Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-04-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Interior Minister - Illegal immigrants - Syria

[02] American and Serb - Marriage

[03] Attorney General - European Court of Human Rights

[04] Cyprus - EU Joint Parliamentary Committee

1135:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Interior Minister - Illegal immigrants - Syria

In an interview with CNA earlier this week, Christodoulou said the aim of his 36-hour visit to the neighbouring country would be to secure an agreement, similar to that between Cyprus and Lebanon and "set the framework for a practical approach on the issue".

He said the agreement should also provide the framework for the illegal immigrants' deportation.

The two ministers are also expected to discuss issues relating to the illegal employment of Syrians in Cyprus.

During a recent private visit to Syria and Lebanon, President Glafcos Clerides discussed the issue, following the influx of illegal immigrants on the island from the two neighbouring countries.

CNA MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Paphos, Apr 18 (CNA) -- A Catholic American and his Orthodox Serb bride are getting married in the western coastal resort of Paphos today, after bombing in Yugoslavia forced them to change their plans to get married in Belgrade.

The marriage of Steve Raiz, 30, and his 25-year-old bride Tanja Tomanovitc will be officiated by Bishop Chrysostomos of Paphos.

The couple had met in Belgrade before NATO bombing in Yugoslavia and was planning on getting married there.

They were forced to change their plans after problems in getting visas and other documents necessary for them to be married in either her country or his.

The young couple came to Cyprus from Budapest and asked the Bishop for his help.

Bishop Chrysostomos said that the marriage of the young American and Serb "sends the message that love for life and peace are human values that should not be violated by war."

The hotel where the couple is staying in Paphos has made the arrangements for the wedding and will hold a reception for them after the ceremony.

CNA SS/MA/MK/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1315:CYPPRESS:03

[02] Attorney General - European Court of Human Rights

Speaking at an event organised on Saturday to mark 50 years since the establishment of the Council of Europe, Markides said that "unfortunately there have been and are examples of countries which bring up difficulties or delay in complying with rulings."

He expressed the hope that Turkey will comply with a Court ruling in the case of Greek Cypriot tour guide Titina Loizidou, noting that otherwise the whole system will fall through.

The Court found Turkey guilty of continuous violation of the human rights of Loizidou whose property lies in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

It ruled that Turkey, through its military presence on the island, has effective control of the part of the Republic it occupies since it invaded the island in 1974 and holds Turkey responsible for anything that happens in that area.

In July 1998 the Court ordered Turkey to pay over 400 thousand Cyprus pounds in compensation to Loizou for denying her access to her property but stressed she is and remains the legal owner of that property.

"European Court decisions are binding and this is something which must be safeguarded," the Attorney General told the audience attending the discussion on "Human rights and the functioning of the new European Court of Human Rights".

In his address, Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis underlined that for the past 25 years Turkey, a Council of Europe member state, has been violating the human rights of the citizens of Cyprus.

"The effective implementation and protection of human rights is an international obligation and not only an obligation of the state or the individual," he added.

CNA MA/MK/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1315:CYPPRESS:04

[03] Cyprus - EU Joint Parliamentary Committee

The meeting will begin on April 20th in the western coastal resort of Paphos.

It will also examine Cyprus' course for accession to the EU, its conformity with the European acquis communautaire and the financial and technical aspects of the accession negotiations that got underway last year.

The Cypriot deputies along with their European colleagues and German EU presidency representatives will also discuss the protection of the environment, focusing on the repercussions of British Bases military exercises in the Akamas peninsula.

The Committee members will pay a visit to the peninsula, in the western tip of the island, considered unique for its flora and fauna and is designated to become a national park.

The area has been used as a firing range by the two British military bases established in Cyprus since the island gained its independence from colonial rule in 1960.

The Cyprus government and the British Bases have been discussing alternative areas for these military exercises, especially after environmentalists stepped up their campaign for the protection of the region.

CNA MK/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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