Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-03-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government backs Turkish Cypriot participation in EU talks

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] EU talks cannot be conducted without T/Cy, says Hannay

[04] EU Commission adopts proposal on Turkey

[05] Euro-Med Net '98 - Cyprus

[06] Van den Broek arrives

1720:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Government backs Turkish Cypriot participation in EU talks

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the government will consult with the political leadership, the Greek government and its legal experts to try and find a formula for Turkish Cypriot participation.

"There are basic principles governing this matter. Under no circumstances should Turkish Cypriot participation undermine the status of the Republic of Cyprus or imply in any way direct or indirect recognition of the illegal entity in the Turkish-occupied part of the island," the Spokesman stressed.

The Spokesman also said, former President, United Democrats leader George Vassiliou will head the negotiating team of the Republic of Cyprus in accession talks.

Vassiliou's status will be determined by the Council of Ministers on Friday.

CNA RG/MCH/MM/1998

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1810:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    83,08 ( 0,45)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  96,71 ( 0,29)
Approved Investment Companies          65,16 ( 3,64)
Insurance Companies                    59,73 ( 0,32)
Industrial Companies                   77,85 ( 0,70)
Tourist Industries                     67,81 (-0,57)
Commercial Companies                   42,25 ( 2,40)
Other Companies                        66,68 ( 0,00)

CNA MM/1998

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2015:CYPPRESS:03

[03] EU talks cannot be conducted without T/Cy, says Hannay

Sir David, who arrived earlier today, said the negotiations can start without the Turkish Cypriots but cannot be conducted without them.

In statements on arrival, Sir David said "I hope we will move ahead, particularly on the issue of Turkish Cypriot involvement in the accession process, which is right at the top of the agenda at the moment because negotiations are going to open on 31 March."

He also said the EU and President Glafcos Clerides are pursuing exactly the same objective, "that is to say ideally, we would like to see a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus joining the EU."

However, he stressed that for this to happen, "Turkish Cypriots have to be involved in the negotiations."

"The negotiations cannot simply be conducted without them. Of course you can start the negotiations without them, that may be forced upon us by Mr Denktash's attitude," Sir David said.

Rauf Denktash, Turkish Cypriot leader, has refused to meet Britain's envoy or EU Commissioner for External Relations Hans Van den Broek, to discuss EU related matters.

Commenting on Denktash's refusal to meet him, Sir David said "I am afraid to say that not seeing people is not the most effective form of diplomacy", adding that he will continue to be at Denktash's disposal.

Sir David is due to have talks tomorrow with Van den Broek and President Clerides at a joint meeting.

He said discussions will continue next week in London when the President attends the European Conference and is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

CNA EC/MM/1998

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2045:CYPPRESS:04

[04] EU Commission adopts proposal on Turkey

Brussels, Mar 4 (CNA) -- The European Commission adopted today proposals to strengthen Turkey's links with the European Union and secure the release of EU funds to Turkey.

The proposals, entitled "European Strategy for Turkey", refer to the European Council conclusions in Luxembourg last December, confirming "Turkey's eligibility for accession to the EU".

The Luxembourg conclusions, however, point out that "Turkey's links with the EU also depend on the country's pursuit of the political and economic reforms on which it has embarked, including the alignment of human rights", as well as "support for negotiations under the aegis of the UN on a political settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions".

For the application of this strategy the Commission considers necessary that EU funds to Turkey, that remain blocked by Greece, must be released.

The Commission's proposals aim at helping Turkey to harmonise its legislation with the acquis communautaire and create suitable mechanisms to allow Ankara's participation in certain community programmes.

EU External Relations Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, said he was hopeful the proposals would be adopted by the Council of Ministers.

Van den Broek also said the adoption of these proposals could have positive repercussions on the issue of Turkish Cypriot participation in Cyprus-EU accession negotiations, scheduled to start March 31.

CNA NB/MCH/MM/1998

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2050:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Euro-Med Net '98 - Cyprus

Ierodiaconou was addressing the four-day Euro-Med Net '98 Conference on Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) which started today in Nicosia, with the participation of 300 represetntatives from European and Mediderranean countries, and European Union (EU) officials.

Present at the Conference were also Stefano Micossi, Director General DG III, European Commission, and David Madden, British High Commissioner, who both addressed the Conference.

In his address, Ierodiaconou said "Cyprus, within the framework of its accession course and following the example of the EU member-states, is ready to adopt a national strategy for the creation of an Information Society".

This strategy is expected to strengthen the island's participation in the Global Information Society, he added. The basic ingredient for this national strategy is the framework set by the EU itself for its member- states, a fact that "confirms our full harmonisation with the EU, in view of our accession to it", he noted.

Referring to the Information Society, Ierodiaconou pointed out that it offers new opportunities, but it includes risks as well.

The inter-active multimedia and the Internet have already given a new dimension to the relationships between individuals, companies and other social partners, he added.

The Minister of Communications and Works revealed the objectives of the island's national strategy on Information Society, and referred to the role of state in shaping and implementing this strategy.

On his part Stefano Micossi said he was "impressed by the quality of the programme of the Conference", and referred to the role of Information - Technology in the integration and future prospects for growth in the Mediterranean region.

Referring to the "Electronic Commerce", the European version of Internet as he put it, he said it is now "at the top of the political agenda.

The "Electronic Commerce" increases globalisation and it can get beyond national jurisdictions, he said, noting that as a result, "there is fear and there is hope" from it. Fears of losing control, and hope because of the progress and the openness it brings, he explained.

As a result, he added, governments must redefine the term "public interest", and tackle issues raised recently, such as privacy, copyright and taxation.

Addressing the Conference in his capacity as the representative of the EU Presidency, David Madden, congratulated the Ministry of Communications and Works, the University of Cyprus and the European Commission for setting up the Conference. He said the British EU Presidency considers Euro-Med Net as very important, and noted the EU enlargement process is in the right direction.

The Conference web-site is http://www.euromednet.ucy.ac.cy

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2335:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Van den Broek arrives

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, the EU Commissioner described as "a major challenge" the task of encouraging a process "which eventually leads to the whole of Cyprus becoming a member of the EU and both communities benefiting from it".

Van den Broek stressed that "the common objective is for a peaceful, united Cyprus to become a member of the EU".

Replying to questions, concerning the proposals submitted by the European Commission earlier today regarding Turkey's European course, the EU Commissioner said:

"I think you all agree and it is in our common interest, if indeed we can come to a good relationship with Turkey" and pointed out that:

"Turkey has a key role to play, regarding the whole process of Cyprus' membership (to the EU), if we are indeed to fulfil our common aspiration of the whole of the island benefiting from that membership."

Asked to comment on the refusal of Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash to meet with him, Van den Broek said he regretted it, pointing out that, "without dialogue it is difficult to make progress".

Welcoming the EU Commissioner to Cyprus, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides expressed the hope that "we the Cypriots will respond ardently to the spirit and the letter of the conclusions of the Luxembourg summit".

According to the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council last December, the government of Cyprus is requested "to include representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in the accession negotiating delegation".

The Cyprus government has proposed Turkish Cypriot participation, provided that the Turkish Cypriot side accepts the principle of Cyprus' accession to the EU and the Turkish Cypriot representatives are part of the Republic's negotiating team.

The EU Commissioner will meet tomorrow with President Glafcos Clerides and Foreign Minister, Kasoulides.

British Special Representative for Cyprus and Representative for the EU presidency, Sir David Hannay, who arrived here earlier today, will also be present at the meetings.

On Friday, Van den Broek will meet the ambassadors of EU member-states accredited to Cyprus and give a press conference for Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists at Ledra Palace hotel, situated in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia. The EU Commissioner departs Friday.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory. It applied for EU membership in July 1990.

CNA MAN/MCH/EC/1998

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