Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-06-04

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU accession changed our mentality, says Agriculture Minister

[02] Minister says Cyprus aims at solution the soonest possible

[01] EU accession changed our mentality, says Agriculture Minister

1035:CYPPRESS:01

EU accession changed our mentality, says Agriculture Minister

by Athena Arsalidou

Nicosia, Jun 3 (CNA) - Since its accession to the European Union, Cyprus had to change its mentality in environmental, agricultural and veterinary issues, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Timmy Efthymiou said in an interview with CNA to mark the first anniversary of the Republic's participation as a full member state in the Union.

Efthymiou said that Cypriot governments through the years have not paid adequate attention to environmental issues, noting that this year Cyprus is preparing its first strategic plan for the environment that would cover the years 2006 to 2010.

He also sent a message to Cypriot farmers to emphasise on the quality rather than quantity of their products and examine new and biological cultivations.

[02] Minister says Cyprus aims at solution the soonest possible

1400:CYPPRESS:02

Minister says Cyprus aims at solution the soonest possible

Nicosia, Jun 4 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Defence Kyriakos Mavronicolas said today that the Greek Cypriot side's strategic aim to reach a Cyprus settlement has not changed, noting that the Greek Cypriot side is working systematically and soundlessly in order to create the preconditions that would safeguard substantive and constructive talks, leading to a negotiated solution in the EU framework.

Speaking at the funeral of Georgios Ktori, who was killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island and whose remains were identified through the DNA method, Mavronicolas said ''we proved that we are reasonable and realists and ready for a painful but dignified compromise.''

He added that ''we want and pursue a Cyprus settlement more than anyone else, the soonest possible, because we are still the victims of the continuing Turkish occupation and violation of fundamental human rights.''

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article