Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-11

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Friday, 11/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Council of Ministers approves 1999 budgets
• [02] Cyprus and India sign co-operation agreement
• [03] President Clerides proposes regional medical centre
• [04] Clinton remains committed as ever to solving Cyprus problem

[01] Council of Ministers approves 1999 budgets

Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou said after the meeting that prospects for 1999 are encouraging.

The rate of economic growth is expected to reach four per cent in real terms. Unemployment is expected to be maintained at around three per cent and the rate of inflation between 2,5 and three per cent.

The public deficit is expected to rise to 6,3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 1999 whereas public debt is likely to rise to 61, 7 per cent of the GDP.

The development budget foresees expenditure amounting to 261,3 million pounds, the ordinary budget envisages net revenue of 1.099,2 million pounds and net expenditure of 1.335,1 million pounds and the Refugee Relief Fund provides for 7,1 million pounds revenue and expenditure of 90,7 million pounds.

The budgets will go before the House of Representatives for discussion and final approval by the end of this month.

[02] Cyprus and India sign co-operation agreement

The protocol, signed at the end of the third session of a joint inter- government committee, aims at strengthening existing friendly ties between the two countries and developing further co-operation.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indian National Centre for Trade Information signed a memorandum of understanding with a view to enhancing commercial and economic links.

The three-member Indian delegation, which arrived earlier this week, has had meetings with officials of the Planning Bureau, the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment and the Ministry of Communications and Works.

The delegation, which leaves later today, also held talks with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Nicos Rolandis.

[03] President Clerides proposes regional medical centre

The President made the suggestion during a meeting here with Israeli Health Minister, Joshua Matza, who is on a four-day visit to the island.

President Clerides' idea envisages a modern medical facility in Cyprus, with the support of the Israeli medical system and catering for people from all over the region.

Describing it as a "very interesting" idea, the Israeli Minister said he would discuss it with his Cypriot counterpart, Christos Solomis, but noted that such a project was not something which could be decided upon quickly.

The two men also discussed the intended visit to Cyprus in November of Israeli President Ezer Weizman and expressed the certainty it would strengthen relations between Cyprus and Israel.

Mr Matza also had a meeting with the President of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou who raised concerns over defence co-operation agreements between Israel and Turkey.

[04] Clinton remains committed as ever to solving Cyprus problem

President Clinton was replying to a letter from Angelo Tsakopoulos, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Western Policy Centre, and 65 signatories under the auspices of the National Committee on US-Greece Relations.

"My Administration will continue its efforts to persuade all parties that negotiations are the only way to achieve resolution of the Cyprus conflict. But whether or not we make progress depends ultimately on those parties most directly involved", the US President said.

He added that the historic peace agreement in Northern Ireland should remind all that peace is possible.

"Courage and determined leadership can reconcile even the most intractable and long-standing differences by taking into account the legitimate interests of two communities", he said.

President Clerides said that the US will continue to discourage actions that undermine the beginning of negotiations, including the acquisition of sophisticated weapons systems and threats to use force to eliminate them.

"We will continue to make it clear that hostilities would be catastrophic for the region and the parties involved", he said.

In addition opportunities to advance a settlement, such as those afforded by the prospect of Cyprus' membership in the European Union, will be taken advantage of.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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