Day: November 9, 2021

The Cyprus Meteorology Department has issued a yellow warning for near gale to gale winds on Wednesday, noting that gusts may locally reach force 8 Beaufort.

The warning which is valid from 0900 to 1600 hours local time on Wednesday says that “near gale to gale, northerly to northeasterly winds, force 6 to 7 Beaufort are expected to affect the windward areas of the east part of the island.”

Temporarily, it adds, “wind gusts may locally reach gale winds force 8 Beaufort.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Georgia`s President Salome Zourabichvili has reconfirmed her country`s principled position on the Cyprus problem in a meeting she had with House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, in the context of an official visit she is paying Nicosia. On her part Demetriou expressed her appreciation for this position and underlined the Greek Cypriot side`s commitment in the resumption of talks to reach a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, which will guarantee peace and stability conditions for all Cypriots.

“The very close ties of friendship between Cyprus and Georgia, based on their common historical, cultural and religious heritage were noted during the meeting,” a House of Representatives press release says.

“Demetriou expressed her appreciation for the principled position of Georgia on the solution of the Cyprus problem,” it adds. At the same time, she expressed Cyprus` solidarity about the challenges faced by the people of Georgia, on the basis of international law principles and her support of the Geneva International Talks process.

It is further added that Demetriou noted Turkish escalating provocations in the Republic of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the new faits accomplis Turkey tries to create, particularly in the fenced-off part of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha.

She underlined, the press release says, “the Greek Cypriot side`s commitment to the resumption of talks to reach a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, which will guarantee peace and stability conditions for all Cypriots.”

Demetriou also reconfirmed the support of Cyprus in further enhancing EU – Georgia relations and stressed the significance of solidarity between states and of enhancing democratic institutions, including the participation of women in politics and in the context of parliamentary diplomacy.

On her part, Georgia`s President “reconfirmed her country`s principled position on the Cyprus problem.”

She noted, the press release adds, that her first official visit to Cyprus, marks a new era in the relations and cooperation between Cyprus and Georgia in areas of common interest, including the parliamentary one.

“Reaching long term conditions of peace, stability and cooperation in the long-suffering region of South Caucasus constitutes a top priority for Georgia,” Zourabichvili said, expressing her country`s wish for a more active EU presence in the region.

During the meeting, the additional value of inter-parliamentary dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy in promoting relations and cooperation between the two states and peoples was underlined during the meeting, the press release reads.

In this context the House President expressed her intention to further enhance exchanges between the two parliaments.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Numerous rounds of talks under the UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Industrial producer prices in both the euro area and the EU rose by 2.7% in September 2021 compared with August, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The annual change was 16% and 16.2% respectively. In Cyprus prices were up by 12.7% on an annual basis and 0.5% on a monthly basis.

Eurostat notes that in August 2021, industrial producer prices had increased by 1.1% in both the euro area and the EU.

Also this September, compared with September 2020, industrial producer prices increased by 16.0% in the euro area and by 16.2% in the EU.

In Cyprus, industrial producer prices increased by 0.5% in September compared to August. In August, prices had remained at the same level compared with July.

Compared with September 2020, industrial producer prices in Cyprus increased by 12.7% in September 2021.

Broken down by industrial grouping, industrial producer prices in the euro area in September 2021, compared with August 2021, increased by 7.7% in the energy sector, by 1.0% for intermediate goods, by 0.5% for capital goods, by 0.4% for durable consumer goods and by 0.3% for non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy increased by 0.6%.

In the EU during the same period, industrial producer prices increased by 7.8% in the energy sector, by 1.0% for intermediate goods, by 0.6% for capital goods, by 0.5% for durable consumer goods and by 0.3% for non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy increased by 0.6%.

The industrial producer prices increased in all member states, with the highest monthly increases being registered in Ireland (23.2%), Denmark (8.4%) and Greece (5.8%).

Furthermore, compared with September 2020, industrial producer prices in the euro area increased by 40.7% in the energy sector, by 15.2% for intermediate goods, by 3.5% for capital goods and for durable consumer goods and by 3.0% for non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy increased by 8.1%.

In the EU, industrial producer prices increased by 40.1% in the energy sector, by 15.7% for intermediate goods, by 4.0% for durable consumer goods, by 3.6% for capital goods and by 3.1% for non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy increased by 8.3%.

The industrial producer prices increased in all member states, with the highest yearly increases being registered in Ireland (82.9%), Denmark (34.4%) and Estonia (29.9%).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

EU Economy and Finance Ministers discussed the bloc’s economic governance after the pandemic, the future of the European Semester, as well as the rise in electricity and consumer prices, during Tuesday’s Ecofin meeting in Brussels.

The Ministers discussed the current situation regarding the financing of NextGenerationEU, and the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU which supports reforms and investments in EU member states through loans and grants.

Ministers also approved conclusions on the future of the European Semester in relation to the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The conclusions call for the return of the essential elements of the European Semester in the 2022 cycle, in particular country reports and country-specific recommendations.

The conclusions also underline “the need to take into account the ongoing recovery process, the related uncertainties and the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility.”

Ecofin Ministers further discussed the recent steep increase in energy and consumer prices and the associated policy implications. They exchanged views on the Commission’s toolbox of measures that the EU and its member states can use and are already using to address the immediate impact of energy price increases.

During the general discussion, ministers exchanged views on the EU economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the implications of recent developments for economic governance.

They also touched on the future of the EU’s economic governance framework and gave their initial views on the way forward. This topic will be discussed further and ministers will continue their consultations in order to reach a broad consensus in due course.

In a statement after the meeting, Slovenian Minister for Finance Andrej Šircelj, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, said that the ministers agreed that the efforts to boost Europe’s economic recovery are taking effect.

“Now it is time to reflect on the future of our economic governance. Today, we exchanged initial views on the future of fiscal policy,” Šircelj added, pointing out that the discussion needs to continue with an aim to reach common ground.

The Council members also held a debate on a set of legislative proposals mostly aimed at implementing the outstanding Basel III agreements, which include reform measures intended to help reinforce the resilience of the EU banking sector and strengthen its supervision and risk management.

The Slovenian presidency and the European Commission also briefed the ministers on the meetings of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors and on the recent IMF annual meeting which took place in October.

Finally, a representative of the European Court of Auditors presented the body’s annual report on the implementation of the EU budget for the 2020 financial year.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The European Union has pledged to contribute 100 million euros to the Adaptation Fund during Tuesday’s high-level plenary session of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, according to a European Commission press release.

The Adaptation Fund was created to finance climate change adaptation and resilience activities in developing countries that are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

“We have to scale up international climate finance and provide a predictable framework for its delivery”, said Executive Vice President of the Commission Frans Timmermans during Tuesday’s plenary.

“The Adaptation Fund can play a key role and that is why I am pleased to announce for the first time that the European Commission is committing 100 million euros to the Fund, to support developing countries”, Timmermans added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Our path to the EU passes through Cyprus, Georgia`s President Salome Zourabichvili said on Tuesday evening, noting that the peoples of Cyprus and Georgia are faced with similar problems and that the solution will be reached only by peaceful means. On his part Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said the government will continue to honestly support the efforts for a deepening of relations between the EU and Georgia and thanked her for her unwavering position of principles on the Cyprus problem.

They were speaking during a dinner, President Anastasiades hosted in honour of Zourabichvili who is paying Cyprus a two-day official visit.

Addressing the dinner, President Anastasiades recalled that the two countries enjoy long-standing historic, cultural and religious ties.

“It is this basis which today determines our excellent relations, the increasing cooperation but also the determination of enhancing the institutional cooperation framework to new areas, such as political consultations on education, immigration and combating organised crime or even the expected growth of economic ties between the two countries,” he noted.

He also referred to the two countries` “common European orientation, on the basis of the great European Union family`s principles and values.”

This is why we warmly support the timely signing of an EU – Georgia Association and Free Trade Agreement as well as the visa liberalisation between EU and Georgia, he added.

President Anastasiades assured his Georgian counterpart that “we will continue to honestly and consistently support the efforts to deepen EU – Georgia relations.”

Referring to the national problems the two countries are faced with, he said that they both wish for their peaceful resolution, always on the basis of international law and good neighbourly relations, in full respect of the sovereignty and the independence of each state, far away from an foreign dependencies.

Once more, he added, “I would like to thank you for the unwavering position of principles your country has on the Cyprus problem, assuring once more the respective firm support of Cyprus in the efforts for a positive outcome in the Geneva International Talks.”

On her part, speaking through an interpreter, Georgia`s President also referred to the historic and religious ties between the two countries, pointing out the spiritual role the Churches of the two countries have played for their peoples and history.

Zourabichvili referred in particular to the discovery of Georgian monasteries in the Gialias area, which is a great cultural event for Georgia.

Our path to the EU passes through Cyprus, she said, adding that the country`s support in this path is very important for the Georgian people. She also acknowledged that the road is a difficult one but noted that she knows that Georgia`s partners will offer their help in that direction.

She also said that the two peoples are facing similar national problems, underlining that a solution will be reached only by peaceful means.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Numerous rounds of talks under the UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Council of the EU adopted a decision on Tuesday to partially suspend the application of the EU – Belarus visa facilitation agreement, in response to the ongoing hybrid attack launched by the Belarusian regime.

According to an announcement issued by the Council, this suspension covers the provisions that waive requirements for documentary evidence, regulate the issuing of multiple entry visas and reduce visa application fees as they apply to officials of the Belarus regime.

However, this decision will not affect ordinary citizens of Belarus, who will continue to enjoy the same benefits under the visa facilitation agreement as they do currently.

Commenting on the decision, Slovenian Interior Minister Aleš Hojs, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council, said that “we strongly condemn and reject the continued instrumentalisation of migration by the Belarus regime”.

“It is unacceptable for Belarus to play with people`s lives for political purposes. Today`s decision shows once again our joint commitment to continue countering this ongoing hybrid attack” he added.

The European Commission had recently suggested this measure as a response to the Lukashenko’s regime practice of the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes, which was done through sending third country nationals to the Belarus – EU border through charter flights as well as regular flights.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Georgia looks forward to Cyprus’ support for its European aspirations and recognizes that it can learn from Cyprus, which has followed the same path until it joined the bloc, President Salome Zourabichvili said on Tuesday, in statements to the press following a meeting she had in Nicosia with President Nicos Anastasiades.

In her comments she noted the symbolism of the visit, as it is the first official visit of a Georgian President to the island, following the first ever visit of a Cypriot President to Georgia in 2019. This was also noted by President Anastasiades in his press statements.

On the agenda of the talks were the Cyprus issue, the European aspirations of Georgia, the Eastern Mediterranean, the situation in the Caucasus, bilateral relations and ways to promote them and the pandemic as well as the fight against corruption. The President of the Republic in his statements said that Zourabichvilli’s visit to the island is a return of the warm hospitality that he and his delegation received in Georgia in 2019, in the first visit of a Cypriot President to the country. He said that the visit of the Georgian President and that of himself, in 2019, are important milestones in the efforts to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries at bilateral and multilateral level.

He referred to the long-standing and excellent relationship between the two countries and the historical, cultural and religious ties, emphasizing that the Georgian community is one of the oldest Orthodox communities on the island. The President said that Cyprus highly appreciates the community’s activity and presence on the island and this is the reason it decided to grant land in Gialia village for the construction of a monastery where a Georgian church stood many centuries ago.

The President said that an exchange of views took place to further deepen bilateral cooperation and to speed up the process of concluding agreements and memoranda of cooperation. The Cyprus-Georgia Association will also be utilized for initiatives for the development of cooperation in the commercial and investment sector.

According to the President, during the talks they discussed developments in the Caucasus and Nagorno-Karabakh and security issues in the Black Sea, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean due to recent developments in Iraq, elections in Libya and instability in Lebanon and Syria. As he said, he informed about the initiatives of Nicosia at bilateral and multilateral level for building cooperation mechanisms for security and stability in the region, on the basis of respect for international law and good neighborly relations.

Georgia-EU relations were also on the agenda in view of the Eastern Partnership meeting scheduled for December, noting Cyprus’ given support for efforts to deepen Brussels-Tbilisi relations.

He said that he briefed his Georgian counterpart on the Cyprus issue and Turkey`s unacceptable demands and provocations for a change in the agreed solution base, developments in Varosia, the concession of Greek Cypriot land by the Turkish Cypriot illegal regime to the occupying Turkish army, the situation in the exclusive economic zone and the exploitation of refugees for the demographic change of the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.

The President expressed Nicosia’s deep appreciation for Georgia’s stance in the Cyprus issue and stressed that Cyprus adheres to the same principles regarding the national problem of Georgia and supports the positive outcome of the Geneva talks.

The Georgian President in her statements expressed great delight for her visit referring to the symbolism of the first visit of the Georgian President to the island. She said that this reflects the political initiative of the two countries to deepen their relations at a political and cultural level.

The Georgian President referred to the common history of the two countries and their common problems and the great appreciation of the people of Georgia for the concession of land for the construction of the monastery. She characteristically said that this is highly valued because Georgians are used to have land taken away from them, not granting them land.

She also expressed her country`s appreciation for Cyprus’ support for Georgia’s sovereign and territorial integrity and for its accession to the EU, saying that Georgia as well always supports Cyprus’ territorial integrity and all UN agreements.

She went on to say that the two countries enjoy almost 30 years of diplomatic relations and need to take the next step to raise them even higher in many areas. The Georgian President said her country`s occupation of 20% of its territory is a difficult situation and referred to Russia`s new border policy, as she described it, adding that her country is grateful to friendly countries for their support.

Regarding her country`s accession to the EU, she said that she looks forward to further support from Nicosia, saying that the EU presence in Georgia and its participation in the Caucasus issues and what is happening there is necessary. Zourabichvili said it is important to strengthen bilateral relations in the cultural sector as well, and said that Georgian cultural days should be held in Cyprus and Cyprus days in Georgia on the occasion of 30 years of diplomatic relations next year.

Regarding the gas fields in the region, she said that her country wants to be informed about the developments and to participate where possible. She also referred to the tourism sector and said that although Georgia cannot compete with Cyprus in this field, the flow of tourists to Georgia could be strengthened because its economy is based on tourism. She also expressed gratitude for the hospitality of Cyprus to the Georgian Diaspora on the island.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Numerous rounds of talks under the UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.

UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. Resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.

Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha.

On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Both the UN Secretary-General and the EU expressed concern, while the UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus and Britain discussed the progress achieved in the defence and military cooperation of the two countries during a meeting on Tuesday with the respective ministers.

An official press release says Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Charalambos Petrides, met on Tuesday with Minister for Defence Procurement of the United Kingdom, Jeremy Quin at the Ministry of Defence in Nicosia.

It adds that following the signing of the MoU for Defence and Military Cooperation in April 2019, the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom have achieved significant progress in enhancing their bilateral cooperation in the fields of Defence and Security.

During the meeting, the two Ministers had the opportunity to review the latest developments and the progress achieved so far and discuss ways, to further enhance the cooperation of the two countries.

The Ministers also discussed regional issues of mutual interest as well as issues related to emerging challenges that pose threats to international peace and security, the press release says.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades is traveling to Paris Wednesday to participate in the Paris Peace Forum, the Conference on Libya and the 41st Session of the General Conference of UNESCO. He will also attend events marking the organization’s 75th anniversary, that will take place successively between 11 and 13 November, a Presidency announcement said Tuesday.

President Anastasiades will participate in the works of the Peace Forum, which will examine international initiatives to address the social and economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the announcement says. Among the issues that will be discussed, will be efforts to tackle the pandemic, international cooperation for world peace, global governance in the field of health, climate change, cybersecurity, fighting fake news, threats against journalists and gender equality.

According to the announcement, the Conference on Libya convened by French President Emanuel Macron will be held on 12 November with the participation of leaders of the region, including President Anastasiades, who will deliver remarks, ahead of Libyan elections to be held on 24 December.

While in Paris, the President will attend a dinner hosted by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, in the framework of the 41st UNESCO General Conference to be held in November.

The President of the Republic will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides, Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos, Director of his Press Office Andreas Iosif and other officials.

Source: Cyprus News Agency