Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-12-15

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Tuesday, 15 December 1998

CONTENTS

• [01] Choirokitia put on UNESCO world heritage list
• [02] President Clerides meets with UN envoy
• [03] Cyprus should be encouraged by Irish peace agreement
• [04] Cyprus can become regional information centre
• [05] Greek Defence Minister meets with US officials

[01] Choirokitia put on UNESCO world heritage list

The Director of Cyprus' Department of Antiquities, Sophoclis Hadjisavvas, speaking at a news conference in Nicosia yesterday, said that this was "a great honour for Cyprus".

"It took six years to prepare the site and its natural surrounding which has to be protected," Mr Hadjisavvas added, noting that this is normal procedure before submitting an application to UNESCO.

The decision to add Choirokitia to the world cultural list was taken at the annual world heritage committee meeting held in Kyoto, Japan, earlier this week.

Hadjisavvas said that President Glafcos Clerides will reveal a commemorative plaque to be placed at the site in April, noting that "the state has an obligation to protect the site for future generations."

The Choirokitia settlement is one of the oldest so far discovered on the island, dating back to about 5.800 BC. It was founded by a community or primitive farmers whose origin still remains uncertain.

The Antiquities Department began excavations at the site in 1936.

[02] President Clerides meets with UN envoy

No statements were made after the meeting in accordance with a decision to safeguard the confidentiality of the ongoing talks.

[03] Cyprus should be encouraged by Irish peace agreement

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides yesterday, the Irish deputy, who heads a delegation of Irish parliamentarians on a six-day visit to Cyprus, said they had discussed the Irish peace agreement and the difficulties in its implementation.

"It should be a source of encouragement to everyone on this island that what did appear intractable in Northern Ireland only a few years ago has now actually been solved by the political will and with the assistance of the EU and the President of the US, who was very helpful."

He also called on those who prolong the Cyprus problem to realise that such an attitude is foolish.

He expressed support for Cyprus' bid to join the European Union, stressing that Cyprus should not be penalised because of the political problem on the island.

The Irish parliamentarians are due to leave the island today.

[04] Cyprus can become regional information centre

He was addressing a seminar entitled "A leap into the new millennium - the emerging multimedia and information technology challenge".

He said the development of large data banks and telecommunications, servicing the needs of not only domestic companies, but also international businesses, would promote further the role of Cyprus as an international business centre.

[05] Greek Defence Minister meets with US officials

The Cyprus problem was among the subjects discussed at the hour-long meeting, which was also attended by the US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns.

Mr Tsohatzopoulos described the talks as "substantive" and said the two sides "elaborated on the prospects they see possible".

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