Day: September 24, 2022

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed on Friday, September 23, the 77th UN General Assembly, stressing that Greece strongly supports “both the Secretary General’s efforts to resume negotiations for a mutually acceptable settlement, and the Confidence Building Measures proposed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Anastasiadis”.

 

“Ukraine is not the only country in post-war Europe to have been attacked. For nearly 50 years, Cypriots have lived on a divided island as the result of an illegal invasion and a military occupation”, Mitsotakis stressed during his speech.

 

Greek Prime Minister noted that “Ankara and the Turkish-Cypriot leadership, isolated and alone in the international community, continue to insist upon unacceptable demands for a two-state solution”. “They refuse to resume negotiations for an agreed settlement on the basis of successive Security Council Resolutions”, he said.

 

He also stressed that “the international community must not ignore illegal Turkish attempts to impose a new fait-accompli on Cyprus, in particular in the fenced area of Varosha, as well as new and repeated violations of Cyprus’ maritime zones and airspace”.

 

Mitsotakis also referred to “Turkey’s continued and ever more aggressive revisionist agenda vis a vis Greece”, noting that “Turkish claims over the sovereignty of Greece’s islands are baseless and unacceptable”.

 

“Questioning the sovereignty of Greek territory crosses a red line for all Greeks. And as Prime Minister of Greece, I will never compromise on my country’s territorial integrity, security and stability. Greece will not be bullied by anyone”, he concluded.

 

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

 

Despite our efforts and despite the concessions and the historical compromises that have been made, unfortunately the intransigence of Ankara did not allow us to have a Cyprus settlement, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday addressing the annual honorary dinner of the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America, in New York.

 

Speaking to the Cypriots and Greeks of the diaspora, Anastasiades asked them to “keep the flag of Greece and Cyprus high. Keep our ideals and defend our country as you have done for the past decades. Those who persist win and this will happen in the end because justice will prevail despite the hypocrisy that distinguishes some circles,” he added

 

Anastasiades noted that this is the last time he addresses the expatriates who have excelled and supported their homeland far from ambitions and pursuits.

 

“People distinguished by their patriotism, distinguished by their love for our Cyprus and for that one of my feelings can only be that of great gratitude, the warm thanks that I feel the need to express. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, as does all of Cyprus. You have strengthened us and our fight without your contribution would possibly be much more difficult,” he added.

 

The President of the Republic of Cyprus noted that “in a short period of time we managed to reverse both the adverse effects of the economy and the unfavorable situation that had been created. I am not here to criticize my predecessors. The opposite. Everyone contributed as much as they could.”

 

He said that from the very beginning they focused on recovering Cyprus’ territorial integrity. “We fought to find a functional, sustainable solution that would last over time and that our children could hope for. Despite our efforts, despite the concessions, despite the historical compromises, unfortunately the intransigence of Ankara did not allow the solution that would create the prospects to save the Hellenism in Cyprus,” he added.

 

He noted that Cyprus is an EU member state and has forged alliances so that it feels safe. I want to emphasize what we achieved together, the efforts to make America realize that there is a strategic ally in the Mediterranean which, in cooperation with other countries in the region, can ensure and guarantee stability.

 

“And today, America is one of the strategic partners along with Israel that can be reliable allies and friends,” for much greater benefits and synergies for those interested in the region, he added

 

Anastasiades also spoke about the honored person of the evening, Greek Cypriot scientist, Dr. Kyriakos Athanasiou who was given the “Lifetime Achievement Award”.

 

“You are also honoring a young, distinguished scientist who made our small country bigger. Citizens like Kyriakos Athanasiou who through science, through initiatives and dedication make us feel proud. And I want to congratulate you for this choice,” he noted .

 

Concluding his speech, Mr. Anastasiades said: “My last advice is to keep the flag of Greece and Cyprus high. Keep our ideals and defend our country as you have done for the past decades. Those who persist win and this will happen in the end because justice will prevail despite the hypocrisy that distinguishes some circles.”

 

“Today, I had the opportunity to speak openly about the United Nations and about people who turn a blind eye. There are many times in which interests prevail. But our fight can change this situation and this hypocrisy. Contiunue honor our homeland and your homeland will honor you as you deserve,” he added.

 

President of the Federation of American Cypriot Organizations, Kyriakos Papastylianou, referred to the Cypriots and the Greeks who fight not only for national issues but also for the preservation of cultural heritage, language and religion.

 

Addressing the President Anastasiades, Papastylianou said: “In today’s speech at the United Nations, you very correctly highlighted the role of the United Nations and the Security Council, but also the unacceptable claims of Mr. Erdogan. Decisions, resolutions which are not applied to all countries make us wonder what the role of these two organizations is.”

 

“During the last ten years as a President you have tried and done everything necessary to find a sustainable solution so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will live peacefully without troops. Unfortunately, Turkey’s continued intransigence has not brought any positive results.”

 

He also thanked US Senator Bob Menendez for his support over the years.

 

“The Cyprus problem has not been solved yet. But this does not mean that we should not be proud of what we have achieved so far,” Papastylianou said.

 

The President of PSEKA, Philip Christopher, stressed that the Greek community works hard for Cyprus and Greece, and thanked the expatriate organizations, PSEKA, AHEPA, AHI, Hellenic American Leadership Council.

 

“Our job is to continue to fight and work hard to free Cyprus and protect Greece despite the disappointments you have caused after 48 years,” he noted

 

“I am asking the government to make a plan that says exactly what a solution to the Cyprus issue should be. And all together, all the organizations “sell” this plan to the American government. We have the power to help Cyprus and Greece” Christopher noted, among others.

 

The Archbishop of America, Elpidophoros, referring to Kyriakos Athanasiou, said that “Athanasious’ recognition is a reminder to the world of the talent and of the intelligence of the Greeks of Cyprus. All of us here represent the best of the Cypriot Diaspora. Your heart beats for Cyprus. The prize is all yours. Let’s see justice in Cyprus and a united and successful Cyprus”.

 

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

The President of the Cyprus Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, will travel to Alicante, Spain, on September 30, 2022 to participate in the Summit of the Mediterranean Member States of the European Union (EU MED-9), following a relevant invitation by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez.

 

According to a written statement by the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic, Andreas Iosif, the EU MED-9 Summit will also be attended by the leaders of Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Portugal, Malta, Croatia and Slovenia. The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission will also participate in some discussions.

 

According to Iosif, the Alicante Summit will primarily deal with the effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine, focusing on the energy, economic and social challenges that the European Union and especially its southern part has to deal with, as well as the role that the Mediterranean countries have to play in the future of Europe.

 

In addition, among the other issues to be discussed, are the need for the prevailing of conditions of security, stability and to avoid challenges in the Mediterranean basin, the Cyprus issue, migration, the environment and green development.

 

Iosif said that once the MED-9 Summit wraps up, the President of the Republic will leave for Cyprus, where he is expected to return early on October 1, the date on which the anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus is celebrated.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Yannis Karousos, has stressed the important role of Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) in achieving EU’s 55 % net emissions reduction target by 2030.

 

Speaking on Friday evening during a press conference, Karousos said that after the commercialization of Cyprus ports activities, the Cyprus Ports Authority is focusing on its operational, regulatory and supervisory role, which remains important, especially for the achievement of the targets set by the EU to reduce pollutants by 55% by 2030 (Fit for 55).

 

Karousos was speaking at a press conference on board, organized by the Board of Directors of the Authority in the Limassol maritime area, on the occasion of the presentation of CPA’s annual report for the period 2021-2022.

 

Describing the “Fit for 55” target as the “biggest challenge we’ll all have to face in the coming years”, the Minister pointed out that around 50% of Cyprus’ pollution comes from transport, including ports.

 

“Therefore, the Cyprus Ports Authority will have a very important role to play in order to achieve our goals”, he said, adding that the development of the port of Latchi Harbour, as the first green port in Cyprus, has already been planned.

 

The budgeted cost for the development of Latchi port is €45 million and includes its expansion, with the addition of another 350 new berths and at the same time the planning of the creation of land-based supporting infrastructure. Karousos also said that the port will be able to be approached by cruise ships, “therefore we will add another point of entry to the country that will promote cruise tourism and competition between our other ports”.

 

On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of CPA, Antonis Stylianou, said that the current report of the work of the new Board of Directors, reflects the Authority’s viability and its prospects for the next 50 years, based on three main pillars: transparency, extroversion and legitimacy.v He added that they were proud of highlighting the social responsibility of the Ports Authority.

 

Stylianou also said that after the commercialization of the ports, CPA has shown a steady, marginal increase in terms of its revenues and budget, while at the same time it has reduced its expenses.

 

The revenues for the period 2020-2021 amounted to €3,103,424, of which the amount of €2,648,826 concerns CPA’s rights from licenses that have been issued. The amount of the estimated development projects decided by the current Board is 54.9 million euros.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The President of the Cyprus Republic, Nikos Anastasiades, will attend on October 1, the celebrations for the 62nd anniversary of Cyprus Independence, according to a written statement by Andreas Iosif, the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic.

 

According to Iosif, at 9:30 in the morning, President Anastasiades accompanied by the members of the Council of Ministers will visit the Imprisoned Graves to lay a wreath. Then, at 10:15 a.m., he will attend a memorial service and lay a wreath at the Monument for those who defended democracy, at the Presidential Palace part. At 10:45 he will lay a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, at the Presidential Palace.

 

Anastasiades will afterwards receive the salute of the military parade in Nicosia, which will take place at 11:00 in the morning.

 

In addition, ithe President of the Republic and the First Lady will host at the Presidential Palace a reception for the members of the Diplomatic Corps.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus, in terms of development projects, is evolving and following an upward trend and scientific architects play a crucial role, pledged President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades.

 

In a speech on Saturday at the deliberations of the Architects Association General Assembly held in Nicosia and read by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Costas Constantinou, Anastasiades said that the actions and initiatives of the architects are being embraced by architecture students.

 

He said the government is promoting a series of development projects, through a flexible procedures’ system, and upgrades as well as modernizing the services offered with positive results recorded so far.

 

An example, said Anastasiades, is the design and implementation of the New Licensing Policy, which introduced the procedure for the fast licensing of residential developments.

 

The government, he added, looks forward to enhancing the existing cooperation with the Cyprus Architects Association, to effectively address various issues that need improvement and modernization.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades met on Saturday in New York with the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), David Harris.

 

After the meeting, Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos stated:

 

“In this farewell meeting, given that both are leaving their positions soon, they exchanged views on the developments in Cyprus, but also the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region”.

 

Anastasiades informed Harris about the ongoing Turkish challenges and the obstacles that Turkey poses in terms of the efforts made to restart the dialogue for the solution of the Cyprus issue.

 

The President and Mr. Harris agreed on the need to continue and further deepen the relationship and cooperation between the US and Cyprus, a relationship that, according to the Spokesman, produces tangible results and is a pillar of ensuring stability and peace in Cyprus.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency