Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Spokesman - Famagusta - Pougiouros

[02] House President - Romanian Trade Minister

[03] Cyprus - Romania - Trade

[04] Romanian Minister - Yugoslavia

[05] CoE Parliamentary Assembly delegation - Cyprus visit

1430:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Spokesman - Famagusta - Pougiouros

Government Spokesman, Costas Serezis said "the response we have had (regarding the issue) is satisfactory".

Asked what moves the government has made, Serezis said "the UN continue to retain the same stance on the issue", that Varosha, the new town of Famagusta, cannot be settled by foreigners and that its legitimate inhabitants (Greek Cypriots) should return to their homes.

The Spokesman reminded that Denktash had made similar threats in the past, noting that the government is "vigilant".

According to the Turkish Cypriot press on Saturday, Denktash provocatively declared that Kosovo refugees could be housed temporarily in Varosha.

He claimed that the buildings in the area can be restored in a short time to "host" the Kosovo refugees.

Meanwhile, Famagusta Mayor, Andreas Pougiouros, strongly protested to the UN and its members, the Security Council and the European Union over Denktash's threats.

In a statement he said it is "high time" that the UN Charter and the Declaration of the Human Rights are implemented for Cyprus "if we do not want to fall into a situation where medieval methods and the law of the jungle will prevail, leading us towards the destruction of humanity".

Noting that Famagusta inhabitants want the threats against their town to end, Pougiouros appealed for the return of all refugees in Cyprus to their homes and an end to the violations of the people's freedoms and fundamental human rights.

The eastern coastal town of Famagusta, once a thriving tourist resort, today remains a desolated "ghost town" and Turkish troops in the occupied areas prevent the return of its Greek Cypriot legitimate inhabitants.

Varosha was abandoned by its inhabitants in the face of the Turkish military advance in August 1974.

Denktash has repeatedly used Varosha as a blackmail card, threatening to settle the fenced area.

Security Council resolution 550 of 1984 "considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN".

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

CNA MCH/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:02

[02] House President - Romanian Trade Minister

Speaking after a meeting with Radu Berceanu, Acting President, House President Spyros Kyprianou said the visit will contribute a great deal to the goals both countries have set out to achieve.

"Our ties are very good and there is every good will from both sides to improve them in all sectors, to our mutual benefit," Kyprianou said.

He said a Romanian parliamentary delegation will visit Cyprus in the near future and Kyprianou has accepted an invitation to visit Romania at a later date.

The Cyprus problem, Cyprus' accession course for membership of the European Union and the situation in Yugoslavia were also on the agenda of today's meeting.

In his remarks, Berceanu expressed his wish to see bilateral relations further enhanced and said a reduction in taxes could help in this direction.

He noted that Cypriot entrepreneurs in Romania would have the upper hand when the situation in the country improves and trade activity is developed.

Romanian firms, he said, could bid for tenders on energy projects in Cyprus.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - Romania - Trade

After a meeting with his Romanian counterpart, Radu Berceanu, Rolandis noted that Cyprus' economy would be benefitted by these investments, adding that quite a big number of Cypriot companies are working in this eastern European country.

"For us Cyprus is an important country in the region", said Berceanu, noting that the two countries "have very good and very close relations" as "there are many companies based in Cyprus which are present in Romania."

He said efforts were being made to increase trade and economic transactions between the two countries.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting was the two countries' bid to become a full member of the Euyropean Union.

Cyprus is included in the first phase of EU's enlargement and Romania in the second one.

CNA DG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Romanian Minister - Yugoslavia

The Minister also believes that the borders of the Yugoslav Republic need not be changed to find a political settlement.

Speaking to the press after a meeting with Acting President, House President Spyros Kyprianou, the Minister said he did not think there is a danger of seeing the conflict spread outside Yugoslavia.

He expressed the hope that "very soon the military operation will stop and they will find a way to continue the search for a political solution."

Noting that Romania is not involved in any way in this conflict, he said the Romanian Parliament has adopted a declaration calling for an immediate halt to military activity and a resumption of discussions for a political solution.

Asked if he advocated a change in the Yugoslav borders, he replied "already there are some borders and I think inside or outside these border we can find a solution and people from NATO, the European Union and such international bodies should find a solution keeping these borders."

And he added "I think changing the border is not a solution for people who are living there."

Borders, he explained, is only a line on the map and people who live there want good relations, good neighbours to live their lives in peace and harmony.

"The solution must be found in this direction and not in changing borders," he concluded.

Commenting on the hungarian minority in Romania, he said any problems that may appear are ironed out through good relations Romania maintains with the minority and Hungary.

Romania, he said, is considered as a model in the Council of Europe about handling this type of problem.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:05

[05] CoE Parliamentary Assembly delegation - Cyprus visit

The delegation comprising Andras Barsony, Lisber Calner, Josette Durrier, Ana Guirado and Vlasta Stepova, will be received by Acting President Kyprianou and meet Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides and the chief of Cyprus' negotiating team in the talks for accession to the European Union, George Vassiliou.

The European deputies will also meet the members of the Cyprus delegation to the CoE Parliamentary Assembly and the President and members of the Socialist Party EDEK.

Before their departure, the delegation will meet the mayor of Nicosia, and the vice mayor of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta. They will also visit the demarcation line in Nicosia and the Dherynia checkpoint.

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

CNA EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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