Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-11-27

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

Friday, 27 November 1998

CONTENTS

• [01] Athens meeting is part of a regular exchange of views
• [02] Cyprus gets EU pre-accession loan
• [03] Construction and housing statistics

[01] Athens meeting is part of a regular exchange of views

On his departure for the Greek capital, Mr Kasoulides said: "This is a regular, routine meeting to exchange views and assessments about all the parameters of the problem".

While not excluding that the issue of the proposed deployment of the Russian anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus would be raised, he said these were not the main subject of discussion.

"The President is not going to Athens to discuss the issue of the missiles. He is going to discuss all the parameters of the Cyprus problem and if the missiles are part of these parameters, he will discuss them as well, " Mr Kasoulides said.

Moreover, speaking at a press conference in Athens yesterday, Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, said that the meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, is not an extraordinary meeting to discuss the issue of the missiles.

He added that the missile system is "not an end in itself" and stressed that the Cyprus government must have an effective defence system.

He pointed out, however, that the issue might be discussed within the framework of the island's demilitarisation and the reduction of tension.

The Greek Premier said the aim remains, to solve the Cyprus problem through the UN procedure and upgrading Cyprus' negotiating position and getting closer co-operation with the European Union.

[02] Cyprus gets EU pre-accession loan

The contracts were signed in Luxembourg on Wednesday extending the loan to the Cyprus Development Bank to use in financing projects by small and medium-sized businesses in the industrial, agro-industrial, tourism and service sectors.

The pre-accession lending facility is targeted at helping the 11 applicant countries with projects and would facilitate their integration with the EU.

Since 1991 the EIB has made available to the Cyprus Development Bank loans totalling ECU 127 million, which have been utilised to finance 155 different investment projects in various productive sectors of the Cyprus economy.

[03] Construction and housing statistics

Gross output also fell slightly compared to the previous year, with 47% going for dwellings, 22% for non-residential buildings (hotels, shops, offices, factories), 20% for civil engineering (roads, dams) and the remaining 11% for repairs.

Labour cost during 1997 continued to rise registering an increase of 7%, compared to 6,5% in 1996, while employment in the sector fell from 25,3 thousand persons in 1996 to 24,9%, accounting for 8,7% of the total gainfully employed population.

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

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