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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-04-10Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateFriday, 10/04/98CONTENTS[01] Greek President to visit CyprusGreek President Costis Stephanopoulos will pay an official visit to Cyprus from June 25-28 at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Glafcos Clerides, the Greek President's press office in Athens announced yesterday.He will be the first Greek Head of State to do so since the island's independence in 1960. According to CNA, Cyprus Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the visit was discussed in Athens during a meeting yesterday at the Greek Foreign Ministry, chaired by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus, Theodoros Pangalos and Ioannis Kasoulides. Speaking from Athens, where the Spokesman was attending a seminar for Greek and Cypriot embassy press counsellors, Stylianides said the Athens meeting examined Cyprus' European Union accession course and the recent visit to the island by US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke. [02] Turkish Cypriots visit Tekke in government-controlled areaMore than 1,300 Turkish Cypriots yesterday visited the holy Muslim shrine of Hala Sultan Tekke on Larnaca's Salt Lake to mark Kurban Bayram - the feast marking the end of Ramadan.The Turkish occupation regime imposed a levy of four sterling pounds on each of the pilgrims who crossed to the government controlled areas of the Republic as an "exit fee" from the illegal entity, unilaterally declared in November 1983 in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island. The worshippers said they were very happy and touched by their pilgrimage to the Hala Sultan Mosque. For many of these Turkish Cypriots this was the first time to visit the Mosque. Speaking in Greek, Suleyman Kucat, 72, originally from Mathiatis village outside Nicosia, said he was "very moved". He expressed the wish a Cyprus settlement would be reached soon so that Greek and Turkish Cypriots would be able to live together again. A reciprocal visit by Greek Cypriot pilgrims to the Apostolos Andreas Monastery on Easter Sunday will not take place because of unacceptable measures imposed by the Turkish Cypriot regime, demanding 15 pounds sterling as "entry fee" on every person visiting the occupied part of Cyprus. [03] Foreign trade statistics for 1997According to the Department of Statistics and Research which has prepared foreign trade statistics in summary form for the year 1997, total imports (covering imports for home consumption and imports placed into bonded warehouses) amounted to L1.899.3 mn as compared with L1.857.5 mn in 1996.Total exports were L640,0 mn in relation to L649,0 mn in 1996. As a result of the above developments the trade deficit increased to L1.259, 3 mn compared to L1.208,5 mn in 1996. Imports for home consumption were L1.482,5 mn in 1997 and L1.465,2 mn in 1996. The EU countries supplied Cyprus with goods valued at L903,2 mn or 47,6% of the total imports as compared with L902,2 mn or 48,6$ during 1996. [04] Hotels and Restaurants statistics, 1996The Department of Statistics and Research announced that it has issued the report "Hotels and Restaurants Statistics, 1996".The report provides data on gross output, value added, expenditure on fixed assets, employment and the contribution of the sector to the Gross Domestic Product. The report is obtainable from the Government Printing Office in Nicosia. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |