Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government awaits US officials visit with interest

[02] Spain supports Cyprus' accession to EU

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Government satisfied with statements by European politicians

[05] Goverment pleased with Greek Defence Minister's statements

[06] Cypriot Mayor attends Moscow celebrations

[07] Popular Bank Group, January - June 1997 results

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Government awaits US officials visit with interest

Speaking at a press briefing, Christofides also noted deputy State Department Spokesman Jim Foley's statement that Miller's visit to Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and other European countries between September 7 and 20, aims at "taking the temperature in the different capitals".

Responding to a question whether the government has any information regarding Miller's role on Cyprus' course towards European Union accession, the Government Spokesman said that US policy "constantly reiterates the position that Cyprus' European prospects must continue", adding that "this is a given".

Christofides stressed Miller's visit is expected with "particular interest" because he is a leading member of Richard Holbrooke's team. Holbrooke has been appointed US Presidential Emissary on the Cyprus problem.

"We attach particular importance to the visit because it is in preparation of Holbrooke's initiative and we understand there will be meetings in October between President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and Holbrooke in New York," Christofides added.

President Clerides will travel to New York in October to address the UN General Assembly.

Regarding Holbrooke's visit to the island, Christofides said the US Presidential Emissary's visit is "a given" and that all interested parties, including the US, estimate that he will visit Cyprus sometime in November.

CNA MA/MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1525:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spain supports Cyprus' accession to EU

"Spain has no doubt on who is right and we are willing to offer any possible help in that direction," Valverde said after a meeting today with House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou.

The Spanish official, who arrived here yesterday for a four-day official visit, expressed the wish that Cyprus is re-unified as soon as possible.

He was also received by President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides, to whom Valverde presented the Spanish Senate's gold medal and a special book on the Spanish Senatorial Palace.

During his meeting with the House President, Valverde extended an invitation to Kyprianou to visit the Spanish Senate to bolster relations between the two Parliaments.

On his part, Kyprianou said that he ascertained from his conversation with Valverde, that there is complete agreement on the need for a correct solution of the Cyprus problem, Cyprus' course to EU accession and the role Cyprus can play in the European arena.

"We are prepared to improve our cooperation to the highest possible degree both on the level of the two Parliaments and certainly on the state level," Kyprianou stressed.

The House President also expressed his gratitude for the Spanish Senate's understanding and support.

Valverde also presented Kyprianou with the Spanish Senate's gold medal and a book on the Senatorial Palace.

Kyprianou responded in kind by presenting Valverde with an engraving depicting the Turkish-occupied areas in the northern part of the island.

The Spanish official also met with the House Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs as well as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou. CNA KN/MH/MCH 1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    78.25 (-0.36)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.55 (-0.32)
Approved Investment Companies          65.51 (-0.46)
Insurance Companies                    56.41 (-0.46)
Industrial Companies                   79.15 (-0.85)
Tourist Industries                     66.35 (-0.30)
Commercial Companies                   47.25 (-0.44)
Other Companies                        61.42 (+0.43)

Trading Volume                         CYP 692201.880

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Government satisfied with statements by European politicians

Following Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides' reaction to Moscovici's reported statement that a solution to the Cyprus problem constitutes a precondition for Cyprus' accession to the EU, Christofides, in turn, attributed the row over the French Deputy Foreign Minister's statements to erroneous translation.

Christofides said that according to a transcript of Moscovici's statements issued by the French Foreign Ministry, it emerges that Moscovici referred to a "supposition" for a political settlement of the Cyprus problem prior to accession and not to a "presupposition".

"We are not talking about a presupposition, we are taking about a supposition. France supposes and does not presupposes, and there is a big difference between the two verbs," Christofides noted.

Moscovici made the statements following a meeting in Paris with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

The Government Spokesman noted that the government has not requested clarifications on Moscovici's statements from the French Foreign Ministry and stressed that the EU itself "does not presuppose a solution of the Cyprus problem for Cyprus' accession course", even if, Christofides said, "everyone agrees that it would be better if the Cyprus problem were solved".

Christofides noted Moscovici's statement that the Turkish side must make the greater effort to resolve the Cyprus issue, something, the Government Spokesman said, which coincides with a UN Security Council finding following the direct talks in Montreux, Switzerland.

UN-sponsored direct talks last month between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash ended in stalemate after Denktash refused to discuss substantive issues on the Cyprus problem.

He added that there are no problems at this time to Cyprus' accession course and that in fact there is a recent report according to which Cyprus may be ready for EU accession in two years.

Asked whether there are any assurances that France will act to nudge the Turkish side out of its intractable positions on Cyprus, Christofides said that "states which express the position that a solution in Cyprus is necessary, which is correct, it is implied that they simultaneously have the obligation and the willingness to contribute to a solution".

Regarding statements by Poos, Kinkel and Moscovici made in the last 24 hours, the Government Spokesman said that each of the "three top personalities in the European sphere", as he described them, have supported UN efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

"It is not ascertained from Kinkel's and Moscovici's statements that a solution to the Cyprus problem is presupposed, but oppositely, the need is stressed for a solution to the Cyprus problem and this is a need that we all stress," Christofides said.

Poos, whose country currently holds the EU's six-month rotating presidency, stated during a recent visit to Turkey that Cyprus' admission to the EU would help resolved the Cyprus problem and urged Ankara to support Cyprus' entry.

Kinkel said yesterday after a meeting with Kasoulides that Cyprus-EU accession talks will begin as agreed, six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Regarding the European politicians' reference to Turkey's EU accession prospects, Christofides noted that the Cyprus government supports Turkey's accession, but that Ankara "needs a special European passport which is issued on special conditions".

The Government Spokesman stressed that Turkey must first make progress on human rights at home, improving relations with Greece and helping in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

CNA MA/MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Goverment pleased with Greek Defence Minister's statements

This was stated today by Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides, who noted that it is important to Cyprus "that in critical times, if there are any, agreements are kept".

Tsohatzopoulos made the statements during an interview on London Greek Radio (LGR), during a visit to London where he met with his British counterpart, George Robertson.

Asked how Greece reacts to Turkey's threats to attack the S-300 missiles, Tsohatzopoulos said "I would advise our neighbours not to slide along dangerous avenues of manipulating foreign matters".

Cyprus agreed to purchase the Russian missiles late last year, but neither missiles nor their parts are presently on the island. Turkey has repeatedly threatened to strike them once they are installed in Cyprus.

A Joint Defence Pact was agreed by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in 1993, stating that Greece will come to the aid of Cyprus if the island is attacked militarily.

The Greek Foreign Minister stressed the Cyprus problem is not Turkey's internal problem and noted that threats have no place and are rejected not only by Greece and Cyprus, but by the entire international community.

He added the policy of integrating the occupied areas to Turkey is a repeat of Hitler's policy against Czechoslovakia which cannot be accepted by any country.

Referring to what Greece would do in case Turkey follows through with its threats, Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that "the Joint Defence Pact is in full readiness to be implemented in case of any threat or act of violence against the Republic of Cyprus, which means that whichever attack by Turkey against Cyprus is casus belli".

Regarding Cyprus' prospects for accession to the European Union, the Greek Defence Minister stressed that he considers Cyprus' entry to the EU as a given either if the Cyprus problem is or is not resolved.

He also wished that the peace process already in progress bears fruit and expressed the hope that in spite of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's negative attitude, direct negotiations aimed at solving the Cyprus problem continue following presidential elections in Cyprus early next year.

Tsohatzopoulos also said that the Turkish side should understand it has much to gain if it supports Cyprus' prospects for EU accession.

CNA MA/MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cypriot Mayor attends Moscow celebrations

Next Monday, September 8, Demetriades will have a meeting with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzkov. The two mayors will sign a cooperation protocol between the two municipalities.

Celebrations for the 850th anniversary of the foundation of the Russian capital begin tomorrow and will last for three days.

They will be attended by dozens of Mayors of capitals all over the world as well as other important personalities.

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Popular Bank Group, January - June 1997 results

This was disclosed today by the Group's Chairman, Kikis Lazarides, who also said that as a result, the Bank will offer a dividend of 8 per cent to its shareholders.

After provision for bad and doubtful debtors and after deducting the tax charge and minority interest, the profit attributable to shareholders has reached 10,9 million pounds, compared with 9,7 million last year, showing an increase of 13,3 per cent.

Speaking at a press conference, Lazarides made special reference to the expansion of business of European Popular Bank in Greece, where profits increased by 70 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Noting that the target is to reach a 3 per cent share of the market, Lazarides added that a second branch will open in Salonica while four more are scheduled to open in Glyfada, Larissa, Patra and Heraclion by the end of 1997.

According to Lazarides, the contribution of overseas operations to the operating profits for the first half of 1997, increased to 17,5 per cent from 14,9 for the same period in 1996.

The Bank has opened a second office in Canada, while there is a decision to open an office in Belgrade, a move that Lazarides described as very important effort on the part of the Group to enter the Balkans.

Referring to the results of the sister insurance company, Cyprialife, he said there has been a 190 per cent increase.

Lazarides noted, however, that the economic environment is "restrictive" and said he is not particularly optimistic, despite recent positive developments in the tourist sector.

He noted that the Cyprus economy is going through a phase of restructuring as imposed by its increasingly international character.

CNA MK/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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