Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-07-05

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] National Council - Meeting

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Irish deputies - Cyprus visit

[04] Vassiliou - Italy - Cyprus - EU

1520:CYPPRESS:01

[01] National Council - Meeting

It also reiterated its firm position not to allow any deviation from the ultimate goal of reuniting Cyprus under a bizonal, bicommunal federation as set out in UN decisions and resolutions.

Party leaders, participating in today's three-hour long meeting, appeared satisfied with their discussions and gave the seal of approval to a letter President Glafcos Clerides has sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan outlining clearly his government's positions on the Cyprus question.

"We had an in depth discussion in a very positive atmosphere. Party leaders outlined their views on how to handle future developments and presented their opinions on the latest developments in the light of UN resolutions," Government Spokesman Costas Serezis said after the meeting.

The National Council will meet again on 16 July for further discussions, he added.

Nicos Anastasiades, leader of the ruling Democratic Rally party (DISI), said there was a serious discussion on the basis of recent developments and justified concerns as well as the need to see the political leadership act in concert to avert any unpleasant developments others may be pushing for.

He said all must share the responsibility for the effort to secure a solution and ensure Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias said the Cyprus problem is "undergoing a very crucial phase" adding that "a deviation from the UN resolutions is being planned by the UN themselves."

Spyros Kyprianou, leader of the Democratic Party (DIKO), said there are critical times ahead given that certain developments indicate that a confederal solution seems to be on the cards.

Yiannakis Omirou, first vice president of the socialist EDEK party, warned of the risk to see the Cyprus question being discussed on a different basis but stressed government and political leadership must work together to make sure there is no diversion from the UN resolutions.

George Christofides, first vice president of the United Democrats (EDI), said the limits of flexibility of the Greek Cypriot side run out at a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Nicos Koutsou, leader of the New Horizons party, said it must be made clear that it will not discuss any ideas for confederation and said developments leading to such a solution can and must be reversed.

Antonis Paschalides, vice president of the Eurodemocratic Renewal party (KEA) said all parties will help in their own way at home and abroad to achieve the goals the National Council has set out.

CNA MM/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         172.05 ( 2.38)

      Traded Value            CYP  18,746,950

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 6,198,856     228.82 ( 3.08)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   417,096      87.22 (-0.95)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   221,820      86.60 ( 1.07)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   704,379      96.51 ( 0.15)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   314,484     121.06 ( 0.23)
      Trading Companies       CYP 2,070,536      90.74 ( 2.79)
      Other Companies         CYP 1,413,347     127.67 ( 0.58)

CNA EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Irish deputies - Cyprus visit

On Wednesday the delegation will be received by the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou and will later hold a meeting with the House Committee on Foreign and European Affairs.

The Irish deputies will also meet the head of the delegation of the European Commission in Cyprus, Ambassador Donato Giovanni Chiarini, and will visit the ceasefire line which divides the island between the government-controlled areas and the Turkish occupied north.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after Turkey invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

On Thursday the Irish delegation will meet the head of the negotiating team for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, George Vassiliou.

They will also hold separate meetings with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Costas Themistocleous.

Cyprus began substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November 1998.

CNA EC/GG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2015:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Vassiliou - Italy - Cyprus - EU

The decision was taken during a meeting today in Italy between Cyprus' chief negotiator in the accession talks with the European Union (EU), George Vassiliou and the Italian Minister for EU Policy, Enrico Letta.

Italy will grant practical assistance to Cyprus in relation to the island's harmonisation with the acquis communautaire on a number of issues including taxation.

The cooperation will be sealed during Letta's visit to the island between July 26 -27.

A number of meetings between Italian and Cypriot experts on relevant issues will also take place.

Vassiliou, who went to Italy after visiting Vienna, today met the President of the Parliamentary Committee for EU Policy, Antonio Ruberti.

The Italian deputy said Cyprus is making the right steps towards accession to the EU, adding that the Italian Parliament supports the island's accession.

Ruberti said that after the EU monetary union, enlargement will be the most significant issue which the EU will be invited to face.

In a speech at a seminar at the University of Rome on "Prospects of EU enlargement", Vassiliou stressed that harmonisation with the acquis communautaire is of primary significance to Cyprus.

Cyprus applied for EU membership in July 1990. It began substantive accession negotiations in November 1998.

CNA EC/GG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article