Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Romania

[02] Clerides - Cox - Bertens - Famagusta

[03] Union of Journalists - NATO Ambassadors

[04] Kasoulides - Kranidiotis

[05] Cyprus - EU - Yugoslavia - Russia - Reaction

[06] President - Minister - Trade Fair

[07] Clerides - Cyprus problem

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[01] Cyprus - Romania

This was stated by Senator Ghiorghi Prisacaru, Chairman of the Standing Committee for Foreign Policy in the Romanian Senate, who was received today by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

At the same time, he pointed out that Romania is suffering economic losses due to the Kosovo crisis, because communications on the Danube have been cut off.

Speaking after the meeting with the President, Prisacaru said that Cyprus and Romania have "excellent relations" and that "these relations are developing in the political, the commercial and the cultural sectors".

Prisacaru added that "these relations are also expressed through the support offered by Romania for the Cyprus problem".

He said he exchanged views with the Cypriot President on the Yugoslav crisis, adding that they agreed that "the bombings must stop immediately and that both sides must return to the negotiating table".

Prisacaru stressed that "the refugees must return to their homes safely, and to this end a force must be present in the country, under the auspices of the United Nations and the Security Council".

He added that the crisis is affecting the whole area, and that "it has negative consequences on Romania", as it looses over 50 million dollars a week "due to the destruction of bridges over the Danube and the interruption of transportation, as well as the embargo".

Prisacaru noted that he discussed with President Clerides the bilateral relations of Cyprus and Romania, adding that there is room for further development of these relations".

He suggested the opening of a Cyprus embassy in Romania, adding that "Cypriot businesspeople should give a stronger presence in Romania".

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[02] Clerides - Cox - Bertens - Famagusta

They also said a solution of the Cyprus problem can be achieved with the implementation of the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and blamed Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the stalemate in the negotiations.

The statements were made by British Labour MP, Tom Cox and Jan-Willem Bertens, a Dutch member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for Cyprus' accession to the EU, after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides.

They were accompanied by a delegation of the Famagusta Municipality, headed by Mayor, Andreas Pougiouros.

Expressing "total support to the rights of Cyprus and its people", Cox said it saddens both him and other members of the Cyprus Friendship Group at the House of Commons "that we are into yet another year of the occupation of much of the island by a foreign army."

Cox said he "absolutely" does not doubt that the Cyprus problem could have been resolved many years ago "if only (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash but also the governments and military in Ankara were willing."

He said "we hope the Americans, who obviously have enormous influence with Turkey and the military, will be in the forefront of seeking to get meaningful discussions underway that will end" the long running problem of Cyprus and benefit the whole of the island and both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

The British MP said "we totally support as British Parliament, the right of Cyprus to be a full member of the EU".

He stressed that the European Council will not allow Turkey to have "any veto whatsoever on the application of Cyprus to join the EU", noting that the application has to be solely considered on the merits of the Republic of Cyprus' case for membership and "nothing else."

"We hope that in the course of this year we will see meaningful negotiations taking place that will lead to a settlement," he added.

Asked if he thinks NATO can play a role in a Cyprus settlement, Cox replied negatively.

The British MP said that "far too many concessions over the years were given by the Republic of Cyprus in a genuine effort to get meaningful discussions underway."

Asked what the British parliament can do to help Cyprus, Cox said MPs repeatedly remind the British government "that we have a duty to this country (Cyprus) to ensure that we use every effort we can to see an end to this long running tragedy."

He said British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who has a close friendship with US President Bill Clinton, can urge the Americans to "use the influence they obviously have with Ankara. This is the commitment we give to the people of Cyprus," he added.

On his part, Bertens said a solution to the occupation of Cyprus "is very simple", since there are the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

Referring to Cyprus' accession talks Bertens said that the political problem "is important, but not a condition".

"Never said we must first solve the problem and then they can become member of the EU," Bertens added.

"Perhaps we can solve the problem faster because of the membership negotiations", he said, adding that not only the US, have a responsibility to help Cyprus but also "Britain and Greece, as members of the EU".

Bertens further referred to the resolution which was unanimously adopted three weeks ago by the European Parliament after a report which he had prepared on Cyprus' accession course.

"Cyprus is very successful, even more successful than the other six countries, in the negotiations," he said, adding that it is "financially economically spoken, number one."

The delegation also met Spyros Kyprianou, President of the House of Representatives.

The House President said Bertens is leading discussions in the Euro Parliament concerning decisions on Cyprus while Cox is one of the most "remarkable protagonists" who support Cyprus positions in the House of Commons.

Bertens will be declared tomorrow honourary citizen of the town of Famagusta, occupied by Turkish troops.

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

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[03] Union of Journalists - NATO Ambassadors

The Committee indicates that "among those killed there are some 30 journalists" while media buildings, installations, and equipment are included in the enormous material destruction.

"This horrible situation shows the utter irrationalism of the bombings and underscores the imperative need for an immediate end to be put to them, " the Committee underlines and stresses that:

"An end should be put to the murderous bombings and any other criminal acts and a peaceful and fair solution should be found to the existing problems in Yugoslavia".

The Committee also calls for the return of refugees to their homes "in conditions of security" and for "human political and other rights of all the ethnic groups and of all the people in the country to be safeguarded".

It points out, however, that "the independence and sovereignty of the people of Yugoslavia should be respected".

Concluding the Union of Cyprus Journalists denounces any attacks on the media in Yugoslavia and demands "protection and respect for the life and work of journalists and safeguarding of the free flow of information and of fair reporting".

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[04] Kasoulides - Kranidiotis

He also pointed out that Cyprus' strategic interests lie with Europe and described the government's handling of the Yugoslav issue as "correct."

"I believe Cyprus is right in its decision to go down the path the EU members have adopted because its interests lie in Europe," Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said here today.

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, Kranidiotis also noted that Greece and Cyprus are holding a "delicate balance and so far the way they have handled the problem is successful."

This, he added, has been acknowledged by foreign partners and allies and said this position needs to be appreciated by public opinion in Greece and Cyprus.

The government of Cyprus has come under fire by the opposition for its decision to implement measures against Yugoslavia, which the EU has adopted and invited candidate countries to follow suit.

"The balance which Greece and Cyprus maintain is such that their international role has been acknowledged. Neither country wishes to be part of a problem that is not theirs," he said.

Referring to the Yugoslav crisis, he said Greece backs a resumption of diplomatic efforts to find a solution and advocates the respect of those principles it wishes to see implemented in other problems.

These principles, he explained, relate to respect of human rights, maintenance of the borders and a peaceful resolution to the problem.

"We would like to see these principles applied in the case of Cyprus as well," Kranidiotis added.

Replying to questions, he said Greece supports any effort in the UN framework which has as a point of reference UN decisions on Cyprus.

Shuttle talks the UN is conducting since mid-October between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides have not yielded any results so far.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides who met Kranidiotis at the airport, welcomed the 16-member delegation from Greece, including Under- Secretaries of various ministries, and said talks on Friday will focus on Cyprus' accession course and efforts to coordinate moves to promote the country's bid for EU membership.

Tomorrow Kranidiotis will be received by President Glafcos Clerides. He leaves Sunday.

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[05] Cyprus - EU - Yugoslavia - Russia - Reaction

Comments from the opposition ranged from downright condemnation to complaints that parliamentary parties have not been consulted before the decision was taken.

The government, on the other hand, stands firm in its resolve to enforce the measures and has found sound support from Athens on this, in spite of noises from Russia that an embargo on Yugoslavia on the part of Cyprus may place bilateral ties on shaky ground.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said here today that Cyprus has chosen to walk down the road of EU membership and believes its good ties with Russia is an advantage to its bid for accession.

"Russia knows we are moving towards the EU and understands this. We are not going to forget our old friends and we consider our links with Russia a plus in that the EU itself wants to have good relations with Russia," Kasoulides said.

The minister's comments came in response to reported statements by Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Mouradov that Russian capital, in offshore units here, may be transferred abroad if Cyprus enforces the EU embargo.

Demetris Christofias, General Secretary of the main opposition party AKEL "condemned unreservedly" the government decision and called on it to think again, saying that there will be serious reaction from Russia which will affect bilateral economic ties.

Russia, according to AKEL, carries out transactions worth 20 billion dollars through Cyprus and warned that the Russian Duma may not approve an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation as a result of the government's moves.

Leader of the Democratic Party and House President Spyros Kyprianou said the President should have convened a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President, before any decisions were taken.

Socialist EDEK leader Vassos Lyssarides pointed out that Cyprus has no obligation to adjust its policy in accordance to EU directives on Yugoslavia.

He said Cyprus' accession course has nothing to do with EU decisions of this kind.

The New Horizons party criticised the decision which they said "violates principles and is contrary to popular sentiment."

The party also warned that an eventual economic long term embargo against Yugoslavia would result in loss of investment from Yugoslavia and Russia.

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ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[06] President - Minister - Trade Fair

He also said the government's new industrial policy and the creation of advanced infrastructure will contribute to further development of the local industry.

Inaugurating the 24th Cyprus International Fair, Clerides said the globalisation of the economy and the intense competitive environment offer challenges and new opportunities.

"We must achieve the production of goods where prices correspond to quality, so as to make them attractive to the consumer," he said.

He said efforts must focus on the restructuring and technological upgrading of the productive sectors in order to increase productivity and strengthen competitiveness of Cypriot products.

The government, he said, is preparing a medium-term fiscal consolidation plan which includes measures relating to revenue and expenditure with a view to maintain the internal and external stability of the economy.

The President welcomed the participation of 15 countries in this year's Fair as "proof of the success and international status of the institution" of the fair

Referring to Cyprus' accession course to the European Union, he said "this is expected to contribute in a catalytic way to a fair, viable and workable solution of the Cyprus problem."

Clerides said the task of harmonisation with the acquis communautaire is one of the country's top priorities and added that EU membership "will bring significant advantages to the economies of the friendly neighbouring countries."

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis stressed the need for "immediate and dynamic decisions for radical changes in today's structure of the economy" and called on all parties involved to work together in a spirit of cooperation and responsibility.

"In 1988 Cyprus' total trade transactions in goods were 2.4 billion pounds (one Cyprus pound is about two US dollars) compared with 2.5 billion in 1997, representing a small decline at the rate of 3.3 per cent, which is basically attributed to the reduction of re-exports," he said.

Noting that the industrial sector is facing problems, the minister expressed faith in the sector's dynamism to overcome them by adjusting itself and applying an entrepreneurial spirit.

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[07] Clerides - Cyprus problem

He also said the principles of a solution to the Kosovo crisis coincide with the positions of the government.

The President called on the international community to exercise effective influence on the Turkish side and reiterated his proposal to the Turkish Cypriots to participate in European Union accession negotiations.

In his inaugural address at the 24th International Trade Fair, Clerides said "this time a greater effort needs to be made in this direction (for effective influence on the Turkish side to find the political will) because of the new correlation of political forces which has resulted from the recent elections in Turkey."

Outlining future developments in the Balkans, he said these will project Greece even more as a major stabilising factor in the Balkans, resulting in the upgrading of its role in the region.

"I believe this upgrading, by extension, will affect more positively the course of the Cyprus problem," he said.

Referring to Kosovo, he noted with satisfaction that the philosophy and the principles of the emerging solution "coincide with the positions the Cyprus government had expressed from the outset."

These refer to the resolution of the crisis in Kosovo through peaceful means based on the principles of respect for human rights, autonomy for Kosovo within Yugoslavia, the return of the refugees and the stationing of a multi-ethnic force with a UN mandate.

"If these positions are implemented, they will constitute a good precedent which will strengthen our positions as regards the Cyprus problem, " the President said.

Clerides reiterated his conviction that the Cyprus problem must be solved through peaceful means within the framework of the UN resolutions and Cyprus' accession to the EU for political, economic, social, cultural and security reasons.

He called on the Turkish Cypriots to join forces with Greek Cypriots in the EU negotiatons and added "once they accept our European course, finding ways for us to cooperate in the framework of the negotiations already taking place will not be a problem."

The President said the Greek and Turkish Cypriots have a duty to themselves and future generations as well as the international community to "exhaust all possibilities of cooperation" to find a solution of the political problem and join the EU.

Clerides extended warm thanks and gratitude to the Greek government and the people of Greece for "the effective assistance they give us in fundamental areas, particularly as regards our EU accession course and our defence through the implementation of the Cyprus-Greece Joint Defence Dogma."

CNA MM/MCH/1999

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