November 16, 2022

For democracy to survive, citizens must speak up, Diomedes Koufteros, who is directing Stefano Massini’s “Anna Politkovskaya”, tells CNA

For democracy to survive, citizens must speak up, actor-director Diomedes Koufteros, who is directing Stefano Massini’s “Anna Politkovskaya, a Theatrical Note,” tells CNA.

Asked why he chose to stage this play, Koufteros states that the idea was born in 2019, when he read the text and understood its theatrical and literary value. He adds that when he read more about Anna Politkovskaya herself, he realised what it was all about.

Koufteros says he drew a parallel with whether there is sufficient freedom of the press and expression in Cyprus. “It’s a question I often ask journalists. I think there are limitations, but the situation is clearly better than in totalitarian regimes,” he notes.

After these thoughts and while the preliminary work was being done to stage the play, the Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred, Diomedes Koufteros explains to CNA. “Suddenly the play became completely current, that is, its anti-war character was fully highlighted. The play ended up being a modern anti-war story,” he says.

He also states that Anna Politkovskaya and every journalist who opposes totalitarian regimes needs courage, boldness and “madness” to continue writing, despite the pressures they face. All this, he adds, “became a note to myself, a reminder that we must speak with arguments, not be silent. For democracy to endure and survive, citizens must speak up.”

Asked by CNA, the actor-director says that what struck him the most about this play is the personal responsibility of everyone. “In other words, beyond the systemic problem and the game played with the creation of the communication image, how can I be a better citizen in democracy, how will I get up from the sofa and take a stand?”, he explains.

“We are in an era where, because of the social media, we think we are taking a stand by writing a comment,” Koufteros points out, adding that “we need to talk to people, engage in dialogue, disagree using arguments.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

UN Assistant Secretary-General Jen?a arrives to Cyprus to meet with leaders

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenca, arrives on Wednesday to Cyprus, where he will hold separate meetings with Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar.

Anastasiades’ meeting with Jenca has been scheduled for Thursday at 1030 local time while on Wednesday afternoon the UN envoy will meet with the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side, Menelaos Menelaou. He is also expected to meet with Tatar’s Special Representative, Ergün Olgun.

A well-informed source has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that even though nothing concrete is expected to come up from Jenca’s meetings with sides, however this visit is important in the sense that it gives the message that the UNSG continues to be engaged with the Cyprus problem and sends a high-ranking UN official to discuss with the two sides.

It gives the message that the framework in which we must seek a breakthrough to get out of the current stalemate is the UN framework and this was the path followed until now with the aim to reach a Cyprus solution and this way is the UNSG’s good offices, the source added.

According to the same source, the main goal is for the discussion and the engagement with the parties to continue, in the framework of the UNSG’s effort to help create a conducive climate in order to be able to get through this very sensitive period and reach a point at which the resumption of the talks will be examined.

Moreover, in light of the Turkish occupation troops actions in the buffer zone, Nicosia is expected to raise during the meetings with Jenca the need for an objective presentation of the developments in the UNSG’s forthcoming reports on Cyprus. “We expect that the UN will try, through these reports, to will be to keep the prospects for the resumption of the negotiating process alive,” the source added.

As regards the Turkish Cypriot side’s demand for a separate Status of the Force Agreement (SOFA) with the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), it will be underlined that the UN clinch such an agreement about the peacekeeping forces’ status with the government of the hosting country and that Nicosia expects that this principle, which does not only concern UNFICYP but peacekeeping operations all over the world will not be violated, especially in light of the Turkish side’s objective to upgrade the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state.

Director of President Anastasiades’ Press Office, Andreas Iosif, said in a written statement that during his meeting with Jenca, Anastasiades will “reiterate the Greek Cypriot side’s will and readiness for the resumption of the talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem within the agreed UN framework.”

“The continuation of the efforts aiming to resume the process for the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of bizonal bicommunal federation remains our firm position,” Iosif added.

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

November 16, 2022

Interior Minister to discuss migration issues during official meetings in India

Interior Minister, Nicos Nouris, will discuss migration issues during a series of official meetings he will hold in India.

A press release issued by the Interior Ministry said that Nouris flies to New Delhi on Wednesday and will have official meetings there. On November 18 he will meet with his Indian counterpart, Nitya Nand Rai, with whom he will discuss issues concerning migration.

More specifically, they will hold deliberations aiming at concluding a bilateral agreement for the readmission of citizens with no residence permit, and will look into ways of cooperation between Cyprus and India to combat illegal migration and promote legal migration, as well as the exchange of know-how in the sector of external borders security.

In the framework of his visit to New Delhi, the Minister will also meet with a delegation of the African Union, to talk about ways to tackle the exploitation of African immigrants, who are sent to EU countries, including Cyprus, by traffickers’ networks. Moreover they will discuss about the secure return of African migrants and the provision of help by the EU to Africa, with a view to create job opportunities.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

Israeli Ambassador pays visit to Deryneia

Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus, Oren Anolik, visited on Wednesday the Municipality of Deryneia, where he met with the mayor and the members of the Municipal Council.

The Israeli Ambassador had the opportunity to visit a series of museums in the municipality and listen to stories on how the people of Deryneia aided Jews to flee and go to Israel in the 1940s.

A written statement by the Municipality says that Mayor of Deryneia, Andros Karayiannis, and Ambassador of Israel, Oren Anolik, discussed about the important role of Deryneia in aiding Jews to flee and go to the newly established state of Israel.

It is added that Deryneia demonstrated solidarity and helped persecuted Jews in Cyprus thus contributing to their return to Israel at the end of the 1940s.

The press release notes that the Ambassador of Israel was impressed by the stories of the descendants of the people of Deryneia, who helped Jews with every means at their disposal, hosting them in their homes and land until they boarded ships for their final destination, Israel.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

Commission calls for accession of Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, process on Cyprus ongoing, Johansson tells CNA

The European Commission has called on the Council of the European Union to approve the participation of Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area, Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Wednesday during a press conference.

Replying to a CNA question about Cyprus the European Commissioner said that the process is currently ongoing.

Johansson underlined that the three countries have proven that they can handle the requirements posed by the Schengen acquis, which include the effective management of external borders, the issuing of uniform Schengen visas, effective cooperation with law enforcement agencies in other States, the use of relevant information systems such as the Schengen Information System, as well as ensuring that fundamental rights and data protection requirements are respected on the borders.

The Commission calls on the Council of the EU to green-light the three countries during its next Justice and Home Affairs Council which is scheduled for December 8th. The European Parliament, which needs to give its consent for countries to enter Schengen, has already given a positive opinion on the draft Council Decision on the full application of the Schengen acquis in Croatia on November 10th, and has adopted a resolution inviting the Council to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen area on October 18th.

Cyprus to be evaluated in 2023

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Cyprus will now be the only country outside the Schengen Area (along with Ireland which has obtained an exception for reasons related to free movement with Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom).

The Commission’s communication mentions that the Schengen evaluation process for Cyprus is ongoing, and that the Schengen Information System in Cyprus “will be put into operation soon and this process will be verified by a dedicated Schengen evaluation in 2023”.

The communication also notes that in line with the 2003 Act of Accession, certain provisions of the Schengen acquis are already applicable in Cyprus from the date of accession. Also, on May 28th 2019, “Cyprus declared its willingness and commitment to apply all parts of the Schengen acquis and to be subject to Schengen evaluations, to the extent possible considering the special circumstances of Cyprus as recognised in Protocol No 10 to the 2003 Act of Accession”.

During the press conference, Commissioner Johansson told CNA that she can only say that the process is currently ongoing.

“This is an ongoing process, I’m not really in a position to answer these questions today” the Commissioner said.

Johansson recalled that “Cyprus is really under pressure“ as well as “one of the member states with the highest number of irregular arrivals”, and that the Commission is supporting the country.

“Just to give you one example, I came home yesterday from Pakistan, and Pakistan is one of the nationalities that arrive quite a number via the Green Line – so this is an area where we also ready to support Cyprus with cooperating for example with Pakistan,” the Commissioner added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

Cyprus and Australia to start negotiations on “Double Tax” treaty

Cyprus Finance Ministry has expressed satisfaction for the positive reaction of Australian authorities to initiate bilateral negotiations for the conclusion of the Convention for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance.

The intention of the Australian authorities which was announced on November 16, 2022 by Dr. Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, is the result of the longstanding efforts on the part of Cyprus authorities to initiate such negotiations, the Ministry said in a press release, on Wednesday, adding negotiations are scheduled to begin within 2024.

“Undoubtedly, the diplomatic and economic ties between Cyprus and Australia have been strengthened during recent years, given the establishment of the Australian Embassy in Nicosia,” the Ministry said, adding that “in light of the recent momentum, we are of the view that there is scope for further strengthening the cooperation between the two States, in areas such as trade, shipping, energy and investment, for the mutual benefit of both sides.”

According to the Ministry, Double ?ax ?reaties serve multiple purposes and above all, they aim to reduce or eliminate double taxation of income earned by residents of each contracting state, prevent the evasion of taxes in the two states and at the same time intend to promote closer economic cooperation and eliminate possible barriers to trade and capital flows.

Extending the existing network of 67 bilateral Double Taxation Conventions is a priority for the Government, and therefore updating them according to changing international conditions is imperative, especially with jurisdictions of strategic importance such as Australia, the Ministry concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

House President asks for UK contribution on resumption of Cyprus talks

House President Annita Demetriou called on the United Kingdom to contribute constructively so that the Turkish side does not undermine efforts to resume negotiations.

According to a Parliament press release, Demetriou met on Wednesday with the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Cyprus Irfan Siddiq. Pointing out the multiple challenges that Europe and the wider world face today, the President of the Parliament underlined Cyprus’ unwavering commitment to principles and to finding a fair and just solution to the Cyprus problem.

We expect, said Demetriou, “that the United Kingdom will support these efforts and contribute constructively, so that the Turkish side refrains from actions that undermine efforts to resume negotiations.”

The President of the Parliament stressed that Cyprus problem is a matter of violation of international law and legitimacy and must be resolved within the framework defined by the resolutions of the United Nations. She also criticized the instrumentalisation of irregular migrants from Turkey, who enter through the Turkish occupied territories to the Republic of Cyprus.

As stated in the press release, the British High Commissioner reaffirmed his country’s position and support of efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed UN framework, underlining that the UK will continue to work in this direction.

The two sides also reaffirmed the close relations between Cyprus and the UK as well as the prospects for further strengthening them in a wide range of areas of common interest. In this regard, reference was made to the Cyprus-UK Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation signed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries on Tuesday, as well as the first visit of the Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle to Cyprus, last February.

Demetriou also asked for the High Commissioner’s assistance with the problem of the increased cost for Cypriot students to study in the UK.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island`s northern third. Numerous rounds of talks under UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

Labour costs and access to raw materials the main problems of Cyprus’ businesses in 2023, survey shows

High labour costs and unhindered access to energy and raw materials are the main challenges expected to be faced by Cypriot businesses in 2023, based on the 30th annual edition of the Eurochambers ?conomic Survey.

In a press release concerning the outcomes of the Survey, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) points out that entrepreneurs’ resilience cannot be taken for granted and that Europe’s business community has suffered multiple blows over the last three years

“Our entrepreneurs continue to show impressive resilience in the face of unprecedentedly strong economic and geopolitical headwinds. But this resilience cannot be taken for granted and cannot go on indefinitely”, says CCCI. It adds that this is underlined by the newly released 30th annual edition of the Eurochambres Economic Survey – based on responses from over 42,000 companies in 25 European countries.

Based on the research findings regarding Cyprus, 21% of the participants said that the main challenge that Cypriot businesses will face in 2023 is the high labour costs, while 19% expressed their concern about the access to energy and raw materials.

About 18% responded that businesses in 2023 will face problems with supply chains, 15% are worried about shortages of skilled workers and 14% of businesses are worried about possible new restrictions due to Covid-19.

Regarding domestic sales, 34.9% of Cypriot businesses answered that they expect an increase, 20.8% that there will be a decrease and 44.3% said that sales will remain at the same levels.

In relation to exports 40.7% of Cypriot companies expect an increase, 23.7% answered that there will be a decrease and 35.6% that they will remain at the same levels.

The labour sector will not be significantly affected, on the contrary, a percentage of 32.3% answered that they expect an improvement in employment levels, 59.4% said that it will remain at the same levels, while only 8.3% answered that there will be a reduction.

Investments in 2023 are expected to remain at the same levels according to 56.1% of the companies, while 28.3% think that there will be an increase and 15.6% that there will be a decrease.

Business confidence does not seem to be much affected, since 44.5% of entrepreneurs say that there will be stagnation, 26.2% that there will be an increase and 29.3% that there will be a decline.

As CCCI points out European Chambers urge EU and national policy-makers to be conscious of the plight of entrepreneurs and to recalibrate the legislative agenda to allow them sufficient breathing space to safeguard their future and drive Europe’s medium to long term sustainable growth.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

Negotiator of Greek Cypriot side and UN Assistant Secretary-General review the situation in Cyprus

?egotiator of the Greek Cypriot side Menelaos Menelaou and the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca reviewed on Wednesday in Nicosia the situation in Cyprus, in the context of trying to keep alive the prospect of the resumption of Cyprus reunification talks.

As competent sources told CNA, at the meeting there was a “general review” of the situation in the context of the effort to create the appropriate climate and to continue the preparation for the resumption of talks as soon as the conditions allow it.

Jenca’s visit is part of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ commitment to remain involved in the Cyprus issue and provide the support needed to revitalise the prospect of a solution.

This involvement, according to the same sources, sends also the message that the only way forward is to continue trying to reach a solution based on the framework set by the UN resolutions.

According to CNA sources, there’re no expectation for a very significant development in the direction of breaking the stagnation, but the involvement of the UN also contributes to the creation of the appropriate conditions and to avoid a deterioration that will complicate the whole effort and create additional problems.

UN Assistant Secretary-General will be received by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday at 10.30 in the morning.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

November 16, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – BW – Agendia Announces First Patient Enrolled in Prospective LESS Clinical Study, Sponsored by Unicancer, to De-escalate Endocrine Therapy in Women with Early Breast Cancer

Agendia Announces First Patient Enrolled in Prospective LESS Clinical Study, Sponsored by Unicancer, to De-escalate Endocrine Therapy in Women with Early Breast Cancer

The LESS study will evaluate reduced endocrine therapy for HR+/HER2- patients with MammaPrint® Ultra Low tumors to improve quality of life without compromising outcomes

Study strengthens Agendia’s growing global footprint in breast cancer to inform personalized treatment planning worldwide

IRVINE, Calif. & AMSTERDAM–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Agendia, Inc., a commercial-stage company focused on assessing an individual tumor’s risk of metastasis and the molecular subtyping reasons for its growth, today announced the first patient has enrolled in the LESS clinical trial, sponsored by Unicancer with the institutional support of Agendia. In an effort to improve outcomes while preserving quality of life for early breast cancer patients, the study is designed to safely discontinue adjuvant endocrine therapy after two years for tumors with a MammaPrint Ultra Low result in post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer. The study aims to enroll 696 patients via 45 sites within the French breast cancer intergroup Unicancer (UCBG) by October 2024.

“We are excited to identify early breast cancer tumors and further investigate the ability to reduce endocrine therapy duration, in an effort to minimize significant and varying side effects, while maintaining high survival rates,” said Fabrice André, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France and Co-coordinating Investigator of the study.

Elise Deluche, MD, Deputy Head of Department at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges and Co-coordinating Investigator of the study, added, “Enabling personalized treatments to prevent over- and undertreatment in breast cancer care could give women freedom from intensive long-term treatment regimens that may not increase their chance of cure.”

Previous studies have shown patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer with a MammaPrint Ultra Low result can have an excellent prognosis at 20 years with reduced endocrine therapy.

“The LESS study is an important addition to Agendia leading the field in uncovering robust insights for patients and their providers to tailor treatments unique to every tumor,” said William Audeh, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Agendia. “Through our partnership with Unicancer, we are expanding knowledge on the complexity of breast cancer and enabling further personalized treatments in cancer care.”

Agendia’s singular focus on breast cancer facilitates continued investment in global research to unravel the intricacies of precision medicine and drive personalized treatment planning for women with breast cancer. This study reinforces Agendia’s commitment to practice changing research that will aid decision-making, aimed at improving outcomes.

About Agendia

Agendia is a mission-driven, commercial stage company focused on enabling optimized decision-making by providing physicians with next-generation diagnostic and information solutions that can be used to help improve outcomes for breast cancer patients worldwide. The company currently offers two commercially-available genomic profiling tests that help surgeons, oncologists and pathologists to personalize treatment for women at critical intervention points throughout their patient journey.

MammaPrint® is a 70-gene prognostic test that, along with other clinicopathologic factors, determines a specific patient’s breast cancer recurrence risk. BluePrint® is an 80-gene molecular subtyping test that identifies the underlying biology of an individual breast cancer to provide information about its behavior, long-term prognosis and potential response to systemic therapy. Together, MammaPrint® and BluePrint® provide a holistic view of the biology underlying an individual patient’s breast cancer, enabling physicians to objectively select the best treatment plan.

For more information on Agendia’s assays and ongoing trials, please visit www.agendia.com.

About Unicancer

Unicancer is the only French hospital network 100% dedicated to the fight against cancer and the only national hospital federation dedicated to cancer. It brings together the 18 French Cancer Comprehensive Centres (FCCCs), private not-profit health establishments, spread over 20 hospital sites in France, as well as 2 affiliated establishments. The FCCCs take care of nearly 540,000 patients per year (in short-stay, HAD and outpatient procedures). Unicancer is also the leading academic promoter of clinical trials in oncology, on a European scale, with 109 active clinical trials promoted, 20,000 patients included, 83,000 patients registered in the ESME database. Recognised as a leader in research in France, the Unicancer network enjoys a worldwide reputation with the production of one third of French publications of international importance in oncology (source: bibliometric study/Thomson Reuters). In total, more than 700 clinical trials (inclusions or follow-ups) are promoted in 2021 by the Unicancer network, more than 16% of CLCC patients are included in clinical trials and more than half of the PHRCs devolved to FCCCs.

The 18 FCCCs and the Unicancer R&D department are ISO 9001 certified.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221116005249/en/

This material is not a CNA editorial material and CNA shall not bear responsibility for the accuracy of its content. In case you have any questions about the content, kindly refer to the contact person mentioned in the text of the press release.

Source: Cyprus News Agency