Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-09-04

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

Wednesday, 4 September 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President meets US Special Coordinator for Cyprus
• [02] House President meets new German Ambassador
• [03] Environment Minister addresses Johannesburg Summit

[01] President meets US Special Coordinator for Cyprus

Mr Weston, who was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Michael Klosson, did not make any statements after the meeting.

The US official later met with the Foreign Minister, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides. He leaves Cyprus tomorrow morning.

President Clerides departed for Paris immediately after his breakfast with Mr Weston, where he will be meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, under the auspices of the UN, on 6 September.

[02] House President meets new German Ambassador

The German diplomat, who was briefed by Mr Christofias on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, assured that his country would do everything to assist the UN Secretary-General's efforts to reach a solution. In addition, he agreed with the House President that this period was crucial for Cyprus and mentioned that serious decisions must be taken.

With regard to Cyprus' EU accession course, Mr Trebesch expressed his country's anticipation that Cyprus would soon become a full member of the European Union and added that Germany would contribute towards that direction.

Finally, the German Ambassador reassured Mr Christofias that he would contribute to the further enhancement of the already positive relations between Cyprus and Germany, at all levels.

[03] Environment Minister addresses Johannesburg Summit

In his speech, Mr Themistocleous made reference to issues of global concern such as climate change, unsustainable consumption, lack of freshwater resources, but also poverty, and pointed out "the pressing need to drastically address the underlying external factors that continue to undermine the quest for sustainability".

He also stressed the element of collective responsibility to solve problems of sustainable development and told participants that the Summit's success would depend on whether nation states manage to reconcile differing concerns and cooperate on equitable terms.

Mr Themistocleous concluded his speech by urging the participants to "return home with a shared understanding of sustainable development and inspiration to pursue existing initiatives with renewed vigour, to ensure a global environment conducive to human dignity."

On the sidelines of the Earth Summit, organised by the UN, the Environment Minister had meetings with the Greek Foreign Minister as well as his Bulgarian counterpart, with whom he discussed the possibility of cooperation on areas of mutual interest.

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

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