Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Britain desires advancement of EU-Cyprus talks

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1055:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Britain desires advancement of EU-Cyprus talks

In an interview with Greek TV Tuesday, Blair also pointed out he has no intention of changing the unanimous conclusions EU leaders reached on the Union's relations with Turkey.

Asked if Britain, current holder of the EU six-month rotating presidency, supports the view that Cyprus' accession talks go ahead, Blair replied "yes, of course. We began those accession negotiations, we want to see them go ahead, we have made it clear there are no pre-conditions."

Blair noted, however, that "it is far easier to have successful accession negotiations if there is a settlement in Cyprus that is lasting and durable."

On EU-Turkey relations, the British Premier said "we will adhere to the Luxembourg conclusions, but it is important that we remove any misunderstandings."

The EU, he said, does not wish to "discriminate in favour of Turkey, but it isn't the desire of the EU to discriminate against them either."

Blair also suggested that measures should be taken to "ensure that the agreements made at the time of the customs union are adhered to."

This, he added, will be good for the EU and its ties with Turkey "without in any way impairing the strong case that the Greeks made."

Asked if there are any indications Turkey is prepared to fulfil the criteria the EU applies to candidate countries, Blair stressed that "the criteria are the same whether it is Turkey or any other country."

"Now, what then happens as a response to that, is up to Turkey, but it is important the EU makes it clear that it wants good relations with Turkey."

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          86.35 (-0.15)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,187,612

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   669,097      99.80 (-0.33)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    19,970      62.11 ( 2.00)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    75,273      64.12 (-0.14)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    47,567      79.03 ( 0.00)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    17,510      71.03 ( 0.81)
   Trading Companies       CYP    51,921      48.04 ( 0.02)
   Other Companies         CYP   103,042      72.78 (-0.37)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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