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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-12-11Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Friday, 11 December 1998CONTENTS[01] President Clerides: EU enlargement contributes to peace and stabilityThe importance of European Union enlargement, despite the actual problems faced by EU today was highlighted in an intervention by the President of the Republic Mr Glafcos Clerides, at the European People's Party Extraordinary Summit held in Vienna yesterday.Describing enlargement as "perhaps the most creative of challenges for the Union itself", President Clerides stressed that it "emerges as a political necessity and becomes not a policy chosen, but a must." He pointed out that even though "eastward EU enlargement is imperative for securing peace as well as economic and social progress in the new European architecture, "one should not underestimate at the same time the necessity for Europe to expand towards the South and the Mediterranean sea with the accession of Cyprus and Malta." "The experiences acquired and the new institutional modifications provide the Union with the capability to deepen its relations with that area, contributing at the same time to stability and modernisation", the President added. "We would like to reiterate our will to contribute to further cohesion of the Union thus promoting stability to what is perceived by us as a zone of peace, freedom, prosperity and social issues," President Clerides concluded. [02] Finance Minister presents 1999 state budgets to the HousePresenting the country's 1999 state budgets to the House ,Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou stressed that the economy as a whole was "healthy" and prospects for 1999 "encouraging" but this did not apply to public deficit or the public debt..Mr Christodoulou also said that "unless measures are taken, to reinforce public income, these indicators will continue to diverge from the desired directions.""During 1999, the public deficit is predicted to reach 5,8 per cent of GDP and the public debt to exceed 60 per cent of GDP, diverging for the first time from the Maastricht criteria", he stressed and called for structural reforms. The island's harmonisation together with the economy's preparation for accession to the EU are the main goals of the 1999-2003 Strategic Development Plan. Referring to the prospects of the economy next year, the Finance Minister said the growth rate is expected to reach around 4 per cent in real terms, inflation will be around 2,5 percent and unemployment will fall to 3 per cent. [03] Cyprus seeks universal implementation of Human RightsCyprus, which has endorsed and honours all Treaties and Conventions on Human Rights, remains devoted to their founding principles. For 24 years Cyprus is the victim of a flagrant Human Rights violation by Turkey which had initially adopted and at a later stage violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.In a message read in an event organised by the National Organisation for the Protection of Human Rights to mark the 50th Anniversary from the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the President of the Republic stressed the need for their collective protection and universal implementation. Their efficient safeguard lies not only on their respect but also on the adherence to their unequivocal and universal implementation, he concluded. [04] Britain reiterates its commitment to UN effortsThe British Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ms Joyce Quin expressed her country's firm commitment to all UN efforts towards a political settlement on Cyprus.In a written answer to relevant questions on Cyprus tabled in the House of Commons on 19 December, Ms Quin urged both parties on the island to work constructively with the UN Resident Special Representative Dame Ann Hercus in order to achieve a reduction of tensions and a promotion of progress towards a political settlement. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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