Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-03-13

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Cassoulides: Controversy over talks nature "philosophical"

[03] EU informal meeting important for Cyprus

[04] EU Commissioner arrives for visit

[05] Hannay rounds up talks

1450:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    78.06 [0]

Highest: 82.46 (2/1/97)
Lowest : 73.90 (30/1/97)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.28 (+0.03)
Approved Investment Companies          65.77 (+0.70)
Insurance Companies                    59.04 (+2.27)
Industrial Companies                   83.34 (-0.22)
Tourist Industries                     62.09 (-2.34)
Commercial Companies                   53.67 (-0.61)
Other Companies                        57.19 (-1.11)

Trading Volume                         CYP 859959.020

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cassoulides: Controversy over talks nature "philosophical"

Speaking at his daily press briefing Thursday, Cassoulides described controversy over the definition of ongoing talks between the two sides in Cyprus, under the aegis of UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel, as a "philosophical conversation".

Feissel started last Monday a new intensive round of indirect (proximity) talks between President Clerides and Denktash, in a bid to find common ground that will allow face-to-face negotiations to commence.

Britain's envoy for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, currently on a four-day discussions visit in Cyprus, told the press Wednesday the UN-led talks are an "intensified preparatory process", noting he had heard the phrase "proximity talks" from the Cyprus press.

The Spokesman declined to comment on the talks, reminding an agreement to avoid public statements.

He added the National Council, the Republic's top advisory body to the government on the Cyprus issue, "will be informed on the talks during its meeting tomorrow."

Cassoulides pointed out it's the responsibility of the UN Secretary- General, Kofi Annan, to convene face-to-face talks.

"The two sides will be held responsible according to their positive or negative stance to such an invitation," he noted.

CNA AP/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:03

[03] EU informal meeting important for Cyprus By Maria Myles

"The Apeldoorn meeting will focus on EU - Turkey relations, but will also deal with EU - Cyprus relations as well as EU enlargement," EU sources have told CNA here.

Turkish Cypriot involvement in Cyprus' EU accession talks will also be touched upon by the 15 FMs during their deliberations, and as the same sources noted, "there may be some movement on this issue at Apeldoorn".

The EU sources also expressed the view that the Cyprus question, EU - Turkish relations and Greco - Turkish ties are interlinked. They pointed out that, given that these issues influence one another in some way, it would be preferable to see some movement to help all three questions to "move together and facilitate each other".

Replying to questions, the EU sources said that progress towards a solution in Cyprus may, probably, be a move in that direction.

If there is progress in Cyprus (towards a solution), the sources added, it might help Greece to "moderate its stance on the blockage of EU funds to Turkey".

As things stand at the moment, these funds are blocked, first by a Greek veto on their release, but also by a resolution adopted by the European Parliament last year.

The sources also said that most EU member states "feel they do not fulfill their obligations to Turkey" in relation to the customs union agreement.

As long as the Greco - Turkish dispute in the Aegean is pending, the funds to Turkey are blocked, the sources said.

"Linked to this is the Cyprus question, which complicates the situation", they added.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:04

[04] EU Commissioner arrives for visit

The assurance was given this afternoon by EU Commissioner, responsible for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME's), Energy and Tourism, Christos Papoutsis, on his arrival for a three-day official visit to the island, at the invitation of the Cyprus government.

On the contrary, he added, the EU will proceed with firm and substantive steps which will lead Cyprus towards joining the Union.

Papoutsis said he was here to discuss developments and possibilities of further EU-Cyprus cooperation in areas of his responsibility.

During his stay, the EU Commissioner will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and House President Spyros Kyprianou and will meet the Primate of Cyprus' Orthodox Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

He will also meet Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Kyriacos Christofi, with whom he will discuss, inter alia, the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the EU and its preparations for the accession negotiations, particularly in the fields of SME's, energy and tourism.

With Christofi, Papoutsis noted, we will discuss all matters relating to Cyprus' potential to participate in EU projects.

Asked if there is a possibility for the EU to recognise the pseudostate, Papoutsis assured no such possibility exists.

"The EU is committed to inform all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus of their benefits from joining the Union. This, of course, in no way implies indirect recognition, as the international community has never recognised (the pseudostate) all these years," he added.

The EU Commissioner also noted Cyprus' membership was already underway and reiterated an EU decision, of March 1995, that accession talks will start six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference.

During his stay, Papoutsis will also meet with political party leaders, the President and the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), as well as the Presidency of the Cyprus Cooperative Confederation.

Before his departure, the EU Commissioner will give a lecture Saturday morning at the CCCI on "Community Support to SME's, Means: Experiences and results", and will hold a press conference.

CNA TA/AP/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1910:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Hannay rounds up talks

Sir David's meeting with Clerides took place aboard the President's yacht "Kate II" which sailed from Larnaca to Limassol's old harbour. Later, the two men had a working lunch at a hotel of this southern coastal town.

Both Clerides and Sir David declined comment on the substance of their talks. Sir David, who was accompanied by Britain's High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden, returned to Nicosia by car.

Britain's former Permanent Representative to the UN crossed to the Turkish-occupied areas, later today, for a second meeting with Denktash.

Hannay rounds up his contacts today and before departing for Brussels tomorrow for talks with European Union officials on Cyprus, he will give a bicommunal press conference.

Yesterday, Sir David described the current phase of the Cyprus problem as an "intensified preparatory process".

He also expressed the hope that direct negotiations between President Clerides and Rauf Denktash will start within the first half of this year.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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