Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-06-25

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek President arrives

[02] First Greek President visits Cyprus

[03] Greece firmly supports Cyprus' cause

[04] Nicosia wall will fall, says Greek President

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange 1100:CYPPRESS:O1 Greek President arrives

Larnaca, Jun 25 (CNA) -- Greek President Constantinos Stephanopoulos arrived here today for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

He was met at Larnaca International Airport by President Clerides. CNA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:02

[01] First Greek President visits Cyprus

He is the first President of Greece to visit Cyprus since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, in 1960. Greece is one of the three guarantors of the Cyprus Republic. The other two are Britain and Turkey.

Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, National Finance Under- Secretary Alexandros Baltas and more than 40 officials.

The Greek President's plane landed at Larnaca International Airport at 1045 hours local time (0745 GMT). He was met at the airport by President Glafcos Clerides, while 21 salvos were shot. During a red-carpet ceremony, the two Presidents inspected a guard of honour.

Stephanopoulos and his escort left for Nicosia where the Mayor of the last divided European capital, Lellos Demetriades, will present him the city's golden key.

Later on the Greek President will be officially received by his Cypriot counterpart who will decorate him. The two men will lead the two delegations at official talks at the Presidential Palace.

This afternoon Stephanopoulos will meet with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos.

Tonight he will attend an official dinner to be given in his honour by President Clerides.

During his four-day visit to Cyprus President Stephanopoulos will also meet President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou. He will have meetings with party leaders and address a special session at the House of Representatives.

Stephanopoulos will also visit the Greek contingent stationed in Cyprus (ELDIK), in accordance with the 1960 agreements for the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

President Stephanopoulos will visit the towns of Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni and Dherynia and the tomb of late Cyprus President, Archbishop Makarios III, at Throni near Kykko Monastery, on the Troodos range.

He will leave on Sunday afternoon.

CNA AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:03

[02] Greece firmly supports Cyprus' cause

Welcoming Stephanopoulos at Larnaca Airport, President Glafcos Clerides said his visit comes at the "most critical time" of the Cyprus problem, since the 1974 Turkish invasion and continued occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory.

Speaking on arrival Thursday for a four-day official visit to Cyprus, Stephanopoulos said it was a "great honour" for him to be the first Greek President to visit the island and pledged the full support and cooperation of Greece.

"I convey the message that Cyprus is a national issue of top priority for Greece, which fully supports the struggle of Cypriots for freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus."

He conveyed the firm decision of the political leadership and the people of Greece to support Cyprus.

"I don't convey neither hostile nor offensive messages, but messages of friendship, peace and brotherhood."

The Greek President accused Turkey of continuously violating international law in Cyprus since 1974 and for its recent threats and sent the message that Greek and Turkish Cypriots should live in a united, bicommunal federal state, that will definitely become a full member of the European Union.

"EU membership will benefit both communities and all Cypriots," he said.

Stephanopoulos said during his stay he will review recent developments in the political problem and discuss Cyprus' course to EU accession.

He said the present status quo is unacceptable and urged the international community not to tolerate the continued illegal occupation of part of Cyprus.

The Greek President added that the talks will also look into ways of qualitative improvement of the joint defence pact between Cyprus and Greece, since Turkish aggressiveness continues.

The governments of Cyprus and Greece agreed in November 1983 to adopt a joint defence pact, providing that Greece would come in aid of Cyprus in case of a new Turkish offensive.

Stephanopoulos described his visit to Cyprus as one of the "most important moments" of his life and assured once again that "Greece will support Cyprus to defend its legitimate rights if the need arises."

On his part, Clerides said that Stephanopoulos' presence sends the message that Greece, which is a guarantor power of the Cyprus Republic, is in the same trench with Cyprus.

He noted that "Cyprus and Greece have "strong national and brotherly bonds", to the benefit of stability, peace and security in the region.

"It is the first time that Cypriot Hellenism is honoured to welcome the highest official of the Greek nation," President Clerides noted.

"Your presence in Cyprus, my friend, Mr. President, sends a very significant message... that Greece, a guarantor power of the Cyprus Republic, is here with us in the same trench. It is fighting with us to protect the Cyprus Republic, it is fighting with us to restore justice in Cyprus and to create an independent and united state, it is fighting with us to enter the big, European family", Clerides said.

The Cypriot President also said this message applies to the Turkish Cypriot community "because the contents of a peaceful solution we are pursuing, such as accession to the EU, will benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots."

Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, National Finance Under- Secretary Alexandros Baltas and more than 40 officials.

CNA AP/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:04

[03] Nicosia wall will fall, says Greek President

He described as a "shame" for the world civilisation the wall which divides Nicosia, the world's last divived capital.

The Greek President, which started today a four-day official visit to Cyprus, was presented with the capital's golden key by Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades, during a welcoming ceremony at the entrance of Nicosia.

Demetriades described Stephanopoulos' presence here as a "proof of the firm support of Greece in our struggle for freedom."

The Greek President said "it is unacceptable to have walls based on violence, still separating people, shielding in this way unfair positions and illegal situations."

He noted that it is "a shame to civilisation, not only to those who erected the wall, dividing Nicosia into two... but also to those who tolerate this wall."

Stephanopoulos expressed the conviction that just like any other wall in the world came down one after the other, the same will happen soon in Nicosia.

The Greek President pointed out that this wall also "separates Turkey from Europe" noting that the Turkish side should realise that it is to its benefit to change its policy. Receiving the golden key of the capital, Stephanopoulos said he looks forward to the day when "a real key will open the door and let people freely move from one side to the other".

Welcoming Stephanopoulos, the Nicosia Mayor said "the municipal council unanimously decided to present you the city's highest honour, declaring you as its honourable citizen and presenting you with its golden key."

"Our city, Mr. President, bears the tragic title of the only divided, under occupation, capital in the world. The continued existence of the shameful dividing walls is an insult to civilisation, especially when we are approaching the 21st century," he added.

Demetriades called on the Greek President to make every effort towards the salvation of this martyred city.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA AP/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:05

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          83.95 (-0.64)

   Traded Value            CYP 882,899

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   473,616      97.23 (-0.59)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    24,334      58.56 (-0.44)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    75,223      62.69 (-0.63)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    21,688      76.85 (-1.32)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    24,526      68.76 ( 0.15)
   Trading Companies       CYP    97,723      45.58 (-1.17)
   Other Companies         CYP     9,928      70.90 (-0.30)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article