Day: February 20, 2023

? 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck at 19:04 on Monday in Antakya, near the Turkey-Syria border, was felt throughout Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus’ Geological Survey Department said on Monday evening, noting that it is considered an aftershock of the February 6 earthquake.

In its announcement, the Department said that, at 19:04, local time, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded by its seismological network.

The earthquake’s epicenter was in the region of Antakya, near the Turkey-Syria border. “It was felt throughout the eastern Mediterranean (in a radius of more than 500 kilometers from its epicenter), while in Cyprus it was felt throughout the island,” it adds.

This earthquake, it notes, is considered an aftershock of the very strong, magnitude 7.8 earthquake of February 6, 2022, adding that, this phenomenon is ongoing and is being monitored by the Seismological Centre of the Geological Survey Department.

It is noted that, relevant information (seismic parameters, interactive maps, etc.) is published on the websites of the Department of Geological Survey (www.gsd-seismology.org.cy and http://www.moa.gov.cy/gsd) and on the Twitter account of the Department @CY_earthquakes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent a congratulatory letter to the elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides in which he expresses his country’s readiness to assist in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem and notes the close bilateral relations.

A press release on Monday by Christodoulides’ office says that Sunak points out, among other things, that the cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom is determined by the historical ties, the close relations between the two peoples and the common vision for the future.

He refers to the agreement signed last November by the United Kingdom and Cyprus, through which a new era of closer relations between the two countries was introduced and notes the decisive role of Christodoulides who was then Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Sunak said that the MoU between the two countries will strengthen bilateral relations, both at the diplomatic level and in other areas such as security, economy and education.

Referring to the historically close relations between the two peoples, Rishi Sunak praised, among others, the contribution of the 300,000 Cypriots of the Diaspora, who play an important role for both countries.

In relation to the Cyprus issue, Sunak underlines the unwavering support of the UK in the process of resolving the Cyprus issue under the aegis of the United Nations for a comprehensive, just and sustainable solution, on the basis of a bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality.

In the letter, the British Prime Minister notes at the same time the strong commitment of the elected President of the Republic for the resumption of negotiations and expresses the readiness of the United Kingdom to assist in efforts to reach a solution, under the auspices of the United Nations, in its capacity as Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council.

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

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus has managed to get over three seismic crises – the economic crisis of 2013, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine – Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday speaking at a luncheon during which the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) Executive Committee honoured and thanked him for their productive cooperation during his tenure.

Anastasiades said that history will soberly judge the work that has been done after the tense climate that follows an election period and pledged that he will remain an active citizen who will exert his influence towards any direction he can so that the country will continue its course with stability, economic prosperity and budgetary discipline.

The lunch was also attended apart from the KEVE leadership by House President Annita Demetriou and most of the Council of Ministers members.

During his speech, President Anastasiades said he was touched by the recognition of his cooperation with KEVE, noting that “without your support any policies we promoted would not have born fruit”.

He noted that with the cooperation of all partners in the economy they were able to address the crises successfully, adding that contrary to IMF forecasts and despite the war in Ukraine and the sanctions which the EU had to impose on Russia, Cyprus managed to have a growth rate of 5.8% in 2022 and his government leaves a surplus to the next one.

Moreover he said that preconditions were created for further economic growth, adding that as a result of the budgetary discipline and the economic prosperity the government was able to implement radical social policies, adding that important reforms were also promoted to do with the functionality of the state.

On his part, KEVE President, Christodoulos Agastiniotis, underlined that as his term of office comes to its end Nicos Anastasiades leaves a surplus of more than 500 million euros in public coffers and a programme for the support of the economy and the society amounting to 4,4 billion euros – the money of the Recovery and Resilience Fund

Agastiniotis praised Anastasiades’ administration and the way it managed the 2013 financial crisis, the consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, while he also elaborated on the reforms which were implemented such as the General Health System and the establishment of Deputy Ministries of Tourism, Innovation and Social Welfare.

Moreover he noted that Anastasiades addressed the concerns of businesspeople with understanding, consensus and a spirit of cooperation.

Agastiniotis handed over to Anastasiades an album with photos depicting the outgoing President’s cooperation with KEVE and the local chambers.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Economics Research Centre of the University of Cyprus sees signs of a reversal of the downtrend of the Composite Leading Economic Index (CCLEI), which in January 2023 recorded an annual decrease of 3.5%, after annual decreases of 3.6% in December and 4.2% in November 2022.

According to the Economics Research Centre, the international Brent Crude oil price was among the contributors of the CCLEI’s improvement, recording a decline in its year-over-year growth rate for the first time since January 2021.

Also, the contribution of the passenger traffic of January 2023 to Cyprus is noteworthy, which surpassed the 2019 record, and the expected passenger arrivals of the following months indicate the overall strengthening of the tourism sector in Cyprus in 2023.

In addition, the acceleration recorded in the growth rate of the remaining domestic components of the CCLEI further reinforces the improved path of the Index. On the contrary, the Economic Sentiment Indicators in the euro area and in Cyprus continue to restrain the upward trend of the Index.

The Economics Research Centre concludes that the improved but negative CCLEI growth rate in January 2023 is in line with economic forecasts for 2023, according to which Cyprus is expected to record a significant slowdown, compared to 2022, but will not enter into a recession phase.

The CCLEI for January 2023 is estimated based on the availability of the Brent Crude oil price, the Economic Sentiment Indicators in the euro area and in Cyprus, the total number of property sales contracts, the value of credit card transactions, as well as the high frequency data of the passenger arrivals and the temperature-adjusted volume of electricity production, while the retail sales volume is estimated based on the latest available information in a series of various economic indicators.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

An archive of oral tradition for the Armenian and Latin religious groups in Cyprus is expected to be announced next Friday.

In particular, the Center for Scientific Research of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies of the University of Cyprus, the Offices of the Representatives of the Armenian and Latins Religious Groups, are organizing a press conference this week on the occasion of the establishment of the Cypriot Archive of Oral Tradition for the Armenian and Latin religious groups (KARMELA).

The press conference will be held at the Ministry of Friday in the presence of the Armenian and Latin representatives, Vartkes Mahtesian and Antonela Mantovani respectively, as well as Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou and Minister of Education Prodromos Prodromou.

The KARMELA project aims to collect audiovisual material from members of the two religious groups in the form of individual interviews.

The ultimate goal is to create an Archive of Oral Tradition that will record the experiences and life stories of the Armenians and Latins of Cyprus during the last century, including cultural elements, religious and other traditions, as well as information on linguistic peculiarities and multilingual practices.

The Archive of Oral Tradition for Armenians and Latins of Cyprus will complement the existing archive for the Maronite community in force since 2013.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The current situation in Ukraine and the response of the Europan Union, along with the latest developments in Moldova, are the focus of Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) held in Brussels, with the participation of Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, according to a tweet posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is the last FAC for Kasoulides before the end of the mandate of the Nicos Anastasiades government at the end of the month.

“#Cyprus FM @IKasoulides participates today in the #EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in #Brussels. Agenda focus on developments in #Ukraine and EU coordinated response, #Moldavia, situation in #Afghanistan, energy and climate diplomacy,” the post reads.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Turnover Value Index of Transport and Storage recorded an increase of 41.1% during the period January-December 2022, compared to the corresponding period of 2021. According to data published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the largest increase of 439% was recorded in air transport.

For the fourth quarter of 2022, the Turnover Value Index of Transport and Storage reached 134.5 units (base year 2015=100), recording an increase of 30.3%, compared to the corresponding quarter of 2021.

By economic activity, increases relative to the fourth quarter of the previous year were observed in air transport by 576.1%, in warehousing and support activities for transportation by 22.5%, in land transport by 18.3% and in water transport by 5.5%, while a decrease of 5.1% was observed in postal and courier activities.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

In December 2022 compared with November 2022, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 2.0% the EU, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Eurostat has not released estimates for Cyprus as it is one of the countries that are not required to supply monthly data.

In November 2022, production in construction fell by 0.1% in the euro area and rose by 0.1% in the EU.

In December 2022 compared with December 2021, production in construction decreased by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU.

The annual average production in construction for the year 2022, compared with 2021, increased by 2.3% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU.

By construction sector in the euro area in December 2022, compared with November 2022, civil engineering decreased by 4.0% and building construction by 2.3%.

In the EU during the same period, civil engineering decreased by 2.4% and building construction by 2.0%.

Among member states for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases in production in construction were recorded in Germany (-8.0%), Austria (-7.6%) and Poland (-3.8%).

The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+10.6%), Slovakia (+9.5%) and Sweden (+4.3%).

In the euro area in December 2022, compared with December 2021, civil engineering decreased by 1.5% and building construction by 1.3%.

In the EU during the same period, building construction decreased by 0.9%, while civil engineering increased by 0.6%.

Among member states for which data are available, the largest annual decreases in production in construction were observed in Germany (-8.2%), Spain (-6.3%) and Austria (-6.0%).

The highest increases were recorded in Slovenia (+74.5%), Romania (+18.4%) and the Netherlands (+4.9%)

Source: Cyprus News Agency

MP Nikos Tornaritis, head of the Cypriot delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) expressed Cyprus’ solidarity with Turkey through a letter to the head of the Turkish delegation to the PACE, Ahmet Yildiz, regarding the tragic earthquake of 6 February that shook the country.

According to a House of Representatives press release, in his letter Tornaritis conveyed, on behalf of the entire delegation, the deep sense of sorrow for the tragic events that resulted in thousands of deaths and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, but also to the entire Turkish people for the unspeakable suffering they are experiencing in these difficult times.

At the same time, the Cypriot MP noted that Cyprus also mourns the 46 Turkish Cypriots who lost their lives in this tragedy – including dozens of children – with the flags of the House of Representatives flying at half-mast.

In the same letter, Tornaritis informed Yildiz about actions undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus to send humanitarian aid to Turkey, namely the national campaign to collect essential goods under the auspices of the Office of the Commissioner for the Citizens, and collection by the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinating Council, with the support of the Nicosia Municipality, of donations through bank accounts for humanitarian aid to the victims.

Tornaritis reaffirmed Cyprus’ support and solidarity with Turkey in these tragic moments and expressed hope for a speedy recovery from the humanitarian crisis as soon as possible, the statement concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A photo exhibition about Turkish occupied Famagusta will be presented in Brussels by the Municipality of the occupied city, entitled “We are together for one homeland, for a common future” and will take place in Brussels from February 28 to March 3.

Addressing a press conference Famagusta Mayor, Simos Ioannou, said that the main purpose of the mission of the Municipality of Famagusta to Brussels, in the context of which the photo exhibition is being organised, is to promote the issue of Famagusta in the European Parliament (EP) and denounce Turkey’s illegal actions in the fenced off section of Famagusta, in the last three years. “We ask for the support of the EP and the European Union (EU), of which Cyprus is a member state,” he added.

Ioannou said that the photo exhibition presents the life of Famagusta residents before 1974, as well as the current state of the city. He further noted that the photographic material belongs to the photojournalist and cinematographer Tasos Demetriades and includes 48 double photographs of Famagusta’s past and present, i.e. a total of 96 photographs.

The Mayor of Famagusta pointed out that the mission of the Municipality of Famagusta to Brussels resulted from the desire and emotion of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who requested that the event is hosted in Brussels and will be present at the event and will deliver a short speech.

He also noted that the event will be opened by MEP Giorgos Georgiou and will be followed by the presentation of two young people from Famagusta, Pieros Karoullas and Hakan Çoban, and a short speech by the Mayor of the city. The event will be closed by Roberta Metsola.

Furthermore, Ioannou said that the photo exhibition, which will last for three days, is under the auspices of MEP Giorgos Georgiou and has the support of the rest of the Cypriot MEPs.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’.

UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.

Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha. On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Both the UN Secretary-General and the EU expressed concern, while the UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action. In his latest report to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Guterres underlines the importance of adhering fully to UN resolutions, underscoring that the position of the United Nations on this matter “remains unchanged.”

On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Both the UN Secretary-General and the EU expressed concern, while the UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action

Source: Cyprus News Agency