Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-03-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides to meet Israeli PM, President

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Swedish delegation arrives for talks

[04] Cyprus-Russia discuss cooperation on agriculture and environment

[05] Vassiliou-Kranidiotis discuss Cyprus-EU accession talks

1645:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides to meet Israeli PM, President

Diplomatic sources told CNA that President Clerides is due to have a working breakfast tomorrow with Weizman.

Clerides and Netanyahu will have their first encounter since the latter took office in June 1996, but the time of this meeting has not been made known yet.

Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Shemi Tzur flew to Israel today for the meetings.

President Clerides is in Israel with his wife, who has undergone medical examinations.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    88,48 ( 1,77)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  98,69 ( 1,36)
Approved Investment Companies          67,29 ( 1,14)
Insurance Companies                    67,44 ( 2,74)
Industrial Companies                   87,16 ( 3,06)
Tourist Industries                     80,31 ( 0,54)
Commercial Companies                   53,76 ( 5,41)
Other Companies                        77,98 ( 1,17)

Trading Volume                         CYP 2,482.979

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Larnaca, Mar 17 (CNA) -- A five-member delegation of the Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministry, headed by State Secretary Gunnar Lund, arrived in Cyprus for meetings on the Cyprus problem and the Republic's bid to join the European Union (EU).

The Cyprus government's decision to deploy the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system is among the issues that will be discussed at a meeting the Swedish delegation will have with Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, tomorrow.

Speaking on arrival, Lund said Sweden does not believe it would be "very helpful" in the situation to deploy the S-300s, this summer, noting there has been communication on this issue with the current EU British presidency.

"It is likely that it would increase tension and complicate the situation and would not be helpful in bringing about what we all now should strive for, to find a path for the talks and a resolution of the (Cyprus) conflict," he said.

Asked if Britain has written to the Swedish government asking it to persuade the Cyprus government not to deploy the missiles, Lund said "I don't think that there has been any letter communicated, but the message as such certainly has been communicated and we have discussed that."

"It is true that it is the position of the UK and the Swedish governments," he said, adding "it is one of the items that I expect we will be discussing and where I will make our position clear."

The Swedish official said "we wish to express that concern and hope that it can be avoided that these missiles are deployed."

Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary, Alecos Shambos, who welcomed the delegation, said this issue should not be discussed publicly and pointed out that the government's position on the issue is known and has not changed.

The government has said it would be willing not to deploy the S-300s it had ordered in January 1997 only if there is sufficient progress in efforts to solve the Cyprus question or if complete demilitarisation of the island is agreed.

It has supported its right to build its defences, as a deterrent to a new offensive by Turkish troops occupying 37 percent of the island's territory since they invaded in 1974.

Lund, on his first visit to Cyprus, said he is here "to learn and to understand more about the situation."

Pointing out that Sweden is a member of the EU and the UN Security Council, he said "in both capacities we take a great deal of interest and follow the situation with Cyprus."

The Swedish State Secretary said issues pertaining to Cyprus' EU accession talks will also be discussed, in view of the opening of negotiations, on March 31, and stressed that his government has "long- standing" relations with Cyprus.

Shambos also pointed to "traditional and very friendly relations" between the two countries, noting that "Sweden fully backs the UN mission and has for many years participated in the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus."

CNA MAN/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1915:CYPPRESS:04

[03] Cyprus-Russia discuss cooperation on agriculture and environment

These issues were discussed today by Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Costas Themistocleous and Russian ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Mouradov.

Themistocleous said the Russian Agriculture Minister will visit Cyprus in the near future to sign an agreement for cooperation between the two countries in veterinary services and other related issues.

He pointed out that the two countries have already signed a memorandum for cooperation in the agricultural field.

With regard to water resources, which are scarce in Cyprus, the Minister said the two countries have been cooperating closely for the past few years and Russian companies have been preparing studies on various relevant issues.

Themistocleous said he was briefed on mobile desalination units which are used in Russia.

"Within the measures we are examining to solve the water shortage problem is the use of such desalination units" he said, adding that his Ministry is examining the use of relevant Russian technology.

The Minister said "in Russia they use technology to recycle garbage and we will look into the possibility of using this technology in the future."

On his part, the Russian ambassador described cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural, natural resources and environment fields as "very important".

"This dimension of our cooperation proves that we are developing our relations in wider fields," Mouradov said.

CNA RM/MA/AP/1998

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2030:CYPPRESS:05

[04] Vassiliou-Kranidiotis discuss Cyprus-EU accession talks

An announcement from Kranidiotis' office said "strategy issues in view of the opening of the talks for Cyprus' accession to the EU were discussed, " during the meeting.

It added that "special emphasis" was given on coordination of efforts between the governments of Greece and Cyprus.

Cyprus is among the six countries that will open accession talks with the EU at the end of this month.

CNA KI/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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