Day: January 11, 2023

Cyprus-Israel relations are based on mutual respect and international law, without being a zero-sum game and without being affected by any normalisation of Israel’s relations with Turkey, Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Wednesday during a telephone conversation with his new Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen, on the occasion of his appointment.

According to an official statement, Kasoulides contacted Cohen, whom he congratulated on his appointment.

The two Ministers jointly expressed the will to continue the mutually beneficial strategic relationship between Cyprus and Israel, both in the context of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, and in the context of the tripartite cooperation mechanisms and the 3+1 scheme with the participation of Greece and the USA, the statement said.

Kasoulides, it is added, noted that the relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect and international law, without being a zero-sum game and without being affected by any normalisation of Israel’s relations with Turkey.

The two Ministers agreed to remain in close contact, looking forward to a meeting between them in the near future, the announcement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said that diplomatic efforts are underway for the necessary corrections to the draft UNSG’s reports so that they reflect reality.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at CyBC for the New Year’s gathering, the President extended wishes for better days for Cyprus. “More importantly, I wish that the new year signals a new start to deter and avert what Turkey has been pursuing for decades” he said.

Wishing the people health, progress and welfare, the President remarked that in 2023 after he leaves office, he will rest and then decide how to remain active. He also said half his life he has been involved in politics so he will not stop caring for the issues that concern Cyprus.

Asked if the Government is satisfied with the wording of the draft reports of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, President Anastasiades replied “without a doubt not, but we are talking about a draft. You must understand that diplomatic efforts are being made in order to achieve the necessary corrections, so that what is recorded in the draft corresponds to reality, which at this moment the draft does not reflect adequately.”

Invited to comment on the inauguration of the football field in the Nicosia buffer zone, President Anastasiades said “that is why I say that the United Nations should be particularly careful, objective, and the different actions or different reports should record the instructions given by Security Council resolutions and particularly the parameters within which the UN Secretary-General and his representatives should move either in Cyprus or elsewhere.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Short-term visitors to the Republic of Cyprus will now have the opportunity to be inoculated with a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19, if they wish to, the Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.

The Ministry announced that, with the aim of strengthening the population’s immunity against Covid-19 and offering better service to the citizens, it has proceeded with planning for the possibility of vaccination for people who visit the Republic of Cyprus and wish to be inoculated against the virus.

This applies to short term visitors, foreign nationals who arrive to Cyprus for more than two weeks to visit their family, for work, or for another reason, and who do not fall into the categories of immigrants, political asylum seekers, or refugees from third countries.

Vaccination of foreign visitors will be possible at walk-in vaccination centres in all districts. They need to present proof of being in Cyprus, such as a flight ticket, more than two weeks.

It is recalled that the walk-in vaccination centres in all districts, excluding the vaccination centres in Kyperounta and Polis Chrysochous, operate from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am – 2:30pm.

The Ministry notes that a booster dose of a vaccine is recommended for people aged 12 years and older, provided that five months have passed since receiving the last dose of a vaccine.

Vaccination with a booster dose is recommended after three months have passed since the first positive test against Covid-19.

For the vaccination of persons under 18, a written parental/guardian consent form signed by both parents is required.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The UN Secretary-General’s reports on Cyprus follow a logic of equal distances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release, noting that nothing other than the agreed framework should be encouraged or pursued or registered by the SG’s representatives on Cyprus.

The press release said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has carefully studied the contents of the reports submitted by the UN Secretary General on his Good offices Mission and UNFICYP in Cyprus.

In the past, it said, “we had communicated to the UN representatives in Cyprus and New York that we were expecting an objective and accurate record of the state of affairs in Cyprus over the last six months.”

It noted that this would presume, among other things, “that both reports would be clear on the need for both sides to show commitment and compliance and the SG himself, in the efforts for the resumption of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, under the agreed framework and based on the UN Security Council resolutions.”

“We would have expected the SG to point out those who are attempting to upgrade the secessionist entity in the occupied areas and at the same time trying to impose new fait accomplis against Cyprus and its people and not to follow the logic of equal distances when referring to escalating rhetoric, which results to no common ground between the two sides. The Republic of Cyprus cannot be equated with the rhetoric of Ertugruloglu, Tatar and Ankara officials”, the ministry underlined.

The only common ground that should be directing the parties and constitute the institutional framework for resolving the Cyprus problem is the agreed basis for a solution and the UN resolutions which the UNSG himself said they should be faithfully adhered to.

Nothing other than the agreed framework should be encouraged or pursued or registered by the UNSG’s representatives, the Ministry indicated.

It is obvious that to be objective, the Reports must not include subjective opinions and/or assessments of the SG’s representatives that are not confirmed by the facts, the Ministry added.

In any case, the FM said, the results of the recent so-called municipal elections in the Turkish occupied areas point out that Turkish Cypriots do not share Ankara’s views for a two-state solution.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement added, looks forward to the conclusion of the discussions for a Security Council resolution renewing UNFICYP’s mandate, which also acts as an institutional guide for the presence and function of UNFICYP in Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The latest round of peace talks under the UN aegis took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana, but failed to yield any results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

All passengers arriving to Cyprus from China from 15 January will need to show a negative PCR test performed 48 hours before their departure, the Cabinet decided on Wednesday. It also decided on the central management of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds.

A press release issued by the cabinet said the Minister of Health presented his colleagues with the recommendations tabled by the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee which convened on Monday after reviewing the epidemiological situation on the island and in China.

For this reason, it decided that from 15 January at 0500, all passengers arriving to Cyprus from China should present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before departure. As noted, this applies to both direct flights and connecting flights.

It also recommends wearing protective masks in all flights to and from Cyprus and in indoor areas.

The cabinet also decided that wastewater from airports and airplanes should be collected by a company to detect COVID-19, following a tender to be launched by the Ministry of Health.

It is also extended all existing measures until March 15, 2023.

The cabinet further decided to continue the zero VAT rate for in vitro diagnostic medical devices and COVID-19 vaccines.

At the same time, the Cabinet also decided on the central management of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds of public and private hospitals affiliated with the Health Insurance Organization at the level of the Ministry of Health’s Management, including the maintenance of a special electronic recording platform.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The UK Minister for Europe has reaffirmed the British government’s support of the UN efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement “in line with UN parameters”, as it would increase the prosperity of the island and strengthen the regional security and stability.

In a response letter to the long-standing friend of Cyprus Theresa Villiers, a north London Conservative MP, Minister Leo Docherty reiterated that London “continues to advocate a solution in line with UN parameters based on the model of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality – a model that is internationally accepted and one that we believe to be broad enough to address the concerns of both sides.”

Docherty noted that during his recent visit to London, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides agreed to work closely together for a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus settlement process within the UN parameters in meetings with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and the Minister of State responsible for the UN, Lord Ahmad.

In her initial letter to the Foreign Secretary, Villiers had also raised developments relating to Famagusta in particular. The Minister responded by stating yet again the UK’s support for all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and statements. He also pointed to the National Statement issued by London expressing concern.

The letter to Ms Villiers added that the UK calls for all sides to avoid any actions or statements that could damage the prospects for a settlement.

“In the meantime, the UK, as a Guarantor Power and a friend to all parties, will continue to provide support to UN efforts, including through our deployment of military personnel to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP),” the letter concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The latest round of peace talks under the UN aegis took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana, but failed to yield any results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The future belongs to those who have the prospects to create it, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said, addressing on Tuesday evening the closing ceremony of the Citizens Free University, which took place at the Presidential Palace, in Nicosia.

Initially, President Anastasiades expressed his satisfaction because the vision of creating the conditions for the active involvement of young people has been translated to actions that project the absolute success of what Europe has also recognised, that is to say, young people’s participation in the decision-making process.

“This is perhaps the greatest duty and obligation of the state and society, to give space to those for whom everyone should work”, President Anastasiades pointed out.

The future, he added, “is not for those who are gradually leaving, but for those who have the prospects to create the future, to live the future and in general to live in circumstances that will create the conditions for the next generations to live in prosperity.”

President Anastasiades extended his warm thanks to all the organisations, young people and those who represent volunteerism and wished the best for everyone and the country as a whole.

On his part, Commissioner for the Citizen, Panayiotis Sentonas, presented the actions implemented in Cyprus within the framework of European Year of Youth and at the centre of which was the presentation of the National Strategy for Active Citizenship and Participatory Governance.

Furthermore, Sentonas made a special mention of the humanitarian aid mission to Ukraine under the instructions of President Anastasiades. Three humanitarian aid missions, a total of 220 tons of material, worth about three million euros, were sent to Ukraine, he pointed out.

DISY MEP and rapporteur on behalf of the European Parliament for the European Year of Skills, Loukas Fourlas, said that a Europe that listens to citizens and especially the new generations is needed. “Young people are asking for a stronger economy and jobs,” he said.

The Senior Vice Rector at the University of Nicosia, Professor Constantinos Phellas, spoke about what was achieved within the framework of the Citizens Free University, which, as he noted, was co-organised in 2022 by the Office of the Commissioner for the Citizen and the University of Nicosia through actions that covered important areas such as health, education, climate change and employment.

The Professor of the University of Nicosia and Executive Director of the CARDET Research Centre, Charalambos Vrasidas, presented the National Strategy for Active Citizenship and Participatory Governance.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades briefed on Wednesday Princess Anne of the United Kingdom on the Cyprus issue and ongoing Turkish provocations.

Princess Anne, who is visiting Cyprus in order to meet and thank British peacekeepers serving in UNFICYP, had a meeting at the Presidential Palace, with President Anastasiades.

Princess Anna was welcomed at the Presidential Palace by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides and then she had a meeting with President Anastasiades in his office, a presidency press release says.

During the meeting, President Anastasiades briefed the Princess about the current state of affairs as regards the Cyprus issue and ongoing Turkish provocations. They also discussed issues related to Climate Change, as well as the energy crisis created as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades briefed on Wednesday Princess Anne of the United Kingdom on the Cyprus issue and ongoing Turkish provocations.

Princess Anne, who is visiting Cyprus in order to meet and thank British peacekeepers serving in UNFICYP, had a meeting at the Presidential Palace, with President Anastasiades.

Princess Anna was welcomed at the Presidential Palace by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides and then she had a meeting with President Anastasiades in his office, a presidency press release says.

During the meeting, President Anastasiades briefed the Princess about the current state of affairs as regards the Cyprus issue and ongoing Turkish provocations. They also discussed issues related to Climate Change, as well as the energy crisis created as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Cyprus News Agency