Month: May 2022

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

On Wednesday 8 June at noon (local time in France), the LUX European Audience Film Award 2022 winner will be announced in the European Parliament hemicycle in Strasbourg, France.

During the award ceremony in the plenary session in Strasbourg, the representatives of the three shortlisted films will speak about the European stories portrayed in their movies. They will also participate in a seminar for media.

Journalists will have the opportunity to interview any of the following people, representing the three nominated films:

•FLEE

Jonas Poher Rasmussen, film director (languages spoken – DK, EN)

Monica Hellström, producer (languages spoken – DK, EN)

•GREAT FREEDOM

Sebastian Meise, film director (languages spoken – DE, EN)

Sabine Moser, producer (languages spoken – DE, EN)

•QUO VADIS AIDA?

Jasmila Žbanic, film director and producer (languages spoken – Bosnian, DE, EN)

Damir Ibrahimovic, producer (languages spoken – Bosnian, DE, EN).

To apply for an interview, please fill in the online application.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Tuesday 31 May at midnight. Interview slots are limited and are scheduled for Tuesday 7 June and Wednesday 8 June before the award ceremony.

Please note that making a request does not guarantee an interview. The interviews may take place in English or in any other languages spoken by the films’ representatives, as indicated. No interpretation will be provided.

Your interview slot will be confirmed by Friday 3 June.

Other opportunities for journalists

Journalists are also invited to attend other events taking place in connection with the ceremony (all speakers still to be confirmed):

•7 June 16.30-18.30 (local time)

Press seminar in room WEISS S2.2, opened by EP Vice-President Evelyn Regner (S&D, AT)

Panel 1: Fighting discrimination: the role of the cinema

With representatives of films Great Freedom and Flee, MEP Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) , Chair of Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Mike DOWNEY, President of European Film Academy

Panel 2: Times of war: Mirrors of reality

With representatives of films Flee and Quo vadis, Aida? and Srebrenica genocide survivor Munira SUBAŠIC and Chair of Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo Romeo Franz (Greens/EFA, DE)

•8 June around 13.00 (local time)

Press conference with the winner of LUX Audience Award in 2022

•8 June at 14.00 (local time) TBC

Facebook Live with the winner, on European Parliament’s Facebook page.

Background

Since 2020, the LUX European Audience Film Award has been awarded by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network.

The European Parliament established the LUX Film Prize in 2007 to help distribute European films with high artistic quality that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond, and that touch upon topics of common concern, such as human dignity, equality, non-discrimination, inclusion, tolerance, justice and solidarity.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus’ gymnastics Champion, Marios Georgiou, has won three gold medals at the Varna World Challenge Cup, that took place between May 26 and 29.

“A world cup has ended, with six rounds, and by winning three gold medals. In pommel horse, parallel bars, and horizontal bar,” Georgiou wrote in a post on his social media.

He also congratulates his coach, Panayiotis Petrides, and thanks, for their support, his co-athlete Giorgos Angonas, international judge Dimitris Angonas and his sponsors.

The Cyprus Gymnastics Federation, referred, on its own social media, to “an excellent performance for our Champion, who, proved, once more, his merit.” The Federation also congratulates Petrides, Giorgos Angonas, and international judge Dimitris Angonas.

For Angonas, this was his first world challenge Cup. He earned 10th place in horizontal bar and 13th in pommel horse.

Source: Cyprus News Agency