[01]

Mr Papandreou will hold talks with Mr Kasoulides after which the two will give a press conference. He will later meet the President of the House of Representatives Mr Spyros Kyprianou.

Tomorrow, Mr Papandreou, will be received by President Clerides. He will also meet with Archbishop Chrysostomos, with political party leaders and with the Attorney General of the Republic Mr Alecos Markides.

The Greek Foreign Minister will give a speech at a gathering organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the latest political and economic developments.

Mr Papandreou will conclude his two-day visit to the island on Wednesday evening.

[02]

Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Andreas Moushouttas and visiting Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Longin Komolowski signed the agreement, which covers the fields of labour market policy, labour legislation including health and safety at work, social dialogue, social security and social assistance in European Union related issues.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Moushoutas said that the agreement is of great significance not only because it will strengthen the already existing strong ties between the two countries but also because it takes place at a time when Poland and Cyprus are preparing for European Union Membership.

"Sharing experiences with other candidate countries is very important in addressing issues of common interest", he added.

Mr Komolowski pointed out that the signing of the new agreement "opens a new dimension" in relations between Poland and Cyprus. The agreement, he said, "will help us exchange our experiences and knowledge in areas of labour and social affairs".

Poland is particularly impressed he said, by Cyprus' success in combating unemployment, the restructuring of the economy and the expansion of the services' sector.

[03]

The work yielded new skeletal material, which may be attributed to a population group dating to the 8th M.C. These remains were fragmentary and seem to have been disturbed or transferred from their original position following partial decomposition. In association with the human remains, animal bones such as a deer antler and pig's skulls were found, probably deposited as offerings to the dead.

The excavations also aimed at the investigation of the settlement. Circular huts constructed of stone or earth used for domestic purposes were located. Finds were numerous and consisted of querns pounders, stone tools and vessels as well as rare objects such as a small schematised female anthropomorphic figurine.

Impressions of cultivated species of wheat and barley were identified in the upper layers, while in the lower layers, species of cereals were found still in their wild form. This is an extremely important finding since it establishes that domestication took place in Cyprus independently of the Near East, where the origins of animal and plant domestication are traditionally placed.

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

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