UNITED NATIONS E Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/CYP/CO/5 12 June 2009 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Forty-second session 4 to 22 May 2009 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT Concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Cyprus 1. The Committee considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic report of Cyprus on the implementation of the Covenant (E/C.12/CYP/5) along with the written replies to the list of issues at its 9th and 10th meetings, held on 8 May 2009 (E/C.12/2009/SR. 9 and 10), and adopted, at its 18th meeting, held on 18 May 2009, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the combined fourth and fifth periodic report of the State party, which was prepared generally in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines. However, it regrets the late submission of this periodic report and invites the State party to submit its reports from now on in a timely manner. The Committee also regrets that insufficient information was provided on the involvement of civil society organizations and the National Human Rights Institution in the preparation of the State party’s report. 3. The Committee notes with appreciation the comprehensive written replies given by the State party to the list of issues, as well as the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation which included a number of representatives from different ministries. GE.09-42928