Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-03-22

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

Wednesday, 22 March 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] The solution of the Cyprus problem depends more on Turkey than on Cyprus
• [02] Cooperation between Cyprus and Russia in high technology will benefit both countries
• [03] Ministry of Health signs agreement with American Heart Institute

[01] The solution of the Cyprus problem depends more on Turkey than on Cyprus

In a statement to the press after the meeting, Mr de Croo said that they discussed the Cyprus question and the unfortunate division of the island and expressed the belief that the solution of the Cyprus problem depends more on Turkey than on Cyprus.

The Cyprus issue, he said, would be one of the issues he will raise during his forthcoming official visit to Ankara in mid-April.

He said that Turkey's presence in the European Union would be achieved after the terms are negotiated. These would probably include the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Replying to a question Mr de Croo did not link Cyprus' accession course with efforts to settle the political problem. Cyprus will eventually accede to the EU, he said.

The Belgian official expressed the hope that Cyprus will soon be reunited and pointed out that the European Union presents a window of opportunity that will help find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] Cooperation between Cyprus and Russia in high technology will benefit both countries

Addressing a two-day seminar in Moscow, Mr Rolandis pointed out that the Cyprus government attributes great importance to this cooperation with Russia.

Bearing in mind that Cyprus has a wide experience in the mechanisms of the market economy and Russia has a developed research infrastructure and world- class scientific and technological expertise, cooperation between the two countries in the promotion of new technology industries can be of mutual benefit, he said.

Mr Rolandis referred to the Cyprus government's new industrial policy, which provides, inter alia, for the promotion of the high technology industry through the establishment of "incubators" and the creation of a Centre for carrying out applied research and technological development in high technology fields.

He explained that the Cyprus government will provide partial financing for a period of two years for projects aiming at the development of new high technology products. He said that non-Cypriot inventors or scientists may also apply.

Mr Rolandis called on the Russian government, the Russian Academy of Science, the Association of Technical Universities, and other scientific associations in Russia, to support Cyprus' efforts to promote high technology on the island.

[03] Ministry of Health signs agreement with American Heart Institute

In a statement afterwards, the Minister of Health said that the agreement provides for assistance by the American Heart Institute to the Republic of Cyprus, in the field of open-heart surgery operations.

The Minister pointed out that he attributes great importance to this agreement because there will be no delays in dealing with heart incidents in Cyprus.

He pointed out that this agreement should have been signed long ago, because over and above the General Hospital's Heart Unit, which has 200 heart incidents a year, 600 heart patients a year had to be sent to hospitals abroad for surgery.

Mr Savvides said that the American Heart Institute was selected by Ministry of Health experts, after an evaluation. The Centre also offers equally high quality services in terms of equipment and medical staff as any other European heart centre.

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

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