Day: December 15, 2022

The leaders of the European Council bid farewell to President Anastasiades as well as Irish Taoiseach (Prime minister) Micheál Martin with a gift that is traditionally given to departing leaders, during tonight’s summit in Brussels.

In a tweet, the President of the European Council Charles Michel wrote: “Dear @AnastasiadesCY after almost ten years in this room, you are one of the most experienced members of the European Council”.

“Thank you for all your work advancing the European project” he continuing, adding in Greek “a big thank you and heartfelt wishes for all the best!”

The recent tradition took place during the dinner at the end of Thursday’s European Council.

Departing leaders receive a miniature sculpture of the oval of the Europa Building, where summits are held.

The Irish Prime minister will be leaving his position on the basis of a deal between governing parties Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens. Martin, representing Fianna Fáil, will step down on December 17th, so that Leo Varadkar from Fine Gael can return as Prime minister.

However, Anastasiades could be returning for a final extraordinary summit to be held on 9 – 10 February. The summit is expected to focus on issues of competitiveness and migration.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Integrating seamlessly with Mimecast Email Security products, Echoworx brings a smarter, easier, and more modern approach to encrypting companywide email.

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Echoworx, an industry leader in cloud-based email and statement encryption, announced today that they have joined Mimecast’s Cyber Alliance Program with a new strategic integration that provides strong enterprise-grade encryption protection.

Introduction

By integrating Mimecast’s cloud-native email security with Echoworx’s customizable email encryption offerings, organizations can enable innovative and secure digital business processes.

Context

“The evolution of cybersecurity threats and business realities is driving customers to modernize their security solutions and experiences, and it is paramount that we continually address new and emerging adoption barriers for our customers,” said Jules Martin, vice president, ecosystems & alliances at Mimecast. “The Echoworx integration with Mimecast makes encryption a central component of secure business processes, providing comprehensive email data protection.

Supporting eight separate delivery methods, 27 languages and seven authentication options, Echoworx eliminates complexity for users, helps maintain compliance, and gives more control to senders. Through their integration with Mimecast, Echoworx continues to provide the security and usability imperative to modern business practices.

“Providing a secure solution without overcomplicating customer experiences is top priority,” said Rosario Perri, vice president, channels EMEA at Echoworx. “It’s crucial to leverage trusted security platforms like those offered by Echoworx and Mimecast allowing enterprises to maintain ease-of-use while modernizing security protocols.”

Closing

Organizations looking for a solution that delivers email encryption for a multitude of use cases, rapid and simple deployment, and a user-friendly experience are turning to integrated solutions. Through this strategic alliance with Mimecast, Echoworx further demonstrates its commitment to providing global enterprises in both the private and public sectors with not just a product, but best-in-breed security.

About Echoworx

Echoworx protects the privacy of people and businesses throughout the world by making email data protection easier. Their scalable, easy to use, and configurable cloud security and email encryption solutions have been adopted by enterprises in more than 30 countries. Their passionate encryption experts transform communication chaos into order for world leading organizations who understand — it pays to be secure. www.echoworx.com

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The founder of the humanitarian organization “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (HFC) Joseph Borghese, welcomed the Ambassador of China Liu Yantao, at the premises of the “Children’s House” and briefed him on the activity of the humanitarian organization which focuses on the protection of children and their rights.

A press release by HFC says that the Ambassador was given a detailed review of the long history of the Organization as well as a presentation of all its programs and activities. Particular emphasis was given on HFC’s efforts to secure funding in order to ensure the smooth operation of its programs and the expansion of services offered to children.

Liu Yantao donated on behalf of the Embassy of China to Cyprus the amount of €10,000 aiming to strengthen the humanitarian programs implemented by HFC.

Borghese emphasized on the importance and positive impact all the services offered have on children in need in Cyprus, as well as on the continuous development and implementation of programs that concentrate on children’s rights, prioritizing their well-being, education and prevention of any kind of violence against them, as well as their psychosocial and legal support.

The Ambassador said that the Embassy considers the protection and the promotion of children’s rights an obligation of society.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus has condemned the attack against UNIFIL in South Lebanon.

“Cyprus condemns the horrid attack v/s #UNIFIL near Al-Aqbieh in South Lebanon,” the Foreign Ministry said in a tweet.

“We are expressing our deep condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed and solidarity to our close partner Ireland. Our thoughts & wishes for speedy recovery are with injured peacekeepers,” the Foreign Ministry added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

BRUSSELS: Infections due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are a significant threat to modern healthcare as well as to public health. In Europe, 33,000 individuals are estimated to die every year as a result of an infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.1 The COVID-19 crisis reinforced the critical importance of treatments for infectious diseases, as many related deaths and severe cases involve not only the virus, but are also complicated by secondary bacterial infections.

AMR is a threat to all of us, especially those with chronic conditions. Without effective antibiotics, patients lose not just treatments for serious infections but also face significantly increased risks from many medical services that rely upon the effective prevention and treatment of infections. If no action is taken, drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050 and damage to the economy as catastrophic as the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. By 2030, antimicrobial resistance could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.

The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease is launching in the EU to help prevent this crisis. The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease EU’s (PFID) goal is to explore and advance solutions to combat the growing threat of AMR. PFID currently exists in the United States and Japan and is launching in the EU. PFID is a non-profit group of patients, providers, community organizations, academic researchers, business and labor groups, and infectious disease experts working to raise awareness of threats posed by infectious diseases. Dr. Ishii, a professor at the Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo,“welcomes the establishment of the PFID chapter in Europe. Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance must be discussed internationally, and these discussions will lead to innovative solutions to solving this crisis on a global scale.”

The shortage of new antibiotics has two main causes. Firstly, the development of new and novel antibiotics to treat AMR infections is very scientifically challenging– the last novel class of antibiotics was approved in 19862. Secondly, the market for new antibiotics is not commercially sustainable. PFID seeks to address both of these by working with policymakers to ensure the environment is suitable for the amount of investment required.

“Ninety percent of AMR innovation comes from small companies, but we desperately need to find better ways to help these life-saving products reach patients before it’s too late,” said Kevin Outterson, Executive Director, CARB-X and PFID US Advisory Board Member. “The time for action is now and the EU has a vast opportunity to bring global solutions to the increasing problems posed by AMR.”

Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease is a group of patients, providers, community organizations, academic researchers, business and labor groups, and infectious disease experts working to raise awareness of threats posed by infectious disease, as well as advance solutions to ensure future pandemic preparedness. PFID is a not-for-profit NGO.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Turkey challenges the sovereignty of its closest neighbors with hybrid threats and daily violations from the skies above the Aegean islands, to the ground in the UN buffer zone in Cyprus and on the water, from the Libyan Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides has said.

In a keynote address at an event organized by the United Nations Association of Cyprus commemorating UN Day and Human Rights Day that took place on Thursday at the Presidential Palace, Kasoulides also said that “we have been witnessing recently unprecedented efforts by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to embark on a process to upgrade the status and seek for international recognition of the secessionist entity in the occupied Cyprus.”

The FM recalled that in one of its strongest resolutions, the UN Security Council deplored the declaration of the purported secession of the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, considered the declaration as legally invalid and called for its withdrawal. At the same time this resolution calls all states not to recognize any other state on the island except the Republic of Cyprus, he added.

Kasoulides said that “Turkey has set as a pre-condition the recognition of sovereign equality to the resumption of negotiations and has moved away from the agreed UN framework,” adding that “this has happened against the backdrop of our efforts and bold initiatives to build confidence between the two communities in Cyprus.”

Referring to human rights, he noted that they ensure equality, freedom and peace, adding that regrettably, we continue to witness ever-growing pressures on human rights, even their total disregard. “Every single human being’s human and inalienable rights are sacrosanct, irrespective of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, culture or beliefs. They are neither a luxury, nor a commodity to be traded, used and then discarded. We all have equal rights, including the right to live in peace and dignity,” he added.

Kasoulides said that human rights deficiencies exist everywhere around the world; in some countries, less but in many, unfortunately, more, adding that a plethora of reasons account for this far from ideal reality as war, foreign occupation, pandemics, climate change, deep social inequalities.

He noted that “the result is always the same: suffering, injustice, struggle, marginalization, hardship, despair. We must push back against cynical notions that this is the fate of humankind. The pioneers behind the creation of the United Nations and the ideal of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights most definitely rejected such cynicism,” he added.

He went on to say that building a better “today” to ensure a brighter “tomorrow” is the only way to ensure that these pressures will be defeated. We are fortunate enough that the necessary tools are at our disposal and they are be found within the UN Charter. “What is absolutely imperative is an iron-clad commitment by all to the indispensable values of peace, justice, human rights, freedom and respect for international law. A commitment that must be put in action without exception and without resorting to double standards,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he noted that the United Nations is still the only institution that brings together all the countries of the world. “It remains central to our efforts to achieve peace and prosperity, through cooperation and solidarity. Conflict prevention, conflict resolution, respect for international law and human rights remain the hallmarks of the United Nations system,” the Cypriot FM stressed.

He also noted that “the UN’s entire raison d’être, as Secretary-General Guterres himself has noted, is that humanity is capable of great things when we work together. It is incumbent on all of us, as individuals, as communities and as states, that we heed that call.”

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 European Union will remain united in responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 27 leaders underlined during the discussion on the latest developments, President Anastasiades said in a tweet.

“Discussion amongst EU Leaders on developments on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Anastasiades wrote.

“Reiterated that EU will remain united in its response and continue provide political, economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine, to restore its infrastructure and withstand the winter,” he added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The total amount of municipal solid waste generated in Cyprus in 2021 stood at 570 thousand tonnes compared to 543 thousand tonnes in 2020, recording an increase of 5%. This ranks Cyprus on the 7th place in EU, according to data published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus on Thursday.

According to the data, from the total amount of 455 thousand tonnes treated in 2021, 77.8% was disposed in landfills, 17.6% was used for recycling, 3.1% was used for energy recovery purposes and 1.5% was composted.

The average municipal waste generation per inhabitant in the European Union in 2020 (data for 2021 are not yet available) was 517 kg. In Cyprus, municipal waste generation per capita reached 609 kg, which is the 7th highest among EU member states.

Austria had the highest municipal waste generation per capita with 834 kg, followed by Denmark with 814 kg, Luxembourg with 790 kg, Belgium with 746 kg, Malta with 643 kg, Germany with 628 kg and Cyprus with 609 kg.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Board of Directors of state-owned asset manager, KEDIPES, has decided to disburse another €80 million to state coffers for the fourth quarter of this year, with the amount paid to the state in 2022 reaching €310 million.

Announcing the decision in a press release, on Thursday, KEDIPES said that in total cash repayments to the state have amounted to €880 million since September 2018.

KEDIPES was established as the residual entity of the former Cyprus Cooperative Bank, whose performing assets and deposits were sold to Hellenic Bank. The Cypriot government provided state aid amounting to €3.5 billion to facilitate the transaction.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Health Minister Michael Hadjipantela commended the support Pompidou Group has provided in the formulation of evidence-based and effective drug policies during the 18th Council of Europe Ministerial Conference on “Human rights at the heart of drug and addictions policies”, held on 13-14 December in Lisbon.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, Hadjipantela said in his speech that the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group provides great support to all its members in broadening policies to include addictive behaviour related to the use of illicit and licit substances such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as new forms of addictions, such as online gambling and gaming.

He also stressed that the aim is to assist Member States in fulfilling their obligations under the Council of Europe and United Nations Conventions when implementing their drug policies.

It is noted that the Conference was held in view of the end of the Portuguese Presidency, offering countries the opportunity to exchange views on recent policy developments and challenges in the field of addictions.

It is also added that during the Conference, Pompidou Group representatives adopted its new Work Programme for the period 2023-2025, while the Ministers of Health adopted the Lisbon Declaration, which will constitute a collective commitment for the purpose of establishing a common policy.

Source: Cyprus News Agency