Day: May 30, 2022

In March 2022, the Industrial Production Index reached 135.7 units (base 2015=100), recording an increase of 6.9% compared to March 2021, according to data published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus on Monday.

The manufacturing sector registered an increase of 2.2% compared to March 2021. A 27.5% increase was observed in the sector of electricity supply, while water supply and materials recovery increased by 19.5%. The mining and quarrying sector recorded a decrease of 7.8% compared to March 2021.

In the manufacturing sector, the most significant positive changes compared to March 2021 were observed in the manufacturing of textiles, wearing apparel and leather products, with a 44.3% increase. Furniture and repair/installation of machinery and equipment increased by 17.8%, refined petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products and pharmaceutical products and preparations by 10.2%, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment by 6.1% and electronic, optical products and electrical equipment by 2.5%.

The most significant negative changes were observed in the manufacturing of paper, paper products and printing, by 16.6%, wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture by 12.7% and basic metals and fabricated metal products, that increased by 4,5%.

For the period January – March 2022, the index recorded an increase of 5.2% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Comparing the rates of change for the period January – March 2022 against the same period of 2021, the most significant positive changes were observed in the economic activities of manufacturing of textiles, wearing apparel and leather products, recording an increase of 58%, water collection, treatment and supply increased by 46.4%, electricity supply by 20.1%, manufacturing of electronic and optical products and electrical equipment by 13.4%, manufacturing of furniture and repair/installation of machinery and equipment by 12.3%, manufacturing of machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment by 5.7% and manufacturing of refined petroleumproducts, chemicals and chemical products and pharmaceutical products and preparations increased by 4.9%.

The most significant negative changes where a decrease in production was observed compared to the period January – March 2021 were those relating to materials recovery, with a decrease of 14.4%, the manufacturing of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture by 12.9%, the manufacturing of paper, paper products and printing by 10.1%, the manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products by 9.6% and mining and quarrying by 7.2%.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus, George Savvides, and Deputy Attorney General, Savvas Angelides, met on Monday with the Presidents of the two courts of the Court of Justice of the European Union,in Luxembourg, in the framework of their two-day official visit as guests of the three Cypriot Judges and the Cypriot Attorney General to CJEU.

According to a press release, circulated by the Press and Information Office, the Heads of the Law Office had a meeting with the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Judge Koen Lenaerts, the Cypriot Judge and President of the Fourth Chamber of the Court of Justice of the EU, Constantinos Lycourgos, and the Cypriot Advocate General Court of Justice of the European Union, Nicholas Emiliou, where they discussed issues of common interest.

As stated, this was followed by a meeting and a roundtable discussion with the President of the General Court of the EU, Judge Marc van der Woude, in the presence of the Cypriot Judges at the General Court of the EU, the Vice-President of the General Court of the EU, Savvas Papasavvas, and Judge at the General Court, Anna Marcoulli.

It is also noted that Savvides and Angelides attended a lunch hosted by the President of the CJEU, Judge Koen Lenaerts, which was attended by the President of the General Court of the EU, Judge Marc van der Woude, the Cypriot Judges, the Cypriot Attorney General, as well as the Greek Judges serving both at the Court of Justice of the EU and the General Court of the EU.

The visit of Savvides and Angelides to the CJEU will continue on Tuesday 31 May, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The government is expected to submit a new supplementary budget to the Parliament between June 15 and 20, a Finance Ministry spokesman said at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Financial and Budgetary Affairs, on Monday, which continued discussing a supplementary budget of 102 million euros, or 0.4 percent of GDP, due to measures taken for the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Of the 102 million euros, according to the draft supplementary budget submitted by the Ministry of Finance, that requested the budget to be adopted before 15 June, 71.5 million euros are additional appropriations due to the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic and the extension of the implementation of a series of measures to deal with the pandemic, as well as appropriations of 31.5 million euros due to the situation created by the war.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The International Space Station (ISS) will be visible from Nicosia this evening.

President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) George Danos told CNA that the ISS will pass exactly over Cyprus’ capital city Nicosia between 22:05 and 22:08 local time.

“It will be visible and very bright” he said, “like a moving shining star”.

The International Space Station was first launched to orbit in 1998.It is the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit and the most expensive one, valued at 120 billion euros.

It can often be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The space station is a microgravity research laboratory. Astronauts perform experiments in various fields, such as biology, physics, astronomy, biology, medicine, meteorology, etc. All of these experiments, as well as the control of space systems, are aimed at learning more about living in space, conquering space and advancing various scientific fields on Earth.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus is participating in a constructive way in the conversation over the sixth package of sanctions, given that they will be sustainable and will affect Russia more than they will affect the member states of the European Union, Government Spokesperson Marios Pelekanos said ahead of today’s extraordinary meeting of the European Council. Pelekanos also said that President Anastasiades will brief his counterparts regarding Turkey’s latest actions in the fenced off area of Varosha, as well as regarding the letters sent over the past few days to the Turkish Cypriot side and all interested parties on possible confidence building measures.

Speaking from Brussels, where he is accompanying President Anastasiades, Pelekanos said that there are ongoing “intensive negotiations on the technical level” in order to arrive to a deal on the sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

The Spokesperson added that, as all EU partners, “so we participate in a constructive way in the ongoing discussions, bearing in mind the guiding principles on sanctions, which is that they need to be viable and cause a much greater economic cost on Russia than on the member states of the EU.” Pelekanos said that he is optimistic that a deal will be possible.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, the Government Spokesperson said that President Anastasiades will brief his counterparts on “new illegal actions by the Turkish side in the fenced-off area of Varosha” as well as the “unacceptable and provocative” stance Turkey has taken vis a vis Cyprus and Greece and the “revisionist positions still promoted by Turkey on the framework for a solution on the Cyprus problem”. Pelekanos also said that the President will request that, when talking to Turkey, the leaders stress “the importance of ending provocations and bringing the Cyprus problem again on track for a solution.”

The Spokesperson added that President Anastasiades will brief the leaders on the efforts made by the Greek Cypriot side to end the impasse through the letter sent to the Turkish Cypriot leader detailing proposals for confidence building measures. According to Pelekanos, the President has already sent letters regarding the actions of the Turkish Cypriot side and the efforts made by the Greek Cypriot side to the Turkish Cypriot leader, the Secretary General of the UN, the leaders of the guarantor powers, all EU leaders as well as the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

On the agenda of the summit, Pelekanos noted that the leaders will discuss the latest developments in Ukraine, issues relating to energy such as the high prices affecting households and businesses across the EU, issues relating to the end of Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels, the effects of the war on world food security and the danger of destabilisation in many areas of the world, as well as the EU’s effort to strengthen and further coordinate on defence.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The high prices in energy and their effect both on citizens and on businesses across the European Union, are on the agenda of the 27 leaders of the member states during the first part of the European Council summit in Brussels, President Anastasiades said in a tweet.

We “will also examine the high energy prices that affect our citizens and businesses alike, as well as our energy transition & energy independence” President Anastasiades also said.

The leaders will also discuss “EU humanitarian, financial, material and political support to Ukraine”, the President added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The non-performing loans rate in the Cyprus banking sector declined to 11.3% of total loans in the end of February 2022 compared with 11.7% in the end of the previous month, data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) on Monday show.

NPLs, as defined by the European Banking Authority, in February 2022 declined to €2.9 billion, from €3 billion in January 2022.

The loan coverage ratio rose to 45.3% from 43.6% in the previous month, the CBC added.

Furthermore, total loans in February increased to €25.66 billion from €28.69 billion in the previous month.

Of the total NPLs in February, €1.56 billion were held by households and €1.17 billion belonged to corporates.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Acting Director of the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, Helena Panayiotopoulou, has told CNA that there is supportive treatment in the event of a monkeypox case in Cyprus, noting that there is no need for panic.

Replying to CNA questions, she said that Cyprus has proceeded with a declaration of participation in a joint European tender for the purchase of a vaccine, and noted that it is not known so far when and how many doses will be available for Cyprus.

Noting that at the moment any panic is unnecessary, she said that Cyprus is ready to address any possible incident.

She pointed out that there is a licensed smallpox vaccine and that the European Medicines Agency is expected to publish its recommendations that it can also be administered against monkeypox, as it is by 85% effective.

Stressing that in Europe no one knew about the existence of this disease until now, she said that for now the number of vaccines is limited. Panayiotopoulou noted that EU countries, including Cyprus, are waiting for the completion of the vaccine production in order to receive their supplies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said in a press release on Monday that during a meeting last Friday, the National Advisory Committee on Vaccinations of the Ministry of Health suggested the use of the vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) (Imvanex) vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox, which has been approved by EMA in 2013, for the prevention of smallpox and which is recommended to be administered in two doses.

It is added that this vaccine is internationally recommended for the prevention and treatment of monkeypox, with reported efficacy of 85%.

It is recommended that this particular vaccine be available to specific high-risk groups, such as health professionals, who will be called upon to treat suspicious or confirmed cases, before or after their exposure, and to individuals who are close contacts with a confirmed case. It is also recommended to be administered within four days from the date of exposure.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The University of Cyprus invites applications for one (1) tenure-track academic position at the rank of Lecturer or Assistant Professor in the field of “Water Resources Engineering: Hydraulics, Hydrology” in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Engineering School.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is one of the four departments of the Engineering School that was founded in 2002. Since its creation, the Department has expanded rapidly, and is further expanding, with the hiring of new faculty and an increasing number of admitted undergraduate and graduate students. Through this development phase, the laboratory and information technology infrastructure necessary to support our mission of providing high quality educational and research programs was created. The Department premises will be hosted in the brand new building complex of the Engineering School, which upon completion, will become the largest building complex for education and research in the history of the country. Further information regarding the CEE Department can be found at:

http://www.ucy.ac.cy/cee/en

One position at the rank of Lecturer or Assistant Professor in the field of:

«Water Resources Engineering: Hydraulics, Hydrology».

An undergraduate degree in the field of Civil and/or Environmental Engineering is required. In addition, for all academic ranks, an earned Doctorate degree from a recognized University is required.

The minimum requirements for each academic rank are available at www.ucy.ac.cy/acad.staff.procedures and include: previous academic experience, outstanding research achievements and notable scientific contributions, experience in developing and teaching of high quality undergraduate and graduate curricula.

Candidates do not need to be citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

The official languages of instruction are Greek and Turkish.For the above position, fluency in the Greek language is necessary.

In case the selected candidate is not proficient in the Greek language, the candidate and the Department shall ensure that the former acquires sufficient knowledge of the Greek language within 3 years from the date of appointment. Each Department sets its own criteria concerning the required level of fluency in the Greek language.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, the annual gross salary (including the 13th salary) for full-time employment is:

Assistant Professor(Scale ?13-?14) €59.173,18- €79.802,36

Lecturer (Scale ?12-?13) €44.975,98- €73.185,96

Employee contributions to the various State funds will be deducted from the above amounts.

Candidates are invited to submit their applications electronically by uploading the following documents in English and in PDF format at the following link: https://applications.ucy.ac.cy/recruitment

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Copy of ID/Passport

Copies of degree certificates

Review of previous research work and a brief description of future research projects (up to 3 pages)

List of publications

Representative publications (up to 3 publications which should be submitted separately). For the rank of Lecturer, the submission of representative publications is optional.

The names and email addresses of three academic referees, who, upon submission of the application, will be automatically notified to provide recommendation letters (in English), up to seven days following the deadline for submission of applications.

The above documents (1-7) must be uploaded as separate PDF documents.

No change can be possible upon submission of your application.

The deadline for applications is on 29 August 2022.

The selected applicants will be required to submit copies of degree certificates certified by the Ministry of Education (if the degrees were obtained from universities in Cyprus) or from the Issuing Authority (if the degrees were obtained from foreign universities).

Applications, supporting documents and recommendation letters submitted in response to previous vacancy announcements will not be considered and must be resubmitted.

Applications not providing all the required documents specified in the online application form at the above link will not be considered.

The applicant shall ensure that their application has been successfully submitted. Upon submission, the candidate will receive an automated confirmation email.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

When: Monday 30 May, 18.00 (CY time)

Where: European Council Press Room

President Metsola is set to convey Parliament’s position and answer journalists’ questions about the EU’s response to the war in Ukraine, and the measures the EU should take to mitigate its consequences for European citizens and businesses, and to reduce Europe’s dependency on Russian energy imports.

She will also refer to other topics on the summit agenda, including the need to strengthen the EU’s defence capabilities, and the issue of food security in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

You can follow the press conference from the European Council press room or watch it live from around 18.00 (CY time) on Parliament’s webstreaming or on EbS.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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No monkeypox cases in Cyprus, Ministry of Health says and issues instructions

No suspicious cases for monkeypox have been recorded in Cyprus, according to the Ministry of Health, which announced that, even after the increase of monkeypox cases in many countries since the beginning of May, Cyprus is a low-risk country.

The Ministry refers to an assessment by the European Center of Diseases Control (ECDC) on May 23rd, according to which the overall risk (infection rate and the impact) is considered low for the broader public, while there is a medium risk for people with multiple sexual partners.

As announced, monkeypox is currently considered to be a self-restricted disease with symptoms lasting from two up to four weeks. Children are usually among the serious cases and the effects on patients with underlying diseases may be worse.

Monkeypox symptoms usually appear between 6-13 days after the infection, but the time span may vary between 5-21 days. It is more common for people to be infected by animals, through immediate contact with blood, body fluids, skin conditions of infected animals, or by consuming uncooked meat or infected animal products.

It is not common for one to be infected by another person, unless there is close contact with nasal excretions, skin conditions of an infected person, recently infected items or after extended face to face exposure, or even through the placenta from a mother to the embryo, after a close contact during or after the birth, or through the close contact of people in the same household, of sexual partners, other contacts (including contacts in hotels or flights) and care-takers that may not be properly protected.

As explained by the Ministry of Health, possible monkeypox case would be a person with a rash of unknown cause on any part of the body and one or more symptoms, such as high fever (>38.5°C), headache, backache, fatigue, lymphadenopathy and either a positive test for Orthopoxvirus, confirmed connection with possible monkeypox case 21 days prior to the appearance of symptoms, travelling history in countries where monkeypox in endemic 21 days prior to the appearance of symptoms, or contact with multiple sexual partners 21 prior to the appearance of symptoms.

Source: Cyprus News Agency