By Angelos Angelodimou
(From "SIMERINI" 24 December 2003)

After long-term negotiations, the Cypriot Government reached an agreement with the most famous, perhaps, university in the world, the Harvard University, for the establishment of a regional scientific research centre in Cyprus. Yesterday, President Papadopoulos announced the agreement speaking at the Annual General Conference of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

President Papadopoulos stated, “after long-term efforts and substantial cost we managed to reach an agreement with the Harvard University for the establishment of a regional scientific research centre in Cyprus dealing with the usage of water sources, environmental and other specialized issues”.

Scientists from the University arrived in Cyprus and had contacts with the Ministers of Education and Commerce so as to strike the agreement. As it became known, the agreement constitutes a significant success for Cyprus, since it is the first time in the history of the Harvard University that such a research centre will be created outside the American continent.

It should be noted that the Centre established in Cyprus will cover both Europe and Africa.