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This page last updated 17/07/2007

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	Rubbish & The Environment Environmental Liaison Group Update ... From Mike Haigh

YOU may recall at the 2006 BRS AGM much concern was expressed about the problem of rubbish in North Cyprus. From that meeting the Environmental Liaison Group had its beginning. Since then the ELG has established a number of contacts which include experienced people both here and abroad with long experience who are able to advise on a variety of concerns relevant to the environment.

Some of our contacts are connected with the EU and ECMC (Environment Change Management Committee) in Lefkoşa which is harmonising TRNC and EU Environmental Law. We have the support of the British High Commission which hosted the launch of the Group.

Our first meeting with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was in June 2006, relating to Protected Areas. We have contact with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources with whom we correspond and have meetings. We believe we can eventually achieve NGO status.

A Master Plan project for the management of all solid wastes in North Cyprus started on March 6 this year. It is funded by the European Commission (EC) and is managed through the European Union’s Programme Support Office, Lefkoşa. The objective is to improve the standards of solid waste management in the TRNC in compliance with the standards set by EU environmental legislation. Work is planned to be completed this autumn.

The TRNC government Environmental Policy Statement of February 15 2006, refers to the involvement of “stakeholders” and the Environmental Liaison Group as one such is working towards assisting with the above scheme and in other areas.

Our present activities include; promoting UK Coastal Management Degree Courses for Turkish Cypriot students, establishing a coastal Protected Area, a Civic Amenity for house holders’ excess waste, and advising on EU and TRNC Environmental Law. It should be noted that the ELG acts as a facilitator and is not a pressure group.

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