Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Agriculture Minister - Water

[03] Government Spokesman - US

[04] New Ministers - Assume duties

[05] Justice Minister - Poland

[06] Vassiliou - Hannay

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         123.66 ( 1.19)

      Traded Value            CYP 9,056,972

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 3,471,733     157.12 ( 1.58)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   204,542      76.50 ( 1.74)
      Insurance Companies     CYP    74,846      77.79 (-0.35)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP 2,194,601      97.60 ( 0.06)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   763,187      86.25 ( 1.51)
      Trading Companies       CYP   134,858      51.55 (-1.07)
      Other Companies         CYP   744,110      87.89 ( 1.29)

CNA EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Agriculture Minister - Water

This was stated Monday by Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister, Costas Themistocleous during a seminar on "The Presentation and promotion of equipment to save water", on the occasion of today's International Water Day.

He said his ministry would "study the need and viability of the construction of a third desalination plant, possibly together with a power plant which is being constructed at Vassiliko", on the island's southern coast.

Themistocleous referred to the measures undertaken by the government with the construction of two desalination units in Dhekelia and Larnaca.

He said the government was promoting "more projects according to the Water Development Scheme which will cover all needs until the year 2010".

However, Themistocleous stressed that people should become more aware of the water shortage problem on the island.

"We have a responsibility and obligation to handle it correctly and make every effort to save water," he said.

Meanwhile, the water reserves in the island's dams are estimated at 60 million cubic metres or 22 per cent of their capacity.

The normal figure per annum is 138 million cubic metres, 57 million of which are for water supply purposes and the remaining 81 million for irrigation purposes.

The President of the Nicosia Water Board, Andreas Poliviou said water rationing measures would continue this year and possibly next year.

Meanwhile, the Environmentalists - Ecologists Movement staged a demonstration, calling on the government to properly address the water shortage problem of Cyprus.

CNA AA/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government Spokesman - US

Government Spokesman Costas Serezis, speaking to reporters after assuming his duties from Christos Stylianides who resigned last week, said however that there are other scenarios aiming for a Cyprus settlement.

Serezis was invited to comment on a report in the Greek newspaper "Ependitis" which referred to a specific US plan to solve the Cyprus problem.

He said "the American view was, and remains, that a solution to the Cyprus problem should be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

This position was repeated during President Glafcos Clerides' meetings with US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller and the contacts Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides had in Washington and in Cyprus with US officials, Serezis added.

"The solution of the territorial issue constitutes an important aspect of the Cyprus problem", Serezis said, "because it opens up the road for a solution" of the refugee and fundamental freedoms' issues.

The Cyprus government, he added, "is not aware and does not have any official information about the existence of a specific plan for a solution of the Cyprus problem".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

CNA MM/EC/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:04

[04] New Ministers - Assume duties

New Finance Minister, Takis Clerides, took over the ministry from Christodoulos Christodoulou who has been appointed Interior Minister.

Pointing out that he is aware of the difficulties the Cyprus economy is facing, Clerides added, however, that with hard work and cooperation "we will retain both the economy and the standard of living at high levels".

On his part Chistodoulou wished Clerides every success, noting that he assumes his duties at "a very crucial time in the Cyprus economy" because "the globalisation of the economy and the speeding up of our accession course to the European Union have created new needs, challenges, opportunities and possibilities".

Welcoming Christodoulou to the Interior Ministry, Dinos Michaelides, said he was handing over the ministry to "a good friend and a close associate" and wished him success expressing the desire to offer his assistance if needed.

Christodoulou on his part, praised his predecessor and pledged to work hard to continue Michaelides' work.

New Government Spokesman, Costas Serezis, asked for a grace period and promised good cooperation with the press, pointing out that within this framework he will meet with the board of the Union of Cyprus Journalists while he will also visit radio and television stations and newspapers.

Welcoming Christodoulou to his post, former Spokesman, Christos Stylianides, expressed his appreciation to the members of the press for their cooperation during his time in office.

CNA MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Justice Minister - Poland

The two ministers will hold consultations on the implementation of the bilateral Legal Cooperation Convention signed in November 1996 in Nicosia.

Koshis and Suchocka will examine the two countries' efforts to join the European Union.

The Cypriot Minister will also meet Polish Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Janusz Tomaszewski to examine bilateral cooperation on security issues.

CNA FZ/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Vassiliou - Hannay

Hannay expressed this view to Chief Negotiator in Cyprus' accession talks to the European Union, George Vassiliou, during a two-hour long working lunch.

Vassiliou said Hannay is expecting a substantial initiative on the part of the US in efforts to achieve a Cyprus settlement, adding that Britain would be willing to assist in this direction.

The Cypriot official also said that Hannay conveyed Britain's support to Cyprus' accession course and would offer its assistance to an initiative.

A similar view was also expressed by British Undersecretary for European Affairs, Colin Batt.

On his part Vassiliou said that for an initiative on Cyprus to be successful, the US and Britain should exercise their influence on Turkey to abandon its negative stance on efforts for a Cyprus solution.

"We also stressed that they should not ask or expect any concessions from our side in order to come to the negotiating table," Vassiliou said.

The chief negotiator returns to Cyprus tomorrow. Cyprus applied for accession to the European Community in 1990.

Its accession process was finalised with the decision of the European Council meeting in Luxembourg in December 1997 which set March 1998 as the date for the start of the negotiations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

CNA KT/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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