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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-11-25Cyprus 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/>[01] President Papadopoulos sends condolences to Britain and Turkey over terrorist attacks in IstanbulThe President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, in a message to Queen Elizabeth regarding the terrorist attack in Istanbul, expresses deepest sorrow and sadness for the consequent death of so many innocent people including the British Consul General in Turkey. In his message President Papadopoulos expresses also, on behalf of the people of Cyprus, his most sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims. In another message to the Prime Minister of Britain, Mr Tony Blair, President Papadopoulos refers the following: "Allow me to convey, Mr Prime Minister, a message of deep sorrow and grief to the Government and the people of the United Kingdom, over this national tragedy. The Government and people of Cyprus strongly condemn such brutal acts of violence and remain committed, together with the rest of the international community, in the fight against terrorism." Furthermore, the President of the Republic has sent messages of condolences to the President and the Prime Minister of Turkey, in which he strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Istanbul and expresses his sympathy to the families of the victims. In his message to the President of Turkey, Mr Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President Papadopoulos conveys a message of deep sorrow and grief to the Government and the people of Turkey over this national tragedy. The Government and people of Cyprus, says the President, strongly condemn such brutal acts of violence and remain committed, together with the rest of the international community, in the fight against terrorism. In his message to the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr Recep Tayip Erdogan, the President of the Republic conveys to the Government and to the people of Turkey his deepest sorrow and heartfelt sympathy. President Papadopoulos points out that the Government and people of Cyprus strongly condemn such brutal acts of violence and reaffirm their commitment to the fight against terrorism. These attacks, he says, are the clearest evidence that international terrorism is an enemy of humanity as a whole irrespective of race or religion. I believe, underlines the President, you share my view that its effective elimination can only be achieved through concerted action for the respect of international law and through the promotion of the universal values of peace and reconciliation.[02] Cyprus and Portugal affirm excellent tiesThe Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, met yesterday with the Portuguese Minister of State responsible for European Affairs, Mr Carlos Henrique da Costa Neves, who was in Cyprus on a working visit. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Iacovou said he and Mr da Costa Neves had discussed the Cyprus problem, in view of the Commission reports on Cyprus and Turkey, the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and the positions of the two countries on the new European Constitution, and issues pertaining to the economic development of the EU. As regards the IGC, the Foreign Minister noted the forthcoming meeting at Ministerial level, to be held in Naples over the following weekend, where the final stages of the Constitutional Treaty would be discussed. "I can say that our relations with Portugal are excellent. This country has always been supporting Cyprus' accession to the EU and the resolution of the Cyprus problem", Mr Iacovou further noted. In his remarks to the press, the Portuguese Minister said he congratulated the Cyprus Government on the successful conclusion of Cyprus' EU accession talks and the preparations for full membership on 1 May 2004, and pointed out that Portugal had been supporting Cyprus' EU accession course from the outset. He added that the IGC was also discussed, noting, "On this issue also we share with Cyprus common ideals and common values on the future of Europe, especially concerning the Mediterranean region". The Portuguese Minister responsible for European Affairs also met yesterday with the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Christofias.[03] UN Security Council extends UNFICYP mandate for another six monthsThe UN Security Council has adopted unanimously yesterday Resolution 1517, extending the 40-year-old mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months until 15 June 2004. The Council also urged the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish occupation forces to rescind all remaining restrictions on UNFICYP. The full text of Resolution 1517 (2003) reads as follows: "The Security Council, Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 12 November 2003 (S/2003/1078) on the United Nations operation in Cyprus, and in particular the call to the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issue of missing persons with due urgency and seriousness, Noting that the Government of Cyprus had agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary to keep the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) beyond 15 December 2003, Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations, 1. Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, and in particular resolution 1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions; 2. Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for further period ending 15 June 2004; 3. Urges the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish forces to rescind all remaining restrictions on UNFICYP; 4. Expresses concern at the further continuing violations by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces at Strovilia and urges them to restore the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000; 5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 1 June 2004 on the implementation of this resolution; 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter."[04] Statistical Service releases 2002 Demographic ReportThe Statistical Service of the Republic announces that it has published the Demographic Report for 2002. The report gives, inter alia, an account of population developments and provides data on a time series basis on fertility, mortality and divorces. The most salient demographic developments during 2002 can be summarised as follows: PopulationThe population in the Government controlled area is estimated at 715.100 at the end of 2002 recording an increase of 1,4% over the previous year. It is estimated that 69,1% of the population resides in urban areas, while in the rural areas lives 30,9% of the total. Fertility In 2002 the number of births in the Government controlled area of Cyprus was 7.883 compared to 8.167 in 2001 giving a crude birth rate of 11,1 per thousand population in 2002 compared to 11,6 in 2001. Similarly, the total fertility rate, which gives the mean number of children per woman decreased to 1,49 in 2002 from 1,57 in 2001. The total fertility rate since 1996 has decreased to a level below the replacement level of 2,10. Mortality The number of deaths reached 5.168 in 2002 compared to 4.827 in 2001. The infant mortality rate is estimated at 4,7 infant deaths per thousand live births. Life tables for the period 2000-2001 put the expectation of life at birth at 76,1 years for males and 81,0 for females. Marriages In 2002 the number of marriages decreased to 10.284 from 10.574 in 2001. Ecclesiastical marriages decreased from 3.684 in 2001 to 3.620 in 2002, and civil marriages from 6.890 to 6.664. Only 102 cases of civil marriages concerned marriages between Cypriots. Divorces In 2002 the number of divorces increased to 1.320 from 1.197 in 2001. The total divorce rate which shows the proportion of marriages that are expected to end up in divorce was in 2002 208 per 1.000 marriages, while in 1980 it was only 42. This means that presently one marriage in five ends up in divorce. Migration In 2002 the net migration balance was positive, estimated at 6.885. According to the Passenger Survey the number of immigrants (Cypriot and foreigners arriving for settlement or for temporary employment for more than one year) was 14.370 in 2002 and the number of emigrants form Cyprus was 7.485. The Demographic Report is available from the Government Printing Office in Nicosia at the price of £7,00. 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 |
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