Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-01-28

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

Thursday, 28 January 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Portugal will fully support Cyprus' process of accession to the European Union
• [02] France will assist in the search for a political settlement
• [03] Cyprus signs Criminal Law Convention on Corruption
• [04] Tourism and Travel Statistics

[01] Portugal will fully support Cyprus' process of accession to the European Union

Speaking at a joint press conference with Cyprus Foreign Minister Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, Mr Gamma described the talks with his Greek counterpart as positive and stressed that Cyprus is showing excellent progress regarding the economy, the adaptation of internal law and other matters.

"Within the European Union there is full recognition that the economy of Cyprus is fully able to integrate into the EU as it is now" he said.

The Portuguese Foreign Minister stated that "the negotiations for accession to the EU and the solution to the Cyprus problem are two issues that not only can and must proceed in parallel but can also have positive mutual influence".

He pointed out that although his country would like to have a solution before accession is settled, it is also prepared to handle this issue in a positive way .

"We are quite open regarding enlargement, regarding the accession of Cyprus as a southern European country and we do not see the right of any country to intervene", he said .

On his part Mr Kasoulides stated that with Mr Gamma they had the opportunity to exchange views on EU enlargement as well as on third pillar questions such as cooperation to combat organised crime and illegal immigration. They also discussed, he said, issues of common interest in relation to the EuroMediterranean partnership, Cyprus' accession course, and the Cyprus problem.

[02] France will assist in the search for a political settlement

Replying to questions on Cyprus at the French National Assembly Mr Richard pointed out that France does not wish to overlook the political and practical difficulties that might arise during the accession negotiations, adding that this position applies not only to Cyprus but also to the other candidate countries. Each country should be judged on its own merits, he said.

Mr Richard also said that France will try to contribute to a political settlement which will favour the accession, without recognising the right of veto to anyone.

[03] Cyprus signs Criminal Law Convention on Corruption

The Convention covers various forms of corruption and corrupt behaviour, such as active and passive bribery of public officials, civil servants, of national and foreign parliamentarians, judges, employees of the private sector and of international organisations.

It aims at a co-ordinated criminalisation of a wide range of corrupt practices, and sets out to harmonise national legislation and improve international cooperation to facilitate the prosecution of those who offer or accept bribes or to speed up proceedings.

The convention has been signed by 21 member states and it will come into force when 14 states ratify it.

[04] Tourism and Travel Statistics

The majority of travellers excluding excursionists arrived in December 1998 from European countries (86.3 percent) and in particular from European Union countries (73.9 percent). Leading the list is the UK with 37.4 percent of travellers arrivals followed by Greece with 19.6 percent, Germany with 7.6 percent, Israel with 4.7 percent, Russia with 3.5 percent, Switzerland with 2.7 percent and Egypt with 2.5 percent.

Arrivals of tourists in December 1998 marked a decrease of 1.2 percent in comparison with the corresponding month last year.

In December 1998, 31.780 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 33,307 in the corresponding month of the previous year.

About 36.6 percent of residents of Cyprus travelling abroad in December 1998 had visited Greece, 25.0 percent the UK, 4.8 percent the USA, 2.7 percent Syria and 2.5 percent Russia.

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

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