Day: November 24, 2022

The new earthquake in the Paphos region is part of the framework of seismic activity in the region, Director of the Geology Survey Department Christodoulos Hadzigeorgiou told CNA after a quake jolted the district in the early hours on Thursday.

He said the quake measuring 4 on the Richter scale was followed by six more aftershocks, the largest measuring 2.9, adding that the activity is being monitored.

The quake hit the area between the Argakas and Fini faults.

The strongest earthquake the area experienced was the 1953 quake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale at Stroumpi, he noted.

Hadzigeorgiou said the new quake’s epicentre was 30 kilometers north-east of the city of Paphos with a depth of 12 km. It was felt throughout Cyprus and especially the Limassol and Paphos districts.

He also said the quake is being observed by the Geology Survey department Seismological centre.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Chief of Cyprus National Guard, Lieutenant General Dimokritos Zervakis and his Egyptian counterpart, Lieutenant General Osama Roshdy Askar, reaffirmed on Thursday the “mutually strong” will to further deepen the strategic relationship between the Armed Forces of the two countries to address common challenges.

Zervakis had a meeting with Askar in the framework of the National Guard Chief’s visit to Egypt to monitor the Multinational Exercise “MEDUSA 12/2022”, an announcement said, adding that the two Chiefs, did an initial assessment of the exercise, noting the “excellent” planning and execution by the personnel of the four participating countries, as well as “the steadily increasing interest” of other, friendly countries to join. They also recognised the contribution of both exercise MEDUSA and other similar international exercises to regional security and stability, it added.

Developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East were also discussed, as well as issues that touch more broadly on global and regional security and stability, such as the situation in Ukraine and in Libya.

According to the statement, there was a review of the progress of the implementation of the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme as well as the corresponding Tripartite with Greece for the current year as well as an extensive exchange of views regarding the actions planned to be included in the respective programmes for 2023, the conclusion of which is in its final stage.

Zervakis and Askar, also noted the intention for expanding their cooperation of the two Armed Forces in other sectors.

According to the announcement, the meeting of the two Armed Forces Chiefs is a continuation of the high-level bilateral contacts at the civil-military level between the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt, as well as the corresponding tripartite contacts with Greece. It also confirms, it adds, “the excellent relations and multi-level strategic cooperation” between the two countries based on the principles and rules of international law and the common vision and goal of effective management of security challenges through bilateral and multilateral cooperation as well as preserving peace and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expressed his support to a Cyprus settlement providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

He was speaking during a press conference with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades after a meeting the two had in the German capital, noting that Berlin will do whatever it can for resumption of the dialogue, based on international law.

The two men also agreed on closer cooperation in the field of energy as well as migration.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, Anastasiades clarified that there can be no chance for a solution based on Turkey’s demands for a two-state solution which are unjustified and against international law.

Anastasiades called on Ankara to change its stance as the “prolonged tension for a solution that is not based on UN resolutions, worsens relations between the EU and Turkey. The only thing that Turkey will achieve is to be excluded,” he added.

Chancellor Scholz pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus’ relations with Turkey are “significant and should be resolved through dialogue, based on international law.”

He also talked about good cooperation opportunities in the field of energy, adding “my impression is that Cyprus is willing to contribute towards this direction and we hope other countries will follow suit.”

In the start of his statements, the Chancellor referred to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, noting that the bombing of civil structures and civilians is a “flagrant violation of international law” and must be “terminated the soonest.”

According to Scholz, Germany and Cyprus agree in condemning the Russian invasion and imposing sanctions.

He said that in relation to the Cyprus problem, “Germany strongly supports a bizonal bicommunal federal solution, based on UN decisions” and called for a new dynamic for the resumption of the talks which Germany supports in every way.

On his part, President Anastasiades thanked the German Chancellor for his stance on the migration issue, adding that Germany showed its solidarity by agreeing to take on 500 refugees from Cyprus. He said that there must be a “common European approach on the basis of solidarity by all European states.”

Asked by CNA about Turkey’s instrumentalisation of the migration issue, President Anastasiades said that Turkey is indeed instrumentalising the migration problem and the Cypriot delegation provided data during its talks with the German Chancellor that illegal migrants are transported from Turkey to the occupied areas and from there to the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, and as a result, asylum applicants now constitute 6% of the population of Cyprus”.

Scholz said that no country can overcome the migration issue alone and that Germany will cooperate with Cyprus, proving this way its solidarity and adding that Europe needs a common strategy on the issue.

Regarding the energy issue, the Chancellor said “we are working with Cyprus and other countries in the region on the big reserves and this cooperation will be intensified in the future”.

President Anastasiades added that a country that wants to accede in the EU, cannot have revisionist policies that endanger peace in the region and help Russia deviate from the EU sanctions.

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 Jewish Museum in Berlin represents the remarkable history of the Jewish community of Germany and no visitor can remain untouched by its core exhibits Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, said on Thursday after visiting the museum.

In posts on his Twitter account he also said that during the years of the Holocaust, many European Jews fled to Cyprus and this is an aspect that is also represented in the exhibition.

“Visited Jewish Museum in Berlin. Appreciation to Director, Hetty Berg, and Curator, Miriam Goldmann, for moving experience. Museum represents remarkable history of Jewish community of Germany. A rich & proud history but also dramatically painful history of exclusion & violence,” President Anastasiades wrote.

“No visitor can remain untouched by core exhibits of the Jewish Museum, describing the quest of the Jewish people to escape horrifying Nazi persecution. During the years of the Holocaust, many European Jews fled to Cyprus & this is an aspect that is also represented in the exhibition,” he added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus is always acting as a pillar of stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and cooperates with those who have the same EU principles and values, said on Thursday Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides.

Speaking at the first Cyprus Airforce conference held in Larnaca, Petrides said that Cyprus is hosting the first airforce conference with the participation of more than 13 countries.

We are working towards new technologies and through the experience of new countries, to see how we can increase future cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus, Petrides added.

The Minister said the openness of the National Guard is a fact and it has made agreements with more than 15 countries and it is clear that it is working with many countries that are members and non-members of the EU.

Replying to questions, he said Turkey’s provocative stance is a fact but “we insist on diplomacy, on international law and we will continue to do so.”

Through our cooperation with friendly countries, “we show that we are here to cooperate and we are a pillar of stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and we will always work with those who share with us the EU values and principles.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Academics of the Cyprus Institute have recently been included in two ranking lists of top scientists all over the world.

According to a press release issued by the Institute five of its Academics has been included in the list named “Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators” issued by the Stanford University”. These are Professors Constantine Dovrolis (Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center), Theodoros Zahariades (Energy, Environment and Water Research Center ), Vagelis Harmandaris (olis (Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center), Salvatore Carclussi (Energy, Environment and Water Research Center )and Thilo Rehren (Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center).

Four other academics which cooperate with the Cyprus Institute are included in this list, namely, professors Constantia Alexandrou (Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center), Nikos Michalopoulos ( European Center of Excellence for Climate and Atmosphere Research), Philippe Ciais (European Center of Excellence for Climate and Atmosphere Research) and Jos Lelieveld (European Center of Excellence for Climate and Atmosphere Research)

Philippe Ciais and Jos Lelieveld have also been included in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers” issued by the Clarivate company.

The Cyprus Institute said it was proud about the achievements of its personnel and congratulated all Academics for the high level of their research, which upgrades the research sector in Cyprus and has a world-wide impact.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus Department of Meteorology issued on Thursday a yellow warning for isolated heavy thunderstorms, which are likely to affect mainly the west part of the island, at times. The warning is valid from 14.00 until 23.00 on Thursday (local time).

In that case, precipitation rates are expected to range between 35 and 50 millimetres per hour, while hail is also likely, the announcement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Yiannis Karousos discussed in Malta the cooperation development between EU island Member States on issues related to air Connectivity during his meeting on Thursday with his Maltese counterpart, Aaron Farrugia.

According to a Ministry statement, during the meeting, the Fit for 55 developments in relation to air transport were touched upon and it was agreed that cooperation and coordination between the two countries will continue in order to maintain what has been achieved so far for the benefit of EU island and peripheral states.

It is noted that both ministers agreed that the aim is to achieve the best possible outcome in the negotiations currently taking place between the European Parliament, the EU Presidency and the European Commission, with the retention in particular in the legislative proposal of the provision for an aircraft refuelling exemption for Cyprus and Malta for airports where the distance between them is less than 1200 kilometres, the granting of 20 million free greenhouse gas emission allowances with an attempt to increase them to 60 million to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels in order to cover the cost increase compared to conventional fuels, and specifically for Cyprus and Malta the provision to cover 100% of the price difference between sustainable aviation fuel and conventional fuel.

As mentioned, the promotion of electromobility was also discussed, with the two ministers sharing their experiences to date on the implementation of their electromobility strategy, as well as the forthcoming Transport Council to be held on 5 December in Brussels, where the amendment of the Trans-European Transport Network Regulation will be discussed.

It is also underlined that the challenges faced by the two island countries are the same, with the ministers expressing their satisfaction about their cooperation so far and stating that the necessary coordination between the two ministries will be done so that the two countries can achieve the best possible connectivity with Continental Europe through the European Transport Networks and draw funds from the EU under the Trans-European Transport Networks policy.

The Ministry communication also includes statements by Karousos, in which he notes that it is important to maintain what we have gained so far in terms of reducing the negative impact of the Fit for 55 legislative package on aviation, particularly the references and exemptions for islands, and that is why we are building alliances within the EU with countries such as Malta and taking joint initiatives to further improve the proposals to reduce the negative impact, promote our common positions in relation to air and road transport and our specificities in relation to our geographical location and the island character of our countries.

Given the importance of both the Fit for 55 and the air transport provisions and the issue of the Trans-European Transport Network, Karousos is travelling to Athens next week to meet with his Greek counterpart Konstantinos Karamanlis, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has welcomed the Israel-Lebanon agreement on the demarcation of their maritime zones, stressing the importance of mutually beneficial regional synergies to ensure the energy security of the wider neighborhood.

The Minister, who participated Thursday in the 7th Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Forum and the 4th EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting that took place in Barcelona, spoke in his interventions among other things about migration flows, underlining the need to implement a policy of zero tolerance to its instrumentalization by some countries.

A press release by the Ministry says that discussions focused on the complications caused by the situation in Ukraine following the Russian invasion on the food sector as well as on the energy supply in the countries of the region and ways to address those problems.

The Ministers also exchanged views on the future of the new generation, focusing on the issues of research and innovation, the labor market and the socio-economic situation in the countries of the Southern Neighborhood.

In his interventions, Kasoulides focused on the further promotion of regional multilateralism, which has the potential to yield results at many levels, on food insecurity and its consequences, on migration flows, underlining the need to implement a policy of zero tolerance to its instrumentalization by some countries.

He also welcomed the Israel-Lebanon agreement on the demarcation of their maritime zones, stressing the importance of mutually beneficial regional synergies to ensure the energy security of the wider neighborhood.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also pointed out the importance of strengthening the role of the new generation and women, regarding participation in entrepreneurship and the labor market as well as in the decision-making process.

In addition, he called for closer cooperation of the EU with the states of the Southern Neighborhood by making full use of the existing channels with the Arab League and the African Union.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the meetings, Kasoulides attended an informal working dinner given to his counterparts by Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares Bueno. He also held separate bilateral meetings, among others, with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, Ayman Safadi and General Secretary of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel.

Kasoulides returns to Cyprus on Friday.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Price Index of Construction Materials for October 2022 recorded an increase of 14,26%, compared to the same month of the previous year.

According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the biggest year-over-year increases were recorded in metallic products (16,74%), minerals (13,52%), mineral products (13,39%), products of wood, insulation materials, chemicals and plastics (12,91%) and electromechanical products (11,72%).

The Index in October 2022 reached 134,72 units (base year 2015=100), recording a marginal increase of 0,12% compared to the previous month.

For the period January – October 2022, the Construction Materials Price Index recorded an increase of 18.30% compared to the corresponding period of 2021.

Source: Cyprus News Agency