Day: June 10, 2022

US government should ensure access to safe and legal abortion

•Roe v Wade landmark case must be upheld by US Supreme Court

•All EU countries have to decriminalise abortion

MEPs condemn the backsliding in women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide including in the US and some EU countries, calling for safe access to abortion.

Following a plenary debate on Wednesday, MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday by 364 votes in favour, 154 against and 37 abstentions reminding the United States Supreme Court that it is vital to uphold the landmark case of Roe v Wade (1973), which protects the right to abortion in the US Constitution.

They urge US President Biden and his administration to ensure access to safe and legal abortion. MEPs reiterate their call on the Government of Texas to swiftly repeal Senate Bill 8 and call on several other US states with similar laws to bring their legislation in line with internationally protected women’s human rights.

Bans and other restrictions on abortion disproportionately affect women in poverty, MEPs, say, stressing that women who, due to financial or logistical barriers, cannot afford to travel to reproductive health clinics in neighbouring states or countries, are at greater risk of undergoing unsafe and life-threatening procedures.

Consequences of a US ban on abortion for women worldwide

Deeply concerned about the potential consequences worldwide should Roe v Wade be overturned, MEPs highlight that countries heavily dependent on US aid for public health programmes could reverse their commitment to abortion provision and other reproductive rights. The European External Action Service, the Commission and all EU countries should compensate for any possible reduction in US funding to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally, and strongly advocate and prioritise universal access to safe and legal abortion in their external relations. Parliament proposes that medical professionals who risk legal or other forms of harassment be offered a safe haven.

EU countries must decriminalise abortion

Turning their attention to EU countries, MEPs urge member states to decriminalise abortion and remove and combat obstacles to safe and legal abortion and access to SRHR services, which should be guaranteed without discrimination. Medical practitioners should not deny women access to abortion care on grounds of religion or conscience, as this can endanger the patient’s life.

Background

The US Supreme Court could vote to overturn guaranteed nationwide protection of abortion rights. This would allow each US state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion.

Almost all deaths stemming from unsafe abortions occur in countries where abortion is severely restricted. Were a ban to take effect, it is estimated that the annual number of maternal deaths in the US due to unsafe abortions would increase by 21% by the second year.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus’ Presidential Commissioner, Photis Photiou, briefed on Friday the Speaker and members of the Parliament of Ireland, about the difficulties faced, especially in recent years, as regards efforts to resolve the missing persons issue.

According to a press release issued by the Press and Information Office (PIO), during the meeting, Photiou informed the President and the Members Parliament of Ireland, who are in Cyprus on an official visit, about the difficulties faced, especially in recent years, in the efforts to resolve the problem of missing persons.

This, he said, is solely due to the Turkish occupying power’s refusal to cooperate and provide information from the Turkish army archives on the transfer of remains from burial sites to other locations, and where these new burial sites are located.

He also said that Turkey refuses to implement and enforce the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights in 2001 and 2014, and is indicative of an unacceptable policy pursued.

“The issue of missing persons is a purely humanitarian issue and not a political one, and the families of our missing persons have the right to receive the answers they have been waiting for so many years,” he said.

The international community, the Commissioner said, is in a position to take humanitarian initiatives and put pressure on Turkey to comply with the rules of international law to help these families.

Photiou also thanked, on behalf of the Government and himself, Ireland for the financial support it has offered so far to the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP), and its assistance in the efforts to resolve the humanitarian aspect of the problem, as at Council of Europe level.

The Commissioner also briefed the President and the Members of Irish Parliament on the actions taken by the two countries for cooperation on Diaspora issues, with the aim of signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The Speaker of the Irish Parliament, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, reiterated Ireland ‘s firm support on efforts to resolve the missing persons issue on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In addition to financial support, he also referred to the training by the Irish Police to the CMP on the issue of missing persons.

According to data published on the CMP website by December 31, 2021 out of 2,002 missing persons 1,183 were exhumed and 1,023 were identified.

Out of 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 732 were identified and 778 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 291 were identified and 201 are still missing.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The growth rate for 2022 is expected to be 2.7%, while inflation will rise to 7%, according to the revised June forecasts, published by the Central Bank.

According to the report accompanying the forecasts, the recovery of the Cypriot economy “has been largely negatively affected, at least in the short term, by the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

“Uncertainty about the economic outlook is high, with the extent of the aforementioned effects depending on the duration of the war and the sanctions on both sides. With regard to supply chain disruptions, it is estimated that these will have a longer duration than expected in relation to the CBC forecasts for December 2021, with an expected full normalization at the end of 2023,” the Central Bank says.

The economic growth rate for 2022 is expected to slow down to 2.7%, compared to a growth rate of 5.5% in 2021, with the biggest impact being recorded on net exports, the CBC notes.

The downward revision by 0.9 percentage points in 2022 compared to the December 2021 forecast is mainly due to the impact of geopolitical developments in the sectors of trade, transport, hotels and restaurants, as well as professional services, according to the CBC.

In 2023 and 2024, GDP is expected to recover to 3.6% and 3.7%, respectively, although some scarring effects on the turnover of the professional and financial services sectors can not be ruled out, the report adds.

In terms of unemployment, in 2022 it is expected to record a drop to 6.9% of the workforce, compared to 7.5% in 2021, with a slight upward revision by 0.1 percentage points, compared to the forecasts of December 2021.

Unemployment is expected to reach 6.3% in 2023 and converge to full-time employment in 2024, reaching 5.7%, “due to the ongoing economic recovery, as well as the continued effort of the Public Employment Services to place unemployed people in job vacancies,” CBC notes.

A wage-price spiral mechanism, due to the correction in the labour market as well as the integration of higher wage increases, due to new collective agreements and the system of automatic indexation (where applicable), is not expected, it says.

On the other hand, inflation (Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices, HICP) is projected to increase significantly in 2022 to 7% from 2.3% in 2021. The upward revision compared to the forecast of 2.5% in December 2021 amounts to 4.5 percentage points, mainly due to increases in energy prices, as well as the expansion of inflationary pressures in the categories of services, food and industrial products, excluding energy.

Gradual smoothing of inflationary pressures is forecast for the years 2023-2024, at 2.8% and 1.9%, respectively. The reduction of the HICP in 2024 below 2% is due to the expected gradual correction in oil and food prices, according to the common working assumptions of the Eurosystem, says the CBC.

Structural inflation, referring to inflation excluding energy and food, is expected to rise to 4.1% in 2022, compared to 1.3% in 2021. In the years 2023 and 2024, it is projected to record a correction and rise to 2.5% and 2.2%, respectively. This is due to the expected, albeit slow, normalization of supply chain congestion problems.

It is noted that a more detailed analysis of the forecasts for all major macroeconomic figures is included in the Financial Bulletin of the CBC – June 2022, which will be published in the coming days.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas will pay Cyprus an official visit next Tuesday 14th of June.

Replying to a CNA question Governnment Spokesperson Marios Pelekanos said that on the agenda of the discussions he will hold with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will be the Cyprus problem, the Palestine issue, bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest.

Pelekanos said that during the bilateral consultations President Anastasiades will reiterate that Cyprus remains a strong supporter of a solution to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

As regards the Cyprus issue, the President of the Republic of Cyprus will brief his Palestinian counterpart on the efforts to end the Turkish occupation, on the Turkish provocations in Famagusta and the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as on the initiatives undertaken by Nicosia for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations, with a view to reaching a solution, based the UNSC resolutions, the High Level Agreements and the European acquis communautaire.

Regarding the other issues on the agenda, Pelekanos told CNA that the Cypriot side will express once more its commitment to enhance relations with the State of Palestine both bilaterally but also multilaterally, like the tripartite cooperation of Cyprus with Greece, so as to achieve conditions of stability and security in the wider region, but also on issues and areas of common interest, such asclimate change and theenergy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean basin.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, bade farewell on Friday to Labour Minister, Zeta Emilianidou, who passed away on Monday, after suffering a cerebral aneurysm in May, noting that despite her achievements she remained humble, humane, a respectable lady and that he feels proud of her work.

In his eulogy during Emilianidou’s funeral that was held in Nicosia, Anastasiades paid tribute to his close associate, who served as Labour Minister since 2013, and noted that her death leaves a vacuum very difficult to fill.

He stressed that Emilianidou has been distinguished for her moral qualities, honesty, enthusiastic work, high sense of responsibility, which, in combination with her intelligence and strong personality, allowed her to be creative and particularly effective.

Anastasiades assured that Emilianidou’s work will be fulfilled with the establishment of the National Minimum Wage, the reform of the pension scheme and the parental leave.

The President expressed his deep sorrow and grief for Emilianidou’s sudden death and deep gratitude for everything that she offered to him, the government, the people and the country.

He praised the Minister’s personality and work, elaborating on her achievements both in the labour and the social welfare sector, adding that his vision for a social welfare state would not be achieved without her contribution.

Anastasiades noted that peace in labour relations was achieved in Cyprus during the last nine years not only due to the measures adopted by the government, with Emilianidou’s contribution, but also due to her ability to discuss calmly, refraining from getting into confrontations, and to understand the problems and the disputes between employers and employees.

The President cited a number of reforms and policies adopted during Emilianidou’s term in office at the Labour Ministry such as the establishment of the Minimum Guaranteed Income and the Minimum Guaranteed Pension for all those living below the poverty line.

It is for all these issues that we all feel proud, he noted.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Findings dating from the end of the 15th and 14th centuries BC, provide evidence of the existence of a prosperous Cypriot society in the area of Dromoloxia-Vyzakia, near the Hala Sultan Mosque, that had established relations with civilisations throughout the Mediterranean and beyond, according to the Department of Antiquities, that announced on Friday the end of the May-June 2022 excavation season, in the area in question.

The excavations in the Late Bronze Age port city are being carried out by a team from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, led by Professor Peter M. Fischer.

This Late Bronze Age city, it is added, which flourished between 1630 and 1150 BC, is located on the coast of the Larnaca Salt Lake, near the Hala Sultan Mosque, a short distance from the Larnaka International Airport.

Findings, the press release says, “testify to the existence of a rich Cypriot society, which had established relations with cultures throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.” The wealth of the inhabitants in the settlement at Dromolaxia-Vyzakia was based on the production and export of copper and long-distance trade. “This is evidenced by the tons of slag of copper and ore, which were processed in laboratories within the settlement,” the press release adds.

The excavations, according to the Department of Antiquities, focused on the city cemetery where two tombs had been identified and that contained material from the end of the 15th and the 14th centuries BC, which correspond to the Late Cypriot IIA-B period, the Late Helladic IIIA1-2 period and the famous 18th Dynasty of Egypt, it is added.

The two, “apparently family tombs” with a large number of people buried in each, were carved into the ground, while it is believed they belonged to wealthy families, judging by the type of finds, the Department of Antiquities says, adding that infants, young, and elderly persons were associated with a large number of burial artefacts. It is pointed out that, by “elderly”, it is meant people who rarely lived over 40, as life expectancy was low at this time.

The study of anthropological remains has not yet been completed, therefore, the calculation of the number of people, their sex and age of death needs further investigation, the press release says.

Regarding the findings, it is mentioned that ceramics is the main category of the artefacts discovered, mainly high-quality clay pots that were made in Cyprus, but also many imports. The most common imports came from the Mycenaean and Minoan world, while there are also imports from Anatolia, Syria-Palestine and Egypt.

It is worth noting, it is added, that one of the alabaster vessels from Egypt imitates Cypriot ceramics while some of the scarabs found have hieroglyphic inscriptions on them, which will be read soon.

It is added that there are also many ivory objects, which were handed over immediately after their discovery to the conservators of the Department of Antiquities to preserve this extremely fragile material.

In parallel with the excavations, a second team of the Swedish delegation, led by Dr. Teresa Bürge, studied the findings from previous excavations, which are kept in the warehouses of the Archaeological Museum of Larnaca. Professors Kirsi Lorentz and Sorin Hermon, and doctoral students at the Cyprus Institute, contributed to the work of the Swedish delegation. The Department of Antiquities says that the team of the Cyprus Institute offered its experience in the excavation and recording of anthropological remains and prepared two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of objects, along with analyses of the material.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

During the period January – March 2022, 1,951 building permits were issued compared to 1,897 in the corresponding period of the previous year, recording an increase of 2.8%, according to data published by the Statistical Service on Friday. The total value of these permits increased by 13.8% and the total area by 3.7%. The number of housing units recorded an increase of 4.4%.

According to the official data, the number of building permits authorised by municipal authorities and district administration offices in March 2022 stood at 642.

Of these, 444 are for residential buildings, 97 for non-residential buildings, 39 for civil engineering projects, 40 of them concern division of plots, while 22 are for road construction.

The total value of these permits reached €209.7 million and the total area 176.7 thousand square metres.

These building permits provide for the construction of 962 housing units, of which 282 are single houses, 92 are buildings with two housing units. Further 533 concern residential apartment blocks, while 55 more are for residential/commercial apartment blocks.

Building permits constitute a leading indicator of future activity in the construction sector, CyStat says.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

An earthquake measuring 4.9 Richter scale rocked Cyprus in the early hours Friday, according to the Department of Geological Survey.

The earthquake was recorded by the Department on 04:40 local time with its focal point in the sea of Xylofagou, 20 kilometres southwest of Paralimni, Famagusta, in the south eastern coast of the island, having a focal depth of 45 kilometres.

The quake was felt throughout Cyprus and especially in the focal area as well in the districts of Larnaca and Famagusta. It was also also felt in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Turkey, the Department said.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

EAST SUSSEX, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)– For the 21st consecutive year, Convergint offices will close today for Convergint Social Responsibility Day, allowing more than 7,700 colleagues in over 175 locations across the globe to donate their time, expertise, and resources to more than 110 organizations. The overall effort will result in an estimated donation of more than $2.5MM in labor and equipment from Convergint colleagues, partners, and families around the world.

“Stepping away from our daily work to give back locally is core to Convergint’s culture and our Values and Beliefs,” said Steve Dorking, Managing Director, Convergint EMEA. “This year, our colleagues in Poland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom are truly showcasing the passion and generosity of Convergint Nation across their local charitable initiatives.”

Convergint Social Responsibility Day was launched in 2002 to reinforce the company’s ongoing commitment to service and support the local communities where colleagues live and work. This year, Convergint colleagues in Europe are volunteering at healthcare facilities, supporting beautification projects at community parks and zoos, and installing advanced security technology for non-profits, organizations and schools. This year’s local efforts and organizations include:

ARC Cancer Support Centre – Ireland

Gemeinde Opfikon – Switzerland

Hospice in the Weald – United Kingdom

Wildpark Alte Fasanerie Klein-Auheim – Germany

“Convergint Social Responsibility Day is the most important day of the year for our organization, and it’s grown alongside our business,” said Ken Lochiatto, CEO of Convergint. “We believe that our culture of giving is central to Convergint’s success.”

About Convergint

Convergint is a $1.8 billion global, industry-leading systems integrator that designs, installs, and services electronic security, cybersecurity, fire and life safety, building automation, and audio-visual systems. Listed as the #1 systems integrator in SDM Magazine’s Top Systems Integrators Report for the past 4 years, Convergint leads with over 7,700 colleagues and more than 175 locations worldwide.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

In response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Parliament calls for the Versailles Declaration to be implemented more quickly through a step-change in EU Foreign, Security and Defence policy.

In a set of recommendations to EU member states and Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, adopted on Wednesday, Parliament sets out its vision for the future of the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy, drawing on the deep and long-lasting geopolitical consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Building on the EU’s recent resolve and unity, MEPs demand genuine progress in implementing the roadmap recently agreed by EU Heads of State or Government, as set out in the Versailles Declaration and the European Council’s conclusions of 24 and 25 March.

The recommendations were approved by 438 votes in favour, 65 against with 94 abstentions.

The support to Ukraine must continue

The recommendations call on the EU to provide, without delay, weapons to Ukraine in line with the needs expressed by the country’s authorities, notably via the European Peace Facility. Additionally, MEPs want Ukraine to be granted EU candidate status as a clear political signal of solidarity with its people. They also support the investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine, including by calling for a special United Nations Tribunal.

Push towards the EU’s strategic autonomy

While noting that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine threatens the very foundations of the global multilateral order on which the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence policy is built, Parliament pushes for strengthened EU cooperation with like-minded partners around the globe, especially with transatlantic NATO allies. This is needed in order to maintain the strongest possible unity in defence of the rules-based international order.

To complement such cooperation, Members say the EU’s strategic autonomy must also be an overarching aim of the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy. Such autonomy is crucial to be able to act alone when needed and with partners when possible, to weigh in on the international stage. Urgently investing in and developing credible military capabilities for an enhanced European defence system, counteracting economic coercion and ensuring other aims of strategic importance for the EU, including food sovereignty and reduced energy dependence are key to building this autonomy.

To cement its role as a capable actor, the EU must be ambitious in the field of defence and operationalise the proposed Rapid Deployment Capacity, say MEPs. In addition, the European Union needs to do more to adapt to a changed security environment, including by strengthening its defences against cyber and hybrid attacks, introducing qualified majority voting in the Council to make certain foreign policy decisions easier, including when it comes to personal sanctions regimes, and make swift progress in establishing the EU’s Defence Union.

Quotes

“The unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine requires the European Union to be strategic in the face of the unprecedented challenges caused by these horrific events. We must take decisive steps in 2022 to strengthen our foreign, security, defence policy by implementing the concrete actions laid down in the Strategic Compass. The adoption of the sixth sanctions package against the Russian Federation was yet more proof that the decision-making process in the Council should be revised. What we need is real political will to decide on foreign policy through qualified majority voting. This would increase the effectiveness of our common EU foreign and security policy. The European Union has to equip itself urgently with the means and tools to respond to global strategic competition and complex security threats”, said co-rapporteur and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister (EPP, Germany).

“In the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we must face facts: European security is threatened, and we have now entered a new geopolitical era. In this context, we must now make our European defence a reality within the framework of the Strategic compass, and we must act now, and quickly: create a rapid reaction capability, strengthen our mutual defence, accelerate military mobility. On top of that, we must deliver military equipment more quickly to support Ukraine more effectively. We must also replenish the depleted stocks of military equipment Member States are supplying to Ukraine, by coordinating our investments, increasing the budgets of the European Defence Fund, the European Peace Facility, and starting joint procurement… It is our security and that of our continent that is at stake”, said co-rapporteur and Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France).

Source: Cyprus News Agency