Cyprus President departs for health check and UN conference

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has departed for the United States to represent Cyprus at the 60th UN General Assembly in New York (September 14-19). He is due to address the Assembly on Sunday the 18th.

On leaving the airport, Papadopoulos said he has not discussed with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan the appointment of a special representative for the Cyprus issue, adding that such an appointment is not imminent.

Kofi Annan “is continuing his efforts” towards this direction and has already prepared a shortlist of candidates for the post, said the President, noting that the final decision lies with the Secretary General.

Responding to questions, he said that the Millenium Summit on September 14-16 will deal with programmes aiming to tackle poverty, disease and illiteracy. He will address the Summit on the Thursday 15.

He said that during his stay in New York he will sign the convention on combatting nuclear terrorism and hold meetings with the UN Secretary General, members of the Security Council and heads of state attending the General Assembly, especially those where Cyprus does not have diplomatic representation or states members of the Islamic Conference.

This week President Papadopoulos will also undergo an annual medical examination in a clinic in Florida.