Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-06-25

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

News Update

Wednesday, 25/06/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Government formally protests to the UN about illegal docking of Turkish warships
• [02] South African reconciliation experience relayed to Cyprus
• [03] Cyprus Airways to inaugurate new offices in Moscow

[01] Government formally protests to the UN about illegal docking of Turkish warships

Agathocleous reminded that following the "Turkish invasion in 1974 and the occupation of a large part of territory of the Republic of Cyprus, the ports of Famagusta, Karavostasi and Kyrenia were declared closed by the government to all vessels".

The protest letter also stressed that these "new Turkish actions are especially provocative" since they take place at a time when efforts are being made by the UN Secretary-General to hold direct talks in July between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[02] South African reconciliation experience relayed to Cyprus

"I think it is appropriate for us to share those experiences and how we have managed to overcome our own problems", former Constitutional Developments Minister, Roelf Meyer, said. "We have succeeded in bringing about a new South Africa in such a way that we can share it with other nations of the world". "If we can do it in South Africa, then surely it can be done elsewhere as well", he added.

South African MP of Greek Cypriot descent, Takis Christodoulou, noted how South Africa's past of "two societies very far apart from each other" was ultimately bridged through peaceful negotiations. "With consultation and discussion, we brought South Africa through the transition and actually bestowed and created the miracle in South Africa, which no one ever gave any hope it would happen", he said.

The South African MPs were due to be received on Wednesday (25.6.97) by the President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

[03] Cyprus Airways to inaugurate new offices in Moscow

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Kyriakos Christofi will inaugurate the new offices on Thursday June 26, in the presence of Cyprus Airways' Board of Directors Chairman, Takis Kyriakides. Moscow Patriarch Aleksii II and Russian officials have also been invited to attend the inauguration ceremony.

The new offices are expected to further promote the company's presence in the Russian market, which is considered very important not only for the national carrier but for Cyprus' interests in general.

The number of passengers travelling on the Moscow-Larnaca route has recorded an impressive increase year after year, a Cyprus Airways press release has said.

The company's Press and Public Affairs Manager, Tasos Angelis, told Cyprus News Agency Tuesday (24.6.97) that while passengers on this route were 20, 700 in 1994, the number increased by 61 per cent in 1995 reaching 33,400 and 54,700 in 1996 recording a further increase of 63.9 per cent.

This summer, Cyprus Airways flights to Moscow have increased to four weekly. On the occasion of the inauguration and Cyprus Airways 50th anniversary, the airline offers a special return fare to Moscow for 150 Cyprus pounds (around 300 US dollars).

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

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