Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-01-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Cyprus, Estonia abolish visas and establish air services

[03] Russia reaffirms support for UN efforts on Cyprus

[04] Cyprus ready to tackle Turkish measures

[05] Cyprus' EU prospect offers chance for solution

[06] US Congressmen to visit Cyprus

[07] Exports awards presented

1500 CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.65 (-0.03)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.84 (+0.01)
Approved Investment Companies          59.63 (+0.08)
Insurance Companies                    56.67 (-0.56)
Industrial Companies                   74.61 (+0.04)
Tourist Industries                     61.19 (+0.23)
Commercial Companies                   39.67 (-0.58)
Other Companies                        65.15 (+0.28)

Trading Volume                         CYP 552028.390

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ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Cyprus, Estonia abolish visas and establish air services

The agreements were signed in Nicosia by the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Estonia, Ioannis Kasoulides and Toomas Hendrik Ilves, respectively.

During their meeting, the two ministers also exchanged views on how Estonia and Cyprus can cooperate in their bid to join the European Union (EU).

Kasoulides said his counterpart's visit "demonstrates the close ties that are developing between our two small countries, with similar history and parallel problems, and particularly the common goal of joining the EU."

Cyprus and Estonia are included in the first group of countries to open accession talks with the EU in April. The others are: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

Kasoulides said the "Visa Abolition Agreement" and the "Air Services Agreement" will help Cypriots and Estonians to have more contact and get to know each other.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister said the two countries have also established "close cooperation on our common effort to join the EU."

On his part Ilves pointed out that Cyprus and Estonia "understand each other" and said "the role of small countries in the wider political scene of the world is important."

He added small countries must work together and cooperate, in order to improve their position in the world and the organisations they belong to, and make their voices heard.

Ilves said he expects "a good deal of cooperation and exchange of ideas and experiences in the years to come, leading to the time when both countries will join the EU."

Replying to question, the Estonian Foreign Minister said they discussed how to proceed with co-ordination and cooperation in view of the two countries' bid to become EU members.

"In fact some of the cooperation has been going on. The six countries that are beginning negotiations have already held consultations," he added.

He said consultations between these countries are expected to be more intense as it becomes more clear what the EU expects from them.

Ilves is on a five-day visit to Cyprus at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart who visited Estonia in the Autumn.

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Russia reaffirms support for UN efforts on Cyprus

The Cyprus problem was discussed during a meeting in Moscow between UN Special Advisor to the Secretary General Diego Cordovez, and high ranking Russian Foreign Ministry officials, including Russian envoy for Cyprus Vladimir Tchizhov.

Both Cordovez and the Russian officials described the continuation of the status quo in Cyprus as unacceptable and stressed the need for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to show the necessary political will and readiness for a compromise at the resumption of direct negotiations for a settlement.

Cordovez also pointed to Russia's important part in resolving international problems and expressed gratitude for its continuous support to UN efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

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[04] Cyprus ready to tackle Turkish measures

He added he discussed the issue with his Greek counterpart, Theodoros Pangalos, in Athens last week, but refrained from revealing any details.

"Cyprus and Greece feel confident they can handle any development affecting Cyprus," he said, adding "we have discussed ways to react to the political measures Turkey may decide to enforce."

Following the Luxembourg European Union summit, in December, Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side stepped up their efforts to gain international recognition of the illegal regime set up in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus in 1983.

They also reiterated threats for the partial annexation of the areas occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion, and within this framework agreed on Tuesday to merge their representations abroad.

Commenting on the agreement, Kasoulides said "in some way it implies that their efforts for international recognition of the puppet regime are failing and they are trying to find other means to show that they are taking some measures."

He also pointed out that "it is something which had been announced in the past."

Kasoulides dismissed threats by the Turkish side to step up military measures against Cyprus after a government announcement that an air base, near the western coastal town of Paphos, will be delivered January 24.

The Turks threatened to upgrade an airport in the occupied areas to enable military aircraft to be stationed there permanently.

Kasoulides said these threats "do not frighten us", noting that the airport in occupied Cyprus was built for military use.

However, he stressed that a joint defence pact decided between the governments of Cyprus and Greece in 1993 "aims at decisively tackling any eventuality."

Referring to the violation of Cyprus' sovereign air space and the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) by Turkish reconnaissance aircraft on two separate occasions on Monday, Kasoulides said "they will be protested".

Asked if the Paphos air base will be used to intercept Turkish military aircraft, the Foreign Minister replied that "for the moment our decision is to use it only in the case of a Turkish offensive against the free part of the Cyprus Republic."

Invited to comment on Britain's denial that Turkish aircraft overflew one of its military bases in Cyprus Monday, Kasoulides said "we will speak with them and inform them about the data our radars received."

Britain retains two bases since granting the island its independence in 1960. In the past the Bases have protested against overflights by Greek military planes, flying here with the permission of the government of the Republic.

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[05] Cyprus' EU prospect offers chance for solution

Outlining his country's agenda for the six-month rotating presidency it now holds, Cook reiterated that a solution to the Cyprus problem is not a condition for progress on the Republic's accession.

"The prospect of Cyprus joining the EU offers us the opportunity to contribute to the peace and prosperity to all of the people of that island, " he told the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Stressing EU support for the UN Secretary-General's efforts for a political solution in Cyprus, Cook expressed the hope that peace negotiations will begin after next month's presidential elections in the Republic.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed "the willingness of the government of Cyprus to include Turkish Cypriots in the delegation for the accession negotiations" scheduled to begin in April.

The Cyprus government has said it would welcome Turkish Cypriot participation provided they accept that the accession talks are carried out with the Republic and they support the island's bid to join the EU.

Cook added, however, that "Cyprus is entitled to have its application for membership considered on its own merits and its progress must not be conditional on a solution to the division of the island."

"We would like to see a bizonal, bicommunal, federal Cyprus join the EU. We will now work hard to take forward the accession of Cyprus," he said.

Referring to Turkey, Cook said the British presidency "will also be working hard to strengthen relations between the EU and Turkey."

He said that "Turkey matters both as a major player in an important region and as a long-time ally. We recognise Turkey's European vocation and the need to draw her into the enlargement process."

Cook stressed that all countries wishing to join the EU must meet the criteria laid down and stressed they will be judged by this criteria.

The EU summit held in Luxembourg in December said "political and economic conditions (in Turkey) allowing accession negotiations to be envisaged are not satisfied."

It points out that "strengthening Turkey's links with the EU depends on alignment of human rights standards and practices with those in force in the EU."

Improved Turkish-EU relations would also depend on "support for negotiations under the aegis of the UN on a political settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

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[06] US Congressmen to visit Cyprus

A US embassy press release says the trip "is part of an overall visit to the region, including Greece and Turkey".

"The purpose of the trip is to meet officials of the Government of Cyprus, the UN and the US embassy as well as other authorities, private citizens and some non-governmental organisations regarding developments in Cyprus," it says.

It adds the delegation will consist of four members of the US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, an independent agency of the US government responsible for monitoring and encouraging compliance of participating states with the Helsinki Final Act.

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[07] Exports awards presented

He also reiterated his government's policy to further promote Cyprus as a regional economic and business centre.

Presenting the "Cyprus Export Awards", President Clerides expressed certainty that Cyprus' business world will be able to take advantage of all opportunities opening up and will achieve its goals, contributing to the development of the economy.

"The promotion of our trade export is a top priority for the government, " he said.

"Becoming more competitive and making the best use of our advantages, in relation with the emerging possibilities in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe are fundamental elements of the government policy," he added.

President Clerides reassured that "until Cyprus' accession to the European Union, the government will assist all sectors of economic activity to update them, help them increase their productivity and be able to face the challenges ahead."

On his part Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister, Michalakis Michaelides, expressed certainty that "all problems will be overcome and our development will continue."

He called on all sectors of the economy "to assess our opportunities, define our needs and take advantages of existing opportunities".

"Cyprus has no other alternative than to look towards international trade," he said.

President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vasilis Rologis, thanked President Clerides for his government's support to the business world, noting that exports in 1997 increased by five per cent.

Rologis described exports as "the backbone of every economy" and said the EU prospect "creates new opportunities and provocations".

"KEO Brewery" received the award for companies employing over 50 persons, and the award for companies with less than 50 employees was given to "PETA LTD" that produces paint brushes.

The EU award was given to "S.G.C. Stylla Bros Ltd", that produces shirts, most of which go to EU countries.

The Special Award given for the export of a new product was awarded to "Hellenic Copper Mines Ltd", the Agricultrual Products Award was given to "Kourtellaris Imports and Exports Ltd" and the Services Award was offered to "L. Joannides and Co", for its accounting services.

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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