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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-12-01Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Tuesday, 1 December 1998CONTENTS[01] Hubert Vedrine: political solution would greatly facilitate Cyprus' accession course"In the case of Cyprus there is a particular problem, the problem of division. We believe that the enlargement negotiations which have started, should be used in every way so that a solution can be found as soon as possible", French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine stated yesterday after talks in Paris with his Greek counterpart Mr Theodoros Pangalos.Mr. Vedrine also pointed out that a political solution to the problem of division in Cyprus, would greatly facilitate the enlargement negotiations. The French Foreign Minister also reminded that the Turkish Cypriot community has been invited many times by the EU and the Cyprus Government to participate in the accession negotiations of Cyprus and stressed that the European Union as a whole considers that both communities should benefit from the accession for the purpose of social peace and reconciliation. On his part Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed that the European Union as a whole and the large EU countries in particular, must undertake initiatives for the beginning of accession negotiations without any delay irrespective of the political problem of Cyprus. At the same time, he pointed out, they must strive for the reduction in tension and in armaments. On the question of the Russian-made S-300 missiles, Mr Pangalos stated that the missile system is in every respect an anti-aircraft conventional system of weaponry. Greece, he said, supports all the efforts made by the Cyprus Government for the start of a process aimed at reducing tension and armaments on the island. Such initiatives, undertaken by the UN Secretary General are underway and are fully supported by Greece he said. [02] Cyprus President sends message to the Palestinian peopleOn the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, the President of Cyprus Mr Glafcos Clerides has sent a message to the people of Palestine, expressing feelings of friendship and support for the efforts to establish peace, security and stability throughout the entire region of the Middle East."Cyprus welcomes all the initiatives that actively promote the peace process, particularly the Agreement signed last month in Washington, between the Palestinians and Israelis", the message said, adding that on its part the Cyprus Government pledges to continue to make its own contribution to the cause of peace, which once achieved , will pave the way for closer co-operation and development in the region. [03] Travellers to Cyprus increase in OctoberTravellers' arrivals to Cyprus this October including excursionists, reached a total of 290,411 thus recording an increase of 8,9 per cent, compared to the corresponding month last year. Departures reached a total of 325,482 thus showing an increase of 7.6 per cent compared to October 1997.According to a report by the Department of Statistics and Research, the majority of travellers excluding excursionists, arrived on the island from European countries (86.1 per cent), and in particular European Union countries (70.3 per cent). Out of these 37.8 per cent came from Britain , followed by 9.3 per cent from Greece, 8.5 per cent from Germany 7.3 per cent from Israel , 5.9 per cent from Switzerland, 4.9 per cent from Sweden, 3.4 per cent from Egypt, and 3.1 per cent from Russia . The arrivals of tourists in October 1998 reached 228.881 compared to 224.371 in the same month last year, recording an increase of 2.0 per cent. During the same month, 39,406 residents returned from trips abroad, compared to the 28,703 of the same month in 1997. 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 |
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