Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-01-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Greece - Cooperation Agreement

[02] Cyprus - UN shuttle talks

[03] Socialist Group leader - Missiles - UN initiative

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Irish House and Senate Presidents - Arrival

1630:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Greece - Cooperation Agreement

Signing the Agreement, Ioannou said Athens was willing to help Nicosia in its process of harmonisation with European Union rules and regulations in this field.

On his part, Moushoutas underlined the Agreement reconfirmed Greece's interest in Cyprus and said Athens' support, guidelines and experience was necessary.

The Greek Minister said Athens could provide Cyprus with the know-how "regarding the situation in Europe and Greece on employment policies" and other matters such as "harmonising tax laws with the EU, issues of concern to people with special needs and transborder issues".

Moushoutas said the Agreement outlined specific ways of cooperation in the labour field and covered wider issues regarding Cyprus' process of accession to the EU.

"The experience and knowledge of the Greek Labour and Social Insurance Ministry will be invaluable to us," he added.

Ioannou, who is on a four-day official visit, called on President Glafcos Clerides, Primate of the Church Archbishop Chrysostomos and House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou earlier today.

CNA GG/MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1645:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - UN shuttle talks

The Spokesman also said that this process cannot continue indefinitely, but underlined that the government participates in the new UN effort as this is the wish of the Security Council and the only way by which a settlement to the Cyprus problem could be reached.

Stylianides was invited to express his opinion on statements made earlier today by UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus, that she will carry out the shuttle talks for as long as some progress is being made.

He said the government participates in the shuttle talks because it is under the UN Secretary-General's auspices and is supported by the Security Council and the international community.

"The government is conforming with the Security Council's and the Secretary-General's positions, it believes that efforts for a settlement in Cyprus should be carried out within the UN framework and will assess the procedure when it ends," the Spokesman said.

He added that "we cannot assess the procedure at this stage because we do not know what is being said between Dame Ann and Mr. Denktash."

Commenting on the length of the talks, Stylianides reminded of statements made by both President Clerides and Dame Ann that no procedure could continue indefinitely.

The spokesman did not wish to discuss a UN set of ideas on an overall framework agreement on Cyprus, that Dame Ann Hercus had previously described as a substantive document.

"I do not believe it would be proper and useful to begin an analysis and a discussion on such issues at the moment," Stylianides added.

UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus began shuttle talks with the two sides last October aiming at the reduction of tensions and a process for a settlement.

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

CNA MM/MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1725:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Socialist Group leader - Missiles - UN initiative

Speaking to London Greek Radio, Green also expressed the hope that efforts by UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus for a settlement in Cyprus will succeed and welcomed the fact that Hercus' shuttle talks are held behind closed doors.

Expressing satisfaction with the fact that the S300 missile issue that dominated the agenda for the past couple of years is "now out of the way", Green said "I think it is an important and very sound move forward by the Cyprus government."

President Glafcos Clerides announced at the end of last year that he decided not to bring the Russian-made S300 and to negotiate with Moscow their possible deployment in the southern Greek island of Crete.

"My personal view is that it has removed at a stroke the biggest obstacle that we have had to any move forward," Green said.

The Socialist Euro-MP said "there is now a very big commitment on the international community to drive forward, to take some initiative to make sure that it isn't just the Cyprus government sacrifice of the missiles."

"There has to be a move forward and that means the international community must now work for Cyprus and I think all efforts are now going into that," she added.

Green also expressed satisfaction with the shuttle talks carried out by Hercus between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides in Cyprus, since October 1998, and the hope she will succeed in her effort.

"I know she is a very determined lady and I also very much appreciate the way she is keeping absolutely silent about what she is doing," she said.

Green said the UN resident representative "is actually doing what we want the international community to do and finding gaps and space where you can make progress."

Hercus' efforts aim at reducing tensions on the island and finding a settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974.

CNA RG/MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          96.63 ( 0.34)

      Traded Value            CYP 3,694,422

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 1,457,199     112.18 ( 0.72)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    88,355      60.34 (-0.03)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   670,473      76.89 (-1.32)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   229,061      89.18 (-0.67)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   232,575      74.33 ( 1.03)
      Trading Companies       CYP   343,120      46.03 ( 1.63)
      Other Companies         CYP   161,642      84.52 (-0.44)

CNA MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Irish House and Senate Presidents - Arrival

Speaking on their arrival in Cyprus for a six day official visit at the invitation of the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, the two Irish officials also underlined the good relations between the two countries and the similarities in their history and background.

Welcoming the two men, Kyprianou said "relations between Cyprus and Ireland were always close" and noted that the Irish people "are amongst those who understand the problems we face very well".

The House President said "there is still space for closer cooperation" between the parliaments and the governments of the two countries and expressed certainty their visit will contribute towards this direction.

"Ireland is one of the main countries that fully backs our effort to join the EU," he added.

Cyprus opened substantive negotiations with the EU in November 1998. The President of the Irish House expressed certainty their visit will be of mutual benefit and their discussions fruitful.

"We are of course fully supportive of the negotiations for the entry of Cyprus to the EU and we will be discussing these matters during the week, " he said.

Pattison added that their visit "is all about strengthening the already good relationships which exist between our two countries and our two people."

"Our backgrounds have many similarities, our history has many similarities. We have so much in common that we should build on," he concluded.

On his part the Speaker of the Irish Senate expressed the hope that "our visit to Cyprus will further strengthen and deepen the bonds of friendship between our two countries and we look forward very much in Ireland to the day when Cyprus and Ireland will be joint members of the EU."

Mullooly underlined that "Ireland is very supportive of the application of Cyprus for membership of the EU" and expressed the hope their visit "will be of considerable benefit to both our countries."

Tomorrow the Irish officials will call on President Glafcos Clerides and the House President, and will meet Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou. They will also visit to the Irish contingent in the UN peacekeeping force here.

CNA MAN/MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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