Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] JAPAN - RADIATION - CYPRUS

[02] PRESIDENT - RAMALLAH

[03] CYPRUS - EU - MARINE

[04] EUROBAROMETER - CYPRIOTS

[01] JAPAN - RADIATION - CYPRUS

Speaking to CNA, Theopemptou said that the levels of radiation leaked are much higher than those the security threshold allows.

The Environment Commissioner said it was shocking to see the range of problems a technologically-advanced country like Japan faces, as a result of the earthquake and the tsunami.

He recalled that radiation has lasting consequences on peoples health, and said that human exposure to radiation may result in death or other long-standing illnesses of those exposed or their children.

Theopemptou added that Cyprus may face a similar danger, due to its small distance from the nuclear plant Turkey intends to construct in Akkuyu. Radiation, he noted, may be transferred via air or sea and in case of a leakage, this will certainly reach and contaminate the island.

Finally he said that after developments in Japan, the European countries are reconsidering the situation, with Germany having second thoughts about the use of nuclear energy.

[02] PRESIDENT - RAMALLAH

He was welcomed in an official ceremony by President of the National Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, with whom he is having talks.

Earlier today President Christofias visited the Mausoleum of Yasser Arafat where he laid a wreath.

Later on an official lunch will be hosted in honour of the Cypriot President.

Before his departure he will be escorted at a view point in order to see from afar the Israeli settlement activity.

[03] CYPRUS - EU - MARINE

A European Commission press release said Cyprus has failed to inform the Commission about the transposition of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which should have been in place by 15 July 2010. At the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, the Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion. If Cyprus does not comply within two months, the Commission may refer it to the Court of Justice and may already ask the Court to impose financial sanctions at this stage, without having to return to the Court for a second ruling.

Directive 2008/56/EC (the Marine Strategy Framework Directive) establishes common principles enabling member states to draw up coordinated strategies to protect and restore Europe`s marine ecosystems, and to ensure the ecological sustainability of activities linked to the marine environment.

Member states assess the ecological status of their marine waters and the impact of human activities, before determining the ``good environmental status`` of these waters on the basis of criteria related to biodiversity, the presence of non-indigenous species, fish stock health, the food chain, eutrophication (the algal bloom that can result from the presence of excessive nutrients in the water, e.g. from fertilisers), changes in hydrographic conditions and concentrations of contaminants, the amount of marine litter and underwater noise pollution. Targets and indicators are then set to achieve this good environmental status, with a programme of measures to achieve the objectives.

[04] EUROBAROMETER - CYPRIOTS

According to a press release issued by the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, the results of the survey indicated that, while 82% of Greek Cypriots were satisfied - with 32% saying they were very satisfied which is the sixth highest percentage in the EU -the same did not apply for the Turkish Cypriot community.

In the Turkish Cypriot community, 57% said they were satisfied, a drop of 7% compared to the previous survey, a percentage much lower than the average EU of 78%.

Furthermore, the Greek Cypriots were more positive about the island`s economy compared to the European and global economy, with 33% believing that the Cypriot economy was good, compared to 28% that thought that the European economy was good, while only 13% believed that the global economy was good.

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