Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] UN set of ideas not basis for agreement

[03] Business meetings in Cyprus

[04] US inter-agency team visits Cyprus

[05] Canada appoints special representative on Cyprus

[06] EU Commissioner addresses Cypriot women's meeting

1540:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    80.23 (+0.69)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.32 (+0.04)
Approved Investment Companies          70.20 (+0.40)
Insurance Companies                    60.10 (-0.58)
Industrial Companies                   90.26 (+5.12)
Tourist Industries                     62.87 (+0.29)
Commercial Companies                   51.43 (-1.72)
Other Companies                        56.24 (+0.70)

Trading Volume                         CYP 896487.020

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN set of ideas not basis for agreement

Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides, stressed, here, today, "current or future discussions are not carried out on the basis of the 1992 set of ideas. We have rejected them as a framework for an overall agreement."

However, he also said he could not rule out the possibility of discussing some of the concepts, contained in these ideas, such as the idea of a Cyprus solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation and the notion of political equality.

Replying to questions after a meeting with House President, Spyros Kyprianou, Cassoulides said the set of ideas is brought to the forground by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who wishes to use them as a basis for discussion on a negotiated settlement in Cyprus.

The UN ideas deal with the fundamental issues of the Cyprus question, such as constitution, sovereignty, territory, security, guarantee and political equality.

Commenting on recent developments in Greco-Turkish relations, the Foreign Minister said "the government considers that progress in Greco- Turkish relations will influence efforts to settle the Cyprus question in a positive manner."

Referring to a meeting in Malta earlier this week between high ranking foreign ministry officials from Greece and Turkey, Cassoulides welcomed this move but noted that this understanding (between Greece and Turkey) is at a preliminary stage and has not reached any final conclusion yet.

In his remarks to the press, Kyprianou said there was a "fundamental shift" in Greece's policy on the country's relations with Turkey, a move which is no longer related to the Cyprus question.

"If the national interest dictates a change in strategy, we shall not react to this, but we should be convinced about it," he said.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1645:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Business meetings in Cyprus

This development, which will contribute to turn Cyprus into a business "bridge" between the European Union (EU) and Cyprus, is the result of a recent visit to Brussels by officials of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Trade (KEVE).

The two meetings which will be organised by KEVE and the respective European Chambers, aim at reinforcing international business cooperation and promote agreements between firms from various countries, operating in a wide range of entrepreneurial sectors.

Med-Interprise will gather business people from EU member-states, the Mediterranean countries, as well as from Cyprus, while Med-Partenariat will bring together businesses from the EU, the Middle East and Cyprus.

During their visit to Brussels, KEVE officials met with European Union Commissioner Responsible for External Affairs, Hans van den Broek, and Commissioner Responsible for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Energy and Tourism, Christos Papoutsis. Both have promised to support Cypriot business people, in their effort towards European expansion.

CNA GG/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:04

[04] US inter-agency team visits Cyprus

A US embassy spokesperson told CNA the US team's two-day visit was "very productive", and that the four US officials "look forward to developing further cooperation (with the Cyprus government) in the field."

"Cyprus was recently upgraded to the same category as the US as an area of potential concern for money laundering, and this visit was aimed at assisting the efforts of both of our countries in combating financial crime, " the US Embassy spokesperson said.

A US State Department report issued last March by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, upgraded Cyprus to a medium-high to high risk country for money laundering.

Kevin Hohn of the Internal Revenue Service, US Customs Attache in Milan, Albert Moy, along with Paul Utterback and John McDowell from the US Comptroller of the Currencies, arrived in Cyprus yesterday for consultations with the Cyprus government in the framework of cooperative efforts to combat financial crime.

The four-member inter-agency team also met yesterday and today with a number of government agencies involved in combating money laundering, including representatives from the Central Bank and the banking industry, to discuss regulation, enforcement and training.

CNA MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Canada appoints special representative on Cyprus

"I believe that the current environment offers a special opportunity to make progress on the Cyprus issue in light of envisaged discussions for an eventual accession of Cyprus to the European Union," Axworthy said.

The Canadian Foreign Minister added the appointment "is aimed at demonstrating the keen interest we continue to have for the future of Cyprus and Canada's commitment to support the UN peace effort."

A Canadian Foreign Ministry news release stated that as Special Representative, Bell will initiate discussions with both sides on Cyprus as well as "with other countries and organisations that are in a position to help reach a peaceful settlement."

The press release said Bell will provide an evaluation of the situation in Cyprus and present the views to the Canadian government.

"Bell will support efforts by the United Nations to foster a solution to the conflict in Cyprus. He will encourage all parties to co-operate with the UN and reach a final agreement," it added.

Meanwhile, Canadian Liberal MP of Greek descent, Eleni Bakopanos, welcomed Bell's appointment as Special Representative on Cyprus, stressing that Ottawa continues, after its 29-year presence with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, to support the Cyprus government's position for complete demilitarisation of the island.

"I am certain that the Canada's presence in Cyprus will be an important voice in negotiations which will lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem," Bakopanos said.

Michael Bell was born in Montreal, Quebec. He joined the Department of External Affairs in 1961 and served abroad in Oslo, London, Lima, Madrid and Moscow.

Bell was named Ambassador to Peru in 1981, to Moscow in 1990 and to The Hague in 1993.

In the Canadian capital, Bell held a number of positions including Assistant Deputy Minister, Latin America and Caribbean Branch and later Assistant Deputy Minister, Special Projects.

In 1996, he was appointed Special Representative on NATO enlargement.

CNA MH/MK/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:06

[06] EU Commissioner addresses Cypriot women's meeting

A total of 50 Greek and Turkish Cypriot women, 25 from each community, as well as four Greek and Turkish Cypriot women living in London, two Palestinian, two Israeli and other European Union women are taking part in the conference, which began yesterday in the Belgian capital, and ends tomorrow.

During the conference, numerous study sessions will be conducted, including the role of training in tolerance, the role of women in achieving peace and decision-making and women's cooperation in issues of health, social services and the environment.

Addressing the Conference's opening ceremony, EU Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, said the present situation in Cyprus in untenable and carries "enormous political and economic costs and places an unacceptable burden on the people of the island."

"Young people in the Turkish Cypriot community need to feel that they can look forward to constructive, worthwhile careers in Cyprus itself, without having to seek a better life elsewhere," he said.

Van den Broek described the EU's commitment to membership negotiations with Cyprus as "clear and unconditional", and reaffirmed that accession negotiations will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

"We are convinced that Cyprus' accession to the Union will reduce tensions between the communities, and transform what is at present a zero- sum game, where one side's gain is the other's loss, into a situation offering a brighter future for both sides," Van den Broek added.

The EU Commissioner also said the foundations for a solution in Cyprus are well known, but noted that what has been lacking previously was "a will to make reciprocal concessions in the interest of a balanced settlement."

"It is this final effort that I call on the leaders of both communities to make. I know that this is the unanimous wish of all member states of the European Union," he said.

Van den Broek added that political leaders would be encouraged to act more boldly "if they felt in public opinion a burning desire to end the current deadlock."

Also addressing the inauguration ceremony was Vice-President of the Belgian Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, Anne-Marie Lizin, who said UN efforts towards a solution in Cyprus are moving in the right direction.

"We are convinced that high-level meetings cannot succeed if the people are not prepared, and do not share the will for a solution," Lizin said.

CNA MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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