EU Worries Courtesy of The Cyprus Weekly
Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou admitted before a parliamentary committee in November that he was becoming”stressed” over the 2012 presidency.
“We will be ridiculed if presidency time comes and we have no proper media facilities or other enhanced infrastructure ,” he said while presenting his ministry’s budget before the house.
He them appealed for simplified procedures-both to hire staff for that period and to award tenders for projects aiming to enhance the island’s infrastructure.
An EU diplomat told the Weekly the presidency’s coasts should be viewed by citizens as an investment, stressing that it’s also a good opportunity for tourist authorities” to sell the country”.
“All this officials, technocrats, journalists who will fly over for the presidency will also get acquainted with the island’s food history and beauties.
“But they will be shocked if they see no proper transportation, no pavements and garbage lying around,” said the diplomat.
“Taxi drivers need training, presidency staff should speak French a well as English and local authorities should realise they will be playing a major role, for example escorting VIPs from Paphos airport to conference venues or hotels,” added the diplomat.
Dismissing possible security concerns-in view of the island’s political situation , too the western diplomat said almost all EU countries run the risk of a terrorist attack these days.
“Of course, Cyprus will have to go on alert those months. The key to success will be proper coordination and efficient implementation of a security plan,! Said the diplomat.
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