Day: July 12, 2022

Cyprus’ President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday, in his speech at the reception at the US Embassy in Nicosia on the occasion of the 246th Anniversary of the Independence of the US, expressed his determination and commitment to continue working closely with the US administration in order to explore new areas of beneficial cooperation.

US Ambassador Judith Garber commended “recent efforts to forge confidence-building measures to improve the lives of Cypriots across the island.” and said the US continue to support the leaders facilitated by the UN “to forge a just and lasting settlement that will reunify the island as a bizonal bicommunal federation.”

President Anastasiades also noted that, until his last day of term in office, he will continue his “tireless efforts in reaching a settlement that would reunite Cyprus on the agreed basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions, since we cannot afford to turn the Cyprus issue into yet another “frozen conflict”.”

To this end, he added, “it is of utmost importance and I refer to my Turkish Cypriot compatriots to remain committed to the continuation of the dialogue, abandon any unacceptable demands and preconditions that do not, in any way or form, serve the interests of the Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots alike.”

He also underlined his “deep appreciation” for the principled stance and the continuous US support on the Cyprus Problem, including on the need for Ankara to refrain from acts that violate UN Security Council Resolutions and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

President Anastasiades also referred to the relations between the two countries, and expressed his “sincere appreciation for the excellent and growing partnership we have established these past years between Cyprus and the US and for the shared vision to further enhance it in a tangible manner.”

He referred to, among other things, the signing of a Statement of Intent on Security Issues, the involvement of American energy giants, namely ExxonMobil, Noble and now Chevron in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, and the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act.

He said that these initiatives and developments “are already yielding concrete results for both our countries, as well as for key allies in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said. He gave reassurances to the US Ambassador, Judith Garber, of the Government’s and his personal determination and commitment to continue working closely with the US administration in order to explore new areas of beneficial cooperation.

On the Russian invasion in Ukraine, President Anastasiades said, among other things, that a war in the heart of Europe “which has painful resemblances from Cyprus’ own experience, since Moscow’s excuses of allegedly “trying to protect Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine” has been used in the same manner as a pretext by Turkey to invade Cyprus in 1974.”

But even in the face of adversity, he added, “including the failures of the past at the negotiating table due to Turkey’s intransigence, Turkey’s illegal actions in the sea and on the ground, as well as the insistence for a settlement in violation of international law, we recall once again the Declaration’s ideals of freedoms and justice in our efforts to reach a comprehensive, viable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue.”

The President also said , “we will continue promoting initiatives and ideas that will establish the necessary conditions for the resumption of the negotiating process, as per my proposal for the adoption of Bold Confidence Building Measures that would help address concerns and build trust between the two communities.”

Ambassador Garber, referred to the two countries’ relations and said that, by expanding collaboration in regional security, business, environment, cultural education exchange, United States wholeheartedly commits to advancing the prosperity of all Cypriots.

For Americans, she said, Independence Day is about their united purpose. “It is a time to reconnect, remember our history and renew our commitment to our Democratic experiment,” striving for a more perfect union.

She also referred to the war in Ukraine, saying that “today we witness innocent men, women and children driven from their homes, by an autocrat bent on Ukraine’s annihilation.”

“In defence of Democracy, and the fundamental freedoms owed to every individual, there can be no concession. The resolve of the US and our allies and partners across the globe will not waver,” she added.

She said the Cypriot people joined “the unprecedent global sanctions campaign against the aggressors,” and did not hesitate to open their homes and their hearts to victims of this senseless war.

“We applaud Cyprus, not only for its resounding solidarity with the people of Ukraine but for its partnership and economic and security issues, for reaffirming its commitment to our shared interests and for safeguarding civil liberties, the world over,” the Ambassador said.

On the Cyprus issue, she said that the US continue to support the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities facilitated by the United Nations to forge a just and lasting settlement that will reunify the island as a bizonal bicommunal federation.

“We commend recent efforts to forge confidence-building measures to improve the lives of Cypriots across the island.We firmly believe a reunited island offers a better and stronger future for all Cypriots,” she said.

She also referred to the inauguration of the CYCLOPS (Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas and Port Security) three months ago by Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland. She said the two countries’ growing partnership also includes economic security a critical but sometimes overlooked element of national security, and referred to closer ties with Cyprus to grow and diversify its economy.

She spoke of Labour Minister Zeta Emilianides who passed away in June, noting that “while we continue mourn her untimely passing, we are comforted by the fact that her indelible legacy of progress and tireless service to others, lives on.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The total value of assets under management (AUM) by Collective Funds declined by 3.9%in the first quarter of 2022 over the previous quarter, while Management Companies and Undertakings of Collective Investments (UCIs) supervised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission continued rising (Cysec).

According to a quarterly bulleting issued by Cysec, in Q1 2022 total assets under management amounted to €11.1 billion marking a reduction of 3.9% compared with the previous quarter. This is the second quarterly decline in AUM following the marginal decline of 0.2% in Q4 2021. Compared with the first quarter of 2021 assets under management marked an increase of 13.5%.

In Q1 2022 CySEC supervised 322 Management Companies and Undertakings of Collective Investments (UCIs), 235 of which have operations. More specifically, it supervises 206 Externally Managed UCIs, 44 Internally Managed UCIs and 72 External Fund Managers. The total number of Management Companies includes 41 AIFMs, 66 Sub-threshold AIFMs, 4 UCITS Management Companies and 5 dual license entities (AIFMs and UCITS Management Companies).

In terms of investment policy of UCITS, 84.6% were invested in transferable securities, followed by the investments in bank deposits with 8.1% and investments in UCITSs and UCIs with 5.8%. AIFs, AIFLNPs and RAIFs invest mainly in Private Equity with 39.1% while the investment in Hedge Funds represents the 11.4% of the AUM, Cysec added.

Total UCIS in operation amounted to 203. Comprising 80.4% of the total AUM, there are 184 UCIs domiciled in Cyprus (12 UCITS, 59 AIF, 58 AIFLNP and 55 RAIF).

From the total 203 UCIs managed by UCIs Management Companies, 156 invest in Cyprus entirely or partially and €2.5 billion (22.5%) are investments made in Cyprus.

Of the investments in Cyprus, 66.3% were in Private Equity, while 12.4% of the investments in Cyprus are in Real Estate.

The majority of UCITs are Retail Investors (99.2%), while for AIF, AIFNLP and RAIF, 30.7% of them are Professional Investors, 57.4% Well-Informed Investors and only 11.9% Retail Investors.

Regarding the specific sectors that UCIs invested in, during the 1st quarter of 2022, AUM in the Energy sector totaled €346.2m (3.117% of total AUM), while €28.8m was invested in Fintech (0.259% of total AUM), €82.5m in Shipping (0.742% of total AUM), €36.9m, in the Sustainability sector (0.332% of total AUM) and €9m in Cryptocurrencies (0.081% of total AUM).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus Electricity Authority’s pricing plans are expected to be approved by the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority in the coming days, EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou told CNA on Tuesday.

Asked about the electricity rate increase, Papadopoulou said that EAC does not have the official data yet and does not know the exact percentage of increase, however, she estimated that the increase will be around 24%.

“There was a big increase in the fuel price adjustment last month. There has been a huge increase in oil prices and at the same time there is an increase in EAC’s base rates,” she explained.

Asked if payment plans will be offered for people who cannot afford to pay, Papadopoulou said the EAC always makes provisions for people who are really struggling. She explained that the front-line customer service officers prepare payment plans so as to facilitate struggling customers and at the same time reduce the debit balance.

In relation to the vulnerable population, she said that they have the special pricing with code 08 as determined by the government. She said that the tariffs charged for these population groups are about 20% lower than other customers.

She also said that a VAT rate reduction on all residential customers tariffs is in effect, noting that the VAT rate for residential customers has been reduced to 9% from 19% and will remain reduced until the end of August. She added, moreover, that the VAT rate for vulnerable groups is reduced to 5%.

Responding to another question on whether measures will be taken on the part of the Authority, Papadopoulou said that the Authority has offered a 10% reduction for 10 months in all its customers’ tariffs, at a time of pandemic, and this amounted to 53 million euros.

“This is EAC money, which was given back to the state and the economy. The authority has exceeded all its financial capabilities. EAC has a development programme, which must be implemented, we must ensure the reliability of our system,” she said.

According to Papadopoulou, “we must definitely continue to strengthen the system and modernise our network so that we can ensure uninterrupted reliable electricity supply.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The value added in constructions in Cyprus dropped after 5 years of growth in 2020, a year marked by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Constructions and Land Development Survey for 2020, carried by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat), value added (the production value net of the total cost of production expenses, administrative expenses and rents paid for buildings and machinery) at current prices decreased by 3.9% to €1,119.6 million in 2020 from to €1,165.6 million in 2019.

Production value in the broad construction sector decreased in 2020 by a marginal 0.2% to €4,294.6 million compared to €4,302.2 million in 2019, Cystat added.

According to the survey, new construction in 2020 reached €2,467.5 million, registering a marginal decrease over 2019. Residential buildings recorded an increase of 2.0% in 2020 compared to 2019, while non-residential buildings decline by 4.4% and civil engineering projects declined by 1.6%.

Employment in the construction sector increased in 2020 by 2.3% to 34.8 thousand compared to 34,0 thousand persons in 2019, Cystat added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) identified the potential of new pandemics, chemical and other threats as well as antimicrobial resistance as the top three categories of threats to public health that require coordination of measures at the EU level.

“This exercise is the first step in ensuring that medical countermeasures can be made available and accessible for all Member States swiftly when needed,” Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides said in a statement.

Kyriakides noted that this is the first time this analysis is being made and added that “HERA has been set up as our watchtower for future health emergencies, and I am pleased that it is now tangibly starting to deliver on this mission”.

According to HERA’s Board, the three threat categories of life-threatening or otherwise seriously harmful hazards to health which have the potential of spreading across member states are:

Pathogens with high pandemic potential.

This category concerns specific viral families of concern, taking also into account the zoonotic nature of most high consequence emerging infectious diseases. This category includes mainly respiratory RNA viral families.

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats

These are threats that can originate from accidental or deliberate release, taking into account global geopolitical tensions, as well as incidents caused by rogue actors. CBRN substances have been identified based on their likelihood to occur and their potential impact on human health.

Threats resulting from antimicrobial resistance

HERA points out that this category includes some of the greatest risks to human health, with antibacterial resistance alone causing an annual estimate of over 1.2 million deaths globally.

The identification of the key threats to our health security launches the process to ensure the development, production capacity and scaling-up of manufacturing, procurement and potential stockpiling of medicinal products, diagnostics, medical devices, and personal protective equipment as well as other medical countermeasures to ensure their availability and accessibility in case of need.

Together with other Commission services and EU agencies, HERA will ensure that investments are continuously directed towards safeguarding public health and health security in terms of availability of medical countermeasures.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Omonia of Nicosia is the most popular club among Cypriot football fans with 30.7% with APOEL, also of Nicosia trailing second with 21%, a survey carried out by the University of Nicosia shows.

According to statistician, Stavros Bouloukas, Anorthosis of Famagusta came third in popularity with 15.1% with Apollon of Limassol fourth with 11.8%. AEL of Limassol took 8% of popularity, with AEK of Larnaca trailing with 3.3%, Salamina of Famagusta with 2.3%, Pafos of the namesake city garnering 2.1%, Aris of Limassol with 1.3%, Olympiacos of Nicosia with 1.1% and Paralimni with the same percentage.

By city, in Nicosia, APOEL came first with Omonia following, in Limassol, Apollon toped popularity followed by AEL, in Larnaca Omonia came first with Anorthosis following. Omonia came first in popularity in Pafos followed by Pafos FC, while Anorthosis came first in popularity followed by Omonia.

Furthermore 68% of the supporters of APOEL had a college or a university degree, 64% of Apollon, 61% for Anorthosis, 58% for AEL and 51% for Omonia, the survey showed.

A percentage of 69% of the respondents said they support the sports ID card, 24% said they disagree, while 7% did not reply or did not know. Of the respondents supporting the card, 62% had obtained a card while 55% of those disagreeing with the card said they had issued one.

Moreover 60% of the respondents said the sports ID card had benefited Cyprus football while 22% said the card has harmed football.

Concerning referees, 50% of the respondents said they would like foreign referees in all football matches, 21% supported Cypriot referees with foreigners only in play-off matches.

The survey had a sample of 3,505 persons, over 15 years-old.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots Photis Photiou described the NEPOMAK “Discover Cyprus” programme as a unique opportunity for the new Diaspora generation from all countries to get to know Cyprus better, at an event held on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace.

Welcoming the participants of the programme after two years of postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, Photiou said that the new generation are the future leaders of the Diaspora, the people who will even aspire for political office in the countries where they live and for this reason they should know Cyprus.

“We work very closely with NEPOMAK and we do everything possible by dedicating a large part of the budget to programmes for the new generation,” Photiou said, adding that the July 26 congress will also celebrate the organisation’s 20-year anniversary, during which it has managed to move forward with the support of the state, the Cypriot people and diaspora organisations abroad.

Apart from this programme, which is aimed at young people aged 18-23, there is another one for young people between 24 and 30 years old, and recently 11 children aged 12-17 from the USA were in Cyprus, which “gives hope that we will continue these programmes”.

This may be a period of rest and relaxation, but it is also a golden period for young people to make good use of their stay in the country and learn more about Cyprus, Fotiou continued, adding that there is cooperation with most universities in Cyprus for distance learning courses on history and language offered to the new generation abroad, as well as scholarships for young people from the diaspora.

“The Presidential Palace sends the message of our determination to continue the struggle, to reunite our country, to end the occupation on our island. We want an island for all its legitimate inhabitants, an island where Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites, Latins can live in peace,” Photiou said, adding that this is the effort of the President of the Republic himself, to continue the struggle despite obstacles, despite the intransigence of the other side, to reach a solution in Cyprus, safeguarding at the same time the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, without guarantees and interventionist rights by other countries.

“In this effort, Greek Diaspora has always been a great support for Cyprus, parents, grandparents fought abroad to defend the interests of our homeland, fought abroad in decision making centres and you are called upon to continue these struggles,” he noted.

“We are always grateful and always proud of our Diaspora, they are the best ambassadors of Cyprus abroad. But above all, we are proud of you, the young generation of the Diaspora, who remind us that its future belongs to and you must be supported,” he concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A yellow weather warning was issued by Cyprus’ Department of Meteorology for extreme high temperature on Wednesday, between 1100 and 1600.

According to the warning, inland maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 40 degrees Celsius during this period.

Members of the pubic are warned that high temperatures are expected.

“Some health risks amongst vulnerable people e.g. the elderly and very young are possible,” the warning said.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The icon of the enthroned Christ from the Monastery of Antifonitis in Kalogrea, Kyrenia, was returned on Tuesday at the Archbishopric, by Minister of Transport, Yiannis Karousos, and Director of the Department of Antiquities, Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou. The icon, which is considered a “twin” of the icon of the enthroned Virgin Mary, is dated between late 15th and early 16th century A.C. and its return has been long awaited since 1998.

In statements Karousos announced that a proposal is been drafted to establish “a team, with the appropriate staff, members of the police who will be trained, who will be solely responsible to combat the illicit trade of antiquities.”

Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos recounted the efforts undertaken for the return of hundreds of historic ecclesiastical relics which had been looted from the Turkish occupied areas and had been later located in Munich. He recalled that a judge had ruled at the time that a total of 500 items the provenance of which had been clearly the Turkish occupied villages, be returned without any financial burden.

In his statements Karousos said that he was honoured to deliver yet another looted icon that has successfully been repatriated to Cyprus.

As for the restored icon, Karousos thanked everyone who contributed to its return, particularly the Director and staff of the Department of Antiquities, the Law Office, the Archbishop and the Cyprus Police. He explained that the efforts for the restoration of stolen monuments are made away from the public eye, in order to safeguard their successful resolution.

Replying to a question, the Minister stressed that the relations the Church of Cyprus has built over the years, with the churches abroad, have been helpful in monument repatriation efforts.

On her part, Director of the Department of Antiquities said that the repatriation efforts are time consuming and for this specific icon they go back to 1998.

“Our efforts were intensified in 2014, after the Church of Cyprus was notified that the icon was being sold in an auction abroad,” she said, but stressed that it took over six years for the stolen icon to return in Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The uncontrolled situation in the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus after the Turkish invasion in 1974 has fostered the development of a network of dealers in illicit antiquities whose aim was to sell out the cultural heritage of Cyprus. With the encouragement and help of the Turkish army, the trade in illicit antiquities has brought great profit to those involved, and Cypriot treasures already adorn private collections in a number of countries including Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, Holland and the UK, and even as far as the US, Australia and Japan.

More than 500 churches situated in the areas under Turkish occupation since 1974 have been destroyed, plundered and looted. The Cyprus government and the church have repeatedly protested to the UN, the World Council of Churches and many other international and religious organisations.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The long awaited first images of the cosmos, taken by the new space telescope James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), will be revealed by NASA today. The agency has chosen the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) to be among the organisations worldwide to simulcast the first images.

“This is a huge moment for space exploration and for the wider field of astronomical science,” President of CSEO George Danos told CNA.

He added that these first images are expected to provide answers to big existential questions, but also to significantly expand the horizons of discovery and study in the field.

The presentation in Cyprus will take place today at 5.15pm, at CSEO Discovery Alpha in Nicosia, with the support of NASA, ESA and the Municipality of Nicosia. The event is open to the public, who are requested to arrive early as the broadcast will be live. The Cyprus News Agency is the media sponsor of the event.

Regarding NASA’s decision to include CSEO among the official partners of NASA and ESA for this most important event, Danos said that thisconfirms CSEO’s position as a reliable and respected partner.

President of the CSEO Council and former head of ESA exploration missions to the Solar System, Marcelo Corradini, said that the trust shown by these major organisations for this event proves that CSEO’s activities are globally recognised and respected.

“Cyprus may be small in size but its potential in space exploration is immense,” he underlined.

Those who want to enjoy these impressive images on an even bigger screen, they will be screened in K-Cineplex theaters in all cities, before selected films. Dates and movies will be announced on the social media of both K-Cineplex and CSEO.

Referring to this cooperation, Colm Larkin, Director of the CSEO Discovery Alpha, said that this will enable the public to see those very important images on the big screen and in high definition.

Source: Cyprus News Agency