Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-05

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou outlines Greek policy on Balkans, German war reparations and other issues

[02] Merchant marine minister heads meeting on oil spill

[03] Public order minister to visit the US

[04] Tsohatzopoulos announces the hiring of 15,000 professional troops

[05] Greek, FYROM ministers sign memorandum of cooperation for environment

[06] Alternate FM visits possible facilities for Greek presidency EU summit in 2003

[07] Spokesman announces government meeting on earthquake victims, comments on oil spill

[08] Synaspismos leader begins meetings to discuss transparency

[09] No question of change in government make-up

[10] Yiannitsis puts forward set of employment proposals

[11] Diamantopoulou stresses need for change in Greece's labor policies

[12] Greek stocks continue moving higher

[13] Bond prices edge down in lackluster trade

[14] Drachma flat vs. euro, up vs. dollar

[15] Greek-Turkish trade projected to reach record levels in 2000

[16] Intracom Group launches internet information portal

[17] Industrial production index up 6.6 percent in June yr/yr

[18] Gov't to give environmental OK to TVX Hellas gold plant

[19] Bank of Cyprus launches WAP transactions

[20] Energy authority seeks 3 pct price rise for electricity

[21] Wildfires still raging

[22] Ecumenical Patriarch to preside over symposium, officiate church services

[23] Injured Albanian police officer transferred to Greek hospital for emergency treatment

[24] Russian sought for murder of Kavala businessman

[25] Police uncovers killer of painter

[26] Firebombs hurled at police station

[27] Clerides in New York for UN Millennium Summit, Cyprus proximity talks

[28] EDU calls for meaningful negotiations for Cyprus solution

[29] Rolandis to pay official visit to Hungary

[01] Papandreou outlines Greek policy on Balkans, German war reparations and other issues

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The minister also said that Athens was concerned over the situation in the Balkans and about the effectiveness of the European Union's policies.

With respect to Balkan countries, Papandreou asked that these abandon any designs for changes to borders, while he also urged the international community to honor the promises for financial assistance it has made to them. Stressing that Greece suffered more from the consequences of Balkan instability than any other E.U. country, he said it had an immediate stake in promoting democracy and economic development in the region and that this was the message he intended to get across in his upcoming visits to Balkan countries.

At another point in the interview, Papandreou referred to the issue of German war reparations and a recent Supreme Court order confiscating German state property in Greece (the Goethe institute, the German Archaeological School, etc) until compensation is made to the victims of German atrocities in World War II and their families.

While expressing his disagreement with the court order, he underlined that the Greek government did not consider the matter closed and hoped for a political solution to the issue of reparations to victims.

Regarding closer political unification within Europe, the foreign minister said that this was in Greece's interest, especially in security and the economy, while playing down concerns that it might lead to a loss of cultural identity.

Asked about the new Russian leadership, Papandreou said that Greece was among the countries that favored partnership with Russia and its involvement in NATO structures, while noting the traditionally good ties between the two mainly Orthodox nations.

Pointing out that he and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov had met several times over the crisis in Kosovo and other matters, and the invitation extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, he said that Greece could have a small but important role to play in this.

Finally, asked about a seeming shift in Greek policy in the Middle East in favor of Israel, Papandreou confirmed that Athens was seeking to upgrade its ties with the Israelis, though not at the expense of its good relations with the Palestinians.

[02] Merchant marine minister heads meeting on oil spill

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Papoutsis said "I had the opportunity to discuss with local leaders and the parliament deputies who were present, and to examine measures which we must take, so as to coordinate our efforts even more, and thus avert further pollution and of course to clean up the coastline and the sea at the points affected.

"First of all, I would like to stress that an accident at sea and especially one that causes pollution to the environment, demands coordination in coming to terms with it, and it should not become a 'field of political and party' confrontations or petty political expediencies," he said.

"I would also like to state that the services of the Merchant Marine Ministry were from the first moment near the accident scene," he added.

Authorities were still hard at work on Monday morning, trying to mop up an oil spill caused by the sinking of a dry-cargo freighter in Halkida last Friday. The "Eurobulker 10" split in two while being loaded with a consignment of cement, probably because of a badly distributed load, pouring the entire contents of its fuel tanks into the sea.

According to latest reports, the spill has traveled down the Euboean gulf as far as the Attica seaside resorts of Oropos and Dilesi, where it has caused extensive damage.

[03] Public order minister to visit the US

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The minister is expected to sign a memorandum of cooperation between Greece and the US on issues of terrorism and cooperation between the two countries.

He will head a delegation of Greek police officials.

[04] Tsohatzopoulos announces the hiring of 15,000 professional troops

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

To support this effort the ministry will table a bill in parliament dealing with the specific infrastructure necessary for the hiring and induction of professional soldiers in the Greek Armed Forces.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers' School, he said that the induction of these 15,000 men will allow for a two-month reduction of service per year for the next three years, beginning in 2001.

He also noted that a separate bill would be tabled in parliament upgrading Armed Forces Non-Commissioned Officers' Schools to the level of Technical Colleges, adding that such "moves aim to vesting the Armed Forces with the quality needed in modern times."

[05] Greek, FYROM ministers sign memorandum of cooperation for environment

SKOPJE, 05/09/2000 (ANA - M. Vihou)

Efthymiopoulos described the memorandum as "a good agreement" and said that bilateral cooperation would be made faster in the Axios River valley, in Doirani Lake and at the Prespes Lakes regions. The biggest problem, he added, was that at Lake Doirani, where a solution had to somehow combine preserving the volume of water in the lake and providing sufficient water resources for agriculture.

Regarding the Prespes Lakes area, which was declared an InterBalkan Park by the prime ministers of Greece, Albania and FYROM at a meeting eight months ago, Efthymiopoulos said that the plans approved at that meeting had to now be implemented.

[06] Alternate FM visits possible facilities for Greek presidency EU summit in 2003

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Among the sites visited by Papazoi were the Center of European Law in Phoenika, the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) in Thermi and the Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans, presently housed in an old hotel on Demokratia Square.

Talking to reporters at CEDEFOP, the minister said that the three organizations she had visited formed a network of services that linked Greece with the EU and gave it a role in relation to countries that were either candidates for EU accession or were associated with the Community.

The fact that they operated out of Thessaloniki, she added, gave the city an additional role, especially since the Foreign ministry intended to make even greater use of them in order to increase Greece's involvement in European affairs.

"We need an internal European policy, a policy through which Greek society - the businesses, public sector, the universities - will become tuned in to the reality of the EU," she said.

On a more practical note, she let it be understood that the facilities of the Thessaloniki International Fair would also be considered for use by the Greek EU presidency in 2003 and that she would be meeting with TIF management soon.

According to sources, the Foreign ministry has opted to use the city's existing infrastructure for the needs of the 2003 summit since there is insufficient time to construct new facilities.

Later on Monday, Papazoi is to deliver an address at the inauguration of the European Center for Communications, Information and Culture.

[07] Spokesman announces government meeting on earthquake victims, comments on oil spill

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Reppas said the meeting was called to assess the situation on the completion of a full year since the quake that killed 127 people and left several homeless. According to Reppas, the meeting would be reconvened after Prime Minister Costas Simitis returned from a UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

[08] Synaspismos leader begins meetings to discuss transparency

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

He began by meeting main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos later in the day, while on Tuesday he is scheduled to meet PASOK General Secretary Kostas Skandalidis.

During his meeting with Stathopoulos, Constantopoulos submitted 10 proposals on the relations of Church and state, while their discussions included transparency in public life.

Commenting on Constantopoulos' initiative, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas dismissed it as an attempt to create "impressions" with the ultimate goal of forming an anti-government front.

"Such initiatives poison political life and harm the political interests of those who make them, as well," he said.

On the question of transparency, the spokesman said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis had fully addressed this issue in his speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair over the weekend, while the other political leaders had failed to substantiate their allegations or to make proposals that would help improve the existing legislative framework.

[09] No question of change in government make-up

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Reppas was replying to press questions as to whether the government intended to place former New Democracy deputy George Souflias, who was expelled from the main opposition party two years ago, in a 'position of authority'. The questions were prompted by a statement by ruling PASOK secretary Kostas Skandalidis in Monday's edition of TA NEA daily that PASOK had 'very good' relations with Souflias.

"Mr. Souflias is a worthwhile politician and is a positive presence on the country's political scene," Reppas added.

[10] Yiannitsis puts forward set of employment proposals

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The proposals basically aim to reduce working hours with a view to boosting employment. The total weekly hours of overtime work which an employer may require is proposed to come down from eight to three, and the total yearly hours of work by 90-92. Employers and local unions may agree on a further cut of 46 hours annually, which would be returned to the worker in the form of leave in periods when the work load slackens.

Part-time workers are proposed to receive a 7.5 percent pay rise, while the long-term unemployed entering part-time work would continue to receive one-third of the unemployment benefit for a year. Firms employing up to 249 workers may dismiss up to five people a month from two previously.

Yiannitsis said the new proposals were realistic and could provide the basis for consensus among all sides for new regulations at the work place.

The announcement was accompanied by an invitation to the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) for talks on Friday, September 8. An initial contact last week ended fruitlessly. GSEE and the Civil Servants Union (ADEDY) are scheduled to respond to the minister's proposals during a joint press briefing on Tuesday.

[11] Diamantopoulou stresses need for change in Greece's labor policies

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The event was organized by the Federation of Northern Greek Industries (SBBE).

The tempo of development will be even greater in Europe, in the upcoming years and if the demand for jobs does not adjust to the offer of jobs, there will be an increase in unemployment, not a decrease, Diamantopoulou said.

The Greek Commissioner noted that Greece should move on with the necessary changes on a short timetable, they should be of an institutional form and should be one of the convergence preconditions toward the economic union.

These changes, she said, would be similar to those of fiscal revitalization and monetary stability demanded by the Economic Monetary Union (EMU), and regard the deregulation of markets and the operation of the state, as well as the effectiveness of the administration and their relations.

If those changes are not made by the end of the current community support framework of the Union, the competitiveness of the Greek economy, Greek businesses and generally that of the country's human resources will be in grave danger, she added.

Diamantopoulou also stressed that the result of the aforementioned resulted in the fact that Greece is undergoing a transitional period of adjustment to the economic unification, that it has shortcomings in institutions, ways of organization of productive relations comparative to the one that Greece was faced with during the convergence to the EMU, thus Greece should diligently apply the structural changes program, that has been worked out.

She added that the commitment to increase job creation should focus on specific sectors, types of jobs and groups of people and to be connected with the training programs in process.

Finally, she said that the social dialogue on the issue should operate more effectively and should be a better organized negotiating process, which should not be partisan, political or ideological, so as not to be identified with politics or the wider political dialogue.

In an unrelated event, Diamantopoulou was present at the inauguration of the European Center of Communication, Information and Culture (EKEPP) in Thessaloniki, along with Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis and Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi.

The center will provide information on demand or by publication in the mass media, and was created jointly by the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry and the European Commission.

[12] Greek stocks continue moving higher

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Dealers said the market has split in two, with investment interest focusing on blue chip stocks, like Hellenic Telecoms, Alpha Bank, Commercial Bank and Panafon, while smaller

capitalization stocks came under strong pressure as investors took profits. Turnover fell to 70.04 billion drachmas, a sign that buying momentum was running out of steam.

The general index ended 1.48 percent higher at 3,655.26 points, off the day's highs of 3,658.77 points, but sharply off the day's lows of 3,554.40.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.93 percent to 2,080.56 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.26 percent to 491.91 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 594.39 points, off 1.67 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 238 to 97 with another 14 issues unchanged. Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Alpha Bank, Commercial Bank and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

[13] Bond prices edge down in lackluster trade

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 40 billion drachmas. Of the total, sell orders accounted for the bulk of trade.

[14] Drachma flat vs. euro, up vs. dollar

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 337.550 drachmas, the same as in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 374.680 drachmas from 379.620 drachmas a day earlier.

[15] Greek-Turkish trade projected to reach record levels in 2000

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Commercial attaché Erdogan Hurbas was one of a number of Turkish officials and business representatives who painted a glowing picture of the future of economic relations between the two countries as a result of recent political initiatives, at a press briefing on Turkey's first official state participation in this year's 65th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF).

"Rapprochement is the key word in the process begun last year," he said, while Mehmet Ali Neyzi, member of the Greek-Turkish Business Council, said, "the showing of goodwill from both sides is the basic factor in strengthening relations between the two countries".

Providing evidence of a turnaround in economic relations, the Turkish representatives referred to the strong interest shown by Turkish construction companies in the projects planned for the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athens. They also said that Turkish authorities have already given licenses to 11 Greek firms to invest or expand existing interests in the sectors of commerce, tourism, merchant marine, processing of farm produce, textiles and chemical products.

According to data of the Statistical Service of Greece, Greek exports to Turkey amounted to $334.4 million in 1999, and Turkish exports to Greece totaled $364.4 million.

[16] Intracom Group launches internet information portal

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Intracom's chairman, Socrates Kokkalis, presenting the new company said its strategy followed the orientation of other internet companies with interest on electronic commerce and advertising, while it also developed an information distribution network through the mobile communication.

Flash Multimedia launched its portal flash.gr on the internet address www.flash.gr. The company's owners are Intrasoft, with a 40 percent equity stake, Flash 9.61 radio station, with a 30 percent stake, Intrapar Holdings, with a 20 percent stake, and Sportnews with a 10 percent stake.

Panos Koliopanos, the company's general manager, said that Flash Multimedia has already signed a deal with Panafon to offer WAP services and to prepare for the GPRS applications system on mobile telephony.

It also plans to sign a deal with a commercial bank to offer financial services through the internet, to offer credit card services and launch electronic shops.

Intracom's chairman, Socrates Kokkalis, answering to reporters' questions about the stock market said that the Greek market's rally last year exceeded all predictions. He urged for an end to a political row over the market to restore confidence among small investors and predicted that with economic growth rates up to 5.0 percent, the future would be positive.

[17] Industrial production index up 6.6 percent in June yr/yr

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The NSS said that the mining production index rose 10.8 percent, the manufacturing index increased by 5.4 percent and the electricity-natural gas-water index rose 9.5 percent.

[18] Gov't to give environmental OK to TVX Hellas gold plant

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The years-old project in Halkidiki had been severely delayed by government red tape and protests by local residents on environmental grounds. "After endorsement of the (environmental) study the relevant procedures will be effected very quickly so that very soon the plant's founding stone will be laid," Pahtas told a news conference in Thessaloniki.

"The government backs this investment as it will make Greece a major gold producer and improve the competitiveness of the economy," he added.

The government ruling affects both the installation and operation of the gold unit.

Earlier, TVX Hellas' president and managing director Ioannis Drapaniotis told reporters that the company was ready to begin construction as soon as permission was received. The two officials were attending the annual Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, which opened at the weekend.

[19] Bank of Cyprus launches WAP transactions

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The bank is offering customers with WAP mobile phones the opportunity to have 24-hour access to the bank.

[20] Energy authority seeks 3 pct price rise for electricity

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

The rise in the tariff, which was requested by the corporation, should come into force retroactively from September 1, the state-appointed authority said.

The request was submitted to the development ministry, which supervises the Public Power Corporation.

Reasons cited for the price increase were an extended rise in world energy prices and no hike in domestic charges for two years, the energy authority said.

The increase would affect all categories of electricity except existing special rates for heavy industrial consumers Aluminium de Grece and Larco ferronickel. Also exempted were mining consumers and export rates.

[21] Wildfires still raging

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

It also said that forest fires in Servia, Kozani prefecture had been contained and another fire at Almyros, Magnisia prefecture had been partially contained.

The Fire Brigade further said that another fire broke out at dawn Monday in the densely wooded region of Arvanitia in Nafplion, and a smaller blaze was raging in the farming region of Voutiana in Lakonia prefecture.

Large-scale fire-fighting operations were underway at all the forest fronts, the Fire Brigade said.

Meanwhile, a meeting chaired by the regional secretary general for the Peloponnese, Antonis Matsigos, on Monday approved the direct assignment of several anti-corrosion and anti-flooding projects in the Corinth prefecture in areas devastated by recent wildfires.

More specifically, 76 million dr. were earmarked for anti-erosion and anti-flooding projects in the Sikion municipality where the surrounding forstland was recently devastated by fire, thus threatening the populated areas of the municipality with floods and landslides during the winter. The project will be overseen by the Corinth Forestry Authority. A further 132.51 million dr. were earmarked for anti-erosion projects in Evrostini municipality, to be supervised by the Xylokastro Forestry Authority.

Studies for anti-erosion projects in two areas of Xylokastro municipality were also approved, budgeted at 30.28 million dr. and 19.94 million dr.

[22] Ecumenical Patriarch to preside over symposium, officiate church services

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

[23] Injured Albanian police officer transferred to Greek hospital for emergency treatment

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

[24] Russian sought for murder of Kavala businessman

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

[25] Police uncovers killer of painter

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

On, February 2, 1998 Leonidas Foras was found murdered in his Athens apartment, victim to 133 knife wounds, a murder to which Nicholaos Papas confessed.

Papas said to police that he met Foras in a central Athens cinema and then they went to Foras' apartment where the painter attempted to have sex with the alleged perpetrator, who then attacked and killed him.

Greek prosecutor requests Ilias Lemos' extradition, to be tried on drug charges. Greek court authorities on Monday requested the extradition of alleged cocaine smuggler Ilias Lemos from France, where he was held, following a successful international sting operation, which led to the arrest of another six persons in Greece.

Athens police on Aug. 28 arrested six Greek businessmen of the shipping industry for alleged involvement in a cocaine smuggling operation uncovered in Venezuela last week.

Philippos Makris, Angelos Kanakis, Costas Athanassiou, Ioannis Lemos, Theodoros Fatsis and Nickos Mavridoglou were arrested as a result of a multinational effort to crack down a drug trafficking cartel that used commercial vessels to ship tons of cocaine via Venezuela to countries in Europe and North America.

[26] Firebombs hurled at police station

Athens, 05/09/2000 (ANA)

Later, an anonymous caller telephoned ELEFTHEROTYPIA daily and claimed responsibility for the attack on the Papagos police station on behalf of an organisation calling itself "Anarchist Groups".

Eyewitnesses said persons on three motorcycles threw three molotov cocktails at the police station about 15 minutes after midnight, causing minor material damage to a parked car nearby.

[27] Clerides in New York for UN Millennium Summit, Cyprus proximity talks

A fourth round of UN-led proximity talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides is due to begin here on September 12, but according to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides there are no serious indications the Turkish side has changed its intransigent stance.

Speaking on arrival here on Sunday, where he will attend the UN Millennium Summit, the Cypriot president also said, replying to a question, that whether talks will continue or not will be a matter of discussion at Cyprus' National Council level, in the light of the results of this fourth round.

Clerides will meet on Tuesday with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for "an exchange of views" on developments in the Cyprus problem, as he told reporters.

Asked by CNA whether the issue of Strovilia would also be raised during the meeting, the president replied positively, pointing out that he has already raised the issue to the Secretary-General, during the last round of talks in Geneva and "in various other ways since then."

"I know it is an issue that concerns both the UN Secretary-General and the permanent members of the UN Security Council," he said.

Replying to a reporter's comment that all messages so far concerning proximity talks have been negative and asked whether there have been any factors allowing for some hope, President Clerides replied "we will see once this round of talks begins."

"So far we do not have any serious indications that the Turkish positions have been altered in any way," he added.

Asked whether the Greek Cypriot side would continue talking indefinitely, he said "if there is no substantial progress in this round, the issue will be discussed by the National Council and a decision will be made taking all elements into account."

The National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, comprises leaders and representatives of the five parliamentary parties represented in the House of Representatives.

The party leaders will also be in New York, on the sidelines of the UN-sponsored talks. Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides was due to arrive here on Monday night.

Invited to comment on a statement by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis that abandoning the talks would be the worst service the Greek Cyrpiot side would offer, the Cypriot president said "perhaps the Prime Minister was referring to various other reasons why we should not leave the negotiating table."

"I do not think he was referring to the fact that we should continue talking even if the Turkish side continues (to refuse) to negotiate.

This is something we shall evaluate after this round of talks," he said.

Asked whether any promises have been given by the American side, President Clerides pointed out that there have been no meetings with representatives of either the US or British governments on Cyprus since the last round of talks in Geneva.

"You will have to wait until I have some meetings first to see what promises I will be given," he told the press.

Efforts to reach a settlement on the protracted Cyprus problem have failed so far due to the Turkish intransigent stance and demand for recognition of the illegal entity unilaterally set up in the northern third of the island, Turkey occupied since it invaded Cyprus in 1974.

President Clerides will address the Millennium Summit on Wednesday, and on the same day he will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

On Thursday, he will give a press conference at the UN headquarters and will then have a meeting at his hotel with members of the American-Jewish Committee, while on Friday he will meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. On Saturday, he will have a meeting with Federal Councilor of Switzerland Joseph Deiss.

In Nicosia on Monday, prior to his departure for New York to join President Clerides, Kasoulides made it clear that "we will assess our stance at the end of this negotiating process and in the light of the facts we will have before us, in coordination with the Greek government, and the decision that will be taken by the National Council."

[28] EDU calls for meaningful negotiations for Cyprus solution

NICOSIA, 05/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The EDU has also stressed that a solution to the island's political problem should not constitute a precondition for its accession to the European Union (EU).

EDU's positions on Cyprus are expressed in a resolution adopted by its Executive Committee which met in Brussels last Friday.

Cyprus' right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY), a full member of the EDU, was represented at the meeting by party officials, a DISY press release issued on Monday reads.

"There must be no preconditions for meaningful negotiations which should lie within the internationally accepted framework for the solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as provided by repeated UN resolutions," the EDU resolution says.

"We support the UN Secretary General's efforts to achieve progress towards reuniting Cyprus and creating conditions of peace, security stability, prosperity and the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot citizens of Cyprus," it adds.

In the resolution, the EDU reaffirms its commitment "to a lasting solution of the Cyprus problem and the accession of Cyprus to the European Union." It points out that a political settlement "will facilitate the accession process, but if this is not reached by the completion of the accession negotiations, according to the Helsinki European Council conclusions the decision on accession should be made without the above being a precondition".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

The Republic of Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998 and is leading in the number of chapters is has closed.

[29] Rolandis to pay official visit to Hungary

NICOSIA, 05/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Rolandis, who will visit Hungary at the invitation of the country's Finance Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy, will discuss ways to strengthen relations in the fields of trade, industry and tourism. A group of the island's businesspeople will be accompanying Rolandis who will return to Cyprus on Thursday.

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