The Cyprus Question, the EU and the Stakes Involved.

The Cyprus question is an international problem which does not only concern the Cypriots. It has several dimensions: from the bicommunal to the relations between Greece and Turkey, from the regional and security balances (or imbalances) in the eastern Mediterranean to the broader European foreign and security policy aspects as well as the wider international (for example, significance in terms of the precedent it may set). Whether and how it will be resolved will obviously and inevitably have repercussions beyond the territorial boundaries of this island–state. In relation to its domestic aspects the objective is to formulate a political structure to manage the relations of the majority and the minority community as well as all the people of the country. This objective is inevitably influenced by other considerations some of which create further complications. In this regard it should be stressed that the presence of Turkey remains overwhelming

Cyprus Accession to the Eurozone and the Reunification of the Island's Economy

This paper addresses issues pertaining to the accession of Cyprus to the Eurozone and the reunification of the economy of this island-state. Within this framework the performance of the economy of Cyprus, both in the government-controlled areas and in the occupied northern part,1 are examined. We also examine the conditions for successful participation in the Eurozone following the introduction of the euro in January 2008, and evaluate the progress toward real convergence. Particular attention is given to the German experience of reunification, with a view to drawing relevant and useful lessons for Cyprus, as well as to issues of political economy pertaining to accession to the Eurozone and the challenge of reunification. The last section summarizes the main points, makes policy recommendations and suggestions for further research

An Anatomy of the Economy of the 'Turkish Republic of Nothern Cyprus' ("TRNC")

Despite growth in recent years, the economy of the “TRNC” remains fragile and the sustainability of the convergence process without due reform and restructuring is questionable. For sustained investment and growth, far-reaching reforms are certainly required in the private and public sectors, in banking and finance and in the workings of a market economy. This paper presents an overview of the “TRNC” economy, develops the appropriate policy framework and sets clear strategic objectives for growth and efficiency.1 An overall assessment is that growth and developmental objectives can be better met within the framework of a unified Cypriot economy, which is part of the European and international economy

The evolution of labour law in the new member states of the European Union : 1995-2005 - country studies on Cyprus and Malta

This Report traces the development of Labour Law and the implications for Industrial Relations, as well as social and employment policy more generally, in the two small Mediterranean countries of Cyprus and Malta during the period 1995–2005. This period was particularly important for the two countries as it coincided with their efforts for accession to the European Union (EU) and the process of harmonisation with the Acquis Communautaire. Since their independence in 1960 and 1964 respectively for Cyprus and Malta, successive Governments in each country – working with the social partners – had sought to steer a policy of social cohesion to underpin their development efforts. Whilst these strategies were successful in fostering a long period of economic growth and peaceful labour relations, a major outcome was the existence of relatively inflexible labour markets. Liberalisation and globalisation of international markets, coupled with the pressure exerted by the accession process, which required the implementation of the Acquis Communautaire necessitated a series of changes with far reaching implications in social and economic affairs. Naturally the framework of Labour Law – and labour practices thereof – came under increasing pressure to adapt and reform. The Executive Summary describes the main aims and objectives of the Report on the evolution of Labour Law in Cyprus and Malta in the period 1995-2005, and provides an outline of the component chapters. Specifically the Report is divided into three chapters. The first and second chapters consist of the individual Reports on Cyprus and Malta respectively. These constitute the main body of the Report and investigate the evolution of Labour Law in the two countries separately and the implications for Industrial Relations, employment and social policy. The third chapter provides a concluding overview of the two countries’ experiences and an evaluation of the state of implementation of the Acquis Communautaire in the fields examined.peer-reviewe

Cooperative ways of working : towards a Mediterranean research project

The objective of this paper is to explore ways to address the current socio-economic challenges within the framework of the cooperative movement and the trade unions. The context and scope of this analysis will basically draw from the Cypriot experience. For the design of an effective reaction function it is essential to understand and assess the environment with in which economic activity takes place. In this regard, understanding the relevant economic structure and its dynamism may be extremely useful in a variety of ways.peer-reviewe

The Immunohistochemical Expression of Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Receptor Splice Variant 1 Is a Favorable Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Cancer

Hypothalamic growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) regulates the release of GH from the pituitary gland. The receptors for GHRH (GHRH-R) are expressed predominantly in the pituitary. Recent evidence demonstrates that splice variants of the GHRH receptor are also expressed in several nonpituitary tissues, both normal and tumoral, as well as in cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the splice variant 1 (SV-1) of GHRH-R in colorectal cancer (CRC). Seventy patients who underwent partial colectomy for CRC were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemical expression of SV-1 was studied in paraffin-embedded sections of patient tumor tissue. A cytoplasmic supranuclear expression of SV-1 was observed in CRC as well as in the normal colon mucosa. Tumor grade and pathological stage were negatively correlated with expression of SV-1 (P = 0.012 and P = 0.013, respectively). CRCs metastatic to the liver showed a lower expression of SV-1 than did primary tumors, but this difference was not statistically significant. Kaplan–Meier and Cox univariate survival analyses indicated an improved survival time in patients with high SV-1 compared with those with low GHRH-R expression, but this difference was not statistically significant. The immunohistochemical expression of SV-1 seems to be a favorable prognostic factor in CRC