Updates from Cyprus
APOEL qualified for the Europa Conference League playoffs after a 0-0 draw against Kyzylzhar from Kazakhstan.
Without reaching high performance standards, Sofronis Avgousti’s side were better than their opponents and defended their 1-0 lead from the first leg in Cyprus.
In the next stage of the competition, APOEL will face the winner of the Sepsi (Romania) and Djurgårdens (Sweden) matchup.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
A yearly increase of 3,6% was recorded in the period from January to May 2022 in the number of building permits.
According to the Statistical Service, during the period January – May 2022, 3.272 building permits were issued compared to 3.157 in the corresponding period of the previous year, recording an increase of 3,6%. The total value of these permits decreased by 6,8% and the total area by 9,4%. The number of dwelling units recorded a decrease of 9,4%.
The Statistical Service says that the number of building permits authorized by the municipal authorities and the district administration offices during May 2022 stood at 761.
The total value of these permits reached €248,0 million and the total area 224,8 thousand square metres. These building permits provide for the construction of 893 dwelling units, it adds.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Ersin Tatar has the right as the leader of a community on the territories of Cyprus not controlled by the government of the country to have meetings, but the international relations of Cyprus are conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, European Commission spokesperson, Peter Stano, has said responding to a question by the Cyprus News Agency on a recent meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
“It’s not really for us to comment on meetings by representatives of a community. Mr. Tatar is the representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the non-government controlled areas of our member state. So as a community leader he can meet people and this is not for us to comment,” Stano said.
“But when it comes to international relations and international politics of our member state, of Cyprus, they are of course conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus” he underlined.
Invited to comment particularly on Aliyev’s decision to meet with Tatar, the spokesperson repeated that “legitimate business between EU and Azerbaijan is of course conducted between the EU and Azerbaijan at the appropriate level” and that “this was discussed and also outlined very clearly last month when we had the Cooperation Council with Azerbaijan”.
Responding to a separate question by CNA on the protection of the political and social identity of the Turkish Cypriot community given recent efforts by Turkey to expand its influence in the occupied areas, Commission spokesperson for structural reforms, Adalbert Jahnz, outlined the parameters of the EU involvement and stressed that the best route forward is a comprehensive solution.
Jahnz noted that the EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus Prob based on a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and the EU acquis and values, and added that the best way forward “is through resumption of UN led negotiations for a comprehensive agreement”.
The spokesperson added that the EU will “continue to support the process and also the United Nations Secretary General’s efforts to seek common ground between the parties” and that the role of the Commission “also involves delivering technical and legal support to the settlement process through the UN” and through “the aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community” to help the two Cypriot communities to engage in confidence building measures with concrete benefits for all Cypriots, while also recalling that to that end the Commission adopted in July the 2022 annual action programme for the T/C community worth 33 million euro.
Responding to a question on what the Commission can do during a period when there are no prospectw for quick resumptions of the negotiations, Jahnz underlined that the process “needs to be led by the parties and by the UN” and that “our role is one of support”.
“We are continuing on this path steadfastly. We are delivering our support in all the ways we can,” he added, recalling that the Commission also has a role in monitoring the application of the Green Line regulation.
“These are our actions and it is really up to the parties and the UN to continue in their responsibilities,” he said.
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 new virus, Langya henipavirus, is not alarming, according to member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology of the University of Nicosia Medical School Dr. Petros Karayiannis.
He told CNA that the virus is not easily transmissible.
It is nothing to worry about, he said, adding the virus has existed for years in China and especially in areas of south-west Asia. It is not easily transmissible and it is spread from animal to humans. However, from human to human the transmission is not simple, Dr. Karayiannis said.
It happens, he added, when there is close contact between humans and animals. The virus originated from bats, then it spread to pigs and from there to humans. Those who come into close contact with pigs can be infected. It seems, he added, that Langya is hiding in the mice.
Asked why this virus has now appeared in China, Dr. Karayiannis explained that human interaction with animals has increased. However, he added that he cannot see the virus spreading out of China at a rapid pace.
The novel Langya henipavirus (LayV) was first detected in the north-eastern provinces of Shandong and Henan in late 2018 but was only formally identified by scientists last week. It is suspected to have caused infections in 35 people in China’s Shandong and Henan provinces over roughly a two-year period to 2021.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
As of today, the EU has coordinated the delivery of 66,224 tonnes of in-kind assistance to Ukraine from 30 countries via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The assistance delivered includes 180 ambulances, 125 fire-fighting vehicles, 300 power generators, 35 heavy machinery vehicles, and 4 pontoon bridges. This is by far the largest, longest lasting and most complex operation via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since it was established in 2001, with an estimated value so far of over €425 million. To support this operation, logistics hubs have been set up in Poland, Romania and Slovakia where assistance is then chanelled directly to Ukraine.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic said: “We are all horrified by Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine. By providing emergency assistance, we can at least ease the immense pressure on Ukraine’s emergency response systems. Today we have reached an important milestone – over 60,000 tonnes of in-kind assistance coordinated via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has arrived in Ukraine. I am extremely grateful to every single Member State, together with Norway, Turkey and North Macedonia for having offered help that we have then channelled most effectively through the Mechanism. This solidarity is the proof that the EU is with Ukraine not only in words but in actions.”
On 15 February, Ukraine activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in preparation for a large-scale emergency. Ever since, the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre has maintained close contact with the Ukrainian authorities to determine the specific needs, and to coordinate the EU’s crisis response.
The EU continues receiving new offers to Ukraine from its Member States still today. The latest offers via the Mechanism include, hospital beds and hygiene kits from Austria, an ambulance and medical equipment from Norway, shelter equipment from Finland, Protective personal equipment from Germany, medicines from Czechia and Slovakia, power generators from Italy and energy supply equipment from France.
The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is operating 24/7 to provide further assistance based on the specific needs indicated by Ukraine.
Background
Since the start of Russia’s invasion on 24 February, the humanitarian needs in Ukraine have risen to unprecedented levels. The ongoing war endangers the lives of civilians and causes severe damage to housing, water and electricity supply, heating, but also public infrastructure such as schools and health facilities. Millions of people have no access to basic needs. The EU has mobilised all possible resources to enable emergency assistance into Ukraine.
In response to the Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the European Commission is coordinating its largest ever operation under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. All 27 EU countries, plus Norway, Turkey and North Macedonia, have offered in-kind assistance ranging from medical supplies and shelter items to vehicles and energy equipment. Given the immense need for medical supplies in Ukraine, the EU has also deployed its strategic rescEU reserves.
The European Commission has allocated €348 million for humanitarian aid programmes to help civilians affected by the war in Ukraine. This includes respectively €335 million for Ukraine and €13 million for Moldova. EU humanitarian funding is helping people inside Ukraine by providing them with food, water, essential household items, health care, psychosocial support, emergency shelter, protection, and cash assistance to help to cover their basic needs.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The city of Limassol continued to lead the way concerning transactions in real estate in the second quarter of 2022, with the coastal city’s share in the value of the total transactions amounting to 46.5%, according to data published by the Council for Registration of Real Estate Agents Cyprus (MRICS).
In a press release MRCIS said that the growth of Limassol as a business centre in the last years and more recently as a centre for international tech companies maintained the momentum in real estate transactions even following the termination of citizenship by investment programme.
According to MRICS, according to an analysis of the Land Registry Department data for the second quarter of 2022, most transactions concerned apartments, namely 450 sale contracts amounting to €450 million with a nominal average price of €280,000.
With regard to houses, 50 transactions were recorded with a total value of €37 million, corresponding to an average price per contract amounting to €770,000 which suggests that many of these houses were luxury residences, MRCIS added.
Furthermore, transactions on commercial real estate (CRE) were significantly lower, amounting to €15 million for offices and shops.
“Although transactions in CRE may be included in other categories such as plots in the process of development, the trend shows that interest in commercial real estate development mainly concerns rental purposes which is manifested in the rising rent prices,” MRICS chairman Marinos Kineyirou has said, adding that land development corporations should adjust their plans to facilitate this rising demand.
Moreover, he said that the sizeable transactions classified as land sales amounted to €127 million which suggests that “developers are in the process of developing new projects to cover the rising demand which currently outstrips supply in real estate such as offices and apartments.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the State of Qatar, Nicholas T. Manolis, presented his credentials to the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at a special ceremony held at the Amiri Diwan Palace on Sunday 7 August.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the credentials ceremony, the new Ambassador of the Republic conveyed the warm greetings of the President of the Republic and the people of Cyprus to the Emir and the people of Qatar. He reiterated his commitment to continue working to further strengthen bilateral relations, as well as to further enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with emphasis on the fields of energy, investment, tourism and education, and extended an invitation on behalf of President Anastasiades to the Emir to visit Cyprus.
Furthermore, it is reported that on his part, the Emir of Qatar, after welcoming the new Ambassador and wishing him a successful stay and term in Doha, reiterated the need to strengthen and further expand bilateral relations and the scope of cooperation between Cyprus and Qatar.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, has said that the perpetrators of the murders of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, in Cyprus, have never been held accountable, on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of their murder.
“Despite the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, Turkey has never complied with them and the perpetrators, but also the moral perpetrators of the murders, have never been held accountable,” Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said.
“Today, 11/8, marks the 26th anniversary of the heinous murder of Tasos Isaac by the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus,” Nikos Dendias underlined in a post on social media. “This was followed, on 14/8, by the murder of Solomos Solomos”, he added.
Nikos Dendias underlined that “despite the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights to investigate the case, Turkey has never complied and the perpetrators, but also the moral perpetrators of the murders, have never been held accountable”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The number of football fan ID cards issued between July 2021 and July 2022 has increased by 44,000, according to data obtained by CNA from the Cyprus Sports Organization.
The overall number of cards issued so far reaches 154,000.
According to a source from the sports sector, the increase in the number of cards is not particularly because Cypriot teams are playing in European competitions, but mainly due to the fact that they can now be issued in an electronic form.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak rivals for the UK Conservative Party leadership and Downing Street have expressed their commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus as well as their support and appreciation to the Cypriot community in the UK, in separate respond letters to the Executive Chairman of the “Conservative Friends of Cyprus”, Jason Charalambous.
In her letter, Liz Truss says that “as Foreign Secretary, I recognise the value that Cyprus brings as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and its positive engagement with countries of the region. I also pay tribute to the dynamism and success of the British Cypriot community, which contributes enormously to all sectors of our economy, society, and public life – and is a hugely valued part of the social fabric of this country”.
She notes that “as Prime Minister I would seek to further expand and strengthen the close bilateral ties between the UK and Cyprus, and for the UK to continue to contribute in a positive and constructive manner to the efforts to work towards a negotiated solution to reunify the island and its people within the established UN framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation – which remains the clear position of the UK government”.
Moreover, Truss notes that “I am also clear on the need to avoid further actions that infringe international law and UN security council resolutions either in Cyprus or in the wider eastern Mediterranean. As Prime Minister, I would continue to support Cyprus in its efforts for reunification under international law and in helping find a peaceful and lasting solution”.
In his respond letter, Sunak says that “first and foremost, I want to acknowledge the pain and hurt caused by the invasion of 1974. Many Cypriots had to flee their homes and have never been allowed to return. Others suffered the loss of loved ones, some of whom are still missing, and they deserve answers. All sides should engage with efforts to establish the fate of the missing people”.
Secondly, he adds, “I believe that the British government should support Cypriots in their efforts to reunite their island. I want to see a negotiated settlement, reflecting UN resolutions and leading to a bizonal, bicommunal federal state with a single citizenship and international legal personality”.
He welcomes “the willingness of the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, to resume negotiations and I hope the Turkish Cypriot side will agree to this. I know that our government sought to progress the issue through participation in talks between the two sides in 2020 and 2021, and under my leadership it would do so again if an appropriate opportunity arose”.
“Thirdly, I believe that the Turkish Cypriot side should refrain from provocative actions that undermine trust and goodwill and thus render negotiations more difficult – for example, in the resort of Varosha, and in the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone, which the Turkish side should respect and where it should discontinue drilling activities,” he adds.
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