Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-12-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides to attend Luxembourg meeting

[02] Britain sees little movement in pre-election period

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Greece demands Cyprus' accession talks in April

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides to attend Luxembourg meeting

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said Clerides leaves for Luxembourg on Thursday, December 11, and will attend the meeting on Saturday, December 13.

A working lunch of the European Council, the European Commission and associated countries will take place prior to the meeting.

President Clerides will visit Luxembourg, currently holding the European Union's (EU) six-month rotating presidency, at the invitation of the country's Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Junker.

Christofides pointed out the EU recognises that Cyprus is ready for accession talks and that the Cyprus government is the only legitimate negotiator.

Commenting on Turkish Cypriot participation in the talks, he said "the desire for Turkish Cypriots representation is taken into consideration and there are ideas and proposals."

"We are willing to discuss the issue when it will arise," he added.

Christofides noted that all those interested in Turkish Cypriot representation in accession talks "are expected to have some ideas to propose."

He pointed out, however, that all proposals should comply with UN resolutions against the recognition of the illegal entity unilaterally declared by the Turkish occupation regime in the northern part of the island.

Asked whether it would be tangible to start Cyprus-EU accession talks on April 10, 1998, Christofides said the government believes negotiations will start on that date, even if the question of Turkish Cypriot representation is not yet settled.

CNA KN/MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Britain sees little movement in pre-election period

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Madden said he called on the President to discuss last week's meetings Clerides had in London with British officials.

Asked if things should stay at a standstill during the election campaign, Madden said it was quite clear the main focus in Cyprus now was February's elections.

"Obviously that imposes a certain effect on discussion of other issues. I do not know whether things will stay at a standstill, but we are not expecting enormous changes in the period before the elections," he added.

Britain's top diplomat in Cyprus refrained from further comment on Turkish Cypriot participation in accession negotiations, or statements by European Union External Relations Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, about two legislations on this divided island.

"I have nothing more to add to the debate" Madden said, noting there has been a lot of discussion on both topics.

Invited to outline Britain's official position on the question of illegal Turkish settlers in Cyprus' occupied areas, Madden replied: "That is a matter for the two parties to a settlement to decide what the circumstances, what the details should be."

"In the final analysis, it is a matter for the people making the arrangements what the detailed circumstances will be," he explained.

His comments come after statements by British envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay who told a local daily that Turkish settlers, married to Cypriots, are now part of Cyprus and should therefore stay on the island after a settlement.

Replying to questions, Madden did not wish to preempt any decision by the EU Council relating to Cyprus' accession negotiations, but noted the EU decision to open membership talks with Cyprus has already been taken and suggested patience until after the meeting, which starts Friday in Luxembourg.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1625:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.35 (+0.24)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.75 (+0.02)
Approved Investment Companies          59.52 (+0.88)
Insurance Companies                    57.20 (+0.78)
Industrial Companies                   74.19 (+0.79)
Tourist Industries                     61.52 (-0.58)
Commercial Companies                   40.70 (+0.72)
Other Companies                        60.79 (+1.15)

Trading Volume                         CYP 528907.834

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Greece demands Cyprus' accession talks in April

Diplomatic sources said here today the Greek government has made this clear to its European counterparts, while Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos, reminded his counterparts of the EU, of their decision for talks with Cyprus in April 1998.

Speaking at the EU Council, in view of the December 13 European Council meeting of heads of states or governments, Pangalos stressed Cyprus-EU talks should start irrespective of developments in the Cyprus problem.

He also said talks should benefit the Turkish Cypriot community, but should be held with the internationally recognised Cyprus government.

Meanwhile, Pangalos said Greece would not agree to the participation of Turkey to the European Conference of EU applicant countries, if Ankara does not accept the basic preconditions set by Athens:

To accept the rulings of the International Court in the Hague, to respect human rights and to abandon efforts to obstruct Cyprus' course of accession to the EU.

CNA NB/MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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