Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] President - UN envoy

[02] President - Irish deputies

[03] Seminar: "A leap into the new millennium..."

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President - UN envoy

The press was kept well away from the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Palace, to safeguard the confidentiality of the ongoing talks.

Hercus embarked on shuttle talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides to try and reduce tension on the island and resume the intercommunal dialogue with a view to finding an overall settlement of the protracted Cyprus question.

Today's meeting comes amid increasing speculation that the UN in collaboration with the US are trying to find a formula to avert the proposed deployment of Russian anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus.

President Clerides said yesterday on his return from the European Union summit that a substantive reduction of military forces and arms would help reduce tension.

He also made it clear that there is nothing concrete on the table at present, either from the UN, the US or others, with regard to attempts to reduce tension in Cyprus.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President - Irish deputies

He also called on those who prolong the Cyprus problem to realise that such an attitude is foolish and expressed full support for Cyprus' bid for full membership of the European Union, stressing that Cyprus should not be penalised because of the political problem on the island.

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides here today, the Irish deputy said the Good Friday agreement and the difficulties in its implementation were part of his discussions with the President.

Noting that "some parallels" were drawn between the solution of an apparently intractable problem in Northern Ireland with the problem in Cyprus itself, O'Malley said this nonetheless "should be a source of encouragement to everyone on this island that what did appear intractable in Northern Ireland only a few years ago has now actually been solved by the political will and with the assistance of the EU and the President of the US, who was very helpful."

The Irish deputy said that although "precise parallels" cannot be drawn between the situation in the two islands, he pointed out that "there was great good will between the Irish and the British governments in recent years and a very high degree of agreement between them."

That does not apply here, he remarked, adding that "the Cyprus government has not been able to achieve the same kind of agreement or understanding with the Turkish government."

Replying to questions, he said the President, the Foreign Minister and others he met here have outlined to him the difficulties that exist and the lack of progress in the Cyprus peace effort in recent times.

"We hope this will be overcome. It is foolish to prolong the Cyprus problem and I hope those who are prolonging it will come to realise that," O'Malley added.

He said Cyprus' accession to the EU was also on today's agenda and expressed Ireland's support for the Cypriot application.

"We are anxious that Cyprus will achieve full membership as quickly as possible," he said, acknowledging though the "complications caused by the Cyprus question itself."

He said "the President and I agree that no veto should be allowed because of the problem within Cyprus, that is not the fault of the Cyprus government or the people and it would be wrong if the accession of Cyprus for full membership were delayed."

O'Malley noted that Cyprus qualifies under all the appropriate headings, is a stable democratic state with a successful economy and "Ireland like other small states in the EU are anxious that a country like Cyprus which is fully in the European tradition would be able to join as a full member."

The Irish parliamentarian concludes today a six-day visit to Cyprus and leaves Tuesday with the delegation he heads.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Seminar: "A leap into the new millennium..."

Addressing a seminar entitled "A leap into the new millennium - the emerging multimedia and information technology challenge", said "interconnection of all strategic systems over the Government Data Network will allow us to create information kiosks for the provision of services to the public".

The two-day seminar was organised jointly by the Cyprus Bureau of Shipping with the cooperation of the Integrated Media Systems Centre at the University of Southern California, Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, the Information Department at the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Development Bank, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and the Cyprus Technology Institute.

Christodoulou noted that such applications would be user -friendly, simple and efficient so as to be easily accessible by the public in general.

The Finance Minister pointed out that the transformation of Cyprus into an international and regional information services centre was a very feasible prospect, "given our comparative advantages".

He said the development of large data banks and telecommunications, servicing the needs of not only domestic companies, but also international businesses, would promote further the role of Cyprus as an international business centre.

Christodoulou mentioned in addition that the government's vision was to introduce the lesson of information technology from the first class of the primary school, which was already the case in neighbouring countries, like Israel.

Speaking later to journalists the Minister stressed the enormous importance of this seminar for Cyprus "because it shows the right dimension of the decisive role that technology plays and will play mainly during the years to come in all fields..."

Andreas Phylaktou, Permanent Secretary of the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, told the seminar that education cannot avoid being extensively affected by the information technology revolution and the global dramatic changes occurring at the dawn of the new millennium.

He added the educational revolution is becoming more demanding because of the incredible rate of changes and the challenges of the future.

Phylactou noted that today's model of knowledge flow from the teacher to the pupil would be replaced by a new model of a reciprocal learning experience with constant interaction and creativity.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Development Bank John Strongylos said the challenge for Cyprus was not to aim to lead the information revolution but to find ways to remain informed and to accept and apply the results of this information revolution towards its economical development.

He pointed out that information technology, multimedia and communication technologies are expected to influence positively the Cyprus economy in its totality.

They will help Cyprus improve its products and services and enable the business community to concentrate on those businesses and processes and offer a comparative advantage vis-a-vis other countries and become a centre of excellence for services such as tourism, shipping, banking and finance insurance, professional and consulting services, medical services, educational training and last but not least information technology.

During today's sessions of the seminar there will be speeches by professors of the University of Cyprus, the University of Athens and the University of Southern California.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Bureau of Shipping Marios Eliades spoke during today's morning session presenting the issue "Information and Multimedia technology in Cyprus for the new millennium".

CNA MK/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          90.41 ( 0.17)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,605,511

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   636,983     104.94 ( 0.75)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    52,965      59.63 ( 0.15)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   441,750      68.19 (-1.35)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    76,912      87.27 (-0.91)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    69,366      67.65 ( 0.13)
      Trading Companies       CYP    47,070      42.41 (-2.35)
      Other Companies         CYP    78,101      82.83 ( 0.06)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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