Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-07-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Progress may halt delivery of missiles

[02] EU Harmonisation effort under scrutiny

1735:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Progress may halt delivery of missiles

Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department on Information and the Press, Valery Nesterushkin, said the Russian-made S-300 missiles may not be deployed in Cyprus, "if there is a breakthrough in the Cyprus peace process" or if the demilitarisation of the island is "put on a practical plane".

In a statement to Itar-Tass today, Nesterushkin pointed out that the Russian side lays certain hopes on a further headway in the efforts to settle the Cyprus problem, adding that "we attentively follow all the international efforts being made to unblock the Cyprus peace process and participate in promoting the process".

Nesterushkin said that if no substantial progress is made, then the Russian side is prepared to meet all its commitments under the purchase contract.

The Russian official also stressed that the terms of the contract and the time-frame set to meet them are matters that concern the Rosvooruzheniye company, which manufactures the missiles.

CNA RG/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:02

[02] EU Harmonisation effort under scrutiny

Participating in the discussion were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister of Finance, Christodoulos Christodoulou, head of the Cyprus negotiating team in the European Union accession talks, George Vassiliou, as well as leaders or representatives of political parties.

Kasoulides pointed out that a specially set up Committee of Ministers for the Harmonisation with the Acquis Communautaire has been upgraded and will be chaired by President Glafcos Clerides.

"We need full coordination among government departments," he said. House President, Spyros Kyprianou, who presided over today's meeting, said the Parliament's role is to "harmonise the Cyprus legislation with the acquis communautaire" and so the House will monitor the situation.

He also said that either a special House committee will be set up to follow developments, or the House Committee for Foreign Affairs will cover this issue.

Vassiliou said that although no concrete decisions were taken today, the meeting was "useful" in that it offered an opportunity for coordinated action between his office and the House on one hand and the government and the House on the other.

CNA RG/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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