Day: January 25, 2023

All necessary measures are taken to ensure the secrecy of the vote during the presidential elections that will take place in February, the Chief Returning Officer has stressed.

In a press release it is noted that voters must check and make sure that the ballot paper given to them at the polling station has the official seal on the outside, otherwise, the ballot paper is invalid.

It adds that voters, after receiving a ballot, will enter the polling booth to exercise their right to vote. Based on the health protocol voting booths will not have a curtain and will be positioned in such a way to ensure the secrecy of the vote and to avoid any possible influence from any other person.

It is noted that the administrative and legislative arrangements are such as to ensure the complete secrecy of the vote , particularly of the sensitive groups of the population, such as the enclaved and imprisoned. All ballots for the presidential elections are printed on white security paper.

In addition, all voters are urged to use the blue or black colored pens, which will be in the voting booths, to exercise their right to vote. If they vote with a pen of any other color, the ballot will be invalid.

He also announced that on the eve and on the day of the election it is prohibited to broadcast, advertise or publish any news or announcements, paid or unpaid that have direct on indirect to do with the elections. In addition, public gatherings and any speeches and public debates are prohibited as well as the publication of survey or exit poll results. Exception to the rule are newspapers, which are published on the eve of the election, which can only publish news from the pre-election rallies of the previous day.

It is noted that violators of the above provisions of the Law are guilty of a criminal offense and, in case of conviction, are subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine of up to 5,000 euro and/or both penalties together.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Participants in a meeting of leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties held on Wednesday, at Ledra Palace, in Nicosia underlined risks from a status quo in Cyprus which is not static but is getting worse, a joint communique issued after the meeting said.

The meetings are held under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic to Cyprus.

According to the joint communique read out by the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, Martin Bezak, the delegates reviewed the current situation in Cyprus and the region and realized that the current status quo is unacceptable and there is an urgent need for the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and the full implementation of the EU acquis communautaire all over the island.

Moreover the press communique underlined that efforts to promote confidence building measures and the cooperation between Cypriots should be enhanced.

Participants at the meeting expressed opinions on the topic proposed by the hosting party, Cyprus Green Party – Citizens Cooperation, which was “2023: Another year without a solution to the Cyprus problem? Risks, challenges and expectations.”

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 28 February 2023 with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) as the hosting party.

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

First time asylum applications increased by 10% in the EU last October, compared to the month before, according to data released by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU.

Cyprus meanwhile, saw the second largest rate of new applications compared to its population, according to the same data.

In October 2022, 99,175 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in the EU Member States, 8,630 more people than in the previous month, an increase of 10%. Compared with October 2021 (59,870), there was a 66% increase in the total number of requests.

When it comes to the number of subsequent applicants (people who reapplied for asylum after a decision had been taken on a previous application), the opposite happened, with total numbers decreasing. In October 2022, there were 6,380 subsequent applicants, indicating a 3% decrease (-185 subsequent applicants) compared with September 2022. Compared with October 2021, there was a 5% drop.

Like in the previous two months, in October 2022, Syrians were the largest group of persons seeking asylum (18,420 first-time applicants). They were followed by Afghans (13,695) and Turks (6 770).

Following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, there was a large increase in Ukrainian first-time asylum applicants (from 2,370 in February to 12,890 in March 2022), but the numbers then decreased month by month, from 1,510 in April to 950 in October 2022. This is also because people fleeing Ukraine benefit from temporary protection.

In October 2022, the number of first-time asylum applicants with Russian citizenship ranked 13th among all citizenships, with 1,960 applications, 650 more than in September 2022.

Germany reports highest number of first-time applicants

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Since the beginning of 2022, Germany has been the Member State reporting the highest number of first-time asylum applicants in the EU.

In October 2022, Germany received 24 910 first-time applicants, accounting for 25% of the total. Germany was followed by Austria (17 745, 18%), France (13 680, 14%), Spain (10 905, 11%), and Italy (8 385, 8%).

These five countries together accounted for three-quarters (76%) of all first-time asylum applicants in the EU.

Cyprus in second place in applicants per million population

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In total, in the EU as a whole, there were 222 first-time asylum applicants per million population in October 2022.

Compared with the population of each EU country (on 1st January 2022), the highest rate of registered first-time applicants in October 2022 was recorded in Austria (1,976 applicants per million population), followed by Cyprus (1,819) and Croatia (505). By contrast, the lowest rate was observed in Hungary (0.3).

In total, 5,225 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum

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In October 2022, 5,225 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU, up by 6% compared with September 2022 (4,950).

Most unaccompanied minors who lodged asylum applications in October 2022 came from Afghanistan (2,315), Syria (1,440), Somalia (210), Turkey (140) and Eritrea (135).

The EU countries that received the highest numbers of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors in October 2022 were again Austria (2,055), Germany (800), the Netherlands (590), Belgium (530) and Bulgaria (445). All these five countries saw the number of requests increase except for Austria, which saw a marginal decrease (-15 requests).

Due to temporary derogations, data on unaccompanied minor asylum applicants in France, Cyprus and Poland are not available.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

EU Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides will visit a vaccine production plant and an mRNA technology hub whilst in South Africa. She will be in the country from Thursday to Saturday, where she will discuss cooperation with the EU on a number of key priority files in the area of health and food safety.

During her visit, Kyriakides will hold bilateral meetings with several members of the South African government, including Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, deputy Minister of Health, Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land reform and Rural Development and Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The Commissioner will also participate in the extended session of the 15th South Africa – EU Ministerial Political Dialogue to discuss bilateral and international cooperation in the area of health, together with HRVP Josep Borrell, Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen and Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

Commissioner Kyriakides will visit the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, as well as the Biovac vaccine production plant and the mRNA technology transfer Hub created by the World Health Organisation in the context of Team Europe efforts to support vaccine development and manufacturing in Africa.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A delegation of diplomatic service candidates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, on a working mission to Cyprus, visited the House of Representatives.

According to today’s press release by the Parliament, MP Nicos Tornaritis, head of the Cypriot delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, received the delegation on behalf of the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou.

It is noted that in welcoming the delegation, Tornaritis first referred to the role and responsibilities of the House of Representatives and the important action it develops at the international and regional level. He also noted that diplomacy is the tip of the spear of foreign policy and underlined the added value of parliamentary diplomacy to achieve strategic goals.

It is added that Tornaritis emphasised that Greece and Cyprus are linked by fraternal ties and expressed the deep gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus for the continuous and unwavering support of Greece in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, on the basis of international law and its relevant UN resolutions.

The MP highlighted the growing importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region, in light of the multifaceted effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the tectonic geopolitical changes taking place worldwide, the statement said.

A discussion followed, during which Tornaritis replied to questions, the announcement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A total of 22 flights concerning both departures and arrivals from and to Cyprus’ two airports will be affected by the Cyprus-wide three-hour strike to be held tomorrow over the issue of the cost of living adjustment (COLA).

The strike will be held between 12:00 and 15:00 local time on Thursday.

Maria Kouroupi, Hermes Airports Manager for Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication, told CNA that the strike will affect 9 arrivals to and 7 departures from Larnaca Airport and 3 arrivals to and 3 departures from Pafos Airport.

Most of the flights have been rescheduled before or after the strike, she said, noting that the rescheduling of two flights is still pending as the affected airline is expected to provide an updated schedule.

Kouroupi pointed out that the affected airline companies have already informed their passengers on the new itinerary while the flight schedule at Hermes Airports’ website has been updated.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The application iSAVElives will be launched in Cyprus in the coming days aiming to strengthen the actions of the Ministry of Health for the immediate protection and rescue of every human life at risk from a heart attack, drowning or other cause.

In a press release by the Health Ministry, it is recalled that a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on November 11, 2022, between the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela and the President of the Greek Humanitarian Organization KIDS SAVE LIVES, Anastasios Stefanakis. The MoC creates a common solidarity front for the protection and rescue of every human life in danger.

It is noted that in Cyprus, more than 100 defibrillators have been registered so far and approved on the relevant online map and the training of citizens through online seminars has begun.

In his address at the press conference for the iSAVElives application, the Minister of Health called upon businesses, organizations and citizens who have a defibrillator, to proceed with its registration in the online National Map of KIDS SAVE LIVES.

The Ministry will inform citizens about the operation of the application and they will be invited to download the application on their mobile phones.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Aglantzia Municipality and Agios Theodoros Pitsilias Council were granted Green capitals of Cyprus awards during a ceremony on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace, in Nicosia.

The two local authorities were given the “Gold Mufflon Award” during the event, organized to honor green towns and cities of Cyprus and to grant environmental awards to organizations and companies.

Green flag award was given to the municipalities of Limassol, Ypsonas, Aglantzia, Athienou, Engomi, Latsia, Deryneia, Strovolos, Livadia, Lakatamia, Agia Napa, Larnaka, Agios Theodoros Council, Agios Theodoros Pitsilias Council, Pissouri Council and Louvaras Council.

Deneia Council got an honorary award for its environmental actions.

In his speech President Nicos Anastasiades said that the state has formed a holistic strategy in order to manage environmental challenges, adding that biodiversity, reduction of the effects of pollution on public health and ecosystems, the correct management of natural resources and the management of the effects of the climate crisis are in the center of this strategy.

He said that green economy, green energy and sustainable entrepreneurship are also priorities on the agenda.

The President said that the state has also introduced the national strategy for climate change and the action plan for climate and energy adding that the state wants to make better use of the European funding tools for sustainable growth and biodiversity in education.

President Anastasiades also referred to Cyprus’ initiative for a Mediterranean strategy for education and sustainable growth, adopted in 2016 and the fact that Cyprus assumed the Presidency of education and sustainable growth of the UN committee as well and the country’s contribution in matters related to climate crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Environment Commissioner Klelia Vasiliou said that the Recovery and Resilience plan includes numerous projects and reforms that are related to environment and the climate crisis as well as digital transformation. A total of 2.4 bln euro will be distributed for Green transition and 1.9 bln for actions for climate.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Archbishop Georgios III of Cyprus asked people to remain preoccupied over the Turkish-occupied, as well as the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, during a reception on Tuesday evening at the Archbishop’s Palace, in Nicosia.

A meeting of Ecclesiastical Committees from the Turkish-occupied areas of the Archdiocesan Region and a mass at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas, preceded the reception.

The Archbishop said that because of Turkey’s occupation, many Cypriots are not able to visit their villages, their churches and schools in the northern part of the island. Lately, he went on, Turkey overtly reveals its goal to occupy the whole of the island, he wen ont.

The Primate of the Church of Cyprus noted that this is the reason we should all be concern for both the Turkish-occupied areas and the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

He said that he comes from a village that is semi-occupied and therefore he can understand the pain of the refugees.

Bishop of Mesaoria Grigorios, who also attended the gathering, spoke of the pain deriving from the continuous occupation of Cypriot land and from the violation of human rights.

Charalambos Athanasiou, community leader of Turkish-occupied Trachonas, said that the fight continues for the return of all refugees to their homes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Minister for Justice and Public Order Stephie Drakou travelled to Stockholm on Wednesday to participate in the EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers’ meeting, taking place at the Swedish capital on 26-27 January.

Sweden holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2023.

A Ministry press release says that Ministers will discuss the fight of organised crime in the digital era and the need for judicial and law enforcement agencies to have access to electronic evidence.

Moreover, they will discuss judicial cooperation and the transfer of criminal proceedings among member states, when necessary.

Finally, Ministers will look into the repercussions of the war in Ukraine in the Union’s internal security and will exchange views on prosecution mechanisms in the member states for people committing war crimes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency