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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-07-12Cyprus 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/>Thursday, 12 July 2001CONTENTS
[01] Foreign Minister in France for talksForeign Minister Mr Ioannis Kasoulides left for Paris yesterday, where he will have a meeting with the French Minister responsible for European Affairs Mr Pierre Moscovici.In a statement to the press on his departure, Mr Kasoulides said that his visit to France and the meeting with his French counterpart is part of the Government's effort to promote Cyprus' application for accession to the European Union. "France is an important European Union member and at the same time a member of the United Nations Security Council. In view of this, during my stay in the French capital we shall also review developments in the Cyprus question too", he said. Replying to a question on the efforts to restart the UN talks on Cyprus, Mr Kasoulides said that international diplomacy is directing its efforts towards Turkey in an attempt to secure the resumption of the peace talks. "So far there is no outcome from these attempts. But there is a feeling of optimism," he added. [02] Government proposal for a team of independent experts to examine the environmental impact of the antennaThe Cyprus government has proposed that a five-member team of independent experts be set up to examine all studies regarding the possible environmental impact from British plans to install a 100-metre high telecommunications antenna in one of their two British military bases, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Mr Costas Themistocleous stated yesterday.Speaking to the press after a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Mr Themistocleous said the proposal was put forward to the British side at Tuesday's meeting because of the variance of opinion between the Cyprus Government study and the British study on the impact of the antenna on the surrounding environment and the health of local residents. The Cyprus government has suggested that the European Commission appoints two of the experts on EU directive about ecosystems and wild birds, who would be invited to study all relevant international conventions and EU directives and give their opinion. The appointment of the remaining three experts, he said, would be made by the secretariats of international conventions on internationally important marshlands, migratory fauna species and the protection of European wild life and its ecosystems. The five-member team of experts would be asked to look at the issue in a comprehensive manner and examine the obligations created by EU directives and international conventions, all studies prepared so far and give their opinion, which will be binding, Mr Themistocleous added. The Minister concluded that the representatives of the British High Commission would consult with London before replying on the matter. [03] European Parliament approves Jacques Poos Report on Cyprus' application for EU membershipThe Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Parliament approved on 9 July in Brussels the Report by the European Member of Parliament Mr Jacques Poos on Cyprus' application for membership of the European Union and the state of the negotiations. The report also includes a motion for a resolution.The report was approved by 55 votes in favour, two votes against and one abstention. Two Euro- MPs Mr Geoffrey Van Orden and Andrew Nicholas Duff submitted amendments aimed at changing the content and the political philosophy of the proposed resolution. The amendments were dropped, following an intervention by Rapporteur Jacques Poos, who accused the two MPs of adopting the positions of the Turkish side in total disrespect for international law and legality. [04] Cyprus is in 25th place in terms of Human DevelopmentThe United Nations Development Program released on 10 July the Human Development Report 2001, which ranks the 162 countries of the United Nations by a composite measure that includes life expectancy, educational enrolment, adult literacy and adjusted real income.Cyprus is in 25th place and is classified among the countries with High Human Development. Norway takes the first place followed by Australia, Canada, Sweden, Belgium and the United States of America. Greece is in 23rd place, Portugal is 28th and Turkey is in the 82nd place. Japan takes the lead in terms of life expectancy while Cyprus, Spain and Greece are among the first countries with high life expectancy. In terms of technological development, Cyprus is in 33rd place and Greece in 26th place. 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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