Day: March 9, 2023

Greece will continue to fully support the effort for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said after a meeting he held in Athens with Cyprus Foreign Minister Costantinos Kombos. The Cypriot FM noted in the joint statements after the meeting with Dendias, that no solution that will permanently divide the country nor a two-state solution will ever be accepted.

Greek and Cypriot Foreign Ministers met Thursday in the context of the latter’s first official visit to Greece, after taking office.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias discussed the Cyprus issue, as well as recent developments in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean, with both sides confirming the excellent level of bilateral cooperation.

Regarding the Cyprus issue Kombos stressed that the Cypriot government ‘will never accept any divisionary solution or two-state solution’ and that it will continue its efforts for a Cyprus solution despite ‘Turkey’s intransigence’.

During his joint statements with his Greek counterpart, the Cypriot Foreign Minister referred to the tragic train accident in Tempi, Greece, noting that ‘Greece and Cyprus are mourning for the unexpected loss of so many of our fellow citizens, including Cypriots.

In this context, he expressed the sincere and deep condolences of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the government, and the people of Cyprus.

As regards the agenda of his meeting with his Greek counterpart, Kombos explained that the Cyprus problem was the main issue discussed during their meeting.

‘Our common vision is the reunification of Cyprus and the solution of the Cyprus problem, always within the agreed UN framework, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, with political equality and based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions’, the Cypriot Minister said.

We will never accept any dichotomous or two-state solution, he stressed. At the same time, he expressed hope that through the initiatives to be taken by the Cypriot government, in consultation with Greece, the conditions will be created that will allow the resumption of the talks.

In this direction, he noted that the EU’s contribution is considered particularly important. Unfortunately, Turkey’s illegal actions in the fenced-off area of Varosha continue, he stressed, noting that Ankara is attempting to create new faits accomplis.

Any development other than the transfer of Varosha under UN administration is a violation of international legitimacy, he said. This situation, he added, comes on top of Turkey’s illegal actions within the Cypriot EEZ.

Cypriot Foreign Minister explained that during his meeting with Nikos Dendias, they also discussed regional developments and multilateral cooperations.

Our vision is to transform the Eastern Mediterranean into an area of peace, stability, and prosperity. We want to be together the catalyst for this effort. In such a vision, there is no room for threatening behaviors such as those of Turkey, Constantinos Kombos concluded.

On his part, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias underlined Greece’s unreserved support to the effort for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

He warmly thanked his Cypriot counterpart for Cyprus’ support to Greece following the deadly train collision that resulted in at least 56 dead.

As regards the Cyprus problem he stressed that it constitutes a top national priority for Greece’.

We will continue to provide our support for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the UN Security Council resolutions. A solution of a bicommunal, bizonal federation, compatible with the European acquis, Dendias stressed.

He also explained that during his meeting with his Cypriot counterpart, they discussed joint initiatives at the international level to ‘prevent the upgrading of the pseudo-state’.

Finally, the Greek Foreign Minister referred to the issues of bilateral cooperation and regional synergies discussed during the meeting with Minister Kombos.

The Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a region with a catalytic role in environmental protection and the EU’s energy independence. Greece and Cyprus can play a decisive role in this direction, Nikos Dendias concluded.

Source Cyprus News Agency

The EU can play a decisive role in breaking the deadlock and finding a solution of the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday on the sidelines of his visit to the Pefkios Georgiades Primary School in Nicosia.

Speaking to the Press, President Christodoulides said that the aim is to break the deadlock on the Cyprus problem through contacts, stressing that he chooses not to engage in a blame game with Ankara.

Asked if he has drawn up a plan with suggestions on the role of the UN and how to break the deadlock, he said he welcomes and sees as a positive sign the interest from international players, the UN and the EU, adding that he recently had a very good discussion with European Council President Charles Michel, with whom he will have a meeting on March 22.

He said that his meeting today with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus Colin Stewart was preparatory to his meeting with Rosemary DiCarlo.

Our approach and our goal are the involvement of the EU, because we believe that the EU in the current international context, as it has been shaped in particular by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has the motivation to lead to a mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial state of affairs and that is where we will invest, he noted, while clarifying that all of the above is always within the UN framework.

He added that it is important that DiCarlo will visit Cyprus and that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will be in Brussels and will speak to all the Heads of State and Government of the EU Member States on the cooperation between the EU and the UN, with the Cyprus problem being one of the issues that cooperation is needed.

We cannot waste time as regards efforts to break the deadlock, things are not easy. I know very well the positions of the Turkish side, I listen and read the statements every day. I consciously choose not to get involved in a blame game, he said.

I choose, the President added, to work in particular through these contacts with a clear objective, to see how we can break the deadlock. It is not easy, but we will do everything possible and we believe that the EU can decisively help in breaking the deadlock and in resolving the Cyprus problem, which is the main issue, he said.

Asked whether he will meet with the UN Secretary General in Brussels and commenting on a remark that the Turkish Cypriot leader has asked to meet with the UN Secretary General, President Christodoulides said that I have seen Mr Tatar’s intention, adding that there is no fixed appointment at the moment, I will certainly see him on the sidelines of the European Council, but there is no fixed appointment.

Source Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus will have access to Schengen Information System from the end of July, Justice Minister says

Justice Minister Anna Koukkides – Prokopiou has said she is pleased with the launch of the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the fact that the Republic of Cyprus will be able to have access to the system starting from the end of July. The Minister was speaking at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union that is held in Brussels.

The agenda of the first day included asylum and migration issues, the functioning of the Schengen area and internal security. During the second day of the Council on Friday, ministers will discuss issues related fundamental rights, issues arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as bariers to access to justice and the fight against crime.

I am particularly pleased because today we announced the launch of the SIS, the Schengen Information System. I particularly welcome the fact that the Republic of Cyprus will be able to access this system from the end of July after years of efforts by all the authorities of the Republic, the Justice Minister said.

This database will allow us to have full access to a common database of the other Member States of the European Union which will facilitate the cooperation of our own authorities, whether it is the police, customs or the immigration service, she continued.

She added that this will mean that we will be in a better position to identify and prevent risks to the security of our citizens in a timely manner, as it will allow us, among other things, to exchange information with other Member States on issues such as wanted persons, persons illegally staying on EU territory, persons involved in terrorist organisations and vulnerable persons at risk of abduction such as in the case of minors and children.

Koukkides – Prokopiou also pointed out that the system will be able to store fingerprints or other biometric data of suspected criminals, in order to allow their immediate identification and arrest before entering the country.

The Justice Minister pointed out that the second issue discussed during Thursday’s meeting was how to safeguard free movement within the European Union given the migratory pressures faced by Member States.

We particularly focused on ways we can improve visa policy for third country citizens or even citizens of specific countries without exempting them from criteria – based visa requirements, and without this creating either immigration risks or risks to the security of Cypriot citizens, she said.

On the external dimension of security, she added, the ministers discussed the external challenges arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its consequences for the immediate region and what exactly this means for the security of Moldova, another country at high risk.

Source Cyprus News Agency

Representatives from 12 parliaments in Europe, Asia and Africa are expected to travel to Cyprus, for the meeting of the International Secretariat, the Presidents and Rapporteurs of the Committees of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO).

The MPs will meet with Cyprus President, the President of the Parliament, the Archbishop and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, an announcement by the House says.

The session will take place in Limassol, March 16-17 at the initiative of the Cyprus delegation to IAO.

War in Ukraine, future of Europe, unity of the orthodox world, the dangers Christians are faced with in the Mideast, inter alia, will be on the agenda.

The Parliament notes the importance of the session taking place in Cyprus, as this year marks 30 years since the establishment of IAO in 1993.

As part of their three-day visit to Cyprus, the participants will visit places of religious, historical and cultural interest in the districts of Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos.

Source Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus is determined to intensify the efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and provide equal access to opportunities, including in the peace and security agenda, Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou said on Wednesday at the UN Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security.

In his speech, Hadjichrysanthou said that almost 23 years have elapsed since the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, which was a historic moment as it was the first time the Security Council recognized the role of women in peace and security.

As we come closer to the 25th Anniversary of the resolution, it is imperative, he said, to have a stock taking on what we have achieved so far, but mostly where we need to be by 2025 for the Resolution’s full implementation.

Noting that despite positive steps and progress taken since the adoption of Resolution 1325, we are sliding back, he pointed out that it is undeniable that women and girls continue to be dramatically affected by armed conflicts, their rights are violated and they are excluded from decision making processes related to peace and security.

Furthermore, he said, we witness the rise of conflict related violence around the world, women and girls continue to be exposed to sexual and gender-based violence – online and offline – while at the same time these acts of violence remain in many cases unpunished.

In that regard, we need to step up our efforts as States. Sexual violence in conflicts cannot be addressed in isolation, nor can it be separated from the status of women and the deeply rooted inequalities afflicting them. Perpetrators of these acts should be held accountable, and justice must prevail, he stressed.

Saying that women are still excluded from peace processes and negotiating tables, he said that this is detrimental to the efforts to achieve lasting peace and prosperous societies.

Without the full, meaningful, and equal participation of women in decision making structures and negotiation processes, this objective is at risk to remain unaccomplished. In this regard, more actions are needed at the national, regional, and international level for gender mainstreaming and the inclusion of gender issues in the global agenda he pointed out.

Referring to Cyprus, he said that the country welcomes all the 105 National Action Plans that have been adopted in relation to Resolution 1325, adding that Cyprus is one of these Member States since we have adopted our first National Action Plan in 2020.

The action plan, he added, to be implemented for the period 2021-2025 – consists of four pillars dealing with women participation and empowerment; protection; prevention; and advocacy.

Cyprus is determined to intensify the efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and provide equal access to opportunities, including in the peace and security agenda, he stressed.

Concluding he said that as we move towards the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 1325, we have a lot of challenges to overcome, adding that it is our collective responsibility to amplify our efforts in achieving the full implementation of Resolution 1325 and to adopt gender sensitive approaches to create a more peaceful and prosperous world for all.

Source Cyprus News Agency

Nicosia ranks first in the category of small European cities of the future for human capital and lifestyle, according to the results of the European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023 global ranking.

According to a press release sent Thursday by Nicosia Municipality, the report is prepared by the opinion magazine fDi Magazine, of the Financial Times group, and this is the fifth time that Nicosia is in first place in this category, since 2016.

Furthermore, Nicosia Municipality notes that in the same report, Nicosia also ranked 8th among small European cities in terms of FDI Strategy for attracting foreign investment, moving up one place compared to 202021 in the same category.

Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis expressed satisfaction for the results noting that we need to continue to invest in education, promote innovation and entrepreneurship and create an environment that accepts diversity and allows freedom of speech and expression.

He also noted that young people are the future, they are the part of society with the most potential and we need to invest to this end.

Some of the criteria taken into account to rank Nicosia first in the Human Capital and Lifestyle category include Labor force participation rate, Level of secondary education, level of tertiary education, educational expenditure, number of students and universities, graduate qualifications, life expectancy, social progress index, human development index and number of doctors per 1,000 inhabitants.

Source Cyprus News Agency