Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Earthquake - Minor injuries

[02] Foreign Minister - Departure

[03] Agriculture Minister - Water shortage problem

[04] Alternative forms of energy

0825:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Earthquake - Minor injuries

A Geological Department announcement says the earthquake epicentre was in the sea area, 10 kilometres southwest of the coastal town of Paphos.

The quake was felt in Paphos, Limassol, the capital Nicosia and other areas.

A police headquarters spokesman told CNA today a Dutch tourist was slightly injured at Paphos airport, when a piece of the fake ceiling fell down.

A Cypriot worker at the airport was injured while trying to leave the building.

Police said 16 people reported cracks in their homes in Limassol.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Foreign Minister - Departure

Speaking on his departure for the Netherlands and Denmark, to meet with his counterparts, Kasoulides said in the past six months he has visited nearly all European capitals to discuss the Republic's accession course and the Cyprus question.

"My conviction is that Cyprus will be included in the next wave of enlargement," the Foreign Minister said.

Cyprus opened substantial accession talks in November last year along with five eastern and central European countries, and is considered to move quickly in adopting the EU acquis communautaire.

"The conclusion from my meetings is that our accession course and the accession negotiations will continue until their completion," he said.

Kasoulides added that "Cyprus' political question will be examined after the end of these talks."

The Foreign Minister said that while in the Hague he will also meet the country's Defence Minister and speak at the Institute for International relations.

He said that during his talks he will also discuss the Yugoslav crisis, efforts for a peaceful settlement to the problem and Cyprus' stance.

Cyprus is conforming with EU recommendations regarding the embargo against Yugoslavia.

Yesterday, Minister Kasoulides confirmed press reports that a member of the Yugoslav government was denied entry into Cyprus.

Minister without portfolio Bogoljub Karic, who heads the Karic Banka (offshore bank) based in Cyprus arrived at Larnaca airport on a Malev flight from Budapest.

Enforcing an EU travel ban on some 300 alleged associates of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milocevic, the Cypriot authorities turned Karic away.

CNA MAN/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Agriculture Minister - Water shortage problem

He said in about 18 months the government would have completed its desalination programme and all water restrictions imposed today would be lifted.

Themistocleous said the desalination plants would produce "120 thousand cubic metres of water, which will allow us to lift the water restriction measures being enforced."

He said the government had abandoned its plans to operate mobile desalination units from June this year, because needs could be satisfied through the water collected in dams.

"With the rainfall we had this winter we will not need to use mobile desalination units," he said, adding that these units might begin operating in June 2000.

CNA FZ/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1340:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Alternative forms of energy

The officials attended a meeting at the Presidential Palace during which the Vice President of the International Organisation of Solar Energy Dr. Donald Aitken talked to them on "The possibilities of developing the use of solar energy in Cyprus".

Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Costas Themistocleous described the issue as "very interesting" and said concrete ways of taking advantage of the sun in Cyprus were discussed.

He said the ministry is very interested in the issue "not only because of its environmental importance but it is also more economical, healthy and productive in the long term."

The minister said "the government has been given enough material and will see how it can promote relevant programmes."

He added that Cyprus should take advantage of its climatic conditions and said that at today's meeting it was proposed that solar energy is used for the production of electricity.

Themistocleous also said that Cyprus is a party to the Kyoto protocol and must therefore reduce the use of sources that produces harmful substances, such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to the greenhouse effect.

"The only way this could be done is to gradually substitute traditional energy with sources that could be regenerated," he said.

The minister pointed out that Cyprus is the first country in the world that widely uses solar energy for heating water.

Replying to questions, Themistocleous said Cyprus saves up to 6 per cent of energy through the use of solar energy.

He also underlined that humanity must make use of alternative forms of energy, like the sun and the wind, which do not damage the environment and do not create problems such as the climatic change, from which Cyprus also suffers.

CNA FZ/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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