[02] Foreign Minister on an official visit to Norway
The new Council of Ministers at its first meeting yesterday after the
government reshuffle approved a proposal by the Minister of Health to send
aid to Turkey worth 100,000 US dollars.
The decision was announced after the cabinet meeting by Foreign Minister
Ioannis Kasoulides who said that "the aid, in medicine or other items
considered necessary, worth 100,000 US dollars, will be sent through the UN
agency in Geneva, co-ordinating the relief effort."
The Foreign Minister also revealed that from the second day of the
devastating earthquake in Turkey , notes were sent by the Cyprus Government
to both the Turkish Government and the UN agency in charge, "to inform them
that one forensic expert, two general surgeons, two nurses and a civil
engineer from Cyprus are willing to go to Turkey to offer help, on a
voluntary basis."
"We have not received a reply, but we expressed our willingness ", he
added.
Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides left for Oslo yesterday at the
invitation of the Norwegian government, with a view to discuss the Cyprus
problem and issues of bilateral interest.
Replying to questions yesterday, Mr Kasoulides said that "Norway is
particularly interested in efforts for a Cyprus settlement, it has
subsidised the negotiations held in Troutbeck and following its experience
in the Middle East peace process it is involved in the rapprochement
between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
