Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-12-09

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

09/12/96

CONTENTS

• [01] Foreign Minister's talks with Israeli Government
• [02] News in Brief

[01] Foreign Minister's talks with Israeli Government

Speaking to reporters at Larnaca airport Michaelides said his talks covered questions of mutual interest which are related to further developing these ties. He added: Our relations with Israel are very close. During the last three and a half years a lot has been achieved. We have signed five co- operation agreements in various fields and another five are being considered. The co-operation does not cover only the political side but also other areas such as cultural, scientific, economic.

Replying to a question about a recent Israel-Turkey military agreement, the Cypriot Foreign Minister said he discussed the matter in Jerusalem and both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Levy assured him that nothing in this agreement affects Cyprus directly or indirectly. It was, he said, an agreement about the implementation of provisions included in the earlier military agreement between Israel and Turkey.

Michaelides stressed: "Israel feels very friedly towards Cyprus and it would never sign a bilateral military agreement which might include provisions with a negative effect on Cyprus".

[02] News in Brief

Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Pierro Fassino, replying to questions in Parliament, said Italy encourages the two sides in Cyprus to begin negotiations and that his government continues to support the appointment of a special Representative for Cyprus by the European Union and will back this position during discussions at the EU headquarters.

Cyprus congratulates Madeleine Albright

In a letter congratulating Mrs Madeleine Albright on her appointment as U.S. Secretary of State, Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides referred to the leading role the US can play in shaping the world of tomorrow and noted Mrs Albright's competence, experience and charisma to be a key person in this role.

WEU adopts new proposal on Cyprus A proposal by Greek MP C. Liapis was unanimously adopted by the Western European Union's (W.E.U.) 42nd Session. It mentions that the status quo in Cyprus is unacceptable and that an early settlement of the Cyprus problem will strengthen security and peace in the Mediterranean. It also notes that the island's accession to the European Union will have a direct reflection on its status vis-a-vis the Western European Union. 565 polling stations for municipal elections Preparations for next Sunday's (15.12.96) municipal elections are being completed. The number of voting centres in the government-controlled area is 460, with an additional 105 centres for refugees voting for mayors of five occupied towns and villages. Counting of the votes will this time be carried out at each voting centre instead of the regional sorting centres where it has been conducted so far. Final results will be relayed via a central computer network.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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