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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-10Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1500:CYPPRESS:01[01] Russia backs Security Council Cyprus peace effortNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- Russia will try to give a new boost to the UN Security Council's efforts to back the Cyprus peace process.Russian ambassador, Georgi Mouradov, today said his country is trying "to give new support" to the Security Council's effort "through a debate on the Cyprus issue." "We will see how this will develop, but we will definitely continue supporting the Security Council's and the Secretary-General's efforts," Mouradov added. Replying to questions the Russian ambassador said the issue under discussion is "when a meeting of the Security Council permanent members could take place and what its result could be." He suggested that the Security Council president could issue a statement or take some other concrete step to back the Cyprus peace process. The Russian ambassador reiterated his country's support to the UN Secretary-General's good offices mission in Cyprus and the efforts of his special advisor for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez. Mouradov stressed that Russia supports the continuation of talks between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus aiming at finding a just and viable solution. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA KN/MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1510:CYPPRESS:02[02] Arab countries buy more Cyprus productsNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- Arab countries absorbed 28,8 per cent of Cyprus' domestic exports in 1997, up from 19,8 per cent in the previous year.A report by the official Department of Statistics and Research says the European Union (EU) countries in 1997 absorbed 49,4 per cent of the island's domestic exports, compared to 57,2 per cent in 1996. According to the same report, Cyprus' trade deficit last year increased by 4,2 per cent reaching 1.259,3 million Cyprus pounds (one Cyprus pound is equal to 1,85 US dollars) This was the result of an increase by 2,2 per cent in total imports that reached 1.899,3 million pounds in 1997, and a parallel slight fall by 1,4 per cent in total exports, which were 640,0 million pounds last year. Referring to the imports' country of origin, the report indicates that in 1997 the EU supplied 47,6 per cent of Cyprus' total imports, compared to a share of 48,6 per cent in the previous year. The conclusions of the report reaffirm the dominance of the EU among the island's trade partners. Cyprus and other five European states began accession talks with the EU last month, following a long period of customs union between the two parties. CNA GG/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1530:CYPPRESS:03[03] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE All Share Index 91,08 (-0,21) Sectural Indices Banks 104,86 (-0,10) Approved Investment Companies 67,09 (-0,62) Insurance Companies 66,05 (-0,39) Industrial Companies 83,59 (-0,70) Tourist Industries 75,33 ( 0,11) Commercial Companies 53,83 ( 0,39) Other Companies 79,03 (-0,72) Trading Volume 1.640.724* The difference in brackets represents the percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) of the index from the previous stock exchange meeting. CNA MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1600:CYPPRESS:04[04] President reiterates resolve for settlementNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides repeated today his determination to work for a just, viable and workable solution the Cyprus question."Cyprus is going through a critical juncture of its history. We hope that the accession process of the European Union will finally act as a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem to the benefit of the people of Cyprus as a whole," the President said receiving the new Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Byung Yong Soh. Noting that Cyprus and Korea pursue common aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy and justice, President Clerides thanked Korea for its "keen interest and concern" regarding the island's political problems. The President regretted that no progress has been made so far for a negotiated settlement but stressed he would continue efforts for a lasting solution in cooperation with the UN and interested governments. Presenting his letter of credence, Byung Yong Soh expressed pride and satisfaction for the "strong relationship" between Korea and Cyprus whose diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level are just over two years old. The Korean Ambassador welcomed the start of accession negotiations between Cyprus and the European Union. "This fact speaks for itself about the remarkable progress that the Republic of Cyprus has achieved in its four decades of independence," he said. He said investment in the two countries should be stimulated and expressed hope that further impetus to bilateral relations will be given once pending agreements on shipping, aviation, trade and visa exemption are concluded. CNA MM/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1640:CYPPRESS:05[05] Settlement to ensure common interestsNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides said a peaceful settlement in Cyprus would ensure equal dignity and the common interests of Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike.He also underlined the need to establish peace, security and stability in the world at large on the basis of justice and equity. Receiving the new Pakistani High Commissioner Aneesuddin Ahmed, who is based in Beirut, the President said "I wished I could welcome you today to a unified Cyprus" and expressed regret that several Commonwealth and Non- Aligned Movement decisions called for respect of the independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus remain unimplemented. Noting that all initiatives for a just and viable solution have failed due to the lack of political will of the Turkish side, Clerides expressed commitment "to a peaceful settlement that would ensure equal dignity, the interests and common future of the people of our country." "We remain convinced that peace, security and stability in the world at large cannot but be based on justice and equity which can only be achieved through the consistent efforts of all of us to put into practice and transform into a tangible reality the principles of the UN Charter and international law in general," the President added. The Pakistani High Commissioner backed the resolution of disputes through dialogue and said his mission would be to "strengthen bonds of fraternity" between the two countries. He also noted the need to intensify contacts by travel and tourism as the world is shrinking. CNA MM/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1735:CYPPRESS:06[06] British MP fears US intervention in Cyprus' EU courseLondon, Apr 10 (CNA) -- British Conservative MP, Sir Sydney Chapman, has expressed fears the US might intervene behind the scenes to undermine Cyprus' negotiations for accession to the European Union.Speaking before the House of Commons, Sir Sydney welcomed Cyprus' application for EU membership and pointed out that it "is one of the very few countries that meet the Maastricht economic convergence criteria". "My fear is that, as I think might have happened before on matters relating to Cyprus, the US government might intervene quietly, albeit behind the scenes, and in order not to offend Turkey, which is a NATO member, to try to delay or indeed undermine negotiations with Cyprus", he said. Expressing the hope this "will not be the case", Sir Sydney called upon the Speaker of the House, Betty Boothroyd, to appeal to Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, to use their good offices and contacts with US President, Bill Clinton and the Congress to ensure this does not happen. CNA RG/MCH/MM/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1755:CYPPRESS:07[07] Condolences on death of Greek ArchbishopNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- President, Glafcos Clerides, and House President, Spyros Kyprianou, have sent their deep condolences to the Holy Synod of Greece for the death of the late Archbishop Serafim, who died today in an Athens hospital."Cypriot Hellenism is deeply saddened for the loss of a prominent church leader and a warm supporter of its struggle," Clerides' telegramme said. "May God rest his soul," the President added. President Clerides has instructed Education and Culture Minister, Lykourgos Kappas, who is in Greece, to extend his stay and represent the Cyprus government in the funeral. House President Kyprianou expressed sadness in his telegramme and noted his lengthy service to the Church and its congregation which he served with "great devotion to religious principles." CNA MM/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1800:CYPPRESS:08[08] House Committee to discuss arrest of Cypriot deputyNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- Cypriot deputies are going to look into the possibility of taking legal action at home and abroad against Britain following the arrest of a Cypriot MP by the authorities of the British Bases on the island.The issue was raised at Thursday's session by socialist deputy Demetris Eliades who said the arrest of Marios Matsakis, an outspoken critic of the presence of two military bases Britain has retained in Cyprus since it granted the island its independence in 1960, is unconstitutional. Eliades said Matsakis arrest and the search of his car without a warrant violate the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus as well as a provision of the Treaty of Guarantee. This provision notes "the laws applicable to the Cypriot population of the sovereign base areas (SBA) will be as far as possible the same as the laws of the Republic." Matsakis was charged and released last Friday by the SBA with criminal trespass and causing breach of the peace when he tried to enter a court area to attend the trial of another Greek Cypriot. CNA KN/MM/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1815:CYPPRESS:09[09] Russian initiative in the offingNicosia, Apr 10 (CNA) -- The Russian government believes the situation in Cyprus is particularly dangerous, following the refusal of the Turkish Cypriot leadership to return to the negotiating table.A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry told "Novosti" news agency the Turkish Cypriot refusal is due to the way the European Union has dealt with Turkey's membership prospect and the start of accession negotiations the Republic of Cyprus has embarked on with the EU. The outcome of a visit to Cyprus by the Russian and US Cyprus envoys prove that the situation on the island is serious, the spokesman said. "What is needed is an intense effort by the permanent members of the UN Security Council on the basis of their permanent coordination in such a way as to break today's deadlock," the spokesman added. He made it clear that Russian diplomacy will proceed very soon with a serious initiative on the manner of coordination of the permanent members and expressed the hope that all parties involved will understand how critical present times are. Russian diplomacy, he noted, will also work towards the demilitarisation of Cyprus and for a mechanism which would secure guarantees for the security of a future bizonal federation, with a single international personality. CNA CG/MM/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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