Day: November 28, 2022

President of Cyprus’ House of Representatives Annita Demetriou outlined the causes and policies to tackle gender-based violence, addressing an event entitled “Increase in Violence against Women, Causes and Policies to Address it”, which was held in Athens on Monday.

The event was organised on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by MEP and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament, Eliza Vozemberg.

During her speech, Demetriou noted that gender-based violence is on the rise in modern societies. As she said, this form of violence is “blatantly damaging the dignity of women and young girls, violating the human rights of the victim, depriving them of the equal enjoyment of their rights, constantly widening the gap of inequalities and tearing apart the social fabric.”

“Every femicide, every crime and every act of violence, regardless of the gravity of the crime, with a man as the perpetrator and a woman or a young girl as the victim, is nothing but a heinous act against a wife, a daughter, a friend, a partner, a sister,” she said.

“The state has an obligation, an institutional duty on the basis of the constitutionally enshrined principle of equality, now more than ever, to design and establish ways to support women and girl victims,” President of the House of Representatives stressed.

As regards policy making to prevent and combat gender-based violence, Demetriou noted the importance of cultural change and the reversal of gender stereotypes. She also stressed the necessity of integrating the gender dimension in state budgets and in the legal and executive acts of each state.

“As regards the Cypriot legal order, I have already submitted a legislative proposal, which proposes a constitutional amendment, which would require the three authorities to apply the constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and freedoms in a way that would incorporate the gender dimension in their actions as a consequence of the constitutional principle of equality, but also as an international obligation under the 1979 United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW),” Demetriou said.

She also welcomed the European Parliament’s directive on the representation of women on the boards of directors of listed companies.

“Violence against women and young girls under the age of eighteen is not just another social phenomenon,” she noted.

“It is a blatant violation of the human rights of the female victim, not only by the perpetrator but also by the state as an entity when it watches without reacting and taking action,” she concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus is among the few countries in the European Union that has designed and implemented a comprehensive policy on civil society and volunteerism, President Anastasiades said on Monday evening, during an event hosted at the Presidential Palace, to celebrate International Volunteer Day, December 5.

He praised the contribution of the volunteer movement in Cyprus and emphasised that the strengthening of the value of volunteerism was of crucial importance in dealing with a variety of problems and challenges that local societies are faced with.

President Anastasiades said that the Volunteer Coordination Council is involved in more than 300 actions and campaigns which include the support of vulnerable groups, the fight against social exclusion and discrimination, the support of citizens with health issues, activities for the protection of the environment etc.

President Anastasiades also said in his addres that the Council in 2018 collected tens of thousands of euros and 48 boxes of humanitarian aid for fire victims of Attica, Greece, in 2020 it sent more than 300 boxes of humanitarian aid to Beirut, after the deadly explosion at the port, while 50 thousand euros were collected in 2021 for the support of the fire victims in Larnaca and Limassol.

Moreover, 220 tons of food aid, civil protection material, medicines and medical equipment, worth more than three million euros, were sent to Ukraine.

The President also said that the Council is recognized as a strategic partner of the State in terms of the targeted policy it adopts for volunteering.

He added that the government provides continuous financial support to Council and also referred to the legislative framework and other actions taken or which are underway in order to strengthen the policy and strategies for volunteering.

President Anastasiades and his spouse Andri were awarded by the President of the Volunteer Coordinating Council Elias Demetriou for their contribution in the movement.

Demetriou said that volunteering is an essential part of any healthy society and International Volunteer Day on December 5 highlights solidarity through volunteering and giving.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Medimaps Group Appoints Meinhard F. Schmidt as Board Chairman; Adds Anne Le Grand and Five Additional Board Members

GENEVA–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Medimaps Group (www.medimapsgroup.com), a Swiss/Global med-tech company specializing in image processing software for assessing bone health, today announced new appointments to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Meinhard F. Schmidt, an international MedTech/BioTech and Digital Health executive with 25+ years of experience, has been named Board Chairman; and Anne Le Grand, an accomplished healthcare executive and consultant with 30+ years in the global healthcare technology industry, has joined as an independent board member.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221128005146/en/

Medimaps Group Announces Board Members: Meinhard F. Schmidt as Board Chairman, and Anne Le Grand Plus Five Other Members and One Strategic Advisor. (Photo: Business Wire)

Five additional board members and one board advisor have also been named, bolstering Medimaps investment and clinical policy expertise. Visit Medimaps website for information about the entire Medimaps Group board and leadership team.

“I’m pleased to welcome Meinhard and Anne to our Board of Directors,” said Prof. Didier Hans, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Medimaps Group. “Meinhard’s global leadership roles in diagnostics at Philips and Roche Diagnostics—and Anne’s work leading medical imaging and healthcare businesses including AI solutions—offer Medimaps significant expertise and acumen to support our immediate growth and shape our future success.”

About the Appointees:

Mr. Schmidt held senior leadership roles at Philips and Roche Diagnostics where he held various global senior leadership roles in Patient/Diabetes-Care, Laboratory- and PoC-Diagnostics. After that he worked as an executive at Institute Straumann as a Business Unit head and then CEO, where he was responsible for their digital group for the worldwide “Digitalization” of the Dental industry. Currently he holds board and advisory roles for public and private MedTech/Digital Health companies, focusing on growth and commercialization.

Ms. Le Grand served as global Vice President IBM and General Manager for Watson Health Imaging, Oncology, Genomics and Life Sciences. Prior to IBM, she held executive leadership positions at Philips Health Systems, leading the Therapeutic Care and Ultrasound divisions. Prior to that Ms. Le Grand served as SVP Healthcare of Global X-ray for GE Healthcare, where she successfully launched and refreshed portfolios across the global x-ray, mammography, and metabolic bone disease businesses. She currently holds board and consulting roles for public and private sector healthcare companies.

Additional board members include:

Robert Schier, Ph.D., Senior Investment Director at Zürcher Kantonalbank Asset Management (Swisscanto Private Equity). Dr. Schier sits on the Boards of Directors of many life sciences companies. He holds a degree in pharmacy from the University of Vienna and a Ph.D. in biotechnology from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.

Myoung-Ok Kwon, Ph.D., investment partner at Swisscom and leading digital health investments. She has 20 years of experience in healthcare investment and pharma research. At Novartis, she was responsible for research strategy and planning and portfolio review. She holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular genetics from the Friedrich Miescher Institute, Novartis, and the University of Basel.

Georgette Schmid, investment manager at Helvetica Capital AG. Prior to joining Helvetica Capital, Mrs. Schmid was working in the business development and investment division within the consumer goods and hotel industry. She holds a Master of Law from the University of Zurich and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.

Prof. Didier Hans, Ph.D., MBA, who has been CEO of Medimaps Group since 2012. He has 25+ years of experience in dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone macro- and microarchitecture, ultrasound imaging techniques, and body composition assessment. He teaches worldwide on bone and body composition imaging and osteoporosis. He holds a Ph.D. in medical physics and an Executive MBA from HEC Geneva.

Sarah Lumb, co-founder and managing partner of Mission Global, a freight specialist in event logistics. She played an integral part in the creation of the group, now with nearly 200 partner offices worldwide. Her business interests extend to two other companies–Ethical Pharmaceutical Consulting Service SA and Kanis SA–that have investments across a diverse range of industries, but with a particular interest in biotech, medical device, and other high-technology companies.

Lauren Nicola, MD (board advisor), CEO of Triad Radiology Associates in the U.S., where she is subspecialized in breast imaging and pediatric radiology. A national health policy expert, Dr. Nicola holds leadership positions at the American College of Radiology, including the chair of the Reimbursement Committee and the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act (MACRA) committee. She has been instrumental in the creation and valuation of multiple new imaging and AI codes. She holds a medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in North Carolina, U.S.

About Medimaps Group

Medimaps Group’s medical imaging software applications based on patented multi-purpose technology with artificial intelligence capabilities provide healthcare solutions that fit seamlessly into the workflow for the benefit of the patient. TBS iNsight™ (Osteo) has been used for years in clinical practice worldwide in the field of osteoporosis. It has become the new gold standard for bone texture assessment in routine clinical practice. TBS has gained international recognition with more than 900 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is included in many guidelines and used by more than 30,000 physicians worldwide including leading healthcare institutions. Learn more at https://www.medimapsgroup.com/.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

There has been no change in the sales of petroleum products on an annual basis this October, the Cyprus Statistical Service said on Monday.

According to CyStat data, in October 2022, the total sales of petroleum products amounted to 132,334 tonnes, recording no change compared to October 2021.

A rise was observed in the provisions of aviation kerosene (8.7%), as well as in the sales of heating gasoil (13.3%) and light fuel oil (10.1%). On the contrary, a decrease was recorded in the provisions of marine gasoil (29.0%) and in the sales of asphalt (7.8%), road diesel (3.5%), kerosene (1.5%) and motor gasoline (0.5%). As far as the sales from filling stations are specifically concerned, these have registered a fall of 1.6% to 55,053 tonnes.

The total sales of petroleum products in October 2022 compared to September 2022 recorded a rise of 3.1%.

Indicatively, a decrease was recorded the sales of road diesel (8.4%) and of motor gasoline (9.4%) while the sales of heating gasoil had increased (59.5%).

The total stocks of petroleum products at the end of October 2022 fell by 4.8% compared to the end of the previous month.

During the period January – October 2022, the total sales of petroleum products increased by 13.3% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, it concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

LIFE AgrOassis, a programme which aims to tackle the desertification of land in Cyprus and Greece, kicked off today, during an event in Nicosia. The project, with a €2,326,710.16 budget, is funded by the EU by 60% and focuses in the sustainability of agricultural practices in the two countries.

Addressing the event, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, underlined the importance of sustainable practices, that will strengthen the agricultural economy, especially after the impact the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have had.

Kadis spoke of the challenges posed by climate change and particularly outlined the risk of the desertification of Cyprus. He also referred to the importance of the preservation of biodiversity and spoke of the goal for the use of composted organic waste in fields.

As announced by Lanoa Institute, administrator of the project, the three main actions include the construction of tree fences, the reduced processing of soil and the composting of green waste. The aim is to replace energy-consuming practices that harm the ground’s fertility and contribute to its erosion and, eventually, to desertification.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus will have its own Certification Centre for cyber security services and products, Commissioner of Electronic Communications, George Michaelides, said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting with Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, during which he handed over to the President his annual report, Michaelides said that after the establishment of the Centre, someone from any third country will be able to certify a product in Cyprus and use it anywhere in the EU. On his part, President Anastasiades expressed particular satisfaction with the progress achieved in the fields with which the Commissioner’s office deals with.

Michaelides noted that during the last two years a framework for high speed networks has been developed, providing the necessary confidence to investors. Moreover, he said that his office has made actions with a view to speed up such investments.

AS regards connectivity he noted that while Cyprus ranked 27th in 2019 according to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) in 2022 it ranked 12th.

“This is particularly important because other countries advanced as well but we advanced more rapidly,” he added.

As regards mobile phones, he said that “we have developed the 5G” adding that “we are advancing with the issue of the digitisation in Cyprus.”

With regard to cyber security he said that “we are building our structures, we are forging agreements with various countries to develop cooperation or for capacity building for training and for information exchange.”

“The most important thing is that we have prepared the National Coordination Centre, according to an EU directive, and this organisation will be responsible to allocate funds in the Cypriot market, to academics, to businesses and anyone that deals with cyber security issues,” he added.

Moreover he explained that this will be a community that will allocate the funds to develop cyber security, for training, awareness, good practices, something which is very important for cyber security.

As regards the Certification Centre for cyber security services and products that will be created, he said that anyone from any third country will be able to certify a product in Cyprus and use it anywhere in the EU.

“This is a field for which we could buy services but this development matches Cyprus’ vision to become a technology hub. We are building it with a friendly country that will contribute with its technology, while we will contribute with our services,” he added.

On his part, President Anastasiades expressed particular satisfaction with the progress achieved and is being ascertained by international organizations.

“Going from the 27th place to the 12th in two years means that real progress has been made,” he said adding that advancing on cyber security issues and forging alliances is important. Moreover he noted the hybrid war which is underway and the importance of the systems’ security.

Anastasiades wished that the Commissioner’s office continues its plans with the same determination and congratulated Michaelides and his aides for their work.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus has managed to achieve solutions so as to limit the effects from the implementation of the EU targets for reducing air pollution, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos, said on Monday before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance.

The Minister, who presented his Ministry’s budget for 2023, referred to the declaration of air connectivity by 2027 at EU level, saying that following a study and relevant proposals, Cyprus achieved solutions that were approved, recognising the special conditions of Cyprus and of the island regions.

He said that there will be a 100% subsidy of the difference of the price of conventional fuel and biofuel with free emission trading rights for airlines. He added that there were also some exemptions for airline refueling for countries such as Cyprus and Malta, as well as a commitment by the European Commission to prepare a report on the impact of its pollution policy on island connectivity.

Karousos also said that the liberalization of airport ground services has brought benefits to airlines due to the 50% reduction in costs. He highlighted the positive results from the implementation of the new 165 million euro incentive plans for 2023-27 and said that the three planes announced to be based in Cyprus will bring an increase of 1.3 million seats.

Thanks these developments he added, there was no increase in ticket prices in Cyprus compared to other countries.

The Minister said that the goal is to increase passenger traffic by 52% until 2027.

As regards air routes he said that there were 145 routes in 2022 plus seven announced a few days ago. He also spoke of an upward trend in cruises noting that bookings increased from 9,000 in 2019 to 188,000 in 2022, while for 2023 there are calls for 207 cruise ship arrivals compared to 106 in 2019.

Furthermore, the Minister referred to the development of the port and Marina of Larnaca, an investment of 1.2 billion euro and said that the benefit will reach 120 million euro per year. He added that 600 berths and 4,000 jobs will be created.

Regarding the Ministry’s budget for 2023 he said it amounts to 469.45 million euro, which includes 35 million of co-financed projects. He noted that there is an upward trend in the Ministry’s budget, which since 2015 has reached approximately 82%.

The Minister also announced a new grant for the purchase of electric vehicles amounting to 30 million to be announced in the coming weeks as well as a plan to withdraw polluting vehicles amounting to 15 million euro. The goal, he said, is that by 2035 all new registrations will be electric vehicles.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Monday presented the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, to outgoing Cypriot Ambassador to Bulgaria Marios Kountourides for his contribution to strengthening and promoting relations between the two countries.

Radev said that Bulgaria and Cyprus remain an example of fruitful cooperation, of a common approach to the challenges of the EU and actively contribute to peace, security and stability in the region. The award is a recognition of the consistent efforts of Kountourides to develop the political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries, the Bulgarian President added.

Deep cultural and historical ties lie at the very heart of the fruitful relations between Bulgaria and Cyprus, Radev said.

Today, these ties are maintained by the Bulgarian community in Cyprus, which numbers some 25,000 people, by the community of Cypriot graduates in Bulgaria, by the 300 students from Cyprus who are now continuing their higher education in Bulgaria, he stressed, adding that those people create an important bridge for bilateral relations, which both countries will continue to develop over the years.

Kountourides, whose term of office in Sofia is coming to an end, emphasized on the deepening of relations between Bulgaria and Cyprus, adding that they are based on mutual respect, common values and goals. There is an exceptional level of trust and friendship between the governments and peoples of Bulgaria and Cyprus, the Cypriot diplomat also said.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Prodromos Prodromou will participate in the deliberations of the Council of Ministers of Education, Youth, Culture and Sports of the European Union and the 5th European Conference on education entitled: “Bright Young Minds” that will take place in Brussels.

According to a press release, during his stay in the Belgian capital, Prodromou will also visit the Brussels III European School.

The Minister returns to Cyprus on December 4, 2022.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Frederick University and Jordan University of Science and Technology – JUST signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to develop joint research activity and participate in research programmes.

A press release from Frederick University said the two academic institutions acknowledged the mutual benefits that could arise from their cooperation with JUST considered one of the top institutions in Jordan and the Middle East with worldwide distinctions.

The two universities will seek to develop joint actions in the fields where they have know-how and will promote cooperation of academic and administrative staff through exchange programmes. They will develop joint research activity and participate in academic and research programmes.

During the ceremony which took place on 8 November, Rector of Frederick University, Professor George Demosthenous said that the memorandum is the start a series of activities for the benefit of both universities and countries.

He also praised the role of Jordan’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Mohammad El-Fayez in developing the academic relations of the two countries.

The Jordanian Ambassador to Cyprus said he hoped that cooperation between the two Universities will bear fruit”. On his part, Ambassador of Cyprus to Jordan, Michalis Ioannou, congratulated the two Universities and pointed out that the cooperation of academic institutions is a priority in further developing the relations between the two countries.

Source: Cyprus News Agency