not particularly for Turkey," he added.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA KT/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2055:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Court holds final hearing in case against Turkey

Nicosia, Nov 27 (CNA) -- The European Commission of Human Rights has suggested that Turkey should pay damages to a Greek Cypriot refugee whose human rights are continuously violated by this country.

The suggestion was made at today's final hearing in the case of Titina Loizidou, who took Turkey to the European Court of Human Rights alleging violation of her right to enjoy peacefully her property in the areas of Cyprus Turkey occupies for the past 23 years.

The Court found Turkey guilty of continuous violation of human rights and said the country exercises effective control over Cyprus' occupied areas through its troops there.

Loizidou's lawyer Achilleas Demetriades told CNA after the hearing, which Turkey had tried to have adjourned, that Commission president Stephan Trechsel suggested Turkey pays 100,000 Cyprus pounds for pecuniary damages and 20,000 for moral damages (one Cyprus pound is about two US dollars).

"We are asking for 621,900 pounds as damages, plus costs and an equal amount for moral damages," he said.

These figures, he explained, were calculated on the basis of the 1974 price of the land Loizidou owns, plus a 12 per cent annual average rise in the price.

"My client is seeking compensation for the period 1990 to 1997," he explained.

The Court reserved its decision on whether Turkey should pay damages for a later date, possibly sometime in April or May next year.

The Court heard that Turkey tried to adjourn today's hearing when, on 18 June, it requested in writing that the Court "postpones sine die any proceedings pursuant to Article 50 of the Convention and adjourns further consideration of it until a political solution will be found to the Cyprus issue."

The request was turned down.

Loizidou said tonight to CNA she was pleased today's hearing went ahead, following Turkish moves to have the proceedings postponed.

"The hearing was interesting and I hope if the Court decides to award damages, the decision will take effect," she said.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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