Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Cyprus - Consumer protection

[03] Cyprus - World Customs Organisation - Meeting

[04] UNFICYP - Buoys

[05] Cyprus - Israel - Symposium

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         120.83 ( 0.17)

      Traded Value            CYP 6,204,871

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 3,091,956     151.83 ( 0.45)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   225,395      75.95 ( 1.27)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   147,020      78.23 ( 1.10)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   191,078     101.84 (-2.53)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   150,847      81.43 ( 0.51)
      Trading Companies       CYP   139,517      50.52 (-0.20)
      Other Companies         CYP   103,732      87.26 (-0.15)

CNA MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - Consumer protection

Underlining his interest in the issue, Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis said he has submitted a proposal to the cabinet to increase the number of people dealing with these matters at the consumer protection service, that is understaffed.

"There are still some issues that have to be dealt with so that we can say that the consumer is sufficiently protected in Cyprus," he said.

Rolandis noted that European standards have to be set by the Organisation for Standards and Quality Control and some problems regarding competition have to be tackled.

Head of the European Commission Delegation in Cyprus, Donato Giovanni Chiarini, congratulated the government "on the progress achieved so far in harmonizing the Cyprus law with the acquis communautaire in the field of consumer health and protection."

However, he said "a lot of work remains to be done," especially with regard to legislation and expressed certainty that the Cyprus government, with the full support of the Commission and in cooperation with the House of Representatives, "will be in a position to introduce new legislation and adapt existing legislation to comply with the acquis in accordance with the agreed timetable."

President of the Consumers Association, Loucas Aristodemou, acknowledged that "substantive and practical progress has been made in the field of recognising consumer rights, which is reinforced because of our effort to harmonise our economy with the acquis."

He said much is yet to be done for Cyprus to reach European standards, underlining the absence of institutions and means which protect and reimburse consumers.

CNA AA/MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - World Customs Organisation - Meeting

Opening the four-day meeting in the seaside resort of Larnaca, the Director of the Cyprus Department of Customs and Excise, Andis Trifonides, stressed the excellent relations Cyprus maintains with other countries in their effort to prevent and combat customs-related offences.

According to George Constantinou, conference co-ordinator, participants will discuss ways to improve communication among their respective countries in this field and examine means to facilitate cooperation and exchange of information to help them prevent and fight customs-related crime.

Constantinou stressed the importance of the meeting, pointing out the suggestions participants make, will be submitted to the WCO, which will pass them on to its member-states in a bid to enhance cooperation.

Participating countries include Austria, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Finland and the UK.

CNA MAN/GG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2010:CYPPRESS:04

[04] UNFICYP - Buoys

UNFICYP spokeswoman, Sarah Russell, told CNA today that the Force has asked the occupation regime to put the buoy back in line with other buoys it has placed out at sea.

She also said UNFICYP has discussed the issue with Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Alecos Shiambos.

On Saturday a Turkish Navy Vessel approached the area and replaced buoys, only a few days after UNFICYP had announced it has carried out improvements on its maritime security markers in the region.

"One buoy is out of line, it's not where it was before" Russell said, adding that UNFICYP has asked the regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 to "move it back where it was before."

Asked if the buoy is closer to the government-controlled areas, Russel said "yes, it's nearer to our maritime security line than it was before."

She also clarified that the Turkish occupation forces "took three buoys, but they only put in two."

Asked if the government has lodged a complaint over the issue, Russell said "we have discussed it with Shiambos" and briefed about what has happened.

Some 1.200 peacekeepers control the 180-kilometre long buffer zone across Cyprus.

CNA MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Israel - Symposium

Ioannides was today addressing an archaeological symposium, organised by the University of Cyprus in cooperation with the Archaeological Institute of the Hebrew University of Israel.

Ioannides stressed Cyprus' struggle to preserve its cultural personality which "centuries have respected until 1974" when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern part.

He called upon civilised humanity to "take the necessary measures in order to save the cultural monuments in the occupied part of Cyprus which represent centuries of culture".

Stressing the strong relations between Cyprus and Israel in the fields of culture and science, Ioannides pointed out that in spite of successive occupation by foreign armies, the island has kept its national identity.

He said Ankara and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the occupied north of the island are trying "to distort history".

Pointing out that Cyprus' cultural heritage belongs not only to the people of the island, but also to humanity as a whole, Ioannides expressed confidence that both the symposium and the participants' work will contribute towards preserving it.

CNA GG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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