Day: August 24, 2022

Nicosia and Cairo have agreed to co-host an event on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference, that is to take place in November in Egypt, to promote Cyprus’ initiative for regional joint action on climate change.

According to an official press release, Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, was in Egypt for contacts with the aim of seeing the adoption of the Cyprus initiative on Climate Change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. He met with Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El-Molla. The initiative of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, on the coordination of the activities of the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, to tackle the consequences of climate change in the region, was the main issue discussed, the press release said.

Kadis briefed his counterparts about the progress of the work carried out about the initiative and delivered to them the reports prepared by 13 working groups, “in which more than 240 distinguished scientists from the region and from the whole world participated”. The reports, it adds, include recommendations and measures related to different thematic sections, and focus on addressing climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region.

Given that Egypt will host the UN Climate Change Conference next November, Kadis discussed, during his contacts, the organisation, on the sidelines of the Conference, of a special event, in which the leaders of the countries of the region will participate, in order to present the Cypriot initiative and ensure their support in the implementation of the recommendations of the scientific community, it is added. It was decided, the press release said, that Cyprus, as the country that will propose the initiative, and Egypt, as the host of the Conference, will co-host the event. During the meetings, ways in which Cyprus can support similar initiatives developed by Egypt, were also discussed.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, has had a telephone conversation with his Estonian counterpart Urmas Reinsalu.

The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday in a post on Twitter that the two Ministers discussed issues pertaining to cooperation at the EU level and our joint response to the war in Ukraine.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, has had a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry.

The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday in a post on its Twitter account that the two Ministers exchanged views “on issues of our common bilateral agenda with emphasis on the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh presided by Egypt.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The group of academic researchers of the Computer Science Department at the University of Cyprus “Software Engineering & Internet Technologies (SEIT)”, is organizing a Sports Workshop and Conference on August 26th, at the University of Cyprus, about the inclusion of people with disabilities in Sports Training, in Europe. Participation is free for everyone.

The workshop will be delivered by Mr. Raymond Sweeney, a UK-based guest coach and inclusive sports expert. The workshop is mainly aimed at sports coaches and people with disabilities. Anyone else who is interested can participate. Before the workshop, the conference will take place, with presentations and speeches related to the “Participation and Recreation through Inclusive Martial Arts and E-learning(PRIMAE)” project and the topic of inclusion that the research team has been working on for the last two years.

The conference and workshop is a great opportunity for coaches and gymnasts, young and experienced, to expand their horizons and their knowledge, around this very important topic.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Preparations for a road map on handling the pandemic in the next months continue, according to the Communications Advisor of the Minister of Health, Constantinos Athanasiou.

He told CNA that the ministry’s actions in cooperation with the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee continue and the road map is expected to be completed by August 30th.

The road map will include the actions and planning for the next months on how to handle the pandemic, he said, noting that European organisations predict a difficult autumn and winter as far as COVID-19 is concerned.

We continue taking targeted measures to avoid the diaspora of the virus, he added.

After two and a half years of the pandemic, he said, we have the know-how and expertise and at the same time we need to inform the public on maintaining personal protective measures.

According to data from the excess mortality indicator as regards COVID-19, Cyprus holds the 5th lowest position.

We are waiting for the Advisory Committee’s suggestions on Friday, said Athanasiou, adding that on Tuesday there will be a meeting to determine the actions that need to be taken with students’ returning to schools, promoting antiviral drugs and monitoring the community with diagnostic tests. At the same time, the Advisory Committee will meet to promote the vaccination programme, he added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

24 August marks Ukraine’s national day, which commemorates the declaration of independence in 1991. In the midst of Russia’s brutal aggression, the European Commission joins Ukraine in celebrating its thirty-first year of independence. President Ursula von der Leyen participated yesterday in the online Summit of the Crimea Platform, during which she restated the Commission unwavering support for Ukraine. Last night, the Commission’s headquarters building was lit up with the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Photos are available here. This morning, President von der Leyen, in a video message, paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Ukrainian people and highlighted the many strands of enduring European support. This morning the President also participated in a special event in the Grand Place of Brussels organised by the Mission of Ukraine to the EU, the Association of Ukrainians in Belgium and the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub. During this event, a 30 m long Ukrainian flag will be unfurled. Audiovisual material of the event will be available in the AV portal shortly. Furthermore, the Berlaymont is currently hosting the exhibition “Irpin.Invincible”, dedicated to the Ukrainian city of Irpin, the war and the life in the city under Russian occupation. The exhibition shows the damage caused to the city, which has been designated as a “Hero City” for its courageous effort in resisting the Russian invaders. You can find an updated version of the factsheets on EU solidarity with Ukraine here and here.

European Citizens’ Initiative: ‘Tobacco free environment’

Today, the Commission decided to register a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Call to achieve a tobacco-free environment and the first European tobacco-free generation by 2030′. The organisers of the initiative call on the Commission to propose legislation to save new generations from falling into tobacco addiction, to act against related environmental dangers and against smoking. As this European Citizens’ Initiative fulfils the formal conditions, the Commission considers that it is legally admissible. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposal at this stage. Following today’s registration, the organisers have six months to open the signature collection. If a European Citizens’ Initiative receives one million statements of support within one year, from at least seven different Member States, the Commission will have to react. The Commission could decide to take the request forward or not, and will be required to explain its reasoning.

Myanmar/Bangladesh – Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell, Commissioner Lenarcic, and Commissioner Urpilainen on the 5th Anniversary of the Rohingya crisis

High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, and Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, issued a joint statement ahead of the 5th anniversary of the Rohingya crisis: “On 25 August 2017, the world witnessed the beginning of the forced displacement of more than 750 000 Rohingya people from Rakhine State in Myanmar, fleeing violence and persecution from the Myanmar military. (…) Five years later, and despite international efforts and calls on Myanmar to create the conditions for their return to their homeland, the future of the Rohingya remains uncertain. (…) The EU continues to advocate for the safe, sustainable, dignified, and voluntary return of the Rohingya refugees to their places of origin and to support the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar to ensure full accountability for the crimes committed against them. Addressing the root causes of this protracted crisis, including the systematic abuses suffered by the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya remaining in Rakhine State, must remain an international priority.” You can read the full statement here.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Former Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, Theocharis Lalakos, was appointed Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The decision was taken by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and published in the Government Gazette on 19.8.22, a Foreign Ministry announcement said on Tuesday.

Prior to assuming his current duties, Ambassador Theocharis Lalakos was Director General for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the course of his career, he has served in a number of key positions, including Ambassador in Nicosia, Ambassador in Washington D.C., Head of the then Liaison Office in Skopje, and Ambassador-Counsellor at the Embassy in Ankara.

Lalakos has a deep knowledge of Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus is among the top five countries with the lowest excess mortality as regards the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the EuroMOMO, which is a European mortality monitoring activity, Cyprus Health Minister, Michalis Hadjipantela has said.

In a post on Twitter, Hadjipantela noted that a recent assessment shows that Cyprus has remained among the countries with the lowest ranking thanks to the efforts of its health professionals and the cooperation of the citizens.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Newly appointed British High commissioner to Cyprus, Irfan Siddiq presented on Tuesday a copy of his credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a post on Twitter, he said “great to have arrived in Nicosia and presented a copy of my credentials from Her Majesty The Queen to MFA Protocol Chief Andreas Panayiotou as my first act as incoming British High Commissioner to Cyprus”.

The new British High Commissioner to Cyprus comes to Cyprus after posts to Sudan & Azerbaijan. He succeeded Stephen Lillie CMG who was transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela travelled to Helsinki on Tuesday evening for discussions on the pandemic, bilateral cooperation and issues related to e-health.

A press release says that the visit is in the framework of consultations with the Minister’s EU counterparts. During his visit the Minister will meet on Thursday with Aki Linden, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services.

?n the same day, Hadjipantela will visit HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center and he will be briefed on issues related to cancer treatment methods.

The agenda of his consultations with the Finnish Minister include the pandemic and Cyprus’ level of response and road map, bilateral cooperation on issues related to GPs and e-health and cancer treatment.

On Friday Hadjipantela will visit Health Incubator Helsinki and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Source: Cyprus News Agency