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Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-01-20Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] President Christofias pessimistic over Greentree talksCyprus President Demetris Christofias has expressed pessimism over prospects for a successful outcome of his meeting at Greentree, later this month, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in the framework of efforts to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.Speaking during an event organized here by the Turkish Democratic Association, President Christofias, who stopped over in London on his way for New York, noted that no real negotiations are taking place with Eroglu, who despite the fact during their first meeting at Greentree had accepted that the talks would continue from the point they were left off with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and that the basis of the solution would be the UN resolutions of Cyprus, he reneged. I have patience, because if I did have any I would have withdrawn from the talks, Christofias noted. He also described Eroglus position on the issues of property, territory, and illegal settlers as intransigent and assured that he will continue until his term in office wraps up his efforts for a settlement for the sake of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. [02] Cyprus lags behind in quality of environment, EEA saysCyprus environmental score board is behind other European countries, European Environment Agency Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade has said, expressing particular concern about the accelerated loss of biodiversity in the island.In an interview with CNA McGlade, in Cyprus on a one-day visit, says that air quality is average but going in the right direction. However, she adds, waste, water, biodiversity and land are all on the negative side in relation to other European countries. According to McGlade, the loss of biodiversity is accelerating, the fact that water scarcity is intensifying, even though you have much water demand under control, still means that you need a much better way to distribute water across households, industry and agriculture. I would have to say for biodiversity, which is one of my greatest concerns here, there is perhaps not enough information for people to make good informed decisions, she says, adding that it is a shame because Cyprus is at the crossroads of many different plants, species and animals and 7% we think of the animals and plants here, are only found in Cyprus, they are endemic. European Environmental Agency data, she says, show that 17% of the water sources are perhaps heavily polluted. The lack of information in Cyprus about the environment, she points out, is an area we need to concentrate on. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |