Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-24

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

News Update

Thursday, 24/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides inaugurates the first Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce
• [02] Denktash's proposal clashes violently with the spirit of UN resolutions
• [03] Dini expects UN formula for a federal Cyprus to prevail
• [04] Tourism and Travel Statistics, July 1998

[01] President Clerides inaugurates the first Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce

Addressing the inaugural meeting, President Clerides stressed that the organisation "will act as an effective catalyst for Cypriot business people interested in extending their activities to the USA while, at the same time, it will make Cyprus widely known and accessible to American business people."

Speaking on the role of Cyprus as a base for foreign enterprises, President Clerides said that "Cyprus has served during the last decades as a stepping stone for American and European firms to expand their activities in neighbouring regions."

President Clerides referred briefly to the island's strategic geographical location, the favourable entrepreneurial climate, its abundant human capital endowment, its modern infrastructure and its friendly relations with all European and Middle Eastern countries as factors that enhance Cyprus' role as a financial and business centre.

Earlier in the day the President of the Republic hosted a lunch for the five permanent members of the Security Council and other officials of the UN Secretariat.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides stated that the "lunch provided the opportunity for a constructive discussion on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem." He added that there was an exchange of views which the government believes "offers more constructive prospects in the future developments regarding the Cyprus issue".

[02] Denktash's proposal clashes violently with the spirit of UN resolutions

The statement was made in reply to a claim made by the Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, that the proposal put forward by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Denktash for a confederation in Cyprus falls in line with the essence of the UN resolutions".

Mr Stylianides also stressed that "if Mr. Cem believes that Mr. Denktash's proposal falls within the framework of the resolutions he must have distanced himself from common sense as the resolutions speak very specifically about the territorial integrity, independence and unity of Cyprus".

[03] Dini expects UN formula for a federal Cyprus to prevail

Referring to Cyprus, during a press conference given yesterday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Dini said that it has been acknowledged that Cyprus is "more ready" than the other candidate countries to become a member of the European Union. He also added that half of Cyprus cannot become an EU member. "Cyprus as a whole, the whole island must become member" he said.

[04] Tourism and Travel Statistics, July 1998

Arrivals of tourists marked an increase of 12.5 percent in comparison with the corresponding month of the previous year. Analysis by country of usual residence shows that 72.1 percent were EU residents.

The arrivals of travellers from European Union countries are on the top of the list, with the UK leading the list with 37 percent of travellers arrivals followed by Greece with 10.4 percent, Israel with 8.1 percent and Russia with 7.3 percent.

Departures figures show that 50,614 Cypriot residents travelled abroad in July 1998 compared to 49,301 in July 1997.

About 43,7 percent had visited Greece, followed by the UK (14.3 percent) and Israel (5.4 percent).

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article