Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-07-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - German parliamentarians

[02] Cyprus - Conference - Tourism

1130:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - German parliamentarians

Speaking after a meeting of the Committee's delegation with President Glafcos Clerides, Pflueger said Cyprus' accession to the European Union would not be a case of importing a problem into the Union, but of culturally enriching the EU.

Pflueger said "we had a very interesting and moving time here in Cyprus", adding that they visited the cease-fire line yesterday.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

"As Germans, we know what it means if a country, a state, a city is divided", the German deputy said.

He said "division has nothing to do with the 21st century, and we have to do everything to overcome the division and the tension".

Pflueger said "the international community cannot continue to close its eyes concerning the situation of Cyprus".

He added "Cyprus makes a lot of progress concerning European Union membership", adding that during the German presidency of the EU, "Cyprus came out best" and that "most chapters were closed with Cyprus than any other country".

Pflueger said Cyprus may "contribute and culturally enrich the European Union, therefore we are very positive about the Cypriot attempt to become a full member of the EU".

He pointed out that "there is a lot to overcome in the next years" and that "because of the division of the island there are critical questions coming from parliamentarians from all over Europe".

He said Cyprus' accession would "not import a new problem" to the European Union, "because the problem of Cyprus is a European problem anyway".

Pflueger expressed hope that the UN chief's invitation "for negotiations without preconditions will be met" by President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

He pledged they would do "whatever we can in Germany, in our Committee as parliamentarians, to help to find a fair solution which gives security to all sides".

After meeting President Clerides, the German parliamentarians visited Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

CNA RG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - Conference - Tourism

The survey was published in the June 1999 issue of Conference and Incentive Travel and says Cyprus is "always a popular value for money destination".

Cyprus Tourism Organisation conference guides are also described as "especially good, with full details of venues on the island and ideas for special events".

A total of 50 destinations were surveyed. Commenting on the result of the survey, Lilian Panayi, assistant to the Director of CTO in London and responsible for the conference and incentive market, expressed satisfaction, adding "our suppliers have been fast on their feet and have given this important segment the importance it deserves".

CNA MCH/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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