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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-09-03Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
0830:CYPPRESS:01[01] US - Reaction - ConfederationWashington, Sep 3 (CNA) -- The US has clearly said that it has not moved away from its declared objective to establish a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus, a goal which the US administration is working to achieve.The statement, by a US State Department spokesman, comes in response to a proposal by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, earlier this week to establish a Cyprus confederation with "two sovereign and equal states". The government of the Republic of Cyprus rejected the proposal as "unacceptable" and said Denktash's demands were "absurd and contrary to the high-level agreements (concluded by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in 1977 and 1979), the UN resolutions and the recent Security Council resolution which reaffirms the basis for settlement talks. "We are looking at the proposal. The US continue to support the objective of a bizonal, bicommunal federation agreed to in the 1977 and 1979 high level agreements," the State Department spokesman said. He noted the US administration continues to "work actively to bring the two sides into a negotiating process to reach this goal." "We urge the sides to focus their attention on the core issues of the Cyprus dispute and to prepare themselves for comprehensive negotiations," the spokesman added. He pointed out that there is no useful purpose in discussing various proposals in the media and added "our focus remains our efforts through quiet diplomatic channels to bring about a settlement to the Cyprus problem." Other permanent members of the UN Security Council also reiterated their backing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Denktash presented his proposal at a press conference on Monday, in the presence of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who was visiting Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas illegally. The proposal, which is tantamount to an ultimatum to the Greek Cypriot side, envisages "a partnership composed of two peoples and two states" and stresses that "this is the only structure which will provide for the security, identity and well being" of the two sides. "If the Greek Cypriots agree to this final basis, we are ready to begin negotiations to establish a Cyprus confederation," Denktash said. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA DA/MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY0930:CYPPRESS:02[02] Cyprus - EU - Screening ProcessNicosia, Sep 3 (CNA) -- Cyprus will present Monday to the European Union its negotiating positions on seven chapters for which the screening process has been concluded, the Republic's chief negotiator with the Union, George Vassiliou, has said.Speaking in Brussels after a series of meetings with EU officials, Vassiliou said Cyprus is committed to adopting fully the acquis communautaire on the seven chapters already discussed during the screening process (research and technology, education, culture, telecommunications and others). He explained though that in the field of telecommunications EU rules and regulations would come into effect in Cyprus one year after the supposed date of enlargement in the year 2003. The presentation of the Cypriot views will take place before the start of substantial negotiations with the EU. Accession talks began in March this year between the EU and Cyprus and five Central and Eastern European countries. Vassiliou discussed in Brussels with Klaus Van der Pas, in charge of all negotiating teams, and Leopold Maurer, Austrian official in charge of talks for Cyprus' accession, matters relating to Cyprus' accession course and outlined the positions of the Cypriot government on the seven chapters of the screening process. Cyprus applied for EU membership in July 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union protocol in 1987. CNA MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1050:CYPPRESS:03[03] SPORT: Commonwealth Games - CyprusNicosia, Sep 3 (CNA) -- Cyprus will participate in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between September 7-21, with 25 athletes.More than six thousand athletes from 69 countries (former British colonies) will take part in the Games. Cyprus will participate in five out of 15 events, namely field and track, swimming, gymnastics, shooting and boxing. CNA GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1115:CYPPRESS:04[04] SPORT: Cyprus vs SpainNicosia, Sep 3 (CNA) -- Spain's national soccer team arrived here last night with all their stars to play against Cyprus for the qualifying round of the European Cup "Euro 2000".The group 6 game will be played at "Antonis Papadopoulos" stadium in Larnaca, next Saturday (September 5). Kick off: 2100 local time (1800 GMT) The two countries' Under 21 teams will clash tomorrow afternoon at Tsirion stadium, in Limassol, for the European Cup. CNA GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1250:CYPPRESS:05[05] Excavations - Most ancient copper worksNicosia, Sep 3 (CNA) -- The most ancient primary copper smelting works in Cyprus were brought to light after nearly ten years of excavations of an Italian team on the island, Maria Rosaria Belgiorno, archaeologist with the Italian Institute for Research (CNR), has said.Findings unearthed near Pyrgos village, some twenty kilometres east of the southern town of Limassol, are similar to those found in Sardenia and Spain, where copper was processed, she told CNA. "Evidence of metallurgical activity has been found in an Early - Middle Bronze Age settlement and this has given us the clearest picture yet of the method used at the time of how people processed copper," she explained. Belgiorno said three ovens, built in a series of channels which gathered the materials left after the smelting of copper. "The objects we have discovered, made of copper, ceramic and stone, are an indication of the high living standards the local community reached in the beginning of the Early Bronze period in the valley of the river near Pyrgos," the Italian archaeologist added. She said that careful study of the findings will provide information about the social structure after copper mining in the beginning of the Bronze period and will enable us to look into the problems of domestic and foreign trade in copper at the time. Today and tomorrow Cyprus is hosting a seminar on the Italian archaeology, archeometallurgy, conservation and restoration during which Cypriot and Italian researchers will present their work in Cyprus. The findings of the Italian missions will be on display at the archaeological museum of Nicosia from 2-8 September. CNA DA/MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1430:CYPPRESS:06[06] Cyprus - Israel - BusinessNicosia, Sep 3 (CNA) -- Cyprus could play an important role in promoting dialogue between Israel and its neighbours, especially business leaders, and can also help set up joint projects among countries of the Middle East, a leading Israeli businessman has said.Dan Gillerman, President of the Israeli Federation of Trade Chambers, suggested that this East Mediterranean island hosts the next Middle East and North Africa Summit (MENA). "We believe very strongly that Cyprus because of its very special relations with Israel and its neighbours will act as a facilitator of joint projects, joint ventures, Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian," Gillerman said after a meeting here today with Cyprus' Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis. He added Cyprus could be the initiator and the facilitator. The Israeli businessman suggested that Cyprus hosts the next MENA summit because Israel will not be able to host the meeting. "We also would very much like to see Cyprus help us embark on an ongoing dialogue with our neighbours and especially with business leaders," Gillerman added. Describing Cyprus as "a friend", he said the geographical proximity between Cyprus and Israel "must be translated into much larger economic cooperation." He advocated enhanced bilateral cooperation in the fields of high tech, tourism, trade and joint ventures and other areas and stressed there is "very great potential of cooperation and exciting opportunities." Doron Tamir, Vice President of the Israeli Industrialists Association, said businessmen can try and find ways to develop ties together here or in Israel. "We came here to encourage Cypriot businessmen to come to Israel and participate in the summit in Jerusalem, expected to be attended by about 1, 000 leading business people from all over the world," Tamir said. He said Israeli achievement in the high tech field could provide Cypriot businessmen with a unique opportunity to see for themselves how they could implement similar projects in Cyprus for a mutual benefit. Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus, Shemi Tzur, said he was very pleased to have key figures of the Israeli economy in Cyprus to discuss "very seriously ways and opportunities to upgrade trade relations between the two countries." "We invited the Minister to attend the summit in Jerusalem from 13-15 October," Tzur said. Rolandis said Cyprus has many advantages in the region for joint investment, including its geographical location. "We have close ties with the European Union and are already involved in membership talks. We also maintain excellent relations with the countries in this part of the world and so Cyprus could be used as a base for business ventures," the minister said. Cyprus' relations with Israel have been enhanced in the past five years since the Republic opened up an embassy in Tel Aviv and visits by Foreign Ministers and other officials were exchanged. Israeli President Ezer Weizman is due to visit Cyprus before the end of the year. CNA AA/MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1440:CYPPRESS:07[07] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Sep 3 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE General Index 88.07 (-0.37) Traded Value CYP 1,691,235 Sectural Indices Banks CYP 1,078,714 102.82 (-0.27) Approved Investment Companies CYP 8,092 59.36 ( 0.59) Insurance Companies CYP 52,031 60.02 (-0.40) Manufacturing Companies CYP 90,909 85.65 (-1.40) Tourism Companies CYP 72,695 71.34 (-0.08) Trading Companies CYP 32,111 42.66 ( 0.02) Other Companies CYP 90,792 76.88 (-0.43)The third column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting. CNA MA/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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