CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMENDATIONS
This
is a communiqué of the conference on "The European Union Environmental
Policy and the Case of Cyprus Mines."
This communique was prepared in the light of observations and evaluations
made at the general meeting by the Scientific Committee composed of :
Prof. Dr. Aysel ATIMTAY
Prof. Dr. Adnan
AYDIN
Prof.
Dr. Fethi DOĞAN
Prof.
Dr. Ümit ERDEM
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin
GÖKÇEKUŞ
Prof. Dr. Emür
HENDEN
Assoc. Prof.
Ulrich KERSTING
The
conference was held in the halls of Lefke University on the 15-16th
February 2001.
The
meeting was conducted in 3 simultaneous sittings where 18 papers were presented
under the topics "Environmental Policies, The Science of the Environment
and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Planning and the Social Aspect of
the Environment."
1.
this kind of extensive studies should continue in the future and that
individuals and organisations concerned with the question should join in these
efforts.
2.
the pollution of land, water (surface, underground or sea water) and air
represent a serious threat (long term or immediate) for the human beings and
animals should be emphasised.
3.
projects should be devised so that conditions in the threatened areas
indicated in both the above sections be revitalised and relevant government
organisations be made to take active part in these projects.
4.
measures should urgently be taken to monitor the parameters specified for
the realisation of these projects according to international standards and
hydrogeological studies be carried out.
5.
work making it possible to monitor biological life on land and at sea
with all its aspects should begin.
6.
research work concerning the drinking-water wells of Lefke, the water in
Gemikonağı Pond and other underground water supplies around Lefke should
urgently begin, always taking into account the need for continued life in the
area.
7.
all the findings of these monitorings should be made public through the
relevant societies and organisations.
8.
necessary measures should urgently be taken for the protection of the
environment and human rights; legal and administrative arrangements on the
matter should be urgently made, having always in mind the E.U. principles.
9.
the destruction, including the damage to the environment, caused by the
firm concerned with mines and mine works in the area should be taken in hand
within the bounds of international law.
10.
efforts in making the residents of the area more aware of their
environment be intensified and in this respect support given to Lefke
Environmental Information Society and all the other civil organisations.
11.
the environmental problems of Lefke-Gemikonağı area is not an issue for
Cyprus alone but also for the Eastern Mediterranean and as such an issue for the
whole of the Mediterranean Region. Consequently
the issue should be carried to international platforms and also the attention of
international organisations active in this field should be solicited.
It is also believed that South Cyprus is affected as much therefore
efforts should be made to facilitate the participation of South Cyprus in all
these studied.
12.
scientists of both Turkish and Greek sectors of Cyprus should work
together and produce projects for the solution of the problem.
13.
and the relevant scientific circles should be invited to prepare projects
for the treatment and rehabilitation of the mine works waste.
14.
search for National and International funds and support to enable all the
above to become operational should begin without any more loss of time.