China
A delegation of Chinese Magistrates from Shanghai visited Israel in December, 1997, as guests of MASHAV and the High justice Court. The possibility of expanding cooperation between the two countries in the legal field is being considered.
India
Yigal Tzarfati, of MASHAV, and Michael Atzmon, of CINADCO, visited India this past December, 1997. The purpose was to visit New Delhi's Pusa Agricultural Research Institute and meet with the Institute's Director to promote the establishment of a demonstration farm at the institute and future cooperation in general and applied research. They also visited the Rural Development Training Centre at Lucknow, and academic institutions in Mumbai (Bombay).
Cyprus
This past December, 1997, some 130 MASHAV graduates from all over Cyprus participated in a reception held at the residence of the Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus, Shemi Tzur, on the occasion of the lighting of the first candle of Hanuka and the 40th anniversary of MASHAV. The graduates were an outstanding grou in a crowd of over 320 distinguished guests which included the President of Cyprus, the Archbishop of Cyprus, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Education, justice and Public Order, Trade and Tourism, heads of trade unions, and representatives of the local and foreign media (including Qatar).
All the speakers at this prestigious event mentioned MASHAV graduates' great contribution in strengthening the relations between the two countries. Three graduates addressed those present and with great feeling spoke about their training and their subsequent achievements by utilizing the knowledge they acquired in their respective courses. The) expressed their gratitude to the Israeli government for granting and encouragin such training.
The morning before the reception, Mrs Ruchama Tzur, in charge of MASHAV affairs at the Israeli Embassy, and Mrs. Hanidu, a MASHAV graduate and social worker from Cyprus, co-hosted a radio interview. This popular radio show offered another opportunity to tell more about MASHAV activities in Cyprus, as well as in neighbouring countries and in the Palestinian Authority.
During the evening Ambassador Tzur als honoured the President of the CyprusIsrael Friendship Association, Mr. Prodromos Papavasiliou, for the many years of dedicated service to the Association and in appreciation of all his efforts to upgrade relations between Cyprus and Israel. Mr. Papavasiliou also provides assistance to the Embassy's scholarship program.
We reproduce in part the three addresses by the graduates at the Hanukah celebration:
Christos Kalathas (Technion, 1964)
"It is an honour and a privilege for us, the graduates of Israeli institutions over the past 40 years, to be here with you this evening to celebrate Hanukah. Since the independence of Cyprus, several hundred Cypriots have had the opportunity to study in Israel by taking advantage of the scholarship program offered by the Government of Israel. Some of these study periods were long, some were short and covered only a few weeks, but all covered a wide range of topics, as Ambassador Shemi Tzur mentioned. All of us Cypriots returned to Cyprus after our studies to continue our service to our country. The institutes of learning which we attended are of a very high standard and are recognized internationally. Israel contributed correctly and dynamically to the achievement and development of Cyprus from the first stages of our independence. And Israelis successfully shared with us their knowledge and experience in many fields."
Andreas Morphitis (International Institute, 1996)
"A year and a half ago I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a very useful and educational six week program on 'The Role of the Labour Movement in National Development'in our friendly neighbouring country of Israel. Living there for several weeks, I had the opportunity to observe and learn about their way of life, history and civilization. I was especially impressed by the way everything is so well organized .... but more importantly the promise of an even better future can be felt everywhere. Returning to Cyprus I have tried to keep alive the special memories and the experiences I gained during my visit. I can honestly say that the enthusiasm I felt at the beginning is still with me now."