Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Czech Ministers - Arrival

[04] Britain - Quin - Cyprus

[05] T/C newspaper - Destruction of churches

[06] Rolandis - Tourists - Britain

[07] Cyprus - EU - Protocol Research and Technological Advancement

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

Share prices on the CSE increased by 55 per cent as from January 1, 1999.

Speaking to CNA Papadopoulos attributed the rally to the expectations of investors, who currently anticipate an increase of share prices.

As a result, he explained, demand is strengthening, leading to higher share prices.

Responding to a question, Papadopoulos attributed the positive expectations of investors to the fact that they realised shares were undervalued, to the good state of the island's economy and to the existing euphoria in international stock markets.

Asked whether the crisis in Yugoslavia has had any impact on the CSE, he said "no serious impact has been witnessed".

Responding to a question on the likelihood of negative repercussions from the persisting rally, CSE Chairman said the free market forces will lead to a stabilisation when investors believe share prices have reached their normal level".

CNA GG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         144.04 ( 2.56)

      Traded Value            CYP 14,499,391

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 7,683,394     195.64 ( 3.47)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   244,385      75.29 ( 1.17)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   104,570      73.60 ( 0.52)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   239,418      85.85 (-0.33)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   379,649      98.98 ( 0.46)
      Trading Companies       CYP   237,491      49.78 (-0.04)
      Other Companies         CYP   313,697      90.16 (-0.63)

CNA MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Czech Ministers - Arrival

Minister of Industry and Trade, Miroslav Gregr, and Minister of Finance, Ivo Svoboda, of the Czech Republic are accompanied by three deputy ministers and a 10 member delegation.

Welcoming the delegation, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis, said Cyprus has excellent relations with the Czech Republic.

He said the aim of the visit is to study the trade, tourism and other sectors and to promote the services sector noting there is "scope for expansion".

Rolandis remarked that about seven thousand Czech tourists who visit Cyprus annually.

On his part, Gregr, speaking through an interpreter, said their visit is significant because they will be able to boost cooperation in the business and tourism sectors.

He said he is accompanied by businessmen who will discuss specific issues.

The Czech Finance Minister Svoboda said what is most important is that they will promote, as much as possible, common investments and the services sector in relation to both countries.

They will also discuss the two countries' bid to join the European Union.

Cyprus and the Czech Republic, together with Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia and Poland began accession talks last year and are expected to be included in the next enlargement of the EU.

The two ministers will be received by President Glafcos Clerides on Friday, 21 May. They will also meet their Cypriot counterparts the same day and will hold discussions on trade and industry matters.

CNA MAN/EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Britain - Quin - Cyprus

She made the statement during a debate on Cyprus in the House of Commons.

Quin urged the illegal authorities in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus to make gestures that would build confidence and to try and relaunch the peace process on the island.

Replying to a question by MP Nigel Waterson, Quin said the British government welcomed the decision of the Cyprus government not to deploy the S300 Russian anti-aircraft missile system, noting it was a "positive step."

"Indeed we urged that the authorities in the north should make similar gestures to build confidence and try to relaunch the peace process on the island," she added.

The government of Cyprus ordered the Russian defence missiles to counter the massive Turkish military presence in the island's Turkish occupied north.

Last December the Cyprus President announced his decision not to deploy the missile system on the island and to negotiate its deployment in the Greek island of Crete. The missile system is now in Crete.

Referring to the stalled Cyprus peace process, Quin said the British Prime Minister has "made a strong commitment to undertaking every effort possible to relaunch the peace process this year."

Stressing that moves towards reunification of the island and a peaceful settlement would be very useful in the context of EU accession, Quin said that she has made "clear on many occasions, no outside, non-EU country has a veto on Cyprus' accession."

She further said that "Cyprus' application should be treated on its merits."

Asked by MP Stephen Twigg whether further progress on achieving a settlement to the Cyprus question will require actions by the governments of Turkey and the US, Quin said Britain, in all its contacts with the interested parties, has repeatedly urged on all sides to take up "efforts to try to make progress towards a settlement."

"We shall certainly continue to do so", she said, adding that it would be wrong to "simply sit back at a time when EU accession negotiations offer an important opportunity."

"We believe that EU membership would be very much in the interests of both communities on the island," she added.

The Turkish Cypriot side, backed by Ankara, has been refusing to participate in peace talks unless the illegal regime unilaterally declared in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognised.

CNA EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] T/C newspaper - Destruction of churches

Daily "Avrupa", which is often critical of the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974, says "either the churches are protected or they should be completely destroyed so that the T/C are not internationally portrayed as vandals."

It is estimated that more than 500 churches in the Turkish occupied areas, some of them dating back to the Byzantine era, have been destroyed, looted or used for other purposes such as stables or store-houses.

"Avrupa" refers to the issue after photographs were published in T/C newspapers showing the desecrated interior of a church and a second church which has been turned into a stable.

It points out that the second church is one of several churches used as stables.

The paper says that if Greek Cypriots treated mosques the same way the T/C treat churches, "we would have immediately reacted and said they are trying to eradicate anything Turkish from Cyprus."

The T/C daily also refers to the destruction of two Greek Cypriot cemeteries in the Turkish occupied areas.

It says that churches have also been demolished and adds: "We continue to remain spectators to their (the churches') destruction."

"Avrupa" says that the Greek Cypriots have brought the issue before the Council of Europe.

"If the Greek Cypriots treated our monuments in the same way wouldn't we act in the same way," it wonders.

The destruction of Cyprus' cultural heritage and the selling of priceless artefacts stolen from the occupied areas and sold in the international black market has often been brought before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

CNA SA/MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Rolandis - Tourists - Britain

Rolandis was speaking after meeting the new British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Edward Clay.

The minister said that Cyprus boasts more than one million visitors from the UK which constitutes around 44 per cent of the island's tourism.

He also said that 45 per cent of the total income from tourism, which is expected to exceed 900 million Cyprus Pounds (one Cyprus pound trades at around two US dollars), will derive from the UK.

"This is a very large amount", Rolandis added. Asked if tourism from the UK will increase in 1999, compared to last year, Rolandis was positive, but cautioned that there is a generally slow trend in Europe because of the Yugoslav crisis.

"But if the war is not prolonged, then in my opinion we will have a normal increase of tourists from the UK ranging between 7-10 per cent," the minister added.

Clay expressed satisfaction over the level of relations between Cyprus and the UK in the economic sector and remarked that they have dynamically increased in the last decade.

CNA EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus - EU - Protocol Research and Technological Advancement

The programme covers the European Union (EU) policy on research and technology issues for the period 1998-2002.

The relevant protocol was signed today by Cyprus Finance Minister, Takis Clerides, and President of the Council of Ministers, German Education and Research Minister, Edelgard Bulmahn and EU Commissioner, Edith Cresson.

The German minister stressed Cyprus' determination to promote its accession course and added that its participation in the programme will give the opportunity to European and Cypriot researchers and research centres to cooperate on common programmes for their mutual benefit.

Bulmahn said Cyprus has exhibited great achievements in the fields of research and management of water resources, agriculture, genetics and information.

Cresson expressed her satisfaction over Cyprus' participation in the programme and praised the island's presence in EU research programmes.

On his part, Clerides said the agreement is a sign of Cyprus' dedication to EU policy on research and technology issues.

He also said it is a challenge to Cypriot researchers who will make every effort to utilise the opportunities provided by the programme.

Clerides added that Cyprus' EU accession course is proceeding satisfactorily and that the island's participation in the programme is an additional step in the island's harmonisation with the acquis communautaire.

Cyprus began substantial accession talks with the EU in November 1998. It applied for accession in 1990.

CNA NB/EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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