Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-04-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Finnish deputies visit Cyprus

[02] House approves patent bill amendment

[03] President receives US envoy

1150:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Finnish deputies visit Cyprus

During their stay here, the Finnish MPs will have a meeting with House President Spyros Kyprianou, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and others.

They will also visit the demarcation line.

CNA MM/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1150:CYPPRESS:02

[02] House approves patent bill amendment

The amendment was approved unanimously by the House of Representatives on Thursday and was welcomed by the government but criticised by business quarters.

House President, Spyros Kyprianou, said the Attorney General had assured him he would examine the legislation of European Union member states and a new amendment would be sent to the House if more favourable provisions exist in EU countries.

Cyprus' chief negotiator with the European Union, George Vassiliou, made a last minute plea to deputies on Thursday to approve the amendment, warning at the same time of putting at risk Cyprus' accession talks process should the House fail to adopt the amendment.

Expressing satisfaction with the adoption of the amendment, Vassiliou said it would help industrial development since foreign businessmen could now invest locally in areas protected under the new bill.

The Registrar of companies, Maria Kyriacou, said the new legislation would encourage foreign investment in industry and said Cypriot inventors will now be able to patent their products at home.

She also described the law as a very significant step in Cyprus' bid to join the European Union.

The chairman of the Employers and Industrialists Federation, Andreas Pittas, disagreed with the amendment.

CNA MM/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1245:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President receives US envoy

No statements were made after the meeting and nothing has been revealed about the content of the discussions.

Present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General Alecos Markides, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides and Under-secretary to the President Pantelis Kouros.

Clerides and Holbrooke left the presidential palace after their encounter for what is believed to be a working lunch.

Earlier this morning, Holbrooke met with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash but neither of them talked to the press about their meeting.

Holbrooke, accompanied by Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller and US Ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill, arrived here Friday and almost immediately afterwards had his first meeting with Denktash in Turkish occupied Nicosia.

Political analysts believe the US is trying to put back on track the intercommunal dialogue, stalled because of continuing Turkish intransigence.

Denktash demands international recognition of his self-declared regime in occupied Cyprus and says he would not return to the negotiating table unless talks resume on an inter-state basis. CNA RG/MCH/MM/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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