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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-10-20Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Παρασκευή, 20 Οκτώβριος 2000CONTENTS[01] Finance Minister stresses the need for the implementation of EU rulesThe capacity for effective implementation of the acquis communautaire constitutes one of the most important criteria for accession to the European Union, the Minister of Finance Mr Takis Klerides stated yesterday.Addressing a seminar "on developing capacity for effective implementation of European Union rules" in Nicosia, organized by the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration, Mr Klerides said that the EU officials dealing with Cyprus accession progress have emphasized on every occasion the need for the effective implementation of the acquis. Mr Klerides pointed out that that the Cyprus government considers the matter of implementation of European Union rules as one of great importance and is determined to take all necessary measures and action so that Cyprus' accession course can continue unimpeded. The government is fully aware that this is not a simple issue, for which the European Union can offer the candidate for accession countries ready recipes, he added. The Minister noted that it is one of the Government's high priorities to modernize and upgrade the public service. This is an issue of high political and social importance, he said. Mr Klerides also underlined that the government has a difficult and complicated work ahead, which requires the input of each and every person separately and collectively, so that the common goal, the vision for accession to the European family can succeed. [02] Cyprus and Austria sign cooperation protocolThe Permanent Secretary of the Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order Dr Lazaros Savvides and the Deputy Chief of the Austrian Criminal Police Dr Emil Tellian signed yesterday a protocol of negotiations, which finalises the text of the bilateral agreement between the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus and the Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria, in combating international organized crime, international illicit drug trafficking, and international terrorism.The two sides agreed to promote as soon as possible the signing of the agreement, which is expected to effectively contribute to the efforts of combating international crime. [03] Presentation of credentialsThe Ambassador of Cyprus to Paris Mr Andreas Mavrogenis presented his credentials yesterday to the President of Tunisia Mr Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, as Cyprus' first Ambassador to this country.[04] Research and development in 1998According to the results of an ad hoc survey carried out by the Cyprus Statistical Service, total research and development expenditure in Cyprus in 1998 is estimated at 10.8 million Cyprus pounds which corresponds to 0.23% of the Gross Domestic Product, compared to 5.6 million Cyprus pounds or 0.18% in 1992 when the previous survey was held.In comparison to other countries, the share of the GDP of Cyprus devoted to research and development appears to be quite low. For example the share of research and development expenditure to the GDP of the 15 member states of the European Union stands at 1.90% (ranging from 0.48% in Greece, and 0.65 in Portugal to 2.78% in Finland and 3.82 in Sweden.) By sector of performance the Government accounted for 6.1 million Cyprus pounds or 56% of the total research and development expenditure, the business enterprises for 1.5 million Cyprus pounds or 14%, the higher education institutions for 2.7 million Cyprus pounds or 25%and the private non-profit institutions for 0.5 million Cyprus pounds or 5%. About 70% of total research and development expenditure related to labour costs. 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 |