Mr. President,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour for my country Cyprus and myself personally to be participating in this World Assembly On Ageing, which brings together such a diverse number of actors committed to endorsing an ageing perspective in their political agendas. I wish to convey to you the cordial greetings of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Glafkos Clerides, and to express our appreciation to our host, the Government of Spain and also to the UN Secretary General for the excellent organisation of this Assembly.

The Government of Cyprus endorses fully the statement made yesterday on behalf of the European Union.

Global ageing of the population is an achievement of medicine and of health and social welfare systems. For the first time, in the history of humankind, people live longer and healthier lives. It is now possible, in many countries of the world, to be part of a four-generation family. Ageing requires that we rethink our institutions, policies, legislation and practices in order to make demographic changes work positively for the labour force, social protection systems and society as a whole, in which older people should be fully integrated, leading active, secure and fulfilling lives.

In the case of Cyprus, though population ageing is not alarming, it is becoming visible. There are strong indications that it will become an issue of concern in the next two decades with far-reaching implications. Persons over 65 years of age comprise 11,4% of the total population. The fertility rate is already below replacement level (2000: 1,8%) and by the year 2028, low fertility and mortality rates are expected to lead to a sharp increase of the older population, reaching almost 17,6% of the total population. The group of people aged 80 years and over is expected to double, ,

The well-being of older people has been a long standing objective of the Government of Cyprus. A commitment for its promotion figures in all our national Development Plans. The Plan of Action adopted at the 1st World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna gave impetus to the promotion of more comprehensive policies aiming at ensuring that older people can enjoy meaningful lives. We are firmly committed to: 

  -a safeguarding the right of older people to a decent standard of living, 

  -a encouraging and strengthening links with their families and communities,

  -promoting their independent social functioning to as great a degree as possible and for as long as possible, within the family and the community,

  -developing better co-ordination of health and social services to provide continuity of care.

  -providing opportunities for their active participation and involvement in ,
community life and society at large,

  -taking into account the needs and wishes of older people in our labour market
policies, with particular emphasis being given to lifelong learning.

  -fostering solidarity between generations thus enhancing social cohesion.

Time constraints do not allow me to give a detailed account of the full range of
measures we have adopted, so I will mention only a few key elements:

   -A statutory social insurance scheme securing decent pensions and allowing pensioners to continue working without affecting their pensions.

   -A non-contributory social pension for elderly people who are not entitled to a pension from any other source.

   -A complementary public assistance scheme for people whose resources are not sufficient to meet their basic and special needs.
 

   -A scheme for the support of families who care for their elderly members.

   -A subsidy scheme promoting self-employment initiatives for older people.

   -A holiday subsidy scheme.

   -Housing schemes.

   -Health care services.

   -Home care, day care and residential services.

Moreover, convinced that ageing policies should involve all ages and actors in society, the Government of Cyprus has for years been working in partnership with communities and voluntary organisations by providing them with technical and financial assistance to enable them to develop their own programmes for the elderly at local and regional levels. We have set up institutional frameworks for meaningful consultation with all actors involved.

A Co-ordinating Body for Older Persons, with a wide representation of governmental, private and non-governmental organisations, including of course organsations of older people, has been operating since 1996, whilst a high level Intergovernmental Body ensures that the policies of various government departments are adequately co-ordinated. Older people also have the opportunity to promote recommendations on all matters that concern them by participating in the Senior Citizens' Parliament, which was established during the International Year of Older Persons (1999).

Mr. President,

A wide diversity in the situation of older people, between and within countries, requires a variety of policy responses. Underpinning all policies, however, should be the notion that ageing is a lifelong process, which does not pertain exclusively to older persons.

A crucial pre-requisite is the rejection of prevailing perceptions of older people as a frail homogeneous group that is more needy and dependant than others. We must cultivate a positive view of old age that promotes social inclusion - and learn to recognise the needs, capabilities and worth of each individual, regardless of chronological age. If we achieve this, we will fulfil the International Plan's call for people to be whatever they want, whatever their age.
I will close with the words of Plato, the great Greek Philosopher:

" It gives me a great pleasure to converse with the aged. They have been over the road that all of us must travel and know where it is rough and difficult and where it is level and easy".