Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Number of HIV positive still low

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] EU Commissioner arrives

[04] President Clerides meets Van den Broek

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Number of HIV positive still low

However, Dr. Dora Papantoniou, of the Health Ministry, said efforts to combat AIDS will continue because "even one incident is worrying."

She said the ministry will keep up with its enlightenment campaign, which focuses on the young generation and their sexual behaviour.

From 1986 until today, 278 people were diagnosed as HIV positive, of which 162 were Cypriots and the remaining 116 foreigners. A total of 34 people have died of AIDS.

The large majority of people infected belong to the 20 to 40 age group.

In the past few years there has been an increase in people infected through sexual intercourse, according to the health official.

Referring to the number of Cypriot children infected, which is this year's international AIDS day theme, Papantoniou said there are only two children diagnosed HIV positive.

One was born infected, through his mother, and the second is an adopted child from a country that has a large number of HIV positive persons.

In a message on the occasion of today's international AIDS day, Health Minister, Christos Solomis, stressed that it is everyone's duty to protect children.

"It is the family's, the school's, society's, and above all the state's duty to protect children and provide them with the necessary knowledge to secure their future," he says.

The Health Ministry announced that no person was diagnosed as HIV positive in November.

CNA MK/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.89 (-0.51)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.83 (-0.46)
Approved Investment Companies          59.00 (-1.01)
Insurance Companies                    55.65 (-0.14)
Industrial Companies                   72.91 (-0.25)
Tourist Industries                     62.62 (-0.38)
Commercial Companies                   38.59 (-1.33)
Other Companies                        59.00 (-1.55)

Trading Volume                         CYP 215935.448

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:03

[03] EU Commissioner arrives

On arrival for his second visit to Cyprus this year, Van den Broek said he will also discuss the Cyprus problem with the leaders of the two communities.

"It is very well known to the government here how much value our member states and also the European Commission attaches to trying to find ways and means to involve a representation of the Turkish Cypriot community in accession talks," he said.

Van den Broek added "we all hope obviously that the membership will benefit both communities of the island."

The EU Commissioner noted the formula for Turkish Cypriot participation "will not be found tomorrow".

"As long as the intentions are there to make progress, I certainly feel the political will can be modelised to make that a success."

The EU official said "we do not underestimate the situation, we've been here often enough and had sufficient exchanges to know that there are no miracle scenarios, but we do very much hope for political will."

Van den Broek pointed to the timing of his visit, in view of "the upcoming summit of the EU heads of government, in December, where the enlargement of the EU and obviously also the accession process with Cyprus will be discussed."

Cyprus' accession talks with the EU are scheduled to begin in spring 1998.

He said that during his two-day stay here he will also "listen how one views the situation around the political issue on the island."

The EU Commissioner will call on President Glafcos Clerides later today and will also meet UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel.

Tomorrow he will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

On Tuesday, he will also inaugurate the European Institute, along with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, which he described a "very important event."

The same day Van den Broek will address a meeting of representatives of society and the business community "to underline once more how we view the future membership of Cyprus and what it means for the people of this country."

Welcoming the EU Commissioner, the Foreign Minister said they will discuss "Cyprus' EU accession process, our political (Cyprus) problem and also some other aspects of the EU accession process."

"We hope we will be able during this visit to exchange useful views," he added.

CNA MAN/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides meets Van den Broek

EU External Relations Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, speaking after a meeting this evening with President Glafcos Clerides, warned that such issues might become too politicised due to the February 1998 presidential elections in Cyprus.

Asked if he considers the government's proposal to include the Turkish Cypriots in the Cyprus negotiating team, as a concrete formula or a general position, the Commissioner replied:

"I have the feeling that apart from the fact that everybody agreed that it would be a good thing, if in one way or another, also the Turkish Cypriot community could be involved in those talks, but I do feel it is too early to be very specific about it."

He reminded it is an election period in Cyprus and that these things can very easily become "very politicised".

Van den Broek, who arrived in Cyprus earlier this afternoon, said the background of the process at the moment should best be discussed "indoors".

Referring to his meeting with President Clerides, he said they had "a very friendly and constructive exchange of views."

"I told him that we find this a very important period of time, in the first place, because there are upcoming elections in Cyprus, but moreover because also in the EU one is very looking forward to the negotiations on membership", the Commissioner said.

Van den Broek added there are a number of issues which are being discussed in preparation of the accession negotiations.

Cyprus is due to start accession negotiations in spring next year with the EU.

The Commissioner made reference to the Cyprus problem, noting the EU wants to "be in contact with all the parties to work for the resumption of the political talks after the elections have been completed."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, repeated the two conditions which the Cypriot government has set for Turkish Cypriot participation in the accession negotiations.

"Our position remains that they are invited to participate in the Cyprus Republic's delegation because nobody can doubt that the negotiations are taking place between the EU and recognised states", Kasoulides said.

The Minister added that the government wants the Turkish Cypriot side to accept the principle of Cyprus' accession to the EU. "These issues therefore, will have to be clarified in the future," the Minister said.

He said they held a "very good and constructive discussion with Van den Broek, on issues pertaining to the accession course, especially in view of the Luxembourg European Council."

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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