Month: May 2021

The United States views the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) as an important partner for regional stability, security, and prosperity, and works closely with the ROC to advance shared security priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean region, a fact sheet of the US State Department Bureau of Political-Military Affairs says, adding that cooperation between the United States and the ROC is at a historic high.

It notes that in late 2018 the United States and the ROC signed a Statement of Intent on bilateral security cooperation. In December 2019, the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 was signed into law with strong bipartisan support, highlighting the United States’ security interests in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Chief Returning Officer Costas Constantinou assured on Monday that steps are being taken to guarantee the secrecy of the ballot, gave out details on the times polls will be open, as well as clarifications on mobile polling stations which will operate on the day so that coronavirus patients can exercise their right to vote.

In particular, six days before parliamentary elections are due to be held in the Republic of Cyprus, the Chief Returning Officer assured that all necessary steps are being taken to guarantee the secrecy of the ballot, including for persons who are enclaved in the Turkish occupied territory of Cyprus and prisoners.

Referring to mobile polling stations which will operate during Election Day so that patients with coronavirus can exercise their right to vote, Constantinou said that in order to be able to do that people must first register in

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The likelihood of a serious side effect to occur from a second dose of a vaccine is “extremely rare”, if no side effects occurred after the first dose of the vaccine was administered, Acting Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Cyprus Ministry of Health Elena Panayiotopoulou told CNA on Tuesday.

In statements to CNA, Panayiotopoulou stressed that the only instance the second dose is inadvisable is if someone has suffered with thrombosis and thrombocytopenia after receiving the first dose.

She further noted that people who have received the first dose and had some history of thrombosis before hand should still go ahead with the second dose, because if they do not complete their vaccination it will impact the vaccine`s efficacy.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage was awarded on Tuesday in the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards for demonstrating a high degree of dedication and civic engagement coupled with excellence in the safeguard and enhancement of cultural heritage.

According to a press release, the European Commission and the Europa Nostra announced on Tuesday the 24 winners from 18 countries of the European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards.

The award constitutes a moral reward for the commitment of the members of the Bicommunal Technical Committee in their effort to save the cultural heritage of Cyprus and in creating a climate of trust and understanding between the two Communities in the island.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus’ Minister of Education Prodromos Prodromou has held a teleconference with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.

An Education Ministry press release issued today says that the teleconference took place on Friday with the working group and the experts involved in the preparation of the draft legislation and regulations for the reform of Special Education. The purpose of the meeting was to present the progress made so far, as well as analyse and discuss about the main provisions included in the new legislation.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Ministers of Interior Nikos Nouris and Commerce Natasa Pilides highlighted on Monday the benefits of the €1.2 billion Cyprus National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021/2027, which has been submitted to the European Commission.

They were addressing an event organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in cooperation with Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

Nouris said that the reforms and investments that the government has included in the Plan can change Cyprus, while Pilides said that the aim of the Plan is to help entrepreneurship adding that the government`s vision is to turn the crisis into an opportunity.

Nouris said that 1.4 billion is the amount that will emerge from the mobilisation of private funds from a series of 134 reforms and investment programmes and measures, while 1.8 billion concern the EU Cohesion Fund, i.e.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades condemned the illegal arrest of Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich, while welcoming the ceasefire achieved in the Middle East. During his intervention at the extraordinary session of the European Council, on Monday and Tuesday, he also informed the Summit about the very difficult situation in which Cyprus has found itself, due to the continuous flows of illegal immigrants, analyzed the state of the pandemic in Cyprus and welcomed the agreement reached on the European digital certificate covid19.

Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushos, in a written statement issued after the end of the Summit, noted that “during yesterday`s first day of work, the Summit dealt with foreign policy issues” and more specifically with “the latest developments in Belarus, EU relations with Russia and the United Kingdom, the conflict and the ceasefire agr

Source: Cyprus News Agency