Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation
of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish
Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or
PEO (Communist controlled)
International organization participation:
Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate),
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OAS
(observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Euripides L. EVRIVIADES
chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710
note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Osman
ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1]
(202) 887-6198
consulate(s): New York
consulate(s) general: New York
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael KLOSSON
embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, 2407
Nicosia
mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nikosia
telephone: [357] (22) 776400
FAX: [357] (22) 780944
Flag description:
white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name
Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green
crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek
and Turkish communities
note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the
top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a
white field
Economy Cyprus
Economy - overview:
The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to
external shocks. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect
the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by
political instability in the region and fluctuations in economic
conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on meeting
the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector,
water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants
are now online. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly one-third of
the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by
Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing and
investment. It remains heavily dependent on agriculture and
government service, which together employ about half of the work
force. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides
grants and loans to support economic development. Ankara provided
$200 million in 2002 and pledged $450 million for the 2003-05
period. Future events throughout the island will be highly
influenced by the outcome of negotiations on the UN-sponsored
agreement to unite the Greek and Turkish areas and by the
arrangements under which the island joins the EU.
GDP:
Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $9.4 billion (2001
est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $787 million
(2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Greek Cypriot area: 1.7% (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 2.6%
(2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2001 est.);
Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2002 est.)