AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS TO VISIT PITT

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 15 -- The ambassador to the United States of a small country facing two big issues that affect peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean region will speak at the University of Pittsburgh from 3 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, in the lower lounge of the William Pitt Union, Oakland.

Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus and one of only a handful of women to represent a country at that level in the United States, will address the twin issues of the peaceful reunification of Cyprus -- the last divided country in Europe -- and its efforts to join the European Union. The title of her presentation is: "Cyprus and the EU: Prospects for the New Millennium."

Kozakou-Marcoullis became ambassador to the U.S. in September, 1998. Prior to that, she was the Cypriot ambassador to Sweden. Additionally, she has represented her country on international organizations and at various conferences, including a number that have explored the status of women around the world.

Her visit to Pitt is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the European Union Center in the Center for West European Studies (CWES), a part of the University Center for International Studies.

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(Note to editors, news directors and reporters: If you are unable to attend the presentation by Ambassador Kozakou-Marcoullis but would like to arrange an interview, please call Ron Cichowicz at 412-624-4007.)