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60th Anniversary of the Rome Treaties Celebrated
The European Commission marked the 60th anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 at Bedestan Nicosia with a concert by the Cyprus Chamber Orchestra. The event started with the opening speech by Mr.George Markopouliotis, followed by the concert of Cyprus Chamber Orchestra.
The Treaties of Rome – signed by the six founding Member States – paved the way for the European Union that we know today: a reunited continent of peace, founded on the values of solidarity, democracy and the rule of law. Its Single Market ensures freedom of choice and movement, economic growth and prosperity for 500 million citizens. It is the largest trading block in the world and the biggest donor of development and humanitarian aid.
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The Treaties of Rome established a common market where people, goods, services and capital can move freely and created the conditions for prosperity and stability for European citizens. Based on this foundation and the common values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, the Union grew and reunited the continent after the fall of the Berlin Wall and ensured prosperity, social and economic well-being, and sustainability for 500 million citizens.
The EU is now a place where Europeans can enjoy a unique diversity of culture, ideas and traditions. Europeans have formed life-long bonds with each other and can travel, study and work across national borders. Europe is a pioneer of gender equality, with women's employment rate now at an all-time high.
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Waste Prevention and Recycling Forum 2 : Green Waste
The EU-funded Capacity Building to the Water/Wastewater and Solid Waste Sectors and the EU Infopoint projects organised a forum on 20 April at Manolya Hotel Lapithos which drew together leading waste management experts to look at the means and methods for diverting increasing amounts of organic, garden and green waste from landfill. After the opening speech, the speakers at the forum, Brian McCarthy, Andy Whiteman, Yasemin Çobanoğlu, Şenel Ünlükuş and Başak Piskobulu presented practical approaches to green waste management in the EU, operating models for successful green waste composting projects, provided information about green waste composting, constraints and opportunities and spoke about green waste recycling and composting implementations.
Each year, approximately 40,000 tonnes of garden waste finds its way to the Güngör/Koutsoventis landfill. When left to rot, this waste produces methane, a greenhouse gas over 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide and denies farmers and household gardeners the opportunity to benefit from a low-cost, nutrient rich soil improver that this waste might otherwise have provided.
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Students Cleaned up Beaches in Mağusa/Famagusta and Yeniboğaziçi/Agios Sergios
The European Commission highlighted the importance of waste reduction and recycling during two beach cleaning activities on 27 April in Yeni Boğaziçi/Agios Sergios with Bekirpaşa High School and on 28 April 2017 in Mağusa/Famagusta with Gazimağusa Türk Maarif College (GTMK). The beach cleanings were organised by the EU Infopoint and the Environmental Sector Capacity Building Project in partnership with Famagusta Walled City Association (MASDER) who are working on an EU funded “Marine Litter – Together for Clean Coasts” Project, and two host local communities: Yeni Boğaziçi/Agios Sergios and Famagusta; and the Education Department. The EU funded “Marine Litter – Together for Clean Coasts” Project has been awarded the Stelios Cyprus Bicommunal Award 2016.
The clean-up activities involved three steps consisting of: providing a briefing on the purpose of the activity and health and safety procedures; collecting the litter and separating the materials for recycling; and categorizing the waste and data entry by MASDER into the International Ocean Conservancy database.
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“United in Diversity” Poster Competition
The European Commission launched a poster competition targeting secondary and high school students for Europe Day 2017. The European Commission, together with the Education Department, invited young people to participate in the competition on the theme of "United in Diversity", the motto of the European Union. The launch of the competition took place on 19 April at the EU Infopoint. The competition will be open until Tuesday, 16 May 2017 at 17:00 and is open to the following categories: Category 1: Secondary school students, and Category 2: High school students.
"United in Diversity", the motto of the European Union, first came into use in 2000. It signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continents many different cultures, traditions and languages.
The competition prize ceremony took place on the day of Europe Day Celebrations, Saturday, 20 May 2017 in Nicosia in Selimiye Square. First, second and third winners were awarded a prize each.
For more information about the competition and the prizes, click here.
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The EU Infopoint organised a traffic safety training for pre-school children in cooperation with TKÖD (Traffic Accidients Prevention Association) on 13 and 14 April. During the trainings, the children had the opportunity to learn traffic safety measures, how to prevent accidents and to be safe in traffic.
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On 9 April 2017, the European Union funded project in Agia Eirini/Akdeniz village, in relation to a nature museum, tourism information point, accommodation for volunteers caring for turtles and an eco-park, were officially opened by local dignitaries and a European Commission representative in conjunction with the annual Asparagus Festival in the village.
The EU funded project, implemented together with the Lapta local community and other partners, provides for a public park for all the population to enjoy, especially for children to play, for the elderly and for those who want to exercise. It also provides for a space to display the natural beauty and rich history of the region, opening new horizons for the village.
Through many grants and projects over the past 10 years, the EU is positively affecting the lives of Turkish Cypriot citizens in every locality. More than €30m are annually allocated to projects like this, and many others
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Upcoming Events in June and July
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JUNE:
Amateur Football Tournament
02-03 June 2017
Europe Day 2017 - United in Diversity
10 June 10:00 - 14:00 @ Namık Kemal Square, Famagusta
EU Green Week 2017
JULY
European Cultural Days
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Follow our Facebook page for up to date information!
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The EU Infopoint aims to increase public knowledge, awareness and understanding of the European Union, its values, policies and programmes as well as the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. The EU Infopoint is a project funded by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community with the aim to bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the EU.
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