Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-04-02

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Government - Political parties - Yugoslavia

[03] Foreign Minister - Visits

[04] Foreign Minister - Cyprus problem - EU accession

[05] Romanian Minister - Visit

[06] Cyprus Parliament - Resolution - Yugoslavia

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         113.99 (-2.00)

      Traded Value            CYP 7,269,218

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 4,745,216     143.02 (-2.49)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   306,563      70.02 (-1.66)
      Insurance Companies     CYP    46,245      75.49 ( 1.60)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   104,578      92.44 ( 1.60)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   150,100      81.77 (-2.03)
      Trading Companies       CYP   116,622      47.66 (-3.01)
      Other Companies         CYP    65,552      82.73 (-1.85)

CNA MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government - Political parties - Yugoslavia

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides attended today a meeting of party leaders or representatives, whom he briefed on the government position regarding the Yugoslav crisis.

Kasoulides said he "did not raise the issue of the rally at the meeting, in view of the fact that it is organised by all parties."

He described the government position on the Yugoslav crisis as "balanced, taking into consideration Cyprus' interests."

Replying to questions, the Foreign Minister said the US and UK embassies here did not make representations regarding Saturday's rally and pointed out that Cyprus must take into consideration its European Union accession course.

On his part, Serezis said "the Cyprus government is not organising the rally, but neither is it trying to prevent it."

He added that the government will not participate in the rally, that will take part in Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, in central Nicosia.

House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou said the rally is organised by all parties "who agree on basic aspects of the crisis, even though some come across as more forceful than others."

Later today, the House plenary is expected to approve a petition condemning the bombings in Yugoslavia and calling for a political settlement to the problem.

CNA EC/SD/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Foreign Minister - Visits

Serezis said the Foreign Minister will also participate in the Euro- Mediterranean Ministerial conference, taking place in Stuttgart, Germany, between April 15 - 16.

On April 17 and 18 Kasoulides will visit Brussels, the Spokesman added.

CNA EC/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Foreign Minister - Cyprus problem - EU accession

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides today also expressed the opinion that the Republic's European Union accession course will make Ankara realise it cannot continue its current policy.

Kasoulides was briefing the Board of Directors of the Employers and Industrialists Federation on developments in the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' European Union accession course.

"Today it may seem improbable for the views of the two sides (in Cyprus) to converge, but this is not impossible because increased international interest and active involvement offer an opportunity for the Turkish side to change its stance," he said.

He pointed out that the international community considers the status quo created in Cyprus after the 1974 invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of its territory as unacceptable.

"It is a matter of time before Turkey realises it has to reassess its policy on the Cyprus question," the Foreign Minister said.

He added that procedures for Cyprus' accession to the EU introduces an additional political dimension and will make Ankara understand it cannot continue to occupy part of Cyprus in order to serve its own domestic purposes.

Kasoulides said that in the future Turkey will have much to lose "if it wrongly believes that the key role it is given for a settlement in Cyprus could give her a say in the Republic's future in Europe."

He reiterated that the seven most developed countries of the world plus Russia (G8) are expected to call on the two sides in Cyprus to attend talks at the invitation and under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.

"Our side is ready to participate in a dialogue on all issues," the Foreign Minister said and underlined that the international community must back the UN chief.

Replying to questions regarding the possibility of Cyprus' accession before settling its political problem, he said if Cyprus is accepted as a member, the entire island should join even if the acquis communautaire cannot be applied in the Turkish occupied areas.

Kasoulides said the country needs a strong economy for its political survival and added that if the Republic is well prepared for accession "any possible political obstacles in its accession will be overcome."

He expressed satisfaction with the work done so far towards harmonisation with the EU acquis communautaire.

CNA MK/MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Romanian Minister - Visit

The two Ministers will hold talks on trade relations between Cyprus and Romania and will examine ways to improve and enhance them.

During his visit, the Romanian official will call on Acting President of the Republic, Spyros Kyprianou.

He will also have meetings at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) and the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV).

Berceanu leaves on Wednesday.

CNA RM/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus Parliament - Resolution - Yugoslavia

In a resolution adopted after political leaders or party representatives outlined their positions on the Yugoslav crisis, the House calls on the international community to exert pressure to end the bombing and seek a political settlement.

The Cypriot political parties point out that "not only Yugoslavia but Europe and humanity as a whole will pay the price of a climax to the crisis."

The House considers "the use of military force as unacceptable and utterly inadmissible" noting that innocent people are killed and a new wave of refugees is created with social, humanitarian and economic repercussions for Europe.

It also believes that "the use of force is not only directed against a sovereign country, but constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and principles and the UN Charter and disregards the Security Council."

The resolution expresses the parliament's conviction that the bombing "will not solve the Kossovo crisis, but on the contrary it will create conditions of further conflict, instability and uncertainty in the sensitive Balkan region."

It points out that international law dictates restraint in the use of force and stipulates that all international activity should be in line with decisions taken by the UN, of which the world's powerful countries are also members.

The House expresses its solidarity to the people of Yugoslavia. It also "supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and respect for the borders of the Yugoslav Federation" and backs the respect and safeguarding of the human rights of all its citizens.

The resolution concludes by calling on the international community "to exercise all possible pressure to end the bombing and to seek political means for a peaceful settlement to the Kossovo problem, within the framework of UN principles and the Helsinki Act."

Ruling right-wing DISI parliamentary representative Panayiotis Demetriou criticised powerful countries for using "double standards" and wondered "why they did not intervene in other countries, such as Cyprus, where human rights are violated."

Left-wing AKEL parliamentary representative Andreas Christou said "the US and NATO do not have the political or moral right to speak and act in the name of democracy and human rights."

He questioned why the US and NATO "tolerate the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus and turn a blind eye to the genocide of the Kurdish people by their ally Turkey."

Centre-right parliamentary representative Tasos Papadopoulos said that what is happening in Yugoslavia is directly relevant to all countries which face "a problem of violation of human rights and a threat to their sovereignty."

Noting that the UN Security Council has not approved a resolution on the intervention, he said that "what is at stake now is whether the new world order which the Americans want to establish will be tolerated."

Socialist EDEK second vice-president Demitris Eliades expressed disappointment with the stance taken by the European Union "because it is watching and tolerating the US and NATO creating bloodshed in the heart of Europe."

He pointed to the need for a common EU foreign and security policy and expressed concern with regard to Cyprus' future and the possibility of an unacceptable settlement being imposed.

United Democrat president George Vasiliou expressed regret for "the policy of double standards adopted by the international community" which is not acting "to end Turkey's continuing injustice against Cyprus or the Kurds."

MP and Eurodemocratic Renewal Party president Alexis Galanos said that NATO aims at isolating Russian, changing the borders in the Balkans and warning other peoples not to undermine the new world order it attempts to establish.

CNA AA/MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article