Day: December 17, 2022

Cyprus Civil Defence is the fourth in the world to earn – after a painstaking and persistent process that lasted four years – the INSARAG Light Usar Team certification for assistance to other states after an earthquake from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

In her statements to CNA, the Commander of Civil Defence, Maria Papa, said that this certification was obtained on the evening of Sunday, December 12, after a four-day exercise, which was “completely different from the other exercises that have been carried out until today”.

This particular exercise, Papa explained, “was the culmination of a multi-year effort aimed at our inclusion in our training and preparation system, based on the international INSARAG standards, and securing the relevant certification.”

“This puts Cyprus on the map of the few countries that can provide assistance to other states after an earthquake,” she said.

We are, she continued, “the first Search and Rescue Team that has been certified in Cyprus, the fourth in the world for the level we were certified and the 60th in the whole world to achieve certification by INSARAG, i.e. the International Search and Rescue Advisory Guidelines”.

Replying to a question, Papa said that “INSARAGs are the only internationally recognised certification standards for earthquake Search and Rescue Teams. These standards are prepared by an International Committee under the UN, OCHA, and are standards that are also recognised by the European Union.

She explained that “following these standards and certifying a rescue team to them is neither simple nor easy.”

It is for this reason, she said, “that only a few search and rescue teams around the world have managed to achieve this certification”, noting at the same time that “every team that wishes to be certified to the INSARAG standard must go through a multi-year preparation and prove specific abilities in the field.”

Regarding the final examination, Papa stated that “it is carried out by a Commission which consists of experts from different countries in many subjects.” “In our case, we were examined by a Commission, consisting of eight experts from seven countries,” she said.

She also clarified that the INSARAG standards “relate to search and rescue operations after an earthquake in a foreign country and are operations in conditions characterised by the highest degree of difficulty and risk.”

The Commander of Civil Defence also noted that “the application of INSARAG standards in the training and preparation of the Civil Defence, only makes us better and this has a direct impact on the mentality of our members as well as operational data.”

Asked whether the fact that all interns are volunteers proves to be an obstacle or if it reduces the capabilities of the Civil Defence, Papa expressed “pride for our volunteers but also for all our fellow citizens who are voluntarily involved in various public benefit actions.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President Nicos Anastasiades has asked the EU leaders not to lose sight of the Cyprus problem, during his participation in the last EU Council in Brussels and the EUMED-9 in Alicante last week. This is the last time Anastasiades attended a EUCO and an EUMED summit, as Cyprus goes into the polls for presidential elections in February 2023. Anastasiades was elected President in 2013 and again in 2018.

The EU leaders praised President Anastasiades’ contribution in the EU Councils and EUMED conferences and spoke with warm words about their friend Nicos, as they called him.

The ten-year presence of President Anastasiades in the Council Sessions ended last Thursday with a special ceremony on the sidelines of a working dinner, in the presence of the leaders of the EU member states and the heads of the Union’s institutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, described President Anastasiades as an attractive personality, adding that he was one of the experienced members of the Council.

He emphasized the fact that he was always willing to contribute in favor of building a common European consensus. He said that when he took over as Prime Minister of Belgium he was impressed by President Anastasiades’ grace and kindness and impeccable rhetoric and the way he expressed his arguments and views, for the good of his country and its people.

Cyprus President was moved by the kind words and said that him being a member of the European Council for ten consecutive years is one of the most valuable experiences of his life.

He said that this has certainly not been an easy journey, considering the numerous challenges and many crises but noted the commitment and determination of all members to find mutually beneficial solutions to address concerns and interests of each member state.

He asked the EU leaders to be concerned about the Cyprus problem and not to lose sight of it, pointing out that the Cyprus problem is a European problem and a member state of the European Union remains divided.

President Anastasiades noted that Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union, is daily faced with threats and violations of its sovereignty.

He asked EU leaders to work closely with the new President to find a solution, based on the European acquis and the framework set by the United Nations, while exerting pressure on Turkey to participate constructively in the negotiations and refrain from any provocative and illegal actions against Cyprus.

Cyprus President said goodbye to the leaders of the EUMED – 9 Summit which took place last week in Alicante, Spain. He spoke of the excellent cooperation and sincere friendship of all the leaders and expressed his gratitude for their support.

During the Summit all leaders noted that they worked hard with the aim of cooperation and mutual respect for the benefit of all the Mediterranean states which participate in the scheme.

The Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his statements thanked President Anastasiades for his contribution and referred to the fir stance of the EUMED-9 leaders as regards the Cyprus issue.

The Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa made special reference to his friendship with the President of the Republic and spoke of his “European spirit” and the fact that he always tried to make a constructive contribution for the common good.

The Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, thanked President Anastasiades for the friendship they have developed.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani thanked President Anastasiades for his contribution for the benefit of Europe.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Repeated rounds of talks under the UN aegis, failed so far to yield results for the reunification of the island under a federal roof. The last round of negotiations took place in the summer of 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus ready to commit to halt the loss of biodiversity, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Costas Kadis has said, addressing the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) that takes place in Montreal, Canada.

Governments from around the world come together to agree on a new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss. The Conference is attended by representatives of states that have adopted the relevant Convention.

According to a press release by the Ministry, Cyprus is part of the group of 119 states that support the protection of 30% of terrestrial and 30% of marine ecosystems by 2030 (High Ambition Coalition).

Addressing the Conference, Kadis expressed Cyprus’ readiness to commit to a framework of ambitious goals to halt the loss of biodiversity. He said that in Cyprus, already, more than 30% of the land area under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, is governed by a special protection regime for its ecosystems and species.

Cyprus, he said, is implementing its National Biodiversity Strategy which is based on the European and Global Biodiversity Strategy.

He also pointed out that each state can make a difference, even small states like Cyprus, and called on all countries to contribute to the global effort to stop the loss of biodiversity.

The Cypriot delegation participates in the daily coordination meetings held by the member states of the European Union, where they determine the ambitious goals to be pursued during the negotiation between all the countries participating in the Convention.

The Conference will conclude on December 19. In addition to reaching an agreement on the goals that will be set, it is expected that the Conference will result in the mobilization of the funds that will be required to achieve these goals.

Source: Cyprus News Agency