Day: June 17, 2022

A bizonal bicommunal federation is the only way forward for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, said DISY President Averof Neofytou and the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the ideological and political conference of ruling DISY party, held on Friday evening in Nicosia, while EPP President Manfred Weber argued that there can only be a united Europe with a united Cyprus.

In his address, DISY President Averof Neofytou said that the party guarantees the security, stability and prosperity of the country, as it has proven over the last nine years under the government of Nicos Anastasiades, having successfully managed two global crises, one economic and one health crisis, in the most difficult period since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

“The direction of the country can be found here, symbolically, in the front row: Cyprus is our homeland, Greece is our heart and Europe is our future”, stressed Neofytou, adding that Cyprus will continue to be a reliable country, with strong regional peace partnerships, honouring its history and its alliances.

Addressing the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Neofytou said that a strong Greece stands firmly beside Cyprus and with him at the helm, Greece is a reliable, strong country that seeks cooperation but does not back down under threat.

“When Greece is strong, Cyprus is equally strong”, he noted, adding that Cyprus and Greece today form an axis of peace and security, democracy and cooperation on the borders of south-eastern Europe, from Evros to Cape Greco, “with the aim of a mutually beneficial cooperation between all the countries in the region, and Turkey, if it so wishes, but with the strict condition of respecting the sovereignty and integrity of each country, and international law”.

“And with us stands Europe and the European People’s Party, Europe’s largest and most historic party, which has always supported Cyprus, condemns the Turkish invasion and calls for the opening of talks for a workable solution without occupying armies and Turkish guarantees”, continued Neofytou, thanking EPP President Manfred Weber for his firm support to both Cyprus and DISY.

The DISY leader said that the party’s proposal follows the path of responsibility, as the history of the Democratic Rally commands.

“As in the Cyprus problem, there is only one way: negotiations for a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a decentralized federation with autonomy for the two constituent states in matters of daily life. A central government for the serious issues: one sovereignty, one international personality, one citizenship, a unified economy and central exploitation of natural resources”, he explained, adding that the solution would bring all the countries in the neighbourhood into the energy equation, including Turkey.

He also said that following a Cyprus solution, Cyprus should join NATO, as “this is the only way to a secure, united and European Cyprus.”

In his address, Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined his cooperation with Anastasiades and Neophytou as President of the New Democracy party and as Prime Minister of Greece and said that he is well aware of both their leadership skills and DISY’s dynamics.

Today’s Greece is a modern state that is moving forward and aiming high, continued the Greek Prime Minister, adding that “a strong Greece means a strong Hellenism and a strong Cyprus. That is why every success of Athens becomes a strength in Nicosia, just as every progress you make is reflected in our own progress”.

Referring to Ukraine, Mitsotakis said that the country is going through the same tragic experience as Cyprus did in 1974.

“We must not let Donetsk and Mariupol become Kyrenia and Famagusta. That is why international law remains our only compass on the national question, with a clear common goal: a just, viable, functioning solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation, above all, a solution that guarantees a future, prosperity for both communities”, he stressed, adding that “this is precisely why the two-state position is unquestioningly rejected.”

“Partition has no place either in reality or in the culture of the 21st century. The green line that divides Nicosia in two is a line of shame that must finally be erased” he said, referring to the UN-controlled buffer zone.

Greece and Cyprus have courage and their weapon is international law, said Mitsotakis, along with their strong defence, strong alliances, and the improved image of Greece and Cyprus in the world.

Concluding, the Greek Prime Minister thanked DISY for their invitation, a proof that “fraternal ties are not limited to our party leaderships, but they are firmly rooted in the basis of our parties”, and wished Averof Neofytou good luck in the coming elections.

Taking the floor, EPP leader Manfred Weber said that the DISY congress is taking place in critical times, as there is war again in Europe, adding that Cypriots “know first-hand what it means to be attacked, how it feels to live in a divided country”.

“Ukraine has been a wake-up call. At the same time, we must not forget about the Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue in particular. We stand united behind Cyprus and expect Turkey to respect the sovereignty of Cyprus. The two-state solution proposed by Turkey is unacceptable. Our position on the Cyprus issue has always been crystal clear: Cyprus issues are European issues. There can only be a united Europe with a united Cyprus” he stressed.

Weber thanked President Anastasiades for his strong determination and commitment to the vision of ending Turkish occupation and reunifying Cyprus, his will to set the negotiations back on track and his “brave” Confidence Building Measures.

Referring to EU enlargement, he said that the EPP fully supports the candidate status for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and that a clear timeline is needed for the Western Balkans. “At the same time, it must be clear that the EU has geopolitical-cultural boundaries. Therefore, Turkey cannot become an EU member. But we want a reunited Cyprus in our united Europe”, he pointed out.

Weber expressed his strong support towards the candidacy of DISY leader for the upcoming presidential elections in Cyprus next year. “I am sure that the Cypriots will place their faith in Averof Neofytou, so that he can continue the successful path of prosperity and stability for Cyprus” he concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades said Friday that the international law, strong alliances and the countries’ presence in the EU are the protection against Ankara’s rhetoric and provocations.

Greek Premier, who is in Nicosia to address the ideological and political conference of the ruling party DISY, met with President Anastasiades with whom he discussed the Cyprus issue, Turkey’s provocative stance in the eastern Mediterranean, energy issues and inflation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The two men had a tete-a-tete meeting followed by expanded talks between delegations of the two countries in the presence, inter alia, of Cyprus Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Energy and Justice.

Anastasiades and Mitsotakis made statements before their consultations. The Cyprus President said that the meeting takes place at a time when coordination and exchange of views are imperative more than ever.

He noted that so far, the cooperation and coordination is sound and they both act in the most beneficial way for the two countries.

President Anastasiades expressed his absolute gratification because the handling, on behalf of Greece, of a rhetoric, which is distant to our mentality, definitely weakens and defuses the goals that some countries with revisionist views and perceptions may have.

Cyprus President also said that European Council next week and the EU-NATO meeting will send even louder messages to avoid any challenges from anyone who question the sovereignty and territorial integrity of either Greece or Cyprus.

President Anastasiades also thanked the Greek government for granting Cyprus an aircraft that will be used by the President of the Republic and Ministers for their official travels. He also expressed gratification for the donation by Greece for the construction of a fire station in Larnaka district, which will cost about 650-700,000 euro. The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation for the reconstruction of the fire station, and its equipment including two firefighting vehicles. The fire station was destroyed in a fire in July 2021.

In his statements the Greek Premier said that coordination is needed in the midst of geopolitical developments in the area, largely as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and due to the recent unrest in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He agreed with Cyprus President that our defense against any revisionist sentiments is international law, strong alliances and participation in the European family. Mitsotakis said that with calm determination we will oppose to any rhetoric adding at the same time that we need to always keep open the channels of communication.

As regards the sharp increase in energy prices and inflation the Greek Premier said that Greece and Cyprus have an important role to play in the talks taking place for the use of the energy reserves of the eastern Mediterranean.

The Prime Minister said that that the good performance of the economies of the two countries is the best guarantee for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

Mitsotakis referred to the fact that Thursday the Eurogroup officially confirmed the exit of Greece country from the statues of enhanced supervision and therefore a period of 12 years which greatly affected the country is now closing.

He said that Cyprus also went through financial difficulties but managed to overcome these difficulties much faster. The Greek Premier said that Greece is no longer the black sheep of Europe and can look to the future with determination and optimism.

He said that the donation for the reconstruction of the fire station is just a deed of appreciation for Cyprus’ assistance and support following the catastrophic fires in Mati area in Greece.

He also said that Greece is proceeding with the modernization of its fleet of aircraft and has granted Cyprus an aircraft which will now carry the flag of the Republic of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cypriot Minister of Education, Culture, Sport, and Youth Prodromos Prodromou and Deputy Minister of Culture Ioannis Toumazis held a series of meetings during their official visit to Athens last week.

Prodromou and Toumazis held a meeting on Monday, June 6, with the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, with whom they discussed issues related to the upcoming establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Culture in Cyprus, as well as the promotion of bilateral cooperation through joint actions.

The Cypriot Deputy Minister of Culture invited Lina Mendoni to pay an official visit to Cyprus – an invitation, which the Greek Minister accepted.

During his official visit to Greece, Cypriot Minister of Education also met with his Greek counterpart Niki Kerameos. The Two Ministers of Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Greek Language Studies for the years 2022-2027.

According to the announcement of the Ministry of Education of Cyprus, “the Memorandum marks a new beginning for the teaching of Greek as a second/foreign language in Cyprus, upgrading and modernizing it, according to the standards of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.”

With this Memorandum, “the internationally recognized certification exams of the Centre for the Greek Language are introduced in Cyprus, while the training opportunities for teachers of the Greek language as a second/foreign language are significantly expanded”, Minister Prodromou said.

Prodromou also held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Angelos Syrigos, during which they discussed issues of common interest in the field of Higher Education.

Finally, the Deputy Minister of Culture Ioannis Toumazis held meetings with the Deputy Minister of Contemporary Culture Nicolas Giatromanolakis, the President and CEO of the National Centre for Audiovisual Media and Communication Panos Kouanis, the General Director of the Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation Xenia Kaldara, the Artistic Director of the Hellenic Festival Katerina Evaggelatou, the Vice President of the Hellenic Film Centre Eleni Chandrinou and the Artistic Director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art Katerina Gregos.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

the full features of the Apple Watch with Cellular

From June 17, for holders of the eSIM mobile card

Cyta’s mobile network becomes the first officially certified by Apple in Cyprus and Greece, to allow the owners of the Apple Watch with Cellular to enjoy it as a standalone device.

By activating the eSIM e-card, Cyta customers can stay connected receive calls and reply to messages via their Apple Watch with Cellular, wherever they are and choose to leave their iPhone at home.

From June 17, contract customers of Cytamobile-Vodafone can get the new iPhone together with the Apple Watch with Cellular device and benefit from a discount of up to €150. Alternatively, they can only buy the Apple Watch with Cellular with payment installments and a discount of €30.

Cyta will soon announce similar partnerships with other manufacturers.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus has offered outpatient care to 500 Ukrainian refugees and inpatient services to 42 refugees, Minister of Health, Michael Hadjipantela, told European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, during a briefing on Friday about the major issues of the European Health portfolio.

During the meeting, in Nicosia, they also discussed the implications for the health sector of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Minister of Health informed the Commissioner that Cyprus has so far offered outpatient care to 500 refugees and inpatient services to 42 refugees.

In addition, he told Kyriakides that if necessary, Cyprus is ready to provide additional assistance to other Ukrainians, who cannot have care in their country because of the war.

On her part, Commissioner Kyriakides stressed that “as the European Commission, also through the rescEU programme, we are in daily contact, so that we can offer all the help needed, both to Ukraine and the Member States, and especially to the bordering members, as well as to Moldova.”

During the meeting, the Minister of Health and the Commissioner of Health exchanged views on the ongoing projects related to the construction of the new Mental Health Centre and the Treatment Unit for Addicts in Nicosia, while examining the latest epidemiological data, as well as COVID-19 and monkeypox cases in the EU.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The 55 start-ups currently active in Cyprus employ mainly of 2-5 people, have an average operation time of 3.5 years and with limited participation of women. These are the findings of a study conducted by the Center for Entrepreneurship of the University of Cyprus, a press release issued by PwC Cyprus, which supported the study, says.

“Cyprus’ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem has achieved great progress in the past decade but there is still a lot to do to fully utilise the tremendous potential this field can give the country’s economy”, is the most important finding of the study, according to the press release.

It is also noted that 55 start-up companies are currently active in Cyprus, 31 of which are based in Nicosia, 13 in Limassol, and three in Larnaca. Only 4% of those are identified as pre-startup companies.

Most of these pre-start-up companies are research spin-offs but despite having a product or MVP they are not yet registered companies. The main reason, according to the study, is the legislation, which places restrictions on spin-offs originating in public universities, according to the statement.

The vast majority of start-up companies (91%) are headquartered in Cyprus with an average age of 3.5 years.

Their composition is predominately male, with only 17% having either a female founder or a co-founder, suggesting there is a need for further enhancement of the role of women in this field.

Most start-ups, or 64%, consist of small teams of two to five employees, teams with five to 10 staff represent 25%, followed by companies with 10 to 50 at 9%, and only 2% with large teams of up to 100 employees.

The study also found that 60% of people active in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cyprus, believed the conditions in Cyprus are favourable and the infrastructure is good for start-ups, while 40% thought there is still “huge room for improvement”.

The best aspects, according to the survey, concern the “Information and Communication Technologies” and “Favorable conditions for starting a business”’, followed by the “Level of regulation” and “Access to research facilities and universities”. On the downside, “Access to funding”, along with “Access and support in finding qualified staff” have been the two factors that are quite problematic. Early-stage start-ups and pre-start-up teams at large, have difficulty taking off in Cyprus, mainly because they face difficulties reaching out to investors.

PwC Cyprus CEO, Philippos Soseilos, said the progress achieved in the field in the past decade, is remarkable, and assured that “PwC Cyprus will continue to provide support and contribute towards establishing a culture of promoting innovation, technology, and effective problem-solving”. Soseilos added that “investing in entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology is the safest path to growth”.

The findings of the study, titled “Mapping Cyprus Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 2022”, were presented during an event at the University of Cyprus on 16 June 2022. The study’s main objective was to map the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cyprus, to identify its weaknesses and propose solutions.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The stock of Cypriot bonds held by the European Central Bank under the Asset Purchases Programme declined by €4.2 billion in the end of May, as the ECB will terminate net asset purchases on July 1 in the context its policy normalisation.

According to ECD data, net purchases of Cypriot bonds under the EPP in may declined by €247 million, as a Cypriot 7-year bond was redeemed in the beginning of the month. The weighted average maturity of the Cypriot bonds held by the ECB was 8.82 years in end-May. The Cypriot bonds are purchased by the Central Bank of Cyprus.

On June 10 the total balance of public sector bonds held by the ECB amounted to €2.58 trillion.

The ECB Governing Council said that following the end of net purchases on July 1, it “intends to continue reinvesting, in full, the principal payments from maturing securities purchased under the APP for an extended period of time past the date when it starts raising the key ECB interest rates and, in any case, for as long as necessary to maintain ample liquidity conditions and an appropriate monetary policy stance.”

In its June meeting, the ECB Governing Council announced it will begin hiking its policy rates by 25 basis points in July, followed by another increase in its September meeting.

Furthermore, the ECB said the Governing Council intends to reinvest the principal payments from maturing securities purchased under the pandemic emergency purchase programme (PEPP) until at least the end of 2024.

Meanwhile pressure on sovereign bonds in secondary markets, especially of southern EU member-states eased following an extraordinary meeting held by the ECB on Wednesday.

Italian ten-year bonds eased to 3.74% today after the rises on the previous days which saw Italian yields rising to 4.28%.

Cypriot ten-year bonds yield also eased to 3.34% earlier today, following the peak of 3.56% two days ago and 3.38 yesterday.

Following its ad-hoc meeting the ECB said the Governing Council decided that will apply flexibility in reinvesting redemptions coming due in the PEPP portfolio, with a view to preserving the functioning of the monetary policy transmission mechanism, a precondition for the ECB to be able to deliver on its price stability mandate.

The Council also decided to mandate the relevant Eurosystem Committees together with the ECB services to accelerate the completion of the design of a new anti-fragmentation instrument for consideration by the Governing Council.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) imposed administrative fines totaling €210,000 on current and former members of the Board of Directors of Maxigrid, along with a ban against them exercising management functions in Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs) of up to five years.

According to a CySEC’s statement, following an investigation into Maxigrid’s non-compliance with provisions of the Investment Services and Activities and Regulated Markets Law, CySEC found that Maxigrid’s Board of Directors failed to define and take responsibility for the implementation of arrangements that ensure the effective and prudent management of the Company, in a way that promoted the integrity of the market and the interest of its clients.

“Specifically, during the period between 4th September 2020 and October 2021, the principle of governance arrangements, which is set out in section 10(1)(b)(ii) of the Law, was not applied”, CySEC announced.

Shareholder and ex Non-Executive President of the Board, Roy Almagor received an administrative fine of €200,000 and a ban for a period of five years from exercising management functions in CIFs. Executive Director of the Company Jekaterina Pedosa received an administrative fine of €10.000 and a ban for a period of five years from exercising management functions in CIFs.

Also, Executive Director of the Company Katerina Papanicolaou and ex Executive Director of the Company Nikolai Monogarov received a ban for a period of two years from exercising management functions in CIFs.

In determining the administrative fine, CySEC, according to its statement, took into account, inter alia, the seriousness attributed by Cyprus’ lawmakers to such infringements. CySEC is clear that all persons who assume administrative duties in a CIF are required to take responsibility for maintaining its smooth operation and to ensure the interests of its customers, and thatdirectors of a CIF must contribute to promote market integrity.

CySEC also notes that no administrative fines or other measures were imposed on the following former non-executive Directors of the Company, Alexis Zampas, Pavlos Iosifides and Ioannis Chasikos, taking into account various factors relating to their capacity in the Company.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Ahead of World Refugee Day, we stand with all those forced to leave their homes worldwide.

Amidst the fastest growing refugee crisis globally, the EU has taken decisive action to provide protection to those fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine and get humanitarian assistance in the country and to its neighbours.

This time last year it would be unthinkable that 14 million people would be forced by Russia’s aggression to leave their homes in a single country on the European Union’s doorstep. This is the largest movement of people in Europe since the end of World War II.

The EU and its Member States have stood by Ukrainians, providing refuge to over 6 million people that have fled to neighbouring countries, primarily to Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia but also the Republic of Moldova. The majority of those fleeing are women and children. Children who should never have to hide from bombs and experience the horrors of war.

To this end, the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive and has since granted temporary protection status to almost 3.4 million people, giving them access to the EU’s labour market, suitable accommodation, social welfare assistance, medical care, and education.

Today, more than 100 million people are forcibly displaced around the world, from Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar to Venezuela or Burkina Faso. Working hand-in-hand with the United Nations and the international community, the EU remains a leading humanitarian and development donor helping affected populations to access food, shelter, education, health care, housing, land, livelihood support, and other basic services in situations around the world. We must not forget that over 80% of the world’s refugees are hosted in developing countries.

Now more than ever, the EU remains committed to supporting those forced to leave their homes worldwide. We will continue working towards political solutions to end the reasons forcing people to flee.

Background

The European Union maintains that the right to seek and enjoy asylum, and the principle of non-refoulement, as enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, needs to be respected at all times.

The EU and its Member States make an important contribution to global resettlement efforts. Since 2015, EU resettlement schemes have helped more than 97,000 vulnerable refugees find a safe haven in EU Member States, in particular in the context of the Syria regional crisis and more recently of the Afghan crisis. In July 2022, the European Commission will launch the next pledging exercise to ensure that EU resettlement efforts will continue in the coming years.

Through the Pact on Migration and Asylum, we will further strengthen engagements beyond our borders, pursuing these goals hand in hand with partner countries.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A delegation of the House of Representatives to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean will take part in a conference on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (Palermo Convention), to be held in Naples.

According to an announcement by the Parliament, MPs Andreas Pashourtides (head of the delegation), Rita Theodorou Superman, Christos Orphanides and Charalambos Theopemptou will go to Naples on Sunday to participate in a High-Level Conference entitled “The Palermo Convention: The Future of the Fight against Transnational Organised Crime”, which will take place on 20 and 21 June, 2022.

Issues related to the evaluation of existing implementation tools of the Convention will be discussed, in particular issues such as the exploitation and trafficking of persons, trafficking in arms and ammunition, the link between transnational organised crime and terrorism, environmental and cultural crimes, as well as the exploitation of new information and communication technologies by international criminal networks, the announcement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency