Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-10-09

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Thursday, 09/10/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Maritime conference ends
• [02] Attorney General dismisses new Turkish moves to prevent Cyprus' EU entry

[01] Maritime conference ends

In his closing remarks, chairman of "Maritime Cyprus 1997" conference and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works, Vassos Pyrgos, said the conference provided "feedback and advice on the basis of which to develop, review and adapt our maritime policy and direct our actions".

He said speakers analysed the trends and the problems which are anticipated and are likely to influence the process into the new era of the shipping industry in which "the central element is the human factor."

Pyrgos urged all involved in the shipping industry "to combine their efforts and aim to a common objective" to overcome the existing serious problems.

"The shortage of qualified seafaring personnel, the diminishing interest of young people for a career at sea, combined with a general lack of welfare facilities and uncertain social benefits result in high labour costs, lower quality, higher morbidity and labour unrest," he said.

He said the island's ship registry will "continue to be competitive and maintain its high level standards" and that Cyprus' goal was to improve quality and not the number of its registered ships.

[02] Attorney General dismisses new Turkish moves to prevent Cyprus' EU entry

His comments come in the wake of legal opinion by a German expert on international law which concluded that the Cyprus government did not have the authority to apply for EU membership on behalf of both communities. The report was distributed as a UN document on behalf of Turkey.

Mr Markides said such moves by Turkey could not influence the international community and such objections had fallen on deaf ears in Brussels.

"There is no way of overturning the EU decision that Cyprus should start accession talks six months after the inter-governmental conference", he said.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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