Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Humanitarian issues top today's agenda

[02] Spokesman on Turkish threats

[03] Cyprus, EU sign bilateral agreements

[04] Clerides and Denktash meet to discuss humanitarian issues

[05] Cyprus and Jordanian Speakers discuss bilateral relations

1545:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Humanitarian issues top today's agenda

He also pointed out that other matters relating to confidence building measures or good will gestures are not part of discussions on humanitarian matters.

"Today's meeting and others that may follow in the next couple of weeks, before the UN-sponsored direct talks resume in Switzerland in mid-August, will be devoted to humanitarian matters," Christofides told his daily press briefing.

The government, he added, does not wish to link humanitarian issues with political affairs, and "if the Turkish Cypriot side puts forward other issues, it is up to us to maintain our stated position, as this was announced."

The issue of persons listed as missing since the Turkish invasion, special issues and matters relating to the plight of the Greek Cypriot enclaved, living in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

"We will examine ways to get proof about the whereabouts of those missing," the Spokesman said.

Asked if today's meeting will in a way delineate Denktash's mood in the second round of talks, he said "if Denktash adopts a negative stance today, this does not mean he will be the same in the talks in August."

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1725:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman on Turkish threats

He also dismissed press reports suggesting that Athens and Nicosia have different views about the Cyprus problem and the Republic's European accession course.

"Any development in the Cyprus issue, any move by our opponent which will create new fait accompli will be dealt with in a dynamic and decisive manner from both governments in Cyprus and Greece," Christofides said.

Cooperation between the two governments is "absolute", he said, noting that Greece stands firmly by Cyprus in all respects.

"The governments in Cyprus and Greece have studied the Cyprus question and outlined the methods they will handle all eventualities," Christofides said.

Both believe that the international community should respond in a resolute manner, if Turkey integrates the occupied part of the island.

Last week Turkey and the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime signed a joint declaration for enhanced economic, political and defence cooperation and threatened partial integration of the occupied areas, if Cyprus' European course moves on.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, in a statement issued here today, vehemently denied press reports that there is divergence of views between Nicosia and Athens on the "goals, priorities, handling and assessment of developments in the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' EU accession course."

"On the contrary", the Minister pointed out, "there is absolute identity of views and any other interpretation of verbal statements does not correspond to reality."

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus, EU sign bilateral agreements

All programmes come into effect once both contracting parties approve or ratify the agreements, which have a five-year life span.

Until recently, the EU programmes "Socrates", "Leonardo" and "Youth for Europe" were only available for member-states and three other countries (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

Cyprus and the EU will set up a joint committee for each programme to oversee the implementation of the agreements and select the programmes Cyprus will submit as part of its participation in them.

Cyprus will contribute funds to all three programmes.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Clerides and Denktash meet to discuss humanitarian issues

The meeting, which takes place at the residence of Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, was agreed between the two leaders at Troutbeck, New York, during the first round of UN-led direct talks.

President Clerides is expected to raise the issues of enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish-occupied areas as well as that of persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

Participating in the meeting are only President Clerides, Denktash and Feissel.

Shortly before the meeting, the three men appeared on the porch for a photograph opportunity during which a journalist asked what is expected from the meeting.

Denktash answered by saying: "British tea".

CNA RG/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2010:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus and Jordanian Speakers discuss bilateral relations

Speaking after the meeting, Jordanian Speaker of Parliament Saad Hayel Srour, described the meeting as a "great opportunity" to "exchange views on the Middle East peace process" and discuss bilateral relations and cooperation.

The Jordanian Speaker expressed the hope that President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou will visit Jordan in the near future.

On his part, Kyprianou said Srour's visit helps to promote cooperation between the two parliaments and strengthen relations between the two countries.

"The discussion was very constructive and we have common principles on which we concentrate our efforts for the proper solution of various issues, " Kyprianou added.

Tomorrow, the Jordanian Speaker will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and party leaders.

CNA KK/EC/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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