Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-12-16

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

Wednesday, 16 December 1998

CONTENTS

• [01] UN Secretary General praises Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders
• [02] US and Greek officials meet in Athens
• [03] Foreign Trade statistics for January- October 1998

[01] UN Secretary General praises Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders

In a letter to the President of the Security Council dated 14 December on developments regarding his mission of good offices in Cyprus, Mr Annan describes progress in the shuttle talks as "a significant contribution to the maintenance of peace and security in the region" and considers "positive that both leaders have respected the confidentiality of the talks".

"Both sides have made clear their commitment to avoiding tension, building peace in Cyprus and the region and achieving an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem by peaceful means", he said.

"I commend the two leaders for the statesmanship and vision which they are showing", he added. "The flexible approach by both sides provides hope for tangible progress".

"While each leader faces the difficult responsibility of representing in this process the views and aspirations of his side only, they have a joint responsibility for a concrete, mutually acceptable and forward-looking solution", Annan remarked.

He pointed out that the elements which are being discussed include a commitment to reject the use of force or the threat of use of force, a commitment to the prevention of further expansion of military forces and armaments as well as the consequent principle of substantial reciprocal reductions.

They also include "a confirmation of agreement to the UN Peace-keeping force in Cyprus package of measures aimed at reducing tensions along the cease-fire lines and further possible steps, including demining".

"In view of the ongoing process, and in order not to jeopardise possible progress, I am urging both parties to promote a climate of reconciliation and genuine mutual confidence and, in particular, to avoid any actions which might increase tension, including by further expansion of military forces and armaments", the UN Secretary-General said in conclusion.

[02] US and Greek officials meet in Athens

Greek Foreign Minister and Under-Secretary, Theodoros Pangalos and Yiannos Kranidiotis, US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke and State Department Cyprus Co-ordinator Thomas Miller attended the dinner, given at the residence of US ambassador Nicholas Burns.

Greece's Government Spokesman Demetris Reppas refrained from commenting on the meeting other than to say that they had a "useful" exchange of views.

He said that during the meeting the officials expressed views on the Balkans, the Cyprus problem and Greco-Turkish relations.

He added that the Greek government's views, on the issues, were known and that there were many initiatives and proposals by the Greek side.

Reppas referred to the forthcoming meeting of the UN Security Council which will discuss the Cyprus problem.

Before the working dinner the two US officials met with Greek National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The US State Department Spokesman James Foley told his daily briefing on Monday that Ambassador Holbrooke was in Europe mostly on Cyprus business.

He said he and Mr Miller were in Istanbul for meetings that were connected to the Brussels Group, which brings together business leaders from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as businessmen from Greece and Turkey, to discuss how they can work together to foster an environment that improves the lives of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

He said this was the third meeting of the group and the largest so far.

"Among the highlights were first, an agreement to address Cyprus' increasingly critical water shortage in a non-political fashion with co- operation by both sides; second, the establishment of several pilot projects in the areas of culture, communications, trade and environmental management; and third, the establishment of working groups to move projects forward between meetings", he added.

[03] Foreign Trade statistics for January- October 1998

Cyprus' Department of Statistics and Research said exports reached L475.3 million during the first 10 months of 1998, down from L542.6 million in the corresponding period of last year, while imports for home consumption rose to L1.29 billion compared L1.24 billion in last year's January-October period.

As usual, EU countries took the lion's share of the island's exports - 53.8 per cent - followed by Arab countries, which absorbed 26.3 per cent.

Agricultural products, particularly potatoes, increased by nearly 20 per cent to L37.1 million, while industrial exports registered a small decline to account for 78.9 per cent of exports, or L142.9 million, compared to 81.9 per cent last year.

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

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