Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-04-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides, Pangalos to discuss Cyprus problem

[02] Over two million tourists to visit Cyprus

[03] Russia to suggest Cyprus debate in UN Security Council

[04] Cyprus-Russian cooperation in environmental matters

0950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides, Pangalos to discuss Cyprus problem

The delegations are headed by Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and his Greek counterpart, Theodoros Pangalos.

The Cyprus problem was also discussed yesterday by the Greek Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and Defence Affairs.

Speaking at the Committee, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis, said the Cyprus problem is perhaps at its most critical point.

He pointed out that Cyprus' accession to the European Union would guarantee security for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Kranidiotis met yesterday with US Ambassador to Greece, Nicholas Burns, and discussed the recent visit to Cyprus of American Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told CNA, State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator Tom Miller is expected to visit Nicosia, Athens and Ankara towards the end of April.

Holbrooke will follow Miller's trip.

The same sources said the US insists that the basis on which Cyprus peace talks take place should not change under any circumstances.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had demanded the change of the interlocutors' status, in a bid to gain recognition for his breakaway state, in violation of repeated UN resolutions.

His bogus-state unilaterally established in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since 1974 is recognised only by Turkey.

CNA KI/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1040:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Over two million tourists to visit Cyprus

Speaking to the press on his return from Britain yesterday evening, Rolandis said indications are that 0,9 million tourists from that country will visit the island in 1998, with the possibility open for even higher numbers.

Rolandis stressed that tourism is the most powerful sector of the island's economy, and as such it has to be treated with attention.

He said around 1,5 billion Cyprus pounds have been invested in tourism so far, pointing out another 200 to 250 million pounds must be invested in tourist infrastructure (one Cyprus pound is equal to 1,8 US dollars).

Rolandis stressed the need to incorporate the island's rich culture in tourism planning, which, he added, is not going to be an easy task.

Tourism is Cyprus' main money earner, with more than one fifth of the island's GDP.

CNA GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1340:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Russia to suggest Cyprus debate in UN Security Council

Speaking after a meeting with Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Costas Themistocleous, the Russian Ambassador said "Russia will not remain passive. We will propose the discussion, even informally, of the Cyprus problem, and we believe we will have the support of other UN Security Council members."

He stressed the discussion would aim at boosting efforts of UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and his Special Advisor on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, towards a Cyprus settlement.

Mouradov did not exclude the possibility of also discussing the proposal of the island's demilitarisation.

Replying to questions, Mouradov reaffirmed his country's position that "there is only one legal government in Cyprus, that of the Republic of Cyprus".

He pointed out that Russia supports efforts aimed at the resumption of the bicommunal dialogue.

CNA RM/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus-Russian cooperation in environmental matters

Themistocleous said bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of agriculture, natural resources and environment had been strengthened.

He said Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Mouradov conveyed to him an invitation from his Russian counterpart to visit the country.

He said the Russian Minister of Agriculture will visit Cyprus in 1998.

Mouradov told the press that there were many proposals that could be implemented, producing important results.

The Russian diplomat said there were plans for a bilateral agreement in the field of stock-breeding.

Moscow will also submit proposals to contribute to the solution of the island's problem of water shortage.

He said Russian experts in the field of water resources, working in Cyprus for a series of years, have made studies on issues, such as the building of water dams on Troodos mountains.

CNA RM/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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