Day: September 2, 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of condoms as a means of preventing potential monkeypox infections this week, following reports that viral DNA has been found in semen. The guidance comes several weeks after AIDS Healthcare Foundation first highlighted the importance of barrier protection for high-risk groups to reduce the risk of monkeypox infection and other potential comorbidities such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

“Although all signs point toward monkeypox being a sexually transmitted disease (STD) – in addition to infectiousness via close, intimate skin contact – there is a notable resistance to saying so unequivocally. We applaud the WHO for recommending condoms, which will undoubtedly protect people from having to experience excruciating symptoms like pain and lesions,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “But, the hesitation around classifying monkeypox as an STD is a disservice to public health for patients and healthcare providers. STDs are nothing new, and we have a robust set of tools to treat them. The sooner the global health establishment acknowledges that monkeypox is an STD, the sooner public health information and clinical processes can be deployed in local jurisdictions to respond to this epidemic with the urgency and resources it demands.”

On a technical level, whether monkeypox is an STD hinges on the viruses potential to be transmitted via blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or other body fluids during oral, anal, or genital sex with an infected partner. Evidence is mounting that this may be the case with monkeypox, but because scientific proof takes time, from a practical standpoint, the use of condoms is advisable for reducing the potential risk of some modes of monkeypox transmission and for the prevention of other STDs in combination with other proven public health interventions.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world.

“>BUSINESS WIRE)– The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of condoms as a means of preventing potential monkeypox infections this week, following reports that viral DNA has been found in semen. The guidance comes several weeks after AIDS Healthcare Foundation first highlighted the importance of barrier protection for high-risk groups to reduce the risk of monkeypox infection and other potential comorbidities such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

“Although all signs point toward monkeypox being a sexually transmitted disease (STD) – in addition to infectiousness via close, intimate skin contact – there is a notable resistance to saying so unequivocally. We applaud the WHO for recommending condoms, which will undoubtedly protect people from having to experience excruciating symptoms like pain and lesions,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “But, the hesitation around classifying monkeypox as an STD is a disservice to public health for patients and healthcare providers. STDs are nothing new, and we have a robust set of tools to treat them. The sooner the global health establishment acknowledges that monkeypox is an STD, the sooner public health information and clinical processes can be deployed in local jurisdictions to respond to this epidemic with the urgency and resources it demands.”

On a technical level, whether monkeypox is an STD hinges on the viruses potential to be transmitted via blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or other body fluids during oral, anal, or genital sex with an infected partner. Evidence is mounting that this may be the case with monkeypox, but because scientific proof takes time, from a practical standpoint, the use of condoms is advisable for reducing the potential risk of some modes of monkeypox transmission and for the prevention of other STDs in combination with other proven public health interventions.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A Greek Cypriot man who was arrested in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus for allegedly spying after being accused of illegally using walkie-talkies, will remain “under custody” for another five days, it emerged on Friday.

Andreas Soudjis, who had been brought before an illegal “court” earlier in the week after his arrest on Tuesday, was taken to “court” again on Friday that ordered that he remains “under custody” for another five days.

A Turkish Cypriot lawyer representing Soudjis, Öncel Polili told the Cyprus News Agency on Thursday that an “investigation” was being carried out by the illegal police which claims that his client is a suspect for allegedly spying at Pergamos crossing point. Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs made representations over the illegal arrest.

Polili told the Cyprus News Agency that his client was visiting friends at the Turkish occupied village of Galateia on August 13. During the visit he was using walkie talkies to make contact with others who were visiting the area, as the phone reception is often poor in the occupied areas. It was said that one of the walkie talkies was found at the hotel where he was staying.

Polili said that the walkie talkie was handed over to the so-called police which launched “an investigation”. During this probe, a map and pictures were found on his cell phone.

It has been deemed “illegal” to use walkie talkies in the Turkish occupied areas without a permit.

The incident was brought to light by Greek Cypriot daily “Politis’’.

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.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Inflation in August 2022 increased by 8.9% in Cyprus, according to data published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus on Friday. The Consumer Price Index decreased by 0.29 units and reached 113.34 units, compared to 113.63 unit in July 2022, with the drop in petroleum product prices being mainly responsible for the decrease.

In comparison to the CPI of July 2022, the largest change was noted in Transport, which decreased by 3.5%. The largest negative change was monitored in Petroleum Products, which dropped by 7.3%. On the other hand, agricultural goods increased by 3.42%, in comparison with the previous month.

As regards the economic origin, the largest changes when compared to the index of August 2021 were recorded in Electricity, by 62% and in Petroleum Products, by 31.6%. Per category, the largest changes were monitored in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, increased by 28.5% and Transport by 19.7%.

For the period January-August 2022, the CPI increased by 8.3% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, the largest changes were recorded in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, with an increase of 21.2% and Transport by 18.9%.

Regarding the effect in units, compared to the Index of August 2021, the categories Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels and Transport had the largest effect on the change of the CPI, with 3.64 and 3.15 units accordingly.

The category Transport had the largest negative effect on the change of the CPI compared to the previous month, decreasing by 0.69 units.

The most notable effect on the change of the CPI of August 2022 compared to August 2021 was made by Petroleum Products by 2.83 and Electricity by 2.38.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) of the European Parliament will conduct a fact finding mission to Cyprus from the 19th to the 21st of September, it has been officially announced.

The members of the CONT committee are due to meet on September 5th to prepare the fact finding mission.

CNA learns that the mission will look into information shared by the European Commission with the CONT committee in a hearing last year, concerning systemic weaknesses found in the handling of EU funds by Cypriot authorities.

The MEPs that will take part in the mission are expected to take stock of any potential weaknesses and their possible causes.

The amounts in the cases under discussion tended to be small due the relative size of the economy, and thus had not been observed so far, according to the same sources.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades thanked warmly the Greek government for donating a presidential aircraft, during a handover ceremony held at Elefsina Air Base, outside Athens.

President Anastasiades said that the donation of the aircraft is a generous contribution to meet the needs of the Republic of Cyprus, as it will serve for the transportation of the President of Cyprus and members of the Council of Ministers, as well as for emergency humanitarian needs.

“This is a generous contribution to the needs of the Republic of Cyprus. Cyprus is an isolated island. We do not have the connectivity that Greece has. This has been a problem for the President and the Government” Anastasiades said.

“I feel the need to express my warmest thanks to the Greek Government for its contribution, in the spirit of solidarity and mutual support that characterizes our relations. This important donation will contribute greatly to the better functioning of the state,” he added.

On his part, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his pleasure at being able to make “this gesture of solidarity towards Cyprus, which has always stood by our country when we were recently tested by major natural disasters”.

“Let me thank you once again for your very generous donation concerning the area of Mati –a natural disaster that has been very painful for us and shocked Hellenism. I will see you soon at the foundation of the new houses for the needs of our fellow citizens who lost their homes on that terrible night,” Mitsotakis said, referring to the area in Attica devastated by wildfires in July 2018.

As he explained, the President of Cyprus “will now be able to travel on a plane that carries the name of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cypriot and European flags”. This “is also a sign of the prestige of the Republic of Cyprus”, he added.

“We are pleased to be able, in the context of our own modernization of the government aircraft fleet, to take this action. Safe travels! In the coming months, before the end of his term, the President has a heavy schedule, so I am confident that this will pay off,” Mitsotakis said.

The aircraft is of EMBRAER EMB-135BJ LEGACY type, with a capacity to carry up to 14 passengers, a crew of five (captain – co-pilot – safety pilot – air steward – technician), and 2 turbofan ROLLS ROYCE engines, type BR700-710A1-10, thrust 2×14700 lb, wingspan: 21.17 m, length: 26.33 m, ceiling: 39000 ft and maximum speed: 0.8 Mach.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus was accompanied by Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides, Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos, Deputy Minister to the President Petros Demetriou, Chief of the National Guard Demokritos Zervakis, Director of the President’s Office Pantelis Pantelidis and officials.

The airplane carrying the President and his delegation landed in Larnaca airport at 14.30 local time (11.30 GMT) and was welcomed with a water salute.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The need for the EU to achieve strategic autonomy, especially in the field of defence and security, was jointly emphasised on Friday by the Chairman of Cyprus’ House Defence Committee, Marinos Sizopoulos, and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the French Senate who are in Cyprus for contacts. The French officials said their visit helped assess the seriousness of the situation on the ground and underlined the need for the European Union to show solidarity as regards the region.

According to an announcement by the House of Representatives, Sizopoulos had a meeting with Catherine Dumas and Isabelle Raimond – Pavero, who are visiting Greece and Cyprus, in their capacity as Rapporteurs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Armed Forces of France’s Senate for the preparation of a report on rearmament and the deterioration of the strategic situation in the Mediterranean region.

During the meeting, it said, Sizopoulos noted the important role played by France in the goal of achieving security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the importance of further upgrading and expanding the military and defence cooperation between Cyprus and France.

“The Chairman of the Defence Committee further highlighted the importance of developing an energy programme in the southern Mediterranean region, especially in light of the energy crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine,” the announcement said. He noted, it is added, that the tripartite collaborations of Cyprus and Greece with states in the region, such as Egypt and Israel, are important moves in this direction and can contribute to Europe’s energy security.

Regarding the security challenges that the Republic of Cyprus is called to face, it said, Sizopoulos condemned “Turkey’s destabilising role in the region,” through continuous violations of the country’s exclusive economic zone and on its territory, but also through the instrumentalisation of migration flows.

He pointed out that the majority of immigrants and asylum seekers “are channeled from Turkey, systematically and in an organised manner,” to the occupied territories and cross to the areas under the control of the Cypriot government through the ceasefire line, the announcement said.

It is also noted that Raimond – Pavero and Dumas, stated that their visit contributed to the assessment of the seriousness of the situation on the ground and underlined the need for the EU to show solidarity as regards the region. “They also stressed the importance of concerted action and alliances at the European level, as well as strengthening the European defence and security policy in order to achieve conditions of peace and prosperity in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region,” it adds. On the issue of immigration, it is added, the French senators underlined the importance of jointly finding solutions to deal with the increased flows and the consequent risk of terrorist acts.

The announcement also said that, both sides, stressed the need for the EU to achieve strategic autonomy, especially in the field of defence and security, and the importance of strengthening the Union’s protection mechanisms, combined with the development of new forms of international cooperation, to effectively address the challenges against security.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said on Friday that donating one of the Greek government’s aircraft to Cyprus to be used for the trips of Cypriot government officials was the least that Athens could do to reciprocate Cyprus’ steadfast generosity.

On his part, Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, thanked the Greek Prime Minister, underlining that the airplane will be used for humanitarian purposes as well.

Mitsotakis and Anastasiades also spoke about the coordination between Greece and Cyprus in the framework of the European Council.

Speaking at the beginning of a meeting they had on Friday at the Maximos Mansion, in Athens, Mitsotakis said that their donation is the least they could do to reciprocate Cyprus’ steadfast generosity as the country stood by Greece after the fires in Mati area.

The Greek PM said it was very important for the Cypriot President to have an aircraft for its trips and for an airplane to bear the name and the flag of the Republic of Cyprus, adding that they would also discuss other developments, which unfortunately, as he noted, are unfavourable, due to the war in Ukraine.

“We hope and urge the EU to undertake bold initiatives – as we have discussed in many cases – because without a European response it will be very difficult to control the exploding natural gas prices,” he added.

The Greek PM said he was pleased that “many of the proposals we have submitted to the EU are currently being examined by the European Commission.” He went on to say that however there has been a delay and that they need to catch up.

Moreover, he noted that once again Athens responds with stability, self-confidence and commitment to the international law to any rhetoric extremism by Turkey, assuring that “we will not in any way change the responsible stance by which we address all those issues.”

On his part, Anastasiades thanked warmly Mitsotakis on behalf of the people and the government of Cyprus and himself personally, noting that Cyprus was until now maybe the only EU country which did not have a government aircraft for its President.

He noted that this airplane will not only be used in order to carry the President and other government officials, but also for humanitarian and health purposes.

He also expressed certainty that he will be back to Athens again soon for the laying of the foundation stone of the built-up area in fire-stricken Mati area, a project implemented with Cyprus’ contribution.

The Cypriot President said that they would also have the chance, in view of the upcoming European Council and the ongoing situation with the war in Ukraine, as well as the UN General Assembly, to discuss issues for which they need to coordinate, taking into consideration the threats against Cyprus and Greece by a country that is a candidate for EU accession.

Referring to the EU sanctions against Russia, Anastasiades said that most of them are unfortunately not targeted and negatively affect the European states and not the regime in Russia which is responsible for the war.

The Cypriot President also noted that they would discuss how to address in a coordinated way certain issues which have a political dimension.

He said that the close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece in facing the threats and in using the natural resources of the region is very important for the two countries and the EU as well.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

In Lisbon, Parliament President Roberta Metsola spoke of the importance of Europe rising to meet today’s global challenges. “The world needs Europe at its best. We need that hope.”

“Europe is a choice – a choice countries made because they understood that our best chance is if we are together. We chose Europe.” This was the message of the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola as she addressed the Estoril Conferences 2022 in Lisbon.

Speaking a few days before the State of the Union, President Metsola emphasised that decisions must be taken, and quickly. “Europe has the power to transform, but we have to find the political bravery to take that leap forward and to change the world. We can and we should. Because if we do not write the future, it will be written by those with a very different narrative and have a very different ending.”

On the illegal invasion of sovereign Ukraine, she said: “I am proud of Europe’s response. We have stood with Ukraine, we have given military aid, political and diplomatic support, we have welcomed millions fleeing, we have provided funding on an unprecedented scale. The most significant political move was to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, because Ukraine needs hope. Ukraine is fighting for Europe and we will not turn away.”

Regarding actions to address inflation, she said: “People are worried about their bills, about getting to the end of the month, about the world they’ll leave for their children. Europe must rise to meet that challenge. Whether it is tackling cost of living, electricity prices, climate change, defence, food security. The only way forward is if we are united. There are decisions that we can take now to limit the impact: capping of bills, fixing our pricing systems, or de-coupling the price of electricity from gas – to offset the immediate pressure while we implement long-term strategies. If ever there was a moment for ‘more Europe’, it is here and it is now.”

“Europe will only survive if we fight for it. If we stop taking it for granted. If we understand and explain its benefits. If we push back against those determined to undermine it. If we are able to reform and to reinvent our project”, she underlined.

Following the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the next step should be a Convention. ”It is about ensuring that we continue the conversation to leave Europe fit for the next generation. We cannot risk falling behind because our bureaucracy is too cumbersome to challenge, or allow narrow interests to take precedence. The last major reform took place a generation ago. We know that what once worked for EU15 is at its limits for EU27, and will not be able to work for EU32 or EU36. It is time.”

Despite the many changes and hard truths the world is facing, Metsola concluded, “I am optimistic. I am convinced that because of Europe the world ahead will be better than the one we leave behind. I am full of hope. Hope in the future, hope in the next generation. I am confident in the possibilities of our time and when I look at young people across Europe I know the future is bright”.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Today, the Commission published a report looking into the EU rules on consular protection, which gives the right to a EU citizens staying or traveling abroad to seek consular assistance from any other EU Member State, in case his or her own country is not represented there. The report finds that while EU cooperation was successful during the COVID19-pandemic, the Afghanistan crisis and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, improvements are necessary to ensure that EU rules are better fit for crises. High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, said: “Consular protection demonstrates to our citizens the benefits of our EU external action: during the COVID-19 pandemic or since Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine was unleashed, the EU and it’s Member States worked hand in hand to assist our citizens and bring them home. In providing consular assistance, the 130 EU Delegations play a crucial role alongside Member States’ embassies and consulates.” Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “Thanks to EU cooperation 600,000 people stuck abroad got back home in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. EU rules on consular protection gave a lifeline to our citizens in times of need and showed a true solidarity among EU Member States. This report takes stock of major recent events relevant and suggests a number of measures to further facilitate and strengthen the exercise of EU citizenship rights.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 600,000 EU citizens affected by travel restrictions where brought home thanks to the close cooperation of the EU and Member States. Similar consular assistance was provided to EU citizens and their families following the crisis in Afghanistan and during Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, the local support of EU Delegations was essential, in particular in countries where only a few or no Member States were represented. Overall, the report notes that there is a need to streamline the current rules to facilitate the provision of consular protection. This includes improving information exchange between Member States and communication coordination as well as clarifying the situation of vulnerable people, such as pregnant women, unaccompanied minors or people with disabilities. Finally, while the primary obligation for providing consular protection remains with the Member States, the report notes that empowering EU Delegations to interact more directly with EU citizens in some cases, at Member States’ request, could also be considered.

InvestEU: Support for women-founded Green Generation Fund for sustainable startups

The European Investment Fund (EIF), backed by an EU budget guarantee from the new InvestEU programme contributed €25 million to the €100 million raised by women-founded The Green Generation Fund. KfW Capital provided €10 million. The Green Generation Fund invests exclusively in sustainable startups that make significant progress in CO2 avoidance, the circular economy, climate and resource protection, health promotion and biodiversity. The aim is to strengthen the new food tech and green tech industries and to contribute to CO2 reduction in the agricultural and food sectors. Funding is provided, for example, for plant protein extraction and innovations in fermentation and cell cultivation. In addition, the reduction of shelf life substances in the food industry as well as more sustainable packaging, supply chains, carbon capture solutions and green tech software are being considered. The EIF’s investment is one of the first in Germany under the new InvestEU programme. Paolo Gentiloni said: “Securing the green transition will require sustained investment. That is where InvestEU can play a crucial role. I am delighted that the new InvestEU programme is backing this EIF investment to support startups specialising in green technologies. This financing agreement will enable them to access the finance they need to invest in innovation, expansion and job creation. I am looking forward to seeing many other innovators follow suit.” The InvestEU programme provides the EU with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investments for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budgetary guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment. A press release is available online.

EU investment screening and export control rules effectively safeguard EU security

Foreign investment screening and export controls play a critical role in safeguarding European security and public order. This is the result of two reports adopted yesterday by the European Commission: the report on the screening of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and the report on the Export Controls Regulation.

In 2021, the Commission analysed more than 400 foreign direct investments into the Union to ensure that no such investment threatens EU countries’ security or public order. All but two EU Member States now have screening mechanisms in place or are in the process of establishing them. Meanwhile, under the EU Export Control regime, Member States reviewed during the same year about 40,000 requests for exports of goods with potential military use to non-EU countries worth EUR 38.4 billion, blocking those exports in just over 550 cases.

Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “At a time of mounting security challenges, in particular Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, it is crucial to have our strategic trade and investment controls instruments up and running. In cooperation with our international partners, the EU deployed export controls to sanction Russia for its devastating war in Ukraine. The EU remains open to foreign investments, but this openness is not unconditional. It must be balanced. We must continue enhancing our capability to ensure this balance.”

FDI Screening

This is the second annual report on FDI screening, and the first one to cover an entire calendar year, as the EU FDI Screening Regulation entered into full application in October 2020. Since the creation of the cooperation mechanism, the Commission has screened over 740 FDI transactions.

The second annual report shows that the use of the mechanism has expanded in 2021. Its key findings highlight that:

The vast majority of FDI poses no problem from a security/public order perspective and is approved swiftly (both at Member State level and under the Regulation).

The Commission completed the assessment of FDI transactions notified by Member States very quickly: 86% were assessed in just 15 calendar days

The EU mechanism does not hold back the EU’s openness to FDI. With less than 3% of transactions resulting in a Commission opinion, the focus remains on security and public order

The report is giving the EU a much better picture of investment patterns. It shows that the top five countries for the ultimate investor notified in 2021 were the US, the UK, China, the Cayman Islands and Canada. Russian FDI accounted for less than 1.5% of the cases and Belarus for 0.2%

FDI covers a wide range of sectors, but most cases notified concerned manufacturing (44%) – covering a diverse set of industries including defence, aerospace, energy, health and semiconductor equipment, and Information and Communications Technologies (32%).

Overall, the FDI regulation has worked quickly and efficiently, providing a range of useful information and preventing investments posing security risks, all while not restricting the flow of foreign investment.

Export Controls

This is the second report on export controls under the upgraded Export Controls Regulation that entered into force on 9 September 2021, covering the year 2020.

The report covers dual-use exports i.e., items that may be used for civilian and military purposes. It shows that total authorised exports of such items amounted to about €31 billion in 2020.

The new set of EU rules have strengthened export controls by introducing a novel ‘human security’ dimension, simplifying procedures and making the export control system more agile and transparent. Expert work is being developed under the Regulation on cyber-surveillance and emerging technologies, with a particular focus on enforcement and implementation of controls by Member States. The new rules also allow the EU to work more closely with partner countries to enhance global security and promote a level playing field.

Overall, the Export Controls Regulation has made the export control framework more efficient, flexible and forward-looking, while also facilitating international security cooperation.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Justice and Public Order Minister, Stephie Drakos, had on Friday a meeting with the President and members of the Zoe vs War Violence organization, during which they discussed issues related to the goals and the work of the organization.

According to a Ministry of Justice and Public Order press release, the Zoe vs War Violence organization President thanked the Minister and expressed appreciation for the Minister’s long-standing support to organizations dealing with women’s rights. Moreover, she elaborated on the activities of the organization for the acknowledgement, condemnation and termination of every forms of violence against women during armed conflicts.

The Minister of Justice congratulated the organization for the initiative and the goals it has set out mainly at this crucial juncture that the war in Ukraine is underway, since Cyprus still experiences the repercussions of the Turkish invasion of the island.

Moreover, Drakos assured of the Ministry’s support to the work for the organization, encouraging its members to continue to work with the same passion and determination.

Source: Cyprus News Agency