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

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

CONTENTS

[01] House President - Chinese Parliamentarians

[02] Cyprus Airways - EL AL - Cooperation

1210:CYPPRESS:01

[01] House President - Chinese Parliamentarians

Speaking after meeting House President Spyros Kyprianou, Zhu Kaixuan, Chairman of the Committee of Education, Culture, Science and Health of the National People's Congress, said "there has been great success almost in every field between the two countries."

The achievement of this, he added, has greatly to do with Cypriot politicians and the people of the two countries, noting that Kyprianou's contribution has been great "to the successful development of the relationship" between the two countries.

"I sincerely hope that the cooperation and exchanges between the two parliaments could have a great success in the future" and will also greatly develop the friendship between Cyprus and China, said Kaixuan, who is heading a four-member delegation to Cyprus.

He referred to President Glafcos Clerides' visit to China next June and expressed the hope that the President of the House "could make his time to visit China".

On his part, Kyprianou said China is interested in a solution to the protracted Cyprus question.

He said the Chinese deputies are well informed about "the drama of the Cypriot people".

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

Kyprianou expressed the hope that such contacts, which are very significant for Cyprus, "will contribute to understanding better" the problems which the two countries are facing.

"We need to approach as best as possible... all the peoples and governments, especially those which have the ability to help us in our efforts to secure a proper solution to our national problem," the House President added.

Kyprianou said the Chinese delegation conveyed an invitation for him to visit China and the date will be determined at a later stage.

During their visit, the Chinese deputies will also have meetings with the Attorney - General, the Education Minister and other officials.

CNA MK/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Airways - EL AL - Cooperation

Tel Aviv, May 4 (CNA) -- A memorandum of understanding was signed here today between the national carriers of Cyprus and Israel, Cyprus Airways (CY) and EL AL.

The deal was signed between Cyprus Airways chairman, Takis Kyriakides and EL AL President, Joel Seldschuh.

Speaking during the ceremony, Kyriakides said that "the cooperation will prove to be a lasting one as it is based on a well balanced agreement which is mutually beneficial to both airlines."

He said that the agreement "represents a further step in the implementation of Cyprus Airways' strategy on alliances."

Kyriakides pointed out that "small airlines, like CY and EL AL, stand a better chance of surviving and prospering if they cooperate and pool their resources together", adding that through this cooperation passengers will receive improved services and competitive fares.

Kyriakides said that "tourism and business relations between the people of our two countries has been developing over the past few years."

He noted that visitors from Israel to Cyprus were 53,000 in 1998, compared to 30,000 in 1994 and that the number of Cypriots visiting Israel reached 31,000 in 1998.

"It is Cyprus Airways' view that this agreement will allow us to link the two countries in a way that would greatly enhance the appeal of the two holiday centres", he said.

On his part, Seldschuh said EL AL has made many efforts to secure cooperation with big airlines and pointed out the significance of securing agreements with smaller airlines in the region.

He said CY and EL AL have mutual interests and that EL AL has an extensive destination network.

At the press conference, EL AL top officials said that the goal of the agreement is to improve service to Israelis and Cypriots and to develop tourism packages from Europe and the USA combining Israel and Cyprus.

The deal provides for a timetable more suitable for the needs of the Israeli leisure markets and the best and shortest way to travel from Cyprus to North America, South Africa and the Far East and vice versa.

The challenge of the deal is to develop regional tourism from Europe, combining Cyprus and Israel and to divert traffic from other destinations to Cyprus.

Under the deal the two airlines are committed to supply additional flights that may be required, to offer a high quality product and be competitive in the market.

Responding to questions about safety measures, CY Chief executive, Demetris Pantazis said that flights from Cyprus to Israel already undergo the scrutiny of security adding that such measures will apply under the new agreement.

CNA RG/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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