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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-08-29
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 29 August 2003 Greek Foreign Minister to visit Cyprus for
exchange of views with Cyprus Government and party leaders
[02] Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to study reconstruction issues
for occupied areas in case of solution
[03] Thirteenth World Congress of Overseas Cypriots concludes sessions
[01] Greek Foreign Minister to visit Cyprus for exchange of views with
Cyprus Government and party leaders
The Government Spokesman, Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, has announced yesterday
that the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr George Papandreou, would
visit Cyprus around 10 September for a general exchange of views with the
President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, and political party
leaders. Mr Chrysostomides, who was speaking at the daily press briefing,
noted that Mr Papandreou's visit was preparatory to the forthcoming meeting
in Athens between Mr Papadopoulos and the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Costas
Simitis, on 16 September.
He further said that the visit was arranged over a telephone conversation
between Mr Papadopoulos and Mr Papandreou, and that "it is natural, due to
close and friendly relations between the President of the Republic and the
Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, to have contacts at any time without any
formalities or notice". The Government Spokesman also announced yesterday
the visit to the island of the Greek Minister of Defence, Mr Yiannos
Papantoniou, to attend the military parade on 1 October, on the occasion of
the anniversary of Cyprus' Independence Day.
[02] Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to study reconstruction issues
for occupied areas in case of solution
The Council of Ministers has decided yesterday to set up a ministerial
committee - comprising of the Ministers of Interior, Finance, Communications
and Works, and Education and Culture - to deal with issues pertaining to
the return of displaced persons to occupied municipalities and communities,
in case of a solution to the Cyprus problem. Announcing the decision
yesterday, the Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides said that the
committee would undertake to study the issue of reconstruction, including
infrastructure, costs and plans. He added that, in general, the entire area
under Turkish occupation would be examined by the committee, but noted that
at the beginning the study would probably focus on the areas to be placed
under Greek Cypriot administration in a possible settlement.
Mr Chrysostomides told reporters that the intention was to prepare and be
ready to deal with all aspects in case of a solution of the Cyprus problem.
Asked if there was a specific time framework for the completion of the
committee's work, he said that the Government was pursuing the achievement
of a solution by 1 May 2004, when Cyprus would become a full member of the
EU, and therefore the project should be completed by then.
[03] Thirteenth World Congress of Overseas Cypriots concludes sessions
The deliberations of the 13th World Congress of Overseas Cypriots concluded
yesterday in Nicosia. The participants at the Congress pointed out the need
to continue and strengthen efforts for rapprochement between Greek Cypriots
and Turkish Cypriots, wherever they lived.
In addition, the World Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA),
in its final session on the sidelines of the Congress, approved a series of
resolutions, reaffirming its support for a just, viable and functional
solution of the Cyprus problem, and stating the determination of overseas
Cypriots to contribute to efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.
The Congress was addressed yesterday, inter alia, by the Director of the
Press and Information Office, Mr Yiannakis Solomou, who assured that the
PIO would continue to provide overseas Cypriots with assistance in their
efforts to enlighten on the Cyprus problem. He further expressed certainty
that the cooperation between the PIO and Cypriots living abroad would
become even closer and more effective. In the elections that were carried
out during the Congress's deliberations, the new leaderships of PSEKA and
POMAK, the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots, were elected. Mr Philip
Christopher and Mr Haris Sofoklides were re-elected as Presidents of PSEKA
and POMAK respectively.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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