Day: June 16, 2022

Cyprus Parliamentarian Kyriakos Hadjiyianni, special representative for the participation of civil society in the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE attended Wednesday the 2022 OSCE Asian Conference in Geneva, focusing on “Strengthening security for all and by all – synergies and opportunities for co‑operation between Europe and Asia,”.

 

In his intervention Hadjiyianni said that nowadays when the relations between the states are disturbed due to the geopolitical and other issues, civil society can play a crucial rule in both national and international level in deescalating tension and promoting dialogue.

 

He said that the parliamentary assembly of OSCE is a platform for dialogue between the parliaments of the members states with the participation of civil society and offers expertise in a broad range of issues. Cyprus MP also spoke of the importance of cooperation between NGOs and national parliaments.

 

Hadjiyianni also praised the fact the civil society is present in many Asian countries and promotes issues such as gender equality, problems of warn-torn countries such as Afghanistanand issues related to vulnerable groups especially women and the youth.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Preparations are full speed ahead, for the first ferry round-trip on Sunday between Cyprus and Greece, after 21 years, the company running the routes, said on Thursday.

 

CEO of Scandro Holding Ltd, Marios Michael, told CNA that the fully renovated M/V Daleela, that will be carrying passengers between Limassol and Piraeus, is already at the Limassol port’s anchorage and is expected to enter the port on Friday “for the final touches”.

 

The ship can carry up to 700 people, but the permit it secured is for a total of 340 people, including staff, Michael said, with a maximum number of around 270 passengers per trip.

 

President Nicos Anastasiades will attend a ceremony on Sunday, to mark the commencement of the ferry link between Cyprus and Greece 21 years after this service between the two countries was interrupted.

 

Aboard the M/V Daleela for this first trip, on Sunday early afternoon, will be 173 passengers, among them, Deputy Minister to the President, Kyriacos Koushos, Deputy Ministers of Shipping and Tourism, Vassilios Demetriades and Savvas Perdios, respectively, Greek Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zacharaki, MPs, journalists and members of the team that worked for the establishment of the ferry link.

 

A welcoming ceremony will also take place on Monday evening, when the vessel will arrive at the port of Piraeus, in Greece.

 

Michael said bookings have exceeded all expectations, since, studies had estimated that they would have around 3,000 passengers per year, but reservations so far exceed 6,500. He said that reservations have been made for more than 1,500 motor vehicles, mainly motorcycles. The service will run until September 16.

 

In addition to the restaurant, cafeteria and the infirmary provided in the contract, the ship also has bars and playgrounds, a casino and provides services for transporting pets, while the price for a full meal will not exceed €12.

 

Michael said that despite the steep rise in prices, the company has decided not to change the prices they had announced as it would not be right.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Commission has approved the disbursement of 627 euro million in pre-financing under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to Cyprus, Germany, Greece, and Hungary, to compensate for the consequences of Brexit on their economies.

 

The funds will be allocated on the basis of each member state’s economic ties with the UK.

 

The Brexit Adjustment Reserve will provide a total of 5.4 billion euro to member states. The allocation of these resources will be made on the basis of a technical formula.

 

Out of the 5.4 billion, 656 million euro will be allocated based on fish caught in the UK EEZ, 4.5 billion will be allocated based on trade with the UK and 274 million will be allocated based on each country’s maritime border regions with the UK.

 

Out of the total amount approved in pre-financing, 435 million euro will be made available in 2022 and the 192 million euro remaining will be available by the end of April 2023.

 

This funding is intended to help mitigate the adverse impact of Brexit on their economies and regions through support to regions and economic sectors, small and medium sized companies, as well as job creation and protection, such as short-time work schemes, re-skilling, and training.

 

“Now it is up to Member States to make the best use of the available funding to support regions, local communities, citizens and small and medium businesses to diversify their activities, keep jobs and reskill the workforce where necessary” said Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira in a statement.

 

The pre-financing amounts are spread over three years and Member States may use the funding until 31 December 2023 to cover expenses incurred and paid since 1 January 2020.

 

With this decision, 20 Member States will soon have received the first and second installment of their pre-financing.

 

Brexit has had a negative impact on all Member States, but in different ways, as some Member States, regions, sectors, or local communities are more affected than others. The Brexit Adjustment Reserve will provide a total of 5.4 billion euro to member states.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Chair of Cyprus Parliamentary Committee on Environment Charalampos Theopemptou and MPs Chrysis Pantelides and Stavros Papadouris, members of the Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee participated Thursday in a virtual workshop organized by EUFORES, the European Forum for renewable energy sources. The participants debated on the European Green Deal and Cyprus’ national strategy for energy and climate.

 

Head of EUFORES, Members of the European parliament, government officials, representatives by the European Commission, the academia, and entrepreneurs as well as other stakeholders took part in the workshop. Cyprus House Speaker Annita Demetriou and Permanent Secretary of the Energy Ministry Marios Panayides delivered messages.

 

The participants presented the current situation as regards the RES strategy in Cyprus and the island’s commitments in the framework of the European Green Deal and the national plan on resilience and recovery. All MPs noted Cyprus’ energy poverty and the fact that the vulnerable groups are mostly affected by the current energy crisis and therefore measures need to be taken to tackle the issue.

 

Theopemptou said that we need to form an efficient energy policy in Cyprus with the use of RES and with buildings that are constructed in order to be energy efficient. Pantelides referred to the need to set the right legal framework that will allow us to have an effective energy strategy, while Papadouris said that Cyprus needs to urgently transfer to a green economy.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has said that the government will support entrepreneurs and the vulnerable groups of the population in relation to the significant increase in basic consumer goods, in particular fuel and electricity, in the same manner as it addressed the financial crisis of 2013 and the health crisis of 2020, within its budgetary possibilities.

 

Addressing the ceremony for the Cyprus Export Awards 2020 that took place on Thursday at the Presidential Palace, the President said that two packages of support measures of 300 million euro have already been adopted, while “there is a continuous evaluation of the measures that can be taken to further support the economy and especially the vulnerable groups”.

 

“Under the current adverse conditions created by the pandemic, but also by the Ukrainian crisis, the contribution of domestic exports to the growth model of the economy is gaining even more value,” he noted.

 

As a result, he said, of the coordinated actions of business people and the state, exports of domestic products in 2021, reached 1 billion and 44 million euro, an increase of 14%, compared to the previous year. He added that an increase of 15%, compared to 2020, was recorded in 2021 in exports of services, which reached 15.4 billion euro.

 

In his speech, President Anastasiades said that emphasis is placed on financing business activity and added that for 2021-2027, the Ministry of Commerce has secured over 545 million in European funds for the implementation of grant schemes and other facilities, while in 2022 schemes of 158 million euro, have been announced or are planned to be announced in the coming months.

 

In addition, he said that the Ministry is proceeding with the establishment of Products of Cyprus Branding.

 

Finally, the President noted that the Ministry is organising, in cooperation with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry a targeted program of trade missions to important countries, such as Israel, the United Kingdom, Japan and the UAE, and added that this year there were already two missions to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

 

Meanwhile, addressing the event, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Christodoulos Agkastiniotis said that despite the adverse conditions the Cypriot companies have managed to promote their export products and services, while Chairman of the Cyprus Export Awards Selection Committee Manthos Mavrommatis said that export of services exceeds some years by ten times the exports of products.

 

The event was co-organised by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was attended among others by President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, Ministers and MPs.

 

The Export Award for Industrial Products for companies with a staff of up to 50 people, was awarded to “LISKO FOODSTUFF LTD”. The Industrial Products Export Award for companies with a staff of more than 50 people, was awarded to “REMEDICA LTD”. The Financial Services Award was given to “CEDAR ROSE INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LTD”.

 

“MSC SHIPMANAGEMENT LTD” received the Award for Maritime Transport and Merchant Shipping, while the Telecommunications, Informatics and Information Award was given to “AEON PAYMENT TECHNOLOGIES LTD”, the General Services Award was given to “NIPD GENETICS PUBLIC CO LTD”. An honorary distinction was awarded to HERMES AIRPORTS for its contribution to the tourism sector.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Earl and Countess of Wessex will visit the Republic of Cyprus and the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia between Monday 20th and Wednesday 22nd June, according to the British High Commission.

 

During the visit, they will celebrate the ties of friendship between the United Kingdom and Cyprus, as fellow member states of the Commonwealth, and show support for the British Armed Forces based overseas.

 

It is also noted that the Earl and Countess will be received by President Anastasiades and the First Lady, and attend a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Mr Stephen Lillie CMG, to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

 

Furthermore, they will recognise the UK’s contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), visit the UN Buffer Zone and hear more about the wider UN mission in Cyprus.

 

The High Commission’s announcement also says that as a champion of the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Countess will meet a diverse range of women and young people from across the island, including the Cypriot members of the Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth network and participants in the UN and British Council ‘Young Leaders in Action’ programme, to hear more about civil society’s contribution to peace and community building in Cyprus, while the Earl will also meet students from across the island who are working towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

 

Finally, it is said that the Earl and Countess of Wessex will meet British Armed Forces and their families currently based at the Sovereign Base Areas, and will learn more about their roles and contributions to current operations.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will pay an official visit to Cyprus on Friday, June 17.

 

Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, at the Presidential Palace at 11.00 on Friday morning.

 

At 13.00, the Greek Prime Minister will attend a lunch hosted in his honor by the President of the Democratic Rally, Averof Neophytou.

 

At 17.15, he will meet with the Committee of Occupied Municipalities and Communities of Cyprus.

 

At 19.00, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will address the conference of the Democratic Rally.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

There is no doubt that the Latin community in Cyprus has left its sound mark on the island’s civilization, said Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou.

 

Addressing a student exhibition on Thursday on the Latin civilization, Photiou said that this event is a reminder of the dynamic past of the community on the island, adding that its historic monuments are part of Cyprus’ culture.

 

He said that the 1974 Turkish invasion severely affected the community’s culture and monuments, adding that one of our goals is to restore these monuments and archeological sites.

 

Photiou hoped that the conditions will soon allow the resumption of the talks for a solution that will benefit Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Latins, Maronites and Armenians on the island.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus’ House of Representatives’ President, Annita Demetriou, on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to end conflicts around the globe and alleviate the problems faced by refugees. In her statements, during the House Plenary session, Demetriou expressed Parliament’s intention to continue supporting the Ukrainian people and their refugees.

 

At the same time, she condemned the violation by Turkey of the right of all Cypriot refugees to return to their ancestral homes and the violation of international law by any country, to the detriment of any people.

 

Specifically, Demetriou referred to the World Refugee Day (June 20) and the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17). For the latter, she said that the legislature will continue to work to prevent and address desertification.

 

The Speaker of Parliament noted that desertification is an increasing threat to the planet, with Cyprus facing an increased risk due to its geographical location. She added that it is increasing rapidly as a result of climate change and reckless human activity, and could have devastating effects on people’s quality of life if not addressed immediately.

 

On World Refugee Day, the Speaker of Parliament said that by raising awareness, solidarity and acknowledging the tragedy of millions of people who are forcibly fleeing their homes, due to war or political persecution, “we are also recognising the willpower and courage of all refugees to rebuild their lives in a foreign land, facing uncertainty about the future and sometimes hostility.”

 

She added that Cypriots fully understand the drama and pain of the refugees, since they live in a country where, for 48 years, thousands of refugees continue to experience the pain of uprooting as a result of the violent Turkish invasion and occupation.

 

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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Commission has registered and understood Cyprus’ concerns regarding the impact of the “Fit for 55” package to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on tourism and the country’s economy, Minister for Transport Yiannis Karousos said after a meeting with the Commission’s Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans in Brussels.

 

Karousos also said that Cyprus’ proposal for a mechanism to promote sustainable fuels in aviation now has the support of the EU Council at the level of Transport Ministers, and added that he hopes the proposal will be finally adopted by the EU’s Ministers for the Environment in their meeting on June 28th.

 

This proposal is included in one of the many pieces of legislation of the “Fit for 55” package proposed by the Commission. Once the position of the Council of the EU on the proposal is agreed by the Environment Ministers, and once the European Parliament has adopted its own position, the institutions will negotiate the final content of the bills.

 

In a statement from Brussels, Karousos said that he had a constructive meeting with Timmermans, during which he analysed and presented Cyprus’ concerns regarding the measures that are being formulated and the way in which they will affect Cyprus’ economy.

 

The extent to which Cyprus is affected “is disproportionate to the rest of the EU member states,” Karousos stressed, noting that the country’s gross domestic product will be affected eight times more than the EU average.

 

“We are very pleased that the executive vice president has understood this issue,” the minister noted, adding that he found Timmermans to be well informed.

 

“It seems that our recent initiatives, especially in the last two months, to brief the European Commission, the European Parliament and aviation stakeholders on this issue are bearing fruit,” he said.

 

According to Karousos, there understanding on behalf of the Commission. The Minister underlined the importance of the fact that several of Cyprus’ proposals, particularly in relation to the mechanism to support alternative fuels in aviation, have been approved by the Transport Ministers of the EU.

 

“The aim is to finalise this proposal at the Council of Environment Ministers which will take place on the 28th of this month,” he continued, stressing that this proposal will benefit air carriers, but also given them an incentive to use alternative fuels.

 

He concluded that it is very important that a proposal that Cyprus has put forward, is being promoted and discussed, that several Member States support it, and added that it will be an important success for the country if it is adopted.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency