Day: August 26, 2021

Head of the Office for Combating Illegal Possession and Trafficking of Antiquities at Cyprus Police Headquarters, Michalis Gavrielides, has described the repatriation of the Royal iconostasis doors of the church of Agios Anastasios in the Turkish occupied Peristeronopigi village, from Japan, as particularly important, noting, in statements, to CNA that this is the first time that an artefact is being repatriated from an Asian country.

Gavrielides underlined that the strengthening of relations between Cyprus and Japan, with the opening of an embassy of Japan in Nicosia and an embassy of Cyprus in Tokyo, played a catalytic role in the outcome of this case.

“We hope to have further cooperation with countries of Asia that is now a market for the trafficking of antiquities, apart from European countries or the US,” he noted. He explained that after the connection of the illegal trafficking of antiquities with terrorism and organised crime stricter controls take place in European countries and the US, and therefore markets operate in other countries which are accessible to antiquities smugglers and “we see that there is a new trend towards the Asian countries.”

Asked about other such cases concerning the repatriation of artefacts that are pending, he noted that there are at least three of them for which procedures are underway.

On his part, the Ambassador of Cyprus to Japan, Charis Moritsis, told CNA that the Embassy of the Republic in Tokyo was involved in this case since 2019 when it began operating.

“We were asked to contribute to the task of the competent authority which is the Antiquities Department. Since the aim was clear, the cooperation of the involved parties was excellent and the instructions which the Embassy received by the Foreign Ministry were clear, due to previous experience on these issues, difficulties faced were just procedural,” he noted.

Therefore, he added, the efforts reached a conclusion with the appropriate discretion and effectiveness.

Moritsis underlined that “our obligation is not only to repatriate the treasures of our heritage but also to be well aware that the aim is to return these treasures back where they belong.”

In his statements to CNA, the Head of the Office for Combating Illegal Possession and Trafficking of Antiquities at Cyprus Police Headquarters said that in the case of the Royal iconostasis doors of the church of Agios Anastasios there was a continuous contact between the Antiquities Department, the Foreign Ministry and the competent authorities of Japan. “We operated as advisers of the Antiquities Department and the Foreign Ministry on how to handle issues. In this case the efforts were made by diplomatic means, always with the support, guidance and contribution of our office, which had an advisory role,” he added.

Referring more generally to the role of his office in the repatriation of artefacts, Gavrielides said that when an artefact is tracked down they notify the country where it is located through the National Interpol Office, with a view to stop any purchase, or to ask for an investigation, and to come into contact with the authorities of the other country.

Moreover he noted that the procedure is different when an artefact will be repatriated from a country with which Cyprus has interstate agreements or other agreements which facilitate the repatriation.

Asked about other such cases which are still pending, he said that there are at least three of them which concern religious items and antiquities which were illegally removed from the occupied areas of Cyprus, and are now in European or third countries, noting that procedures are underway for their repatriation.

We are at a very good stage, he noted, adding that in these cases there is a combination of criminal investigation, use of the diplomatic relations and activation of some bilateral agreements and protocols in place.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

The Royal iconostasis doors have returned to Cyprus after extensive efforts that intensified in the last two years, thus concluding one of the most renowned and at the same time complex cases of repatriation.

The Royal iconostasis doors were located in Japan in the 1990s at the Kanazawa College of Art.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus` Forests Department has announced that a “red alert” warning for risk of fire will continue to be in effect on Friday, urging the public to refrain from activities that may cause a fire and to cooperate with the authorities.

According to the announcement, whoever sees smoke or fire inside or near forests should contact the nearest Forest Station or call the Forests Department at 1407 or the Fire Service at 112.

It notes that lighting a fire without a permit is punishable with a fine and/or imprisonment, and that lighting a fire to cook is only allowed in the specified areas at picnic sites. Lighting a fire without a permit is punishable with a fine of up to €50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to ten years, based on the legislation in place or a fine of up to €20,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years.

The public is also urged not to engage in any activities that might spark a fire such as welding or the use of any agricultural machinery that produces heat.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

(Story circulated again with correction in last paragraph following a correction by the Ministry)

In view of the upcoming academic year 2021-2022, Cyprus` Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds everyone that the online platform Connect2CY set up to enable the Ministry to communicate with Cypriot citizens abroad in order to offer emergency assistance more effectively is in operation.

The MFA encourages all Cypriots who are already abroad or intend to travel abroad in the coming period for the purpose of studying, to register on the platform, or if they are already registered, to ensure that the information they have provided in their account is correct and up-to-date.

It notes that registration of Cypriot citizens who are abroad or intend to travel abroad for any purpose, for a temporary (non-permanent) stay, is recommended in all cases, as it allows the Ministry to accurately map the presence of Cypriots in every corner of the world and thus to be able to effectively provide consular assistance where necessary, primarily through the network of Diplomatic Missions of the Republic, as well as through other available mechanisms.

Connect2CY online platform was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2020 and is accessible on the Ministry`s website or directly at www.connect2cy.gov.cy. The platform will continue to be further upgraded, responding to the requirements of Crisis Management.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognised on Thursday President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), George Danos, naming him as Honorary Member of the IAU for his significant contributions to the progress of astronomy, including leading campaigns that raised Cyprus space science to international excellence.

According to a CSEO press release, the International Astronomical Union, starting in 2018 during its 100th anniversary celebrations, decided to give official recognition, every three years, to people who have contributed significantly to the progress of astronomical research and scientific astronomical culture. This recognition is given by the prestigious title of “Honorary Member of the International Astronomical Union”, to people who do not have as their usual daily profession or employment the research of astronomy.

The IAU announced on Thursday the second set of Honorary Members of the IAU during its 31st General Assembly. They selected 11 individuals from 11 countries – Argentina, Turkey, India, Canada, Netherlands, Czechia,Japan, Cyprus, Australia, France and Ukraine, to officially recognize for their significant contribution to the progress of astronomical research and culture.

The International Astronomical Union said that they selected George A Danos as Honorary Member of the IAU, “in

recognition to his significant contributions to the progress of astronomy, including leading the campaigns that saw Cyprus join

the European Space Agency (ESA), the IAU and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) , as well as establishing the Cyprus Space Centre and helping Cyprus be selected as an International Astronomy Education Centre of the IAU Office for Astronomy Education (OAE)”.

“I am truly honoured, humbled and deeply moved that the IAU has recognised my decades long dedication in astronomy and space science” George Danos said, adding that “after 9 years in CSEO, promoting space science, with intense dedicated efforts, sometimes joy, sometimes pain and sadness, through a difficult uphill road that few close friends know about, working with aim of making this island proud, this recognition comes to make this difficult journey worthwhile”.

Among others, Danos has brokered international agreements, such as the high-level decision of the Mars Upper Atmosphere Network (MUAN) to consolidate global scientific efforts relating to Mars space missions,selecting Nicosia as the permanent base of MUAN.

He is Council Member – the highest governing body – of the International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). He was elected Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), for outstanding contribution to the exploration of space. In addition, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS) of the International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). He also served as Chair of the Moon Village Association (MVA) Moon Village & Exploration Analogues Working Group and Coordinator of the Middle East and Africa for the Moon Village Association. He sits on several Committees of the International

Astronautical Federation. Danos coordinates the “2030: SpaceWorks” webinars, featuring prominent scientists and Nobel Laureates, with ½ million global viewership, making space more approachable to the wider public.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission has taken a series of actions to safeguard its lawful interests after its website was copied by another company based in India, resembling that of the CySEC.

Already the Office for Combating Cybercrime (O.C.C.) has been informed.

CySEC President Demetra Kalogirou said the Commission has forwarded a relevant statement on the situation to all authorities overseas through the IOSCO investor alert portal, informing all investors worldwide.

The Commission also posted its statement on its website (https://www.cysec.gov.cy) and informed the Office for Combating Cybercrime of Cyprus Police, which is investigating the issue.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Electricity prices in Cyprus recorded a significant increase of 38% year over year in August 2021, with the international increase from the historically low prices of 2020, to be only one of the reasons that are pushing up the cost for consumers.

The upward trend in prices has started since last March, as Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) Spokeswoman Christina Papadopoulou told CNA, with the annual increase in the price paid by the consumer in August 2021 to be approximately 38% higher than in the same month of 2020. However, this cost was also affected by the abolition of the 10% discount on the EAC accounts due to a pandemic that lasted from April to September 2020, but also due the large increase in the cost of purchasing greenhouse gas emission allowances.

And while the cost of oil prices remains largely unknown even in the near future, the arrival of natural gas and especially the increase in the contribution of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to electricity production is considered as the only way to reduce and stabilise prices in the long term.

As Papadopoulou said, in August, there was a slight decrease of 1% in the price of electricity compared to the previous month, since in recent weeks the price of oil seems to be declining. She also noted that last year on July 1, fuel oil price was at $ 255 per tonne while on the same date this year the price was at $ 472 per tonne.

“Oil prices were at historically low levels last year. Our prices now are at the same levels as in 2018 and 2019,” she said.

Clean energy significant to future low prices

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However, the situation would be better if there was greater penetration of RES. EAC is moving forward with large RES projects, as Papadopoulou said. She noted that soon the Authority will begin the construction of a large photovoltaic park in Akrotiri, which will offer 12 MW of clean energy in about two years, while a process is also underway for the licensing of large photovoltaic parks in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Cyprus in Achera area.

This cooperation is expected to add 66 MW to the energy mix. The EAC has also already upgraded its infrastructure and is ready for the arrival of natural gas in Cyprus expected in 2023.

These projects will contribute, as the Spokeswoman said, to the stabilisation of the prices at low levels.

At the same time, she noted the large increase in market prices in the cost of purchasing greenhouse gas emission allowances. From 2020 onwards the European Commission removed free emissions allowances for member states, while the prices increased sharply during the past few years. As Papadopoulou said in 2017 the price of an allowance was 6 euros and in 2020 was as high as 25 euros.

“These emissions,” she said, “will be reduced by about 25% with the arrival and use of natural gas and the further use of RES.”

President of the Pancyprian Consumers Association Marios Drousiotis has criticised competent authorities for the delay observed for years in the development of RES in Cyprus.

As a result, he said, Cyprus is being forced to buy greenhouse gas emission rights, whose prices have risen sharply, because it has not reached its RES targets. He added that having made a comparison of the prices of July 2020 with July 2021 there is around 200% increase in the charge to consumers due to these greenhouse emissions allowances.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The number of unemployed people in the second quarter of 2021 amounted to 39,224 and the unemployment rate to 8.4% of the labour force (males 7.5%, females 9.5%) in comparison to 30,451 persons (6.8%) in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

According to the results of the Labour Force Survey by the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the labour force in the 2nd quarter of 2021 amounted to 466,525 persons or 63.9% of the population (males 70.4%, females 57.9%) in comparison to 448,466 persons (62.2%) in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

The number of employed persons was 427,300 and the employment rate 58.5% (males 65.1%, females 52.4%) in comparison to 418,015 persons (58.0%) in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

For the age group 20-64, the employment rate was 75.2%. The rate for males was 81.9% and for females 69.0%. In the corresponding quarter of 2020, the rate was 75.2% (males 81.1%, females 69.6%). For the age group 55-64 the employment rate was 62.2% in comparison to 61.0% in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

According to the distribution of employment by sector, the biggest percentage of employed persons was in Services (78.5%), followed by Manufacturing (18.6%) and Agriculture (2.9%). For the 2nd quarter of 2020, the corresponding percentages were: Services 77.1%, Manufacturing 20.0% and Agriculture 2.9%.

The share of part-time employment to total employment was 11.4% or 48,505 persons (males 10.1%, females 12.8%). The corresponding rate for the 2nd quarter of 2020 was 10.7% (males 7.4%, females 14.4%).

88.1% or 376,440 of the total employed persons were employees, of which 13.1% (49,461 persons) had a temporary job. In the corresponding quarter of 2020 employees accounted for 86.6% of total employment of which 13.8% had a temporary job.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The first Cyprus-Egypt Intergovernmental Summit will take place on September 4 in Cairo, with the participation of the two countries’ delegations under their Presidents, Nicos Anastasiades and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) has learned that President Anastasiades will be accompanied to the Egyptian capital for the Summit by Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides, Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister, Natasa Pilides, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister, Costas Kadis, Defence Minister, Charalambos Petrides, Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Demetriades, and Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos.

During the Summit the two sides are expected to discuss a broad spectrum of issues regarding bilateral relations of Cyprus and Egypt and related to the competencies of the Ministers who will participate in it.

Meanwhile Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, will honour during an official banquet that will take place at 1900 local time on August 30, in Nicosia, the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez. Anastasiades will decorate Menendez with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III for his contribution to the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and democracy into the world.

Source: Cyprus News Agency