Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Rolandis - Egypt - Prime Minister

[03] House President - Ocalan

[04] Sixth International Education Fair

[05] Cyprus - Tourism

[06] Cyprus - Peace-keeping - Kosovo

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[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         114.88  ( 0.53)

      Traded Value            CYP 4,255,745

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 2,208,254     141.58 ( 0.58)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   209,503      72.46 ( 0.74)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   119,088      77.74 ( 0.35)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   386,762      99.82 ( 1.13)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    85,839      78.11 (-0.08)
      Trading Companies       CYP   224,073      52.03 (-0.15)
      Other Companies         CYP   202,502      86.88 ( 0.16)

CNA MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1635:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Rolandis - Egypt - Prime Minister

Rolandis, who is on an official visit to Egypt, yesterday met with the country's Prime Minister and discussed with him bilateral relations and in particular reciprocal support in international fora.

Rolandis briefed Al Ganzouri on the latest developments regarding the island's political problem and thanked him for Egypt's sustained support for a peaceful and lasting solution to the problem.

They also discussed economic and trade issues as well as investment- related issues.

Cyprus Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister discussed with the Egyptian Prime Minister the possibility of forming a joint committee which would oversee cooperation between the two countries in the said fields.

Rolandis asked Al Ganzouri to convey an invitation to the Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to visit Cyprus.

This morning Rolandis met with Egypt's Minister of Finance Youssef Boutros Ghali, with whom he discussed the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in investment.

Rolandis, who is scheduled to return to Cyprus late tonight, also invited Ghali to visit Cyprus.

CNA GG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:03

[03] House President - Ocalan

He said messages will be sent to the Council of Europe its Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and Parliaments of European countries.

As he explained after a meeting with parliamentary party representatives, the message will note the need for a formal presence of representatives from Europe in the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).

"The message is an urgent appeal on behalf of the House of Representatives, a new move not only to show support but also to demonstrate its intention to help as much as it can the just cause of the Kurdish people," Kyprianou added.

He rejected as "totally unfounded" Turkish charges that Cyprus hosts Kurdish guerrilla fighters in training camps on the island.

"Anybody can see what happens here and the Turks are well aware of the fact that no such thing is taking place on the island," he explained, noting that "they (Turks) have simply found the chance to attack firstly Greece and then Cyprus."

CNA FZ/MM/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Sixth International Education Fair

The four-day Fair is an opportunity for students, parents and those involved in education to see first hand the options offered in all levels of education.

According to the Cyprus State Fairs Authority, which together with the Ministry of Education and Culture co-organise the Fair, visitors are expected to exceed 15 thousand.

Apart from the Cyprus-based educational institutions, participants include institutions from Greece, Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, the US, Belarus, Lebanon, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Culture Ouranios Ioannides stressed the importance of education for a democratic society, describing it as its foundation.

He also pointed out that one of the aims of education in Cyprus must also be to remind the people of the island of their obligation to seek freedom for their country.

On his part, Cyprus State Fairs Authority Chairman Demetris Joannou said the Fair's aim "is to promote the modernisation and upgrading of education at all levels and to inform all interested parties about the opportunities offered today".

"At the same time, the Fair contributes to the promotion of technological achievements and the use of modern methods in education today", he added, noting that "Cyprus is growing into an important regional educational centre".

During the opening ceremony, a teleconference was held with the participation of the Greek Minister of Education and Religion Gerasimos Arsenis from Athens.

Addressing those present at the ceremony, Arsenis said education programmes must be reformed in order to adapt to the globalisation of knowledge which is the trend of today.

CNA DG/GG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1945:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Tourism

According to the official Department of Statistics and Research, 74,7 per cent of them arrived from the European Union (EU) member-states.

Specifically, almost half (49,1 per cent) of the tourists who visited the island in January arrived from the UK, 9,1 per cent from Germany, 5,9 per cent from Greece and an equal percentage from Russia.

Tourism is Cyprus' most important industry, providing around 20 per cent of the island's GDP.

Cyprus along with Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia and the Czech Republic started substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November.

CNA GG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1955:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus - Peace-keeping - Kosovo

"We have already sent two names to the OSCE and it is up to the Secretariat to decide whether it would call on any of them," Shiambos told CNA today.

He said the cabinet has approved a proposal by the Foreign Ministry for Cyprus' participation in the observers mission with five names to be put forward.

The Permanent Secretary explained that following the agreement on Kosovo, it was decided that 2.000 observers would be sent to the area and member states were invited to declare their interests in participating on a voluntary basis.

"Our intention to participate is symbolic in terms of numbers and shows in practice our respect for our obligations to the OSCE," Shiambos told CNA.

Two persons have expressed their interest, one former diplomat and one who has served in the military.

Three more names will be submitted in due time when others come forward and declare their interest, he added.

He said there was no deadline to submit these names and explained that at present there is no indication as to when the Secretariat will decide about the composition of the force, depending on developments and the needs that may arise.

CNA MA/MM/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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