Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-07-16

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

Monday, 16 July 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] US Appropriations Committee approves $15,000,000 financial aid to Cyprus
• [02] Cyprus fully supports EU program of action against illicit trade in small arms and light weapons

[01] US Appropriations Committee approves $15,000,000 financial aid to Cyprus

The Bill provides that "not less than $15,000,000 should be made available for Cyprus to be used only for scholarships, administrative support of the scholarship program, bicommunal projects and measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities on Cyprus".

[02] Cyprus fully supports EU program of action against illicit trade in small arms and light weapons

In his address to the "United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its aspects" on 12 July 2001 in New York, Mr Zackheos said that the conference must put together international standards in order to coordinate and reinforce regional and national measures against the uncontrolled proliferation, excessive accumulation and misuse of small arms.

"Our joint Programme of Action has to be comprehensive, effective and must provide the international community with a renewed impetus for further action. Cyprus, which fully supports the elements of the Programme of Action submitted by the European Union, will play its role in the consultations", he said.

Ambassador Zackheos pointed out that the widespread availability and misuse of small arms and light weapons is a real problem that can no longer be ignored. "It is essential that we commit ourselves to responsible and reliable management of all stockpiles and to a marking and tracing system that enables the identification of each weapon," he said.

In conclusion he underlined that the Cyprus Government "consider this Conference and the Programme of Action to be adopted as the starting point of a concerted action on behalf of the international community to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons".

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

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