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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kranidiotis - Cyprus talks

[02] Cyprus - Yugoslavia - Oil embargo

[03] Clerides - Kyprianou - 50th CoE anniversary

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Cyprus - Syria - Road transport agreement

[06] International Trade Fair - Cyprus

[07] Cyprus University - Board president

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kranidiotis - Cyprus talks

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis made this statement while talking to Greek reporters in the British capital, where he is attending various events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe.

He said the proposed procedure on Cyprus is that after a meeting on Cyprus of the seven most industrialised countries and Russia (G8), and following the formation of a government in Turkey, there will be a movement on the part of the UN Security Council calling on the Secretary-General to undertake the initiative to resume the talks.

The Greek official said the process would resume with proximity talks, which would be followed by direct talks.

Regarding the European Union accession process, Kranidiotis said the idea that Cyprus' accession talks should proceed without depending on the political situation on the island, was becoming more matured.

Kranidiotis had meetings in London with Britain's envoy for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, Russia's envoy, Vladimir Tschizov and is expected later today to meet British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook.

Cyprus started substantive accession negotiations in November last year and has already concluded several chapters relating to the implementation of the acquis communautaire.

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

CNA KT/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - Yugoslavia - Oil embargo

"The political decision had been taken, but the Attorney General had issued an opinion that a Cabinet approval was also necessary," Government Spokesman Costas Serezis said.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Glafcos Clerides, Serezis said "an opinion by the Attorney General will also be needed for any further measures that will be taken for the implementation of the decision."

The Spokesman also announced a Cabinet decision to contribute fifty thousand Swiss francs to the International Red Cross for the relief of refugees from Kosovo.

CNA AA/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides - Kyprianou - 50th CoE anniversary

Addressing a ceremony in Nicosia to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Europe, Clerides also expressed gratitude for the Council's positions on the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at the ceremony attended by Cypriot leaders, House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou, praised the significant work of the CoE, and particularly that of the Parliamentary Assembly, on the Cyprus problem, stressing the need for restoring the Cyprus people's human rights grossly violated by Turkey.

Referring to Cyprus' relations with the CoE, Clerides thanked the Council for its firm position that the only recognised government on the island is that of the Republic of Cyprus and pointed to its resolutions on "continuing violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Cyprus as a result of the Turkish invasion and occupation".

He referred to a recent decision of the European Human Rights Court on the case of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizides, from the Turkish-occupied town of Kyrenia, against Turkey, which names Turkey as the country responsible for human rights violations in the occupied areas of the island.

"Cyprus is fully devoted to European and CoE principles and it wishes to contribute, to the best of its ability, to the construction of a new Europe and the creation of a new European conscience as we enter the 21st century".

On his part Kyprianou said Cyprus turns to the CoE as well as to other international organisations, especially the UN, hoping for a resolution of the Cyprus problem and for the restoration of human rights.

He said the Cyprus problem is often brought up in the CoE Parliamentary Assembly by Cypriot and foreign MPs and he noted that a number of important resolutions have been approved concerning the destruction of the island's cultural heritage, attempts to alter its demographic character and ethnic cleansing practised by the Turkish occupation forces in the northern part of the island.

"There can be no double standards as far as human rights and freedoms are concerned," Kyprianou stressed, adding that the CoE should be objective and impartial.

President of the Supreme Court, George Pikis and President of the Cyprus Union of Municipalities, Lellos Demetriades also addressed the ceremony, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre.

CNA MCH/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         127.61 (-0.79)

      Traded Value            CYP  6,957,368

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 3,919,101     165.29 (-0.94)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   274,143      74.29 (-0.24)
      Insurance Companies     CYP    40,006      75.26 ( 0.48)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   109,478      90.17 ( 0.79)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   591,821      96.57 (-2.69)
      Trading Companies       CYP   190,439      48.73 (-0.49)
      Other Companies         CYP   386,895      86.46 ( 0.09)

CNA MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Syria - Road transport agreement

According to an official announcement, issued today, the agreement was initialled by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Vasos Pyrgos and Syrian transport Permanent Secretary Ahmad Galal Aldin Fadloun.

The Cyprus delegation, accompanied by the Republic's Ambassador to Damascus Takis Ioannou, had private meetings with Syria's Communication and Transport ministers.

Pyrgos conveyed an invitation from Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works Leondios Ierodiaconou to his Syrian counterparts to visit the island.

Good and close traditional relations between the two countries as well as the need to enhance them further were discussed at the meetings.

CNA MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:06

[06] International Trade Fair - Cyprus

Speaking at a press conference today, Cyprus State Fairs Authority chairman, Demetris Ioannou, said "the Cyprus International Fair is a top event of major significance for the economic life of Cyprus".

He also pointed out that "the special significance of the European Union for the Cyprus economy is marked by the prominent presence of the European Union members at the Fair".

Egypt, Great Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Israel, Italy, Nicaragua, South Africa, Syria, Romania, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, are officially participating this year with state pavilions, while the European Union also participates with its own pavilion.

Nicaragua is officially participating for the first time. "In addition to the official state pavilions, the products of another 17 countries are represented at the Fair, through their Cypriot agents", Ioannou added.

Such products include automobiles, electric domestic appliances, computers, telephone systems, sanitary items, machinery, furniture, lighting equipment, carpets, kitchenware, toys, books and many other items.

Ioannou made special mention of the State Fairs Authority's long term development program to establish the Exhibition Centre as a multiple use centre for exhibitions, conferences and other activities.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be participating again with an Information Pavilion in the Press Centre of the State Fairs Authority, providing service to Cypriot and foreign entrepreneurs and traders.

The Fair will be officially opened by President Glafcos Clerides on Thursday May 13. It will be open to the public from Friday 14 May until Sunday 23 May.

CNA DG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1840:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus University - Board president

Education and Culture Minister Ouranios Ioannides announced the appointment after today's cabinet meeting.

He also said Dimitrakis Pierides was appointed Vice-President of the Board.

Triantafyllides, a former Attorney General and ex-president of the Supreme Court, was the first president of the seven-member Board of the Cyprus University that opened in September 1992.

CNA AA/MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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