Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-11-22

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Wednesday, 22 November 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus submits contribution to the creation of a European Union rapid reaction force
• [02] Cyprus and Yemen sign Memorandum
• [03] Cyprus and Cuba sign bilateral agreement on drug trafficking
• [04] President Clerides says economic prospects are good
• [05] New Cyprus Ambassador to Moldova

[01] Cyprus submits contribution to the creation of a European Union rapid reaction force

Mr Hasikos, who represented the Republic at a meeting of the European Union member and candidate states, stated in his address, that Cyprus would not contribute battle troops but could offer logistics support and reconnaissance facilities.

The Republic of Cyprus, as a candidate country for accession to the European Union, monitors developments in the field of European security and defence with particular interest, and welcomes the decisions of the European Council to set up a rapid reaction force for crisis management operations.

The Defence Minister underlined that in the framework of the continuing efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, which have now concentrated on the UN proximity talks on Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot side has renewed its proposal for the demilitarisation of the island, which still stands.

"This is why our contribution to this force does not include battle units and heavy military equipment but is restricted to the contribution of services and support facilities," he explained.

Cyprus can put at the disposal of the EU its infrastructure including an air base, three ports, telecommunications, services and a network of sea and air monitoring, which the European Union could use in the event of peace keeping operations in the Eastern Mediterranean basin, he said.

Concluding, the Cyprus Defence Minister said that Cyprus considers its cooperation with Europe in security and defence matters "a landmark", which signals new prospects to promote and maintain peace in Europe and in the neighbouring region.

The Belgian Defence Minister Mr Andre Flahaut welcomed Cyprus' support for the European Defence and Security Policy and for Europe's enhanced role in the international arena.

In a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart on the sidelines of the Defence Ministers meeting of the EU and candidate countries, Mr Flahaut said that the Nice EU summit as well as the Swedish and the Belgian EU presidencies in 2001 would examine further the contributions of candidate countries to the creation of a rapid reaction force.

He also expressed satisfaction for Cyprus' willingness to contribute to a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, which would consolidate peace in the region.

[02] Cyprus and Yemen sign Memorandum

Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Mr Attalides said the memorandum provides for bilateral periodical consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries to be held in their capital cities and in international fora. "It is a mechanism of increased political understanding and cooperation", he said.

The Yemeni official was earlier received by President Glafcos Clerides. He also had meetings with House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou and Acting Foreign Minister, Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou.

[03] Cyprus and Cuba sign bilateral agreement on drug trafficking

The Justice Ministers of Cyprus and Cuba, Mr Nicos Koshis and Mr Roberto Diaz Sotolongo, signed the agreement in Cuba last week on behalf of their respective countries.

The agreement provides for closer cooperation between the two countries and for the exchange of information, experience and data for the effective combating of crimes related to illegal drug trafficking.

[04] President Clerides says economic prospects are good

Speaking at the general meeting of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nicosia, President Clerides also referred to the economic developments in Cyprus. He said that the growth rate this year is around 4.8%, while at the same time there are conditions of internal and external stability. The public deficit shows an improvement in comparison to 1999. It has dropped to 3.9%, while unemployment has shown a falling trend, reaching 3.3%.

The President pointed out that although there have been positive economic developments in the last few years, we must not be complacent because there is room for improvement both in the public as well as in the private sectors.

[05] New Cyprus Ambassador to Moldova

Receiving the credentials the Moldovian President said that his country supports the United Nations efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. He also expressed the hope that the Turkish occupation troops would be withdrawn soon, that Cyprus would be reunited through peaceful means and that a settlement based on international law would be reached.

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