Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-10-23

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

News Update

23/10/96

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus to expand its diplomatic missions abroad
• [02] Cypriots live longer than most
• [03] Russian Communist Party condemns latest killing of a Greek Cypriot by Turkish troops

[01] Cyprus to expand its diplomatic missions abroad

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, speaking to the House of Representatives Finance Committee, said his Ministry was implementing a programme designed to increase Cyprus' diplomatic representation in the EU and other countries with which it seeks close political and economic links.

New embassies will be opening in Ireland, Portugal, Lebanon and probably Poland, while representation in Central and Eastern Europe will be beefed up, he said.

The past three years have seen embassies set up in Austria, Sweden, Spain, Israel and Holland. Consular offices have been opened in South Africa and Canada.

Most Cyprus Ambassadors are at the moment accredited to a number of capitals of neighbouring states and this is due-as Michaelides said - shortage of Staff of the Foreign Ministry.

[02] Cypriots live longer than most

The Minister, who was speaking at last weekend's fourth World Biomedical Conference of the Hellenic Diaspora, said that the Cypriots' longevity is partly due to the fact that around �150m is spent on health every year. Cyprus has a high standard of medical care with one doctor for every 415 people, a dentist for every 1.203, one hospital bed per 233 people and two nurses for every three beds.

Christofides said that 5% of GDP goes on health and 6,9% of this year's budget has been allocated to health requirements.

"The ultimate aim of the Ministry", he said, "is for every citizen of Cyprus to have access to the best doctors and the best hospitals".

According to the recently published "The Economist Pocket World in Figures", Cypriot men are fifth in the world in the list of those with the highest life expectancy. Japanese men and women live longer than anyone else, according to the latest statistics.

[03] Russian Communist Party condemns latest killing of a Greek Cypriot by Turkish troops

The statement said: "Relations between the people of Russia and Cyprus have traditionally been friendly. We are always in solidarity with the Cypriot people. We are always opposed to and we protest against tragic events which cause human victims. These events constitute links of the same chain of provocations against the Cypriot people. In the last few days there has been another entirely unprovoked murder of a Cypriot citizen by Turkish soldiers. We demand categorically an end to provocations against Cyprus".

Meanwhile, CPR Chairman Gennadii Zyuganov stressed that his party will continue exercising its influence so that Russia's stance on a Cyprus solution remains firm and within the framework of the UN and relevant resolutions. The above statement was made during a meeting with Dimitris Christofias, General Secretary of Cyprus' communist party AKEL, who is visiting Moscow.

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

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