Month: October 2022

Vice President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography Dubravka Šuica has told CNA that populism was on the rise in Europe, pointing out that democracy in the world and in Europe was in danger.

 

In an interview with Cyprus News Agency, Šuica stressed that nowadays “what’s at stake is democracies versus autocracies.”

 

Asked about the situation in Cyprus, she said that democracy in the world and in Europe is in danger at the moment, something which is not the case in Cyprus. She added however that “we always have to be vigilant to see what’s going on and to follow what’s going on in Europe.”

 

At the same time she stressed the importance of participatory democracy, deliberative democracy and said that people in Cyprus are doing an amazing job towards that direction.

 

Šuica, who was speaking on the sidelines of her participation in an event on Active Citizenship at the Presidential Palace and after participating at Cyprus Forum organised by non-governmental organizations in Nicosia, stressed the importance that the European Commission places to civic activism.

 

“What I saw this morning in Cyprus is amazing. Amazing results on implementing the conference on the future of Europe on the ground. So this citizens engagement, this citizens activism is very important because with the Conference of the Future of Europe, we were trying to create a democratic space for the citizens to deliberate, to participate. And this is exactly what these people here in Cyprus are doing and I’ m more than happy to be here and see on the ground what is going on,” she said.

 

Speaking for the event at the Presidential Palace, she said that this was a big deliberative exercise but bottom up, not top down.

 

“So we have to listen to citizens, their ideas and to implement their ideas in our policies”, she said, adding that the aim was for Cypriot citizens to be part of policy making.

 

“So we have representative democracy, but participatory democracy, deliberative democracy is added value and I think this goes in very good direction,” she said.

 

“Populism is on the rise”

 

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Asked about the outcome of Italian elections she said that as a Vice President of Commission on Democracy and Demography, she won’t interfere in the elections of a member state. However, she added that populism is on the rise.

 

“Democracy should be cherished and could not be taken for granted nowadays,” she noted.

 

The Croatian Commissioner added that populism is on the rise because people sometimes easily believe promises. As she said the definition of populism is to promise something which cannot be delivered.

 

“We can never be fed up with cherishing our democracy,” she said, adding that “we have to ask our citizens, never do something without taking their opinions”.

 

Asked whether the difficult winter expected for European citizens will help populism gain more ground, the Commissioner said that she doesn’t believe so.

 

“I know that we are approaching a hard winter, or hard winters because of the dependency on Russian fuel, but as you know we are massively investing in renewables, we have the eighth package of sanctions and I think the people are smart and they will realise what is good and what is bad,” she said.

 

The European Commission, she noted, is doing really an amazing job in trying to get rid of being depended on Russian oil and gas and citizens are understanding what’s going on.

 

“So, we cannot let Russians occupy Ukraine and we cannot let their politics and their ideas be dominant,” said Šuica.

 

Strongly opposing the violations in Iran

 

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Asked if the EU was ready to send a strong message to Iran, after the last events in the country with brutal violation of human rights, the Commissioner said that “we are always sending strong messages”.

 

“I’m strong defender of gender equality and women’s rights and this is not something which should happen and we are strongly opposing this”, she said adding that this was her personal opinion.

 

She also stressed that the Commission has for the first time Commissioner for Democracy and Demography but also Commissioner for Equality something that show their direction and their opposition to what’s happening on the issue of women rights in Iran.

 

Legal migration helpful for labour market

 

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Asked about demography she said that the issue was competence of the member states, and that for the European Commission demography is broader, and means among others, creating good conditions for young families for young people to decide to have children if they wish.

 

“We are an ageing continent. It is challenging but at the same time is a big opportunity because in the last 50 year we live 10 years more on average in Europe but then is a big “burden” for member states, because they have to organise long term care and pension systems and healthcare. And we are helping with our cohesion policy with investing in infrastructure, with artificial intelligence, with robotics and in the end with managing legal immigration”, she said.

 

Asked about the large number of immigrants coming in Cyprus something that affects demography, she said that she was following what is going on in Cyprus which is not different than other part of southern Europe.

 

She noted that for the European Commission managing legal migrations can help in filling the labour market.

 

“We are adopting a new migration and asylum pact and this should be adhered also by Cyprus authorities,” she said.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has expressed his satisfaction with the intention of the United Nations, to study the possibility of providing aid and support to Cyprus, in the matter of illegal immigration.

 

Nouris had a meeting on Friday at the United Nations with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, with whom he discussed the immigration issue, the monitoring of those entering the buffer zone dividing the government controlled areas and the Turkish occupied territories of Cyprus and possible ways to solve the problem.

 

In statements after the meeting Nouris said that he had the opportunity to have two important meetings, with the Director of the Office of the UN Secretary-General, Courtenay Rattray and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, with whom he discussed the immigration issue which is in the portfolio of the Ministry of the Interior.

 

He added that the Republic of Cyprus has focused its own presentation on the fact that Cyprus is the EU member state that faces the greatest burden in immigration.

 

“And of course we asked for the practical help of the United Nations through the peacekeeping force, by way of controlling those who enter the buffer zone with the obvious intention of crossing the green line and entering the territories controlled by the Republic of Cyprus,” Nouris noted.

 

“It is not an issue that can be resolved easily, the role and responsibilities of the peacekeeping force are well known,” added the Minister.

 

Nouris continued saying that he felt the two UN officials understood the problem and expressed his satisfaction with the intention expressed, especially by Lacroix, to study the possibility of providing aid and support to Cyprus, on the issue of illegal immigration.

 

“The way this will be done is something that will be studied,” he pointed out.

 

“For our part, we have made it clear that we would like the peacekeeping force to control in the same way as it controls the entry of Cypriots into the neutral zone, to carry out the same control for those coming from the occupied territories, but we will respect the fact that there are subtle balances and fine lines and I will content myself with the fact that Lacroix has said that he will study the matter from the side of the United Nations,” he added.

 

Replying to a question as to whether the Turkish side should also be approached Nouris said that “this is precisely why the United Nations has talked about delicate balances, what needs to be done will be done.”

 

“For our part, we have made it clear that this particular problem is a major issue for us, explaining that all these people whom Turkey is instrumentalizing and taking to Cyprus, are essentially trapped in the areas controlled by Cyprus since Cyprus is not part of the Schengen zone and these people cannot travel to another country,” he noted.

 

The Interior Minister also said that despite the fact that the Republic of Cyprus has achieved a very high number of returns this year, 4,600 people returned to their countries, the fact that 15,000 new asylum seekers have already arrived makes the situation extremely difficult “and I think the problem that our country is facing besides of course the problem of the occupation which is our national problem, was fully understood from the side of the United Nations.”

 

“There has been absolute understanding of the problem, but at the same time they have undertaken the obligation to study what they have heard,” he underlined.

 

Finally, he commented that it is unprecedented for the United Nations to have migrants crossing a dividing line.

 

He also referred to the fact that Cyprus continues to be the only European country that is divided, expressing the hope that this division will end despite the objective difficulties and the prospects being unfavourable in particular due to the revisionism of Turkey’s foreign policy.

 

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 Republic of Cyprus “will not stay idle” as regards the new Turkish provocations and has already began its diplomatic efforts, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Saturday, following the military parade in Nicosia to celebrate the island’s independence day.

 

Speaking to the press he noted that Cyprus will pursue the diplomatic path, contacts with friendly states, with the UN and the EU in order to prevent what we managed to prevent many times during the 62 years of Cyprus independence, when Turkey, in various ways, tried to abolish the Republic of Cyprus the abolition of the Republic of Cyprus, or to impose solutions that would lead the island to turn into Turkey’s protectorate.

 

The President said that we have an obligation to strengthen the armed forces, but went on to say that, at the same time, it is well known that Cyprus and the Greek side in particular wish, through specific proposals, for a peaceful solution.

 

President Anastasiades added that we have succeeded in being a pillar of stability and peace and cooperation in the entire region of Eastern Europe and the Gulf, or by being a strategic partner with the European Union and the US.

 

He assured that we are not going to be drawn into what they (the Turks) are pretending to raise in order to further strengthen the Turkish occupying forces by some more thousands.

 

The President said that they know that we want peace and a solution that will be viable and functional, that will safeguard the human rights of all citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

 

He underlined that the Turkish leadership ought to know that we care much more about the well-being of our Turkish compatriots than certain others, who unfortunately use them as subordinates.

 

The President assured that we extend a hand of friendship in order to implement the decisions of the United Nations and the international law not as interpreted by the Turkish side, but as recorded in the UN charter.

 

Referring to the anniversary of October 1st, he expressed the gratitude of the State and himself to the freedom fighters of the EOKA ’55-’59 guerilla war, those who gave their lives and suffered sacrifices during the ’63-’64 intercommunal fights and the against the Turkish “bulimia”, to those who gave their lives in 1974 during the Turkish invasion, defending the territorial integrity and those who fought for democracy and freedom.

 

He hailed all those saying that their struggle and sacrifices allowed for the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus, now an EU member state with strategic alliances.

 

The President also thanked the Defence Minister, the Chief of the National Guard and the Greek government for the close relationship, cooperation and support.

 

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The latest round of talks, under the UN aegis, to reunite the island under a federal roof, took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield results.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

We remain focused on the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, said today, on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary since the declaration of the Independence of Cyprus.

 

President Anastasiades wished the Republic of Cyprus a long life in a tweet, adding that “we honour everyone that struggled for our homeland and we remain focused on the liberation and reunification of our land.”

 

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

Thousands of visitors among them many students visited the European Researchers’ Night event in Nicosia, on Friday, which celebrated science, research and innovation, the Research and Innovation Foundation has said in a press release.

 

The visitors engaged with scientists who manned more than 60 kiosks and headed many activities. The event was under the auspices of the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades.

 

The European Researchers’ Night is an initiative of the European Commission and is organized simultaneously in more than 350 cities across Europe.

 

This year’s event held under the slogan “Mission Inspire” and the central theme was “European Missions”.

 

Chief Scientist and head of the board of the foundation, Dr. Nicolas Mastroyiannopoulos said that there is a huge progress in Cyprus the last years in the areas of research and innovation. He also said that Cyprus ranked tenth in the European Innovation Scoreboard.

 

Director of the foundation Theodoros Loukaides said that the student competitions allow the children to get acquainted with the fields of science, innovation and research and the future is promising.

 

During the event awards were presented to researchers from Cyprus funded by the European Research Council, within the framework of the “Excellent Science” Pillar of Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Framework Program for Research and Innovation 2014-2020.

 

Also, the winners of the foundation student competitions for science were announced as well as those for a writing competition of a short story and an eBook.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus and Greece should be actors of stability, security and peace in the region, through the bilateral and trilateral partnerships with neighbouring countries, inspiring a spirit of friendship and collaboration, Greece’s Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos has said.

 

Panagiotopoulos was speaking to the press on Saturday after the military parade in Nicosia on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary since the declaration of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus.

 

He also spoke of the parallels drawn by the Russian invasion in Ukraine and the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, 48 years ago, noting the both Russia and Turkey called their military attacks “special military peace operations”.

 

Panagiotopoulos said that all revisionist and destabilising practices on behalf of Turkey, both towards Cyprus and Greece, should be condemned.

 

“We should condemn all revisionist powers, that infringe the UN Charter”, he pointed out and added that these actions do not solely threaten the target-states, but regional peace and stability as well, and even international peace and stability.

 

On his part, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said that the largest defence budget of the past 20 years and “reliable international partnerships” play a key role for the defensive strategy of Cyprus.

 

Petrides said that until Cyprus is liberated from the Turkish forces of occupation and reunited, the country will continue to reinforce its defence with modern armaments. He added that defence partnerships within the EU or outside of it, “send a message of stability, peace and respect of the international law in the wider Eastern Mediterrannean”.

 

He particularly spoke of the recent decision on behalf of the USA, to lift the arm sales embargo towards Cyprus, which will be in effect as of October first. “This decision, apart from politically significant, is also expanding our armament options”, Petrides said.

 

He also reassured of the close bonds and collaboration with the Greek Minister of National Defence, on the occasion of his presence in Nicosia for the celebrations.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

French Ambassador Salina Grenet-Catalano wishes that a dialogue will soon lead to a reunified Cyprus.

 

She posted a tweet wishing Congratulations to Cyprus Republic on the occasion of its independence. The tweet is both in Greek and Turkish.

 

“Current events demonstrate the importance of cherishing that independence & the principles of our UN charter. Hopefully dialogue will soon bring a reunified #Cyprus”, she posted.

 

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The latest round of talks, under the UN aegis, to reunite the island under a federal roof, took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield results.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlines the long-standing historical relations with Cyprus and hopes that these bilateral relations and the prospect will be saved, despite the serious harm caused following the EU sanctions against Russia.

 

The Ministry issued a press release on the occasion of Cyprus’ independence and it underlines that Russia consistently supported the struggle of the Cypriot people for their independence from British colonial rule and it was among the first to recognize the independence of the Republic of Cyprus.

 

It is noted that in August 1960 the two countries established diplomatic relations and soon a Soviet diplomatic mission operated on the island.

 

The Russian Ministry also underlines the bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields.

 

It notes in addition that the EU “illegal, restrictive measures against Russia are currently seriously damaging our cooperation.”

 

Nevertheless, it adds, we are convinced that the long-term bonds of friendship which connect the peoples of our countries, will allow, “if there is, of course, a mutual will”, to protect the prospect of the bilateral relations.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken underlined the role the Republic of Cyprus plays in ensuring security and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

 

In a statement issued by the State Department on the occasion of the anniversary of the independence of Cyprus, Blinken says that Republic of Cyprus and its citizens play a key role in ensuring security and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

 

“In the coming year, we look forward to continuing to deepen the growing relationship between our countries and people through economic, cultural, educational, and security ties”, he said.

 

In the statement US Secretary of State also says that the United States remains committed in its support for a Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation “with political equality for all Cypriots”.

 

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The latest round of talks, under the UN aegis, to reunite the island under a federal roof, took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield results.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has said that many times since the Crans Montana UN-backed talks, he submitted creative proposals for a solution, without taking into consideration the political cost, reminding of the Turkish intransigence that hasn’t allowed for peace talks to resume so far.

 

In a message on the occasion of the Independence Day, the President underlines that in Crans-Montana negotiations, in the summer of 2017, we succeeded in bringing Turkey before its responsibilities for the first time, in order to discuss security and the withdrawal of the Turkish occupying forces, and we succeeded in having the UN Secretary General table a six-point framework, which the Turkish side undermined.

 

The President said that all the proposals he tabled since then, had of course in mind the strictly defined red lines that we jointly formed as political leadership.

 

President Anastasiades emphasises that his wish for a solution continues to be strong and sincere, but this wish has always conflicted with Turkish intransigence, which in recent years has become even more aggressive, with claims for recognition of sovereignty of the regime in the occupied areas of the island.

 

He said that Turkey, with its policy, statements and daily challenges, is now moving completely outside the framework of the international law which it has been violating for years and of the rational approach by attempting to create tensions and insecurity in the region.

 

In his message the President says that in the past ten years of his tenure has done its utmost to end the division and occupation. He also said that in the 62 years since the establishment of the Cyprus Republic, nothing has derailed us from the steady path forward.

 

He mentioned that this path forward reflects in the daily progress in all sectors, the economic stability that we have achieved with the sacrifices of the citizens, the major projects for our country, the high level of education of our citizens, the welfare state and the well-being of our society and the commitment for the future of our homeland. The President also referred to the national plan “Cyprus of Tomorrow” which he described as a great legacy.

 

He went on to say that this great vision for tomorrow cannot be detached from our wish to find a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem that will provide the opportunity for peaceful and creative coexistence with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots.

 

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The latest round of talks, under the UN aegis, to reunite the island under a federal roof, took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield results.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency