Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Espionage - Jail sentence

[03] British MPs - Cyprus - Early day motion

[04] Cyprus - Czech Republic - Ministers

[05] British Conservative Party - Cyprus - EU

[06] Patriarch of Alexandria - Visit

1545:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         149.35 ( 3.69)

      Traded Value            CYP 21,717,168

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP12,061,688     205.56 ( 5.07)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   528,896      76.22 ( 1.24)
      Insurance Companies     CYP    69,383      72.17 (-1.94)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   227,231      85.00 (-0.99)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   517,090      98.88 (-0.10)
      Trading Companies       CYP   290,437      51.19 ( 2.83)
      Other Companies         CYP   403,456      89.73 (-0.48)

CNA MCH /1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Espionage - Jail sentence

Passing sentence, Assize Court president judge Giorgios Arestis said the offences were committed between March and October last year.

The sentences will run concurrently. He said Josephides was giving the information to Turkish officers in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, and according to his own admission he was paid a hefty price for this and was allowed to visit his Turkish Cypriot girlfriend in the occupied port of Kyrenia.

The court ruling pointed out that "the seriousness of offences of this nature, especially at a time when dangers to the very existence of our country are an obvious reality, need hardly be stressed."

Judge Arestis also stressed that offences of this nature assume a different dimension when they occur in a country fighting for its survival.

Josephides, 43, passed on information about radio and TV stations, bridges and motorway tunnels and army camps in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic.

He was arrested at Ledra Palace check point in October 1998 as he was attempting to cross into the northern occupied part of the island.

CNA MM/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:03

[03] British MPs - Cyprus - Early day motion

The appeal is included in an early day motion entitled "Contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus" tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by six MPs.

An equal number of MPs have signed the motion, which expresses "deep regret that there is virtually no contact taking place within Cyprus between Turkish and Greek Cypriots."

Denktash has not allowed Turkish Cypriots to take part in most bicommunal events since December 1997 in reaction to a European Union reconfirmation that it would open accession talks with Cyprus.

Accession talks opened in March last year, but Denktash continues to oppose the Republic's accession despite the fact that an increasing number of Turkish Cypriots back it.

The British MPs believe that "such contacts at all levels are essential for developing confidence and agreement on the future development of Cyprus."

The motion "calls therefore on Her Majesty's Government to use its contacts with the Turkish government to impress upon them the need to use their influence and contacts with Mr Denktash... to encourage him to allow these contacts between Cypriot communities to take place to Cyprus."

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974 and communication between the two communities is considered essential to efforts for a settlement.

CNA MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Czech Republic - Ministers

Rolandis and Gregr met today to discuss ways to strengthen economic, trade and tourist relations between Cyprus and the Czech Republic.

Gregr and the Czech Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda arrived yesterday for a three-day official visit and earlier today were received by President Glafcos Clerides.

After meeting his counterpart, Rolandis said the Czech Republic is a "traditional economic and trade partner" for Cyprus, adding the two countries will try to upgrade their relations in these fields as well as in the tourism field.

He referred to the importance of economic relations between the two countries, noting "they also have a political dimension".

Rolandis pointed to the fact that both countries have started accession negotiations with the European Union (EU).

Speaking through an interpreter, Gregr said they discussed ways to upgrade trade, industrial and economic relations as well as how to promote cooperation in foreign markets.

He described trade relations between the two countries as "very good" and said there are prospects for their further improvement.

Later today the Czech Minister was scheduled to meet the President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vassilis Rologis and visit the Cyprus State Fair, accompanied by his Cypriot counterpart.

Cyprus and the Czech Republic, along with Slovenia, Hungary, Poland and Estonia started substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November last year.

CNA GG/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] British Conservative Party - Cyprus - EU

In its Manifesto in view of the upcoming election for the European Parliament, to take place next month, the Conservative Party says it wants "a Europe which is outward-looking, not a fortress".

"By enlarging to include the new democracies of central and eastern Europe - in addition to Cyprus and Malta - the EU has an historic opportunity to set the seal on the principles of free trade and free enterprise in former communist dictatorships", the Manifesto says.

"EU enlargement should be a to priority", it adds. Cyprus, along with Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic started substantial accession negotiations with the EU in November 1998.

CNA GG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Patriarch of Alexandria - Visit

This is the Patriarch's first visit to his home country since he was enthroned.

Speaking on his arrival, Patriarch Petros referred to the historical ties between the Church of Cyprus and the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

He also said his thoughts and prayers lay with the people of Cyprus, the persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory and the some 500 Greek Cypriots who have remained in the Turkish occupied areas.

Welcoming the Patriarch, Archbishop Chrysostomos said they will have the opportunity to exchange thoughts on Church, religious and other issues.

All members of the Holy Synod, high-ranking clergy, the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, other officials and his relatives were at the airport to greet the Patriarch.

Tomorrow the Greek Orthodox Patriarch will meet President Glafcos Clerides and will then go to the Archbishopric where a prayer will be held at the Saint John Cathedral.

On Sunday, Archbishop Chrysostomos will bestow Patriarch Petros with the medal of Apostle Barnabas, founder of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.

During his stay on the island the Patriarch will visit a number of Bishoprics and monasteries.

The Orthodox Church of Alexandria is one of four ancient Orthodox churches. The others are the Patriarchates Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem.

CNA AA/MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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