Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-05-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Health Minister - WHO assembly

[02] Commerce Minister - Cyprus - Greece - Business relations

[03] Kranidiotis - Cyprus problem - EU - Turkish Cypriots

1025:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Health Minister - WHO assembly

Tomorrow, Solomis will attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Health Ministers that will discuss common problems member states face.

The WHO assembly, that ends May 26, will tackle technical, economic and health problems such as smoking and malaria.

The Health Minister will also take part in two round table discussions on new AIDS and Hepatitis strategies and the need to implement health policies according to priorities and will meet his counterparts from a number of countries.

He will also meet ministers participating in the Middle East joint venture aiming at tackling cancer, which operates with funding from the US National Institute for Cancer.

Solomis heads a delegation comprising top ministry officials and representatives of the doctors and nurses associations.

CNA MA/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1315:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Commerce Minister - Cyprus - Greece - Business relations

Rolandis was speaking at a business meeting here today organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) and the largest-selling daily newspaper "Fileleftheros".

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis was the key speaker at the meeting aimed at forging closer ties between the business communities of the two countries.

Rolandis assured that the two governments were determined to back every effort undertaken by business persons and said they must ensure that their economies could compete in the new international business climate.

He described cooperation between the two countries' business and productive sectors as "absolutely necessary" in order to upgrade Greece's and Cyprus' international role and influence.

"What is important is greater and more substantive cooperation to achieve our goals as well as initiatives on the part of our business communities," Rolandis noted.

He also said that "cooperation is not confined in the geographical regions of our countries."

Rolandis added it is important "to jointly expand our activity in foreign markets, taking advantage of our geographical location and our relations with neighbouring countries."

He pointed out they should take advantage of the fact that Greece is a European Union member with access to the Balkans and the Black Sea and Cyprus' good relations and close proximity to Middle East countries.

"Never before did Cyprus and Greece had such big prospects and it would be a grave mistake not to take advantage of them," Rolandis told participants.

He outlined fields in which cooperation and joint ventures could be achieved, including tourism, telecommunications and technology.

On his part KEVE President Vassilis Rologis said this is the third such meeting taking place and added that the "bridges built have born fruit".

"A large number of businesspeople from Cyprus have begun activities in Greece while Greek businesses in Cyprus have increased," he said.

Rologis underlined the importance of the economy in upgrading the two countries' international role and fully backed Cyprus' bid to join the European Union.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1505:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kranidiotis - Cyprus problem - EU - Turkish Cypriots

Kranidiotis was speaking at a business meeting for Greek and Greek Cypriot business persons, organised here today by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the largest-selling daily newspaper "Fileleftheros".

The Greek official stressed the need for the resumption of a dialogue to settle the Cyprus problem and underlined that the US has an important role to play for a solution to be reached.

Kranidiotis also referred to the Kosovo crisis and the need for a peaceful settlement to the problem.

"UN resolutions remain the only legal framework for a settlement to the Cyprus question," he said, and noted that the Greek Cypriot side "has made it clear it is ready to respond positively to any serious effort for the resumption of talks."

Welcoming efforts by the organisation of the seven most developed countries plus Russia (G8) to this end, he said the dialogue must be based on UN resolutions stipulating for the establishment of a federal state, with one sovereignty and international personality.

"In efforts for a just solution we recognise that the role of the US is especially important," Kranidiotis said, adding "we have assurances that they wish to help".

The Greek official said the US must not only express verbal support but must also act and called on Washington to "exert pressure on Ankara and help UN efforts".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, backed by Ankara, is refusing to participate in peace talks unless the illegal regime unilaterally declared in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognised.

Denktash also proposed the establishment of a "confederation of two states", a demand rejected by the UN, the Cyprus government, Greece and all other key players in the peace effort as it is contrary to UN resolutions.

Referring to Cyprus' bid to join the EU, Kranidiotis said the Republic is now trying to enforce the acquis communautaire in the areas under its control and described the accession course which got underway last year as a way to modernise the economy and society.

Asked what will happen if the Cyprus problem is not settled before accession, Kranidiotis cited the example of Germany, whereby eastern German joined with no further negotiations after the country was reunited.

Turning to the Turkish Cypriots the Greek minister called on them "to reconsider" an invitation put forward by President Glafcos Clerides to nominate representatives in the official team negotiating accession.

The President's proposal was welcomed as "courageous and fair" by the EU, but was rejected by Denktash.

"I call on Turkish Cypriots to take advantage of this opportunity," Kranidiotis said, noting that "this would create a new situation and a chance to embark on a new era".

Noting that the Turkish leadership does not appear ready for such a change, he welcomed the fact that "an increasing number of Turkish Cypriots are realising that their future is in Europe."

Referring to Greece's stand in the Yugoslav crisis, Kranidiotis said it was "crystal clear" right from the start.

"We said no to ethnic cleansing... and we said no to war as a way to settle differences," he said, adding that the problem should be solved through peaceful diplomatic means to the benefit of the population as a whole and to achieve security in the region.

Kranidiotis also expressed his country's interest in "the day after" the crisis in Kosovo ends and recalled a proposal put forward by Athens for economic development, stability and cooperation.

CNA MK/MA/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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