[Homepage] [Press Releases]

PRESS RELEASE

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos visits the United States
After establishing an Environmental and Public Health
Joint Partnership with Harvard, Papadopoulos Heads to the UN

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.

 

[Homepage] [Top ]