Day: July 24, 2022

The families of the missing persons are still looking for answers to the plight of their loved ones, 48 years after the Turkish invasion.

Most parents whose children were missing during the invasion, have passed on but before that they have urged their families to never stop looking to find out what has happened to their loved ones.

The missing persons totalled 1,619 after the invasion. The number included around 800 civilians, 30 children and 116 women. The remaining were conscripts, reservists and soldiers. Around 735 cases of Greek Cypriots have been identified and around 775 are still unaccounted for, according to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP).

Those still missing include infants, two girls aged 3 and 4 and other children up to 16 years of age. There were also 70- and 80-year-olds in the missing persons list during 1974.

President of the Pancyprian Organisation of Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons Nicos Sergides was asked by CNA if there are missing persons who are still alive.

“In 1974, there were survivors and there we still had information for a certain period, some weeks or some months. Today, the likelihood is too remote”, he remarked.

The feelings however are still vivid even after so many years. “Surely, we do not feel good because this purely humanitarian problem continues to exist. There is flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the missing and their relatives. There is no cooperation or sincerity that would allow the resolution of the missing persons issue which concerns both communities”, he added.

Sergides said there are practical difficulties and to a great extent there is no political will that will enable a sincere cooperation which would end this drama. Especially in July, the problem for the families becomes bigger.”

We hope that at last the right and effective methods will be found to persuade the interested parties to show a spirit of cooperation and sincerity that will help us find out the fate of our loved ones, Sergides added.

We know the facts and information are there. It is a matter of the CMP to find the right and effective manner to get the information and facts and utilise them, he remarked.

According to Sergides, the relatives ?f the missing are sad and angry. “We want an end to this ordeal the soonest. We believe that if it is resolved, it will greatly help the overall climate to solve the Cyprus problem.”

The time factor plays a negative role, he continued. “The problem is still there, no matter how much time has passed by. Time is a negative factor. Already, those who were directly affected, the parents, have almost passed on. There are only a few parents of missing left. Time is putting a lot of pressure but we will not let the problem be forgotten or put aside because it is a human rights issue and must be at last resolved.

Cyprus, he added, has raised the issue at an international level through actions by the families. It may also be a test so that similar issues do not recur, but you can also see them today in Ukraine. Our struggle was to find our own but the international community needs to take such measures that would not allow the repetition of such unacceptable and inhumane methods, such as the arrest, detention and disappearance of people”, said Sergides.

Asked whether the interest of the families of the missing has decreased after the death of the parents, Sergides replied the “interest continues and this is evident from the events and general assemblies we hold because many people attend. However, the pain and interest of the parent is not reflected in the siblings, he added.

According to Sergides, information keeps coming in and concerns sites where the missing have been buried. This information is conveyed to the CMP for further investigation.

Asked how the families feel when they are presented with a few remains for burial following identification, Sergides said “it psychologically affects us. However, these remains are a proof of death. Once the families are informed, they react like they lost their loved one just yesterday. What we see is that after a couple of months, the families are calmer. They now know the reality, the truth and there is a grave to where they can go and light a candle at. What ‘kills’ the relatives is not knowing what happened.”

He urged for action to deal with Turkey’s negative stance. “We insist that our government and international organisations such as the UN, need to act more properly and effectively. The CMP is under the auspices of the UNSG, has ways and means that can be used effectively such as the reports of the Security Council issued twice a year where unfortunately they refer to the missing persons issue but try to present a nice picture when there isn’t one. The CMP is also facing problems and needs to overcome them. At least to mention the problems that exist in an effort to get the parties involved to work together and not just to silence them by presenting a beautification of the situation, which for us does not help to move the issue forward” he added.

It is clearly a humanitarian issue and must be handled in such way. We expect from our side that in its efforts and in promoting confidence-building measures, the issue of missing persons should be made a priority. God forbid we are close to a solution to the Cyprus problem and this humanitarian issues is hid under the carpet”, he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Today’s temperature is expected to rise to around 40 degrees Celsius and the Cyprus Department of Meteorology issued a yellow warning.

The warning is valid from 12.00 noon till 5.30 pm, a relevant statement reads, adding that the inland maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 40 degrees Celsius.

Some health risks amongst vulnerable people, e.g. the elderly and very young, are possible, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, called for a meeting on Monday to take stock of the latest data, as well as Cyprus’ level of preparedness in dealing with monkeypox.

The World Health Organization declared monkeypox as a global public health emergency on Saturday afternoon. A telephone conversation between Hadjipantela and the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge followed.

According to a Ministry announcement, during the phone call, the two men discussed the data recorded at European level in relation with the disease and it was decided that, within the next few days, further guidelines will be sent regarding the handling and treatment of confirmed cases of monkeypox.

Even though Cyprus is among the countries where no confirmed cases have been recorded so far, the competent services of the Ministry of Health are fully prepared to deal with the disease, the announcement states, since the Ministry of Health has taken all the necessary actions and has drawn up an action plan, which includes all relevant protocols for managing both confirmed cases and their close contacts.

More than 16,000 cases of the disease have been recorded in more than 70 countries, while the cases are mainly found in people with multiple sexual partners. Transmission between individuals occurs either through contact with skin lesions/bodily fluids of the patient, and/or through contaminated objects, and/or through respiratory droplets, following prolonged close contact at a short distance.

Symptoms include fever, headache, myalgias, back pain, lymphadenopathy, chills, and exhaustion, and a characteristic rash usually appears 1 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms.

The microbiological laboratory of the Nicosia General Hospital and the ING laboratory have been designated as reference laboratories, which are able to carry out the necessary diagnostic laboratory tests for the disease. At the same time, Nicosia General Hospital and Archbishop Makarios III Hospital have been designated as reference hospitals for the treatment of suspected and confirmed cases, adults and children, respectively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cypriot President’s response to Ankara’s aggressive delirium is his readiness for the resumption of substantive negotiations of the Cyprus problem, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou has said.

The Minister, who was delivering on Sunday a eulogy at the memorial service for fallen commanders and Vice Admiral Eleftherios Handrinos, at Agios Kendeas Church, in Pafos, noted that the Greek Cypriot side, with actions, initiatives and proposals submitted by the President of the Republic, continues to work for the resumption of substantive negotiations, for the end of the Turkish occupation and for a functional solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN resolutions and decisions and the European principles and rules.

The goal, he said, is the creation of a united, free, democratic European country where all its legal residents, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, will coexist peacefully enjoying full human rights and civil liberties and living in conditions of security.

He added that we must remain united, given Turkey’s not only intransigent stance, but also its increasing aggression in the entire region.

With political means we should seek, he added, to liberate our country from Turkey, to give an end to the occupation and lift the faits accomplis and create a modern and democratic European state that will turn Cyprus into a place of peace and creation, a common home for all legitimate residents, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

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

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus problem, but also energy, security and the humanitarian issue of the missing persons and problems faced by the diaspora, will be among the topics of discussion during the World Conference of Overseas Cypriots by the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) and the Youth of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) which begins on the 26th of July, with the physical presence of delegates.

The role of the diaspora as regards the Cyprus issue and the humanitarian issue of the missing persons are of key importance, Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou told CNA. He stressed that this year marks the 20th anniversary since the foundation of NEPOMAK, which will be represented at the conference with 140 young men and women of the diaspora.

In this difficult political environment, with Ankara’s provocations and other international developments, the focus will be on the Cyprus issue, but other topics will also be discussed, he said.

On the 28th of July the central council of the conference will be briefed by the President of the Republic on the developments in the Cyprus problem as well as on energy issues.

“The role of ?verseas Cypriots as regards the Cyprus problem is of great importance and we have seen in recent years that the effort especially in the USA and the UK, in foreign decision-making centers, is decisive for our national interests”, he pointed out.

The Presidential Commissioner said that delegates will be informed about the Cyprus issue and Cyprus’ foreign policy by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulides and the Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou. Moreover, they will be informed about energy issues by Minister of Energy, Natasa Pelides, while they will meet with the head of the National Guard and with CIPA, the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency.

Other topics of discussion will be the problems faced by the overseas when issuing passports or IDs of the Republic of Cyprus, a discussion that will be held with the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior and the Commissioner’s Office. Photiou said that demand for Cypriot passports has grown after Brexit.

In addition, Photiou said that a special session on the issue of missing persons will take place, stressing that “this is an important chapter and we need the support of our diaspora”.

The Commissioner talked about the presentation of the electronic platform for the diaspora which will be presented for the first time at the conference and in which all expatriates will be able to register immediately afterwards.

The goal, he said, is not to see how many Cypriots are abroad, but rather to see where all these remarkable Cypriots are, our doctors, academics, scientists, businessmen who are “our best ambassadors abroad”.

He added that on the same platform there are also references on the language, history, and traditions so that the new generation can learn about its roots.

The conference will be attended by 220 people.

According to an official press release, the opening ceremony of the World Conference of Overseas Cypriots by the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) and the Youth of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) will be held on Tuesday, 26/7/2022, at Lefkosia Municipal Theatre. The conference will be celebrating 20 years since the foundation of NEPOMAK.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, will declare the opening of the conference at 7 p.m.

The Presidential Commissioner, Photis Photiou, the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, the Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos B’ and the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Zetta M. Makri, will address the ceremony. The Head of POMAK, Andreas Papaevripides, the Head of PSEKA, Philip Christopher, and the President of NEPOMAK, Christos Tuton, will also address the ceremony.

The official media sponsor of the Conference is the CyBC, and the opening ceremony will be broadcast via live streaming, on the website of the Presidential Commissioner at www.commissionertothepresidency.gov.cy and by RIK 2 TV channel.

The Conference is conducted in cooperation with the Press and Information Office, the Cyprus Police and the Government Printing Office.

The Conference’s works that will be completed on Friday, 29th July 2022, are sponsored by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA), the Bank of Cyprus, PWC, the Hellenic Bank and PandP ice cream group.

This year’s Conference will be held at St Raphael Resort, in Limassol.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The resumption of the Cyprus talks is not possible if Turkey does not cease its provocative actions, Director of the President’s Press Office, Andreas Iosif has said.

Speaking on Sunday on behalf of the government at the memorial service for the fallen of the Deftera community during the 1974 Turkish invasion, Iosif said that the President of the Republic has repeatedly expressed his readiness and determination both to the UN Secretary General as well as at the European Council for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations from where they were left off during the meeting in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.

“At the same time, however, we must point out that the resumption of talks cannot take place without the termination of Turkey’s provocative actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and the fenced off area of Famagusta, or without abandoning the threats for a two-state solution” he stressed.

Iosif recalled that the EU supports Cyprus in this effort, adding that the EU sees Ankara’s illegal actions as well as the fact that there can be no solution in Cyprus that falls out of the framework of international legitimacy and EU values.

Concluding, he conveyed the political will of the President of the Republic to do his utmost to create conditions of security and peace in Cyprus and the wider region.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

High temperatures will continue on Monday, according to a new yellow warning from the Department of Meteorology.

It is pointed out that on Sunday night the minimum temperature is expected to drop to around 26 degrees Celsius in the interior, in the southeast and on the eastern coast, while the maximum temperature on Monday is expected to rise to around 40 degrees Celsius in the interior.

The warning is in effect from 10:00 Sunday evening until 6:00 Monday afternoon.

Source: Cyprus News Agency