Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Spokesman - UN envoy - Missing persons

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Portuguese State Secretary - Arrival

[04] Government Spokesman - Turkish Foreign Minister

[05] Cyprus - Greece - Customs agreement

[06] Vassiliou - Austria - Italy

[07] Kasoulides - Da Costa - Cyprus -EU

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Spokesman - UN envoy - Missing persons

Government Spokesman Costas Serezis invited to comment on today's meeting between Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and UN Resident Representative Ann Hercus, said the latter was summoned to the Ministry to give "some explanations."

Hercus earlier today denied that she had asked the UN Security Council not to make a reference to the missing persons issue in its resolution.

Serezis said Hercus categorically denied that she had asked the Security Council not to make reference on the missing persons issue.

"Mr Kasoulides has no reason not to believe her, just as he has no reason not to believe the French Ambassador, who presided over the Security Council and who informed Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN that the move was indeed made on the part of Mrs Hercus," the Spokesman added.

The government, he said, "is awaiting the development of the issue and clarifications as to why the relevant paragraph was not included."

In a statement, the UN Operation in Cyprus reiterated that Hercus categorically denied mass media reports that she had asked the Security Council not to make reference to the missing persons issue in its resolution.

The media reports said Hercus "was about to produce results on the issue" and that the inclusion of the missing persons issue in the resolution "would cause difficulties to the general process" for the settlement of Cyprus.

Noting the media reports were "wrong", the statement said Hercus "had neither directly or indirectly made either assertion to the Security Council."

It said Hercus was "in fact responsible for sending to New York the reference which is included in the most recent UNFICYP report, on the work of the Committee on Missing Persons."

It added Hercus had also informed UN Headquarters, for its background information, "the fact that the government of Cyprus had itself announced that the exhumations in Nicosia which commenced a short time ago were not connected in any way, in their view, with the 31 July (1997) agreement and therefore logically could not be included in the report."

The UN press release added that Dame Ann said "it is for the Security Council and no one else to select which elements in a field report it wishes to comment on or urge action on."

"Dame Ann met with Foreign Minister Kasoulides this morning who totally accepted her assurances that the media reports were wrong", the statement added.

CNA MM/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         168.05 ( 1.70)

      Traded Value            CYP  15,265,619

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 4,592,808     221.99 ( 3.14)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   657,921      88.06 ( 0.49)
      Insurance Companies     CYP    94,577      85.68 (-1.37)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   469,874      96.37 (-1.92)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   217,535     120.78 (-2.51)
      Trading Companies       CYP 1,917,058      88.28 (-7.93)
      Other Companies         CYP   917,936     126.94 ( 2.31)

CNA EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1825:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Portuguese State Secretary - Arrival

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport da Costa said his country had supported EU enlargement and pointed out that "special attention should be given to the Cyprus case".

"During our presidency we will do our best to promote the negotiating process of Cyprus," the Portuguese official said.

Portugal will preside over the EU during the first half of 2000. Da Costa, who is here on three-day official visit, began this afternoon talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides who will then host a dinner in honour of the Portuguese Secretary.

Tomorrow da Costa will be received by the President of the Republic and have meetings with the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Attorney General and the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs.

CNA MAN/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1840:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Government Spokesman - Turkish Foreign Minister

Serezis was commenting on recent claims by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem that the Cyprus problem does not exist and his opposition to the involvement of the seven most industrialised countries and Russia (G8) in efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

"Everybody admits the present status quo is unacceptable," Serezis said and repeated that the Cyprus government will not discuss Turkish demands for a confederation of two states on the island, if it is brought to the negotiating table.

Replying to questions, Serezis said the Cyprus problem was discussed, even though not extensively, at yesterday's meeting between Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Cem in New York.

He also said the government sees positively "any meetings which help create a good climate which could prove beneficial to developments in the Cyprus problem as well".

The UN Security Council on Tuesday called for unconditional talks for a settlement in Cyprus with all issues on the table, endorsing a statement by the G8.

It also reiterated that a settlement on the island must provide for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as stipulated in its resolutions.

CNA MM/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Greece - Customs agreement

The agreement was signed by Cyprus' Finance Minister Takis Klerides and Greek Deputy Finance Minister George Dris, who arrived here yesterday for a three-day visit.

Speaking to the press, Klerides said the agreement will define a clear legal framework for the implementation of cooperation between the customs departments of the two countries to fight illegal activities such as tax evasion and smuggling.

The agreement will facilitate the movement of passengers and goods between the two countries, he added.

Under the agreement, Greece will assist Cyprus in its process to harmonise with the acquis communautaire, Klerides said, adding it also includes cooperation in customs training.

On his part, Dris said the agreement "will strengthen economic relations between the two countries" and stressed Greece's willingness to support Cyprus in its European Union (EU) course.

Earlier today the Greek Deputy Minister was received by the President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides.

He described the meeting as "very constructive", adding that he briefed the President on the economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Dris said trade between the two countries rose by 10 per cent in 1998 and expressed hopes for a higher increase this year.

"More and more Cyprus businesses expand in Greece particularly in banking, the services sector and hotels", he noted.

Cyprus, along with Estonia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic started substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November 1998.

CNA AA/GG/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Vassiliou - Austria - Italy

Vassiliou will be one of the speakers at the summit and will talk about the role of Europe in the process of economic globalisation.

The summit, which aims to promote peace, is under the auspices of Austrian President Thomas Klestil.

The chief negotiator will also visit Italy where he will have meetings with government officials and address a seminar on the "Prospects of EU enlargement". He will also give a lecture on Cyprus' accession course.

He will return to Cyprus on Wednesday July 7.

CNA MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Kasoulides - Da Costa - Cyprus -EU

Speaking after talks today with Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, da Costa said during the Portuguese presidency starting in January 2000, his country will "try to speed up the process of negotiations" with candidate member-states.

He said the process is "going quite well" and "in particularly in the case of Cyprus is quite well".

Da Costa said Cyprus will be in the first group which will enter the EU.

He remarked that the negotiation process for Cyprus is now more exigent than it was for Portugal in 1986. "The acquis communautaire is much more different now and much more exigent", adding that it "is a very demanding process."

"We intend during our presidency, to speed up the negotiation process and in bilateral affairs we are in a position to give to the authorities of Cyprus all information about our own process of accession," the Portuguese minister said.

He added that experts from his country could come to Cyprus or experts from Cyprus could visit Lisbon to take advantage of their experiences.

On his part, Kasoulides said da Costa's visit to the island only a few months after the visit of Portuguese Foreign Minister "demonstrates the keen interest of his country for Cyprus."

He said they discussed the programme of the Portuguese EU presidency, the island's EU accession course and prospects for a Cyprus settlement.

Kasoulides said they had a "very fruitful and cordial discussion." Da Costa who arrived in Cyprus earlier today for a three day visit, will be received tomorrow by President Glafcos Clerides.

He will also hold separate meetings with Cypriot officials.

CNA EC/GG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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