PRESS RELEASE
Cyprus
President Tassos Papadopoulos visits the United States
WASHINGTON,
DC (May 29, 2004) – Traveling from the European Union-Latin America-Caribbean
summit in Mexico, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos will arrive in Boston
Sunday to set in motion a program that will greatly expand Cyprus’ research
capabilities both at home and overseas.
President Papadopoulos will sign a historic agreement with Harvard
University’s School of Public Health, setting up a joint international
research, education and technology Initiative for the Environment and Public
Health.
The Initiative will establish two new research and training entities: the Cyprus
International Institute for the Environment and Public Health (CII) in Cyprus
and the Harvard School of Public Health-Cyprus Program (HCP) in Boston.
“This agreement with Harvard establishes a research center of tremendous
significance to Cyprus,” said President Papadopoulos. “By funding this
center, Cyprus will increase its investment in research significantly. The
agreement will be in force for a period of 25 years.”
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Yiorgos Lillikas, who spearheaded the
partnership and will accompany the president to Harvard said, “Our EU
accession, the role we want to play as a bridge with the neighboring countries,
our scientific staff force and geographical position, create a favorable
environment for Cyprus’ development in the field of research.”
Under the Initiative, scientists from around the world will travel to Cyprus to
explore issues such as air quality, water quality, waste management, industrial
pollution control and risk management.
The program will provide specialized educational opportunities, with CII in
Cyprus offering short courses and certificate programs while Harvard’s HCP in
Boston will offer masters and doctoral degrees along with post-doctoral research
training.
To further the goal of bringing information to a wide-ranging regional and
international audience, the joint partnership will facilitate international
conferences, conduct a guest lecture program, coordinate corporate partnerships
and develop additional programs to disseminate information.
The program will be funded initially by the Republic of Cyprus and other
international sources, with the goal of becoming self-sufficient within 10
years. The Institute is expected to be fully operational in two years.
"Cyprus at a Crossroads: The Way Forward"
President Papadopoulos will also address the John F. Kennedy School of
Government on June 1 on issues including Cyprus’ recent accession into the
European Union along with the need to keep open the road towards the
reunification of Cyprus.
Papadopoulos meets with U.N. Secretary General Annan
President Papadopoulos will then travel to New York where he will meet with
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on June 3 to discuss prospects for
the reunification of the country following the recent failure of the proposed UN
Plan for a Cyprus settlement.
When the Plan was put to a vote in April, an overwhelming majority (76 percent)
of Greek Cypriot voters could not support it, citing serious concerns about
security among other issues they felt were insufficiently addressed.
President Papadopoulos has said that that the democratic decision of the people
should be respected, stressing that the will of the people should not be
misinterpreted. According to Papadopoulos, voters have said “no” to one plan
as it was finally formulated but the people and political leaders of Cyprus
desire a solution more than anyone.
While in New York the president will honor His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios,
Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, and prominent Greek-American
businessman Mr. Alex Spanos with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III,
Cyprus’ highest decoration.
The president is scheduled to leave New York on Sunday, June 6.