Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-02-24

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

Wednesday, 24 February 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus offers advantages to Egyptian entrepreneurs
• [02] Fourth Financial Protocol between Cyprus and the EU extended
• [03] Government Spokesman flies to Brussels to discuss communication issues
• [04] Turkey continues to destroy Cyprus' cultural heritage
• [05] Foreign Minister has contacts with Congressmen and Senators

[01] Cyprus offers advantages to Egyptian entrepreneurs

This was stressed yesterday by Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis, in talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Dr Ahmed Ahmed Goueli.

Mr Rolandis, who is on an official visit to Cairo at the head of a large Cypriot trade delegation, discussed trade relations between Cyprus and Egypt and ways to improve them.

Moreover, addressing a seminar on Cyprus, Mr Rolandis expressed the hope for closer co-operation between Cyprus and Egypt, pointing to the diverse advantages Cyprus offers to Egyptian entrepreneurs. In this respect he said that there were tax and other incentives as well as "a favourable government policy towards foreign investments".

"The ratification of numerous international and bilateral treaties, double taxation relief agreements as well as the very good relations with the countries of the European Union, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, constitute yet additional advantages for using Cyprus as a base for conducting business operations in the region," Mr Rolandis added.

[02] Fourth Financial Protocol between Cyprus and the EU extended

The decision was taken on 22 February in the context of the Council of General Affairs meeting in Luxembourg, after a proposal by the European Commission.

[03] Government Spokesman flies to Brussels to discuss communication issues

During his two-day stay, Mr Stylianides will meet with Marcelino Orega, the Commissioner in charge of relations with the European Parliament on issues relating to transparency, communication and information, culture and audio- visual policy.

Mr Stylianides is accompanied by the Director of the Press and Information Office, George Hadjisavvas.

From Brussels Mr Stylianides will fly to Athens where he will hold a press conference on Friday for foreign journalists based in the Greek capital.

[04] Turkey continues to destroy Cyprus' cultural heritage

Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sotos Zakheos, in a letter to the UN Secretary General on 19 February, said that Turkey continues its policy of changing the demographic character of the island through the systematic destruction, looting and vandalisation of archaeological and religious sites.

He said the latest destructions which have come to the attention of the authorities concern the old and new churches of Panayia Chryseleousa in the village of Katokopia, which was turned into a mosque and its frescoes removed. Wall paintings were also removed from the church of Ayios Avxentiou in Komi Kebir.

"These actions on the part of Turkey", Mr Zakheos said, "are a disgrace for today's civilisation. Despite the fact that they violate even the UNESCO convention for the protection of cultural property in time of war, the destruction continues unabated to this day".

[05] Foreign Minister has contacts with Congressmen and Senators

Speaking in Washington where he is having contacts with US administration officials and Congressmen, Mr Kasoulides pointed out that Turkish intransigence continues to prevent the resumption of intercommunal talks.

Cyprus, he said, will do all it can to achieve progress towards a settlement and called on Congress to do whatever it can so that the US government exerts pressure on Turkey to show the necessary political will.

He stressed the need to implement fully all UN resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1218 (December 1998), as this would help reduce tension and armaments as well as contribute towards the full demilitarisation of Cyprus.

He recalled President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for demilitarisation and the need to deploy a multi-national force with a mandate from the Security Council.

Mr Kasoulides thanked Congress for its support for Cyprus' bid to become a member of the European Union and said that the EU accession process would be a pressure lever on Turkey and a catalyst in efforts to solve the Cyprus question.

Over the past few days the Foreign Minister has had meetings with prominent members of the US Congress and members of the Hellenic Causus of the House of Representatives, which is made up of congressmen from both parties. He also had a meeting with Senator Joseph Biden, minority leader in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as with Senators Paul Sarbanes and Peter Fitzerald. He is due to return to Cyprus on Saturday.

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

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