Day: March 27, 2023

Solar power has been increasingly popular over the years as it can reduce electric bills, take some control over how electricity is getting generated, and have a solar system that can survive blackout, all in a financially responsible way. BLUETTI is about to release its new PV420 solar panel in Europe and UK, making a big push into the solar energy industry throughout this continent.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230313005381/en/

BLUETTI PV420 On Route to Go Live! (Photo: Business Wire)

PV420 delivers the most power compared to the solar panel lineups that BLUETTI has ever made. It features astonishing solar power of up to 400W and a max 23,4% high-converting rate, so recharging the power station doesn’t have to be time-consuming. It’s capable of capturing about 2kWh solar power with 6 hours of prime sunshine, which is enough to run essential devices for hours.

BLUETTI equips PV420 with monocrystalline solar cells and multi-layered ETFE to ensure better light transmittance, higher conversion efficiency, and a longer lifespan. The ETFE coating surface has a rating of IP65 to shrug off water splashes, scratches, and dust, making it ideal for working even under extreme weather conditions.

Many factors can affect the solar intake of the solar panels, such as sunlight intensity, shading, panel orientation, etc. PV420 has an easy-to-setup kickstand that can be adjusted to the optimal orientation to make the most of the sunshine. There’s no need to rely exclusively on the grid to have the power station charged at home or on the go.

PV420 is perfectly compatible with BLUETTI power stations, including AC200P, AC200MAX, AC300, AC500, EB150, EB240, EP500, and EP500Pro, as well as other third-party power stations which have MC4 connectors and consistent voltage output with PV420.

Availability

BLUETTI PV420 is expected to hit the shelf of Europe as of March, carrying a debut price of 899pound , which will be time-limited and available from 12-29 Mar.

About BLUETTI

From the very beginning, BLUETTI has tried to stay true to a sustainable future through green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use while delivering an exceptional eco-friendly experience for our homes and our world. That’s why BLUETTI makes its presence in 70+ countries and is trusted by millions of customers across the globe. For more information, please visit BLUETTI online at https://www.bluettipower.eu/.

This material is not a CNA editorial material and CNA shall not bear responsibility for the accuracy of its content. In case you have any questions about the content, kindly refer to the contact person mentioned in the text of the press release.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

With speakers from nine organisations and 47 participants from 11 countries, the UN and the EU, a course on Diplomatic Skills for Common Security and Defence Policy is being held in Larnaca, organised by the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy and the West University of Timisoara, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, with the support of the Eastern Partnership Initiative, of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Romanian Embassy in Cyprus.

Staff from the Defence Ministry, the National Guard, the Cyprus Police, as well as the House Defence committee are taking part in the seminar on the part of the Republic of Cyprus.

The week-long seminar’s ultimate goal is to support EU Member States, institutions and agencies, on personnel training, to be able to work efficiently in Common Security and Defence Policy, (CSDP) related fields at the operational and strategic levels, said in his speech Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Andreas Louka.

He further noted the MOD ‘is actively promoting the creation of a common European security and defence culture.’

In this context, he added, over the past two years, the Security and Defence Academy has organized 12 international training activities and conferences, with the support of local and international institutions, which have all been open to EU member states, as well as to other strategic partners from our neighbourhood.

Throughout these initiatives, he added, subjects of high interest and value were highlighted, which include Cyber Security, Climate Change and Security, Project Management in Missions and Operations, the Future of the EU Security and Defence, Leadership and Gender mainstreaming in Military training and in CSDP Missions and Operations.

He further said the MOD is promoting the idea and encouraging the Academy to co – organise events and training initiatives, with other National and Foreign actors, with which we share a common vision for a better and more secure world, based on common values and aspirations.

Louka said this is ‘our very first initiative with Romania in this field and we are confident that we will find the way to commence our future cooperation’.

In his speech, the Deputy Head of the European Commission Delegation in Cyprus, Nikolaos Isaris, stated that “it is important for the European Commission to have a common defence and security policy with the Member States. It is also very important to have education in both military and political missions so that they can use diplomatic skills to achieve the goals of our common policy.”

He added that “the European Union has recently adopted the ‘strategic compass’, which is essentially an action plan.”

It has, he said, “very specific actions from now until 2030 to strengthen its role in the defence and security sector, which has been less dynamic so far, to be able to mobilize troops if needed, and special teams and experts in conflict zones, and to develop its own intelligence by developing various tools for areas that were difficult to do so until now, such as in cyberspace.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Minister of Finance Makis Keravnos has called on banks to go ahead with loan restructurings, maintain low lending rates and bank charges and to increase deposit rates on the backdrop of continued basic rate hikes by Central Banks, warning that otherwise the government ‘would make different thoughts.’

In his first appearance to the Parliamentary Finance and Budgetary Committee on Monday, Keravnos said he raised the issue of rising interest rates in letters he sent to the Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) as well to the management of commercial banks.

‘I have discussed this issue with the CBC Governor and I had sent letters to the CBC Governor and commercial banks and credit acquiring companies with clear suggestions over timely restructurings, reduction of lending rates and mainly to draft a list with strategic defaulters,’ he said, pointing out that not all borrowers can be dealt with in the same way.

Keravnos said he will hold meetings with the CEO’s of the Cypriot banks to discuss the issue.

Banks as large corporations have a social corporate responsibility to society and people who at the time of crisis have paid a great price to support the banking sector,’ he said, referring to the financial crisis in 2013.

MPs expressed concerns that rising lending rates may lead to new non-performing loans (NPLs) and voiced objections the extremely low rates paid by the banks to depositors.

‘I agree that deposit rates are low and we have pointed this out to banks and I think, at least from our first communications, there will be a positive response. I hope that soon we will see results so we will not have to make other thoughts,’ he said.

Keravnos also said the government could consider expanding the mandate of the Financial Ombudsman and increasing its staff.

He however pointed out that the continued suspension of foreclosures is no solution to the issue of NPLs ‘because it only inflates the problem’, while Cyprus is monitored by rating agencies and the European Commission.

‘This must stop,’ he said, adding that new solutions should be considered.

With regard to a proposal over the establishment of a special court for non-performing borrowers, Keravnos said he would absolutely agree with this ‘provided that it would examine the cases quickly and it would not take five or ten years.’

‘Otherwise, we will preserve the current situation,’ he added.

With regard to the increased prices in energy, Keravnos did not rule out the renewal of government schemes to support households and businesses depending on the developments of inflation and price increases.

The Finance Minister recalled the schemes to reduce excised duty on fuel and the scaled subsidy on electricity bills due to the high international oil prices which expire in May and April respectively with a total cost of pound 84 million.

‘The Ministry is ready to reconsider these schemes and will act accordingly,’ he said.

He also said the government could also reconsider the schemes for interest rate subsidy to housing loans and corporate loans. ‘These plans could be reintroduced depending on the developments,’ he said.

Furthermore, Keravnos said the government is proceeding with a tax reform which among other things includes raising the tax-free income threshold, increasing disposable income especially for low wage earners.

‘This is something we are considering. The previous tax reform was made in 2008. We believe it is necessary to proceed with a new tax reform,’ he said, adding the reform will be fiscally neutral.

‘The aim is an additional mechanism for a better, a fairer distribution of income,’ Keravnos added.

The current tax-free income threshold in Cyprus stands at pound 19,500.

Moreover, Keravnos also reiterated his aim to preserve fiscal discipline and financial stability and recalled that the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact’s escape clause will be terminated in the end in 2023, which means that euro area member-states should draft four-year plans aiming at convergence with the Maastricht criteria including public debt ratio of 60% of GDP.

‘To achieve this, we must operate in a strict fiscal framework and to get there we should maintain a primary surplus (excluding debt-servicing costs) of over 2%,’ he said.

Keravnos called on the Parliament to approve a government bill over the reduced VAT rate on housing, pointing out that there is a danger that the European Commission will impose a fine for non-compliance with EU directives.

Noting that the Commission has agreed with the latest government proposals he said ‘the parliament should agree on the bill to avoid any consequences.’

The government bill provides for a reduced VAT rate of 5% for the first 170 square metres of a home of a total surface area of 220 square metres and with a property value up to pound 350,000. For apartments, the lower rate would apply to the first 90 square metres of a total surface area of 110 square metres and with a property value up to pound 200,000.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

We want the second Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU to be even more successful, said President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday, noting the importance of organising a successful presidency, like the one in 2012, for a small member state.

Receiving in the morning, at the Presidential Palace, the annual report of the European Parliament in Cyprus from the head of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus, Andreas Kettis, President Christodoulides also said that the EU is “our common home” and we must have a more active role in its discussions and decisions.

He added that he is aware of “the excellent work done by the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus”, which is “recognised by the Cypriot society as a whole.”

President Christodoulides also referred to the work being done regarding the Cypriot youth, “because that is where our efforts should be focused”, as he noted.

He continued noting that he is not satisfied with the extent to which citizens perceive the importance of Europe, but also with the importance they attach to what happens in Europe, adding that “as a government we have a responsibility, bearing in mind that our EU membership was the most important success.” Furthermore, he said that Cyprus is gradually making the most of integration, adding that “we clearly need to do more.”

“The legislative work of the European Parliament is of crucial importance and also concerns the Republic of Cyprus, since a significant number of our legislation is the adoption of the decisions taken in Brussels,” indicated President Christodoulides.

He underlined that “what we should understand as the executive power, but also the legislative power, like the Cypriot MEPs, is that we should not limit ourselves to the adoption of the decisions of either the Commission or the Council, but to actively participate in the drafting of these legislative acts on the part of Parliament or the EU in general”. That is why, he noted, he considers the role of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus “decisive.”

“Our cooperation will be strengthened even more, we have common goals and common aspirations and we have before us a milestone that I consider of decisive importance, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU,” he went on to say.

“We worked in the first Presidency, we know how important it was, how important it is for a small member state like the Republic of Cyprus to have a successful presidency, as we had in 2012 and this by all accounts, is not just our assessment,” said the President, expressing at the same time the desire “for this second presidency to be even more successful.” To this end, he indicated, “cooperation with the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus is a necessary condition.”

Delivering the annual report of the European Parliament in Cyprus, Andreas Kettis said that it concerns the year 2022, adding that the mission of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus “is to inform Cypriot European citizens about what is going on in the European Parliament, both for the resolutions as well as for the legislation it produces together with the Council.”

He also said that the European Parliament is the only directly elected European institution of the EU, expressing thanks to the President of the Republic for the support provided to his Office.

Kettis pointed out that “the institutions are particularly pleased that the President of the Republic of Cyprus declares himself a pro-European,” adding that “Brussels is not far from Cyprus.” He also noted that “Cyprus and the EU are the same thing, we are at the core, it is very important for a small member state like our country to be at the core of European integration”.

Referring to the second Cypriot EU Council Presidency the head of the European Parliament representation expressed the conviction that “if the government wants to have a good presidency, it will achieve an excellent presidency”, adding that he has no doubt about it since President Christodoulides is the head of government and having had the experience of the first presidency which was a successful one.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

There has been a significant negative shift in attitudes towards the integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants according to an opinion poll about the perceptions of Cypriots about them.

The small size of Cyprus, the possible changes in the island’s demographics and the fear of criminal/violent behaviour continue to constitute the main concerns the public has regarding refugees and asylum-seekers. Consistent with previous findings on fears, there is a preference towards the idea of introducing a limit to the number of refugees and asylum-seekers that Cyprus can receive.

The study was undertaken by the University Centre for Field Studies (UCFS) of the University of Cyprus, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cyprus between September and December 2022.

According a UNHCR press release, the purpose of the study was to identify perceptions and attitudes towards refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, and discern trends or shifts in public opinion from the last comparable survey conducted for UNHCR in 2018.

UNHCR will use the findings to develop specific and informed strategies in their ongoing protection and advocacy work on the island, it is noted.

According to the findings, today, African countries are regarded as the main countries of origin, followed by Middle Eastern countries, while in 2018 the primary countries of origin were thought to be Middle Eastern countries. Estimations of the numbers of refugees currently thought to reside in Cyprus have also increased since the 2018 study.

Refugees from Ukraine, who arrived in Cyprus since February 2022 are not perceived as asylum-seekers nor as refugees. In addition, overestimations about the monthly allowance that asylum-seekers are entitled to, or other governmental financial contributions for asylum-seekers, were also recorded.

The most notable change between 2018 and 2022 appears to be a significant negative shift in attitudes towards integration. The majority of respondents recognised that certain obstacles to refugee integration, such as xenophobia and racism, are posed by the local population.

“While this finding suggests an increasing awareness among the public of negative norms, a significant number of participants perceive refugees and asylum-seekers as themselves lacking the willingness to integrate. It appears that the idea that refugees and asylum-seekers do not want to integrate in Cypriot society is working as an ideological moral disengagement strategy, shifting the responsibility for integration to refugees and asylum-seekers themselves,” UNCHR notes.

Moreover, it says that the perception that refugees and asylum-seekers prefer to interact only with members of their own ethnic communities was prevalent among respondents, which further suggests that the public seems to shift the responsibility for integration to refugees and asylum-seekers themselves.

It could be argued, based on the findings, that there is an increasing trend favouring isolation rather than integration. Percentages favouring camps as a way of accommodating refugees and asylum-seekers have increased, while percentages favouring integration in society have decreased since 2018, UNHCR says.

This is probably attributable to the dominant political and public discourse where the refugee integration component is absent.

As regards the terms refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, there is still confusion among the public about similarities and differences between these groups. When comparing the three groups, the most negative representation is that of asylum-seekers while the least negative is that of refugees.

This may be attributed to the fact that many Cypriots identify themselves as refugees following internal displacement in 1974. References relating to hardships and suffering were made for all the aforementioned groups, which suggests an acknowledgement of the difficult conditions they are facing. Refugees are considered to be the group suffering the most, while asylum-seekers are perceived to suffer the least. Moreover, among the three groups, refugees are perceived to be the least threatening while asylum-seekers are perceived to be the most threatening group.

Migrants fall in the middle, both with regard to suffering and threat posed to society. On a positive note, there is clear recognition by the vast majority of the participants of the difficult conditions refugees and asylum-seekers are facing in reception centers, which are considered unsafe and unsuitable for habitation.

Additionally, the majority of the respondents expressed a positive response to calls for support and donations of food, clothes, money and other forms of support in daily life situations for refugees and asylum-seekers. What is also encouraging is the expression of intention to continue offering this kind of support in the future, UNHCR says.

It adds that these findings suggest that there is a charitable approach towards supporting refugees rather than a human rights-based approach that grants asylum to refugees and enables their integration in society. Additionally, respondents expressed reluctance towards eventually granting citizenship following naturalization procedures. In terms of daily contact with refugees, it seems that over time the public comes into more frequent contact and communication with refugees compared to 2018, although today they state that the contact is not as pleasant compared to that reported in 2018.

Most of those participants who do have contact report mostly pleasant feelings during contact; this finding underlines the beneficial effects of contact as predicted by the contact hypothesis.

The argumentation that Cyprus does not have the capacity to accept more asylum-seekers nor is it able to cope with increased arrivals is also reflected in the findings. As to UNHCR, a positive element recorded is the increased visibility of UNHCR and increased visits to UNCHR’s website and social media pages since 2018. Yet more work needs to be done by UNHCR and other stakeholders, including the media, in addressing the negative perceptions that have been identified by this study. Working with media to enhance awareness and tell the human story should be an ongoing goal.

According to the UNHCR, any programmes aiming to bring the local population in contact with refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants will certainly help in alleviating some of the fears (both realistic and symbolic) that lead to prejudice and opposition to policies that support refugees and asylum-seekers.

Moreover there is a great need to include integration in the public and political debate as an important parameter in the comprehensive management of the asylum and migration issue.

The total number of participants was 1,057 persons. The data collected via phone interviews between 3rd and 27th of November 2022 by the University Center for Field Studies of the University of Cyprus were analyzed using quantitative methods and were largely representative of the Greek Cypriot population of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Tourist arrivals in Cyprus are increasing year by year, said today Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis, noting that it is positive that the cities on our island are competing with each other, since this competition will be beneficial for Cyprus.

Addressing an event for the presentation of the “Larnaka Land of Tomorrow” architectural approach, Koumis said that “Larnaca is a city that is trying to climb even higher in terms of tourism and in order to achieve this, even more projects must come to the city”.

This particular project, he added, “is quite significant but the most important thing is that it moves in the context of sustainable development which is of great interest to us and it is a message that must continue to spread everywhere in Cyprus.”

Koumis referred to both the tourism season extension in Cyprus and its spatial expansion, which “will be achieved through projects such as the one presented today by the Lefkaritis Group”, adding that “arrivals in Cyprus are increasing year by year, we had a huge increase in 2014 – 2018 and in order for more tourists to continue to arrive on our island we need new and remarkable tourist areas”.

The Deputy Minister also said that “we share the vision of the Lefkaritis Group to make Larnaca perhaps the best city in Cyprus. We like to see cities competing with each other because at the end of the day we will have a much better Cyprus and we want to see destinations competing with each other.”

Environment Commissioner Maria Panayiotou also expressed her satisfaction with the presentation of the project and said that “it is an optimistic and feasible project, which includes the natural extension of Larnaca, inspired by the beauty and biodiversity of Cyprus.”

But what satisfies our office, she added, “is that it contributes to the transformation of Larnaca into a Green City and is a project that is fully compatible with the terms of Green Growth and Sustainable Mobility.”

Mayor of Larnaca Andreas Vyras also expressed his satisfaction for the implementation of the project, adding that “the Land of Tomorrow is fully in line with the Municipality’s vision for the development of the city.”

Addressing the event Chairman of the Board of the Lefkaritis Group Costakis Lefkaritis spoke of a vision and ambition to create a project that will respect the environment, the people and the city of Larnaca. CEO Dinos Lefkaritis said that the project would become a landmark for Larnaca and Cyprus attracting young people and businesses.

Ben Scott, Senior Partner of Foster + Partners, who presented the project, explained that “the main inspiration for creating the Land of Tomorrow vision was the rich history of the city and the key elements that define it. Our ambition for the Land of Tomorrow masterplan is to create a landmark development that is an extension of the city by preserving and enhancing its most important features.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

There will be no issue as regards the Republic of Cyprus’ membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the event that Turkey is elected as its Secretary-General, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.

Moreover, he noted that the Republic of Cyprus cannot support the Turkish membership for the position of the IMO Secretary-General as Turkey does not allow ships under the Cyprus flag to dock in Turkish ports.

President Christodoulides was replying to a question on the sidelines of an event in Nicosia, about reactions regarding the support of Greece to the Turkish membership, if he was aware of this support and if there is any danger for Cyprus to face problems with its membership to the Organization in case Turkey assumes the post of the Secretary-General, as Ankara does not recognize Cyprus.

The IMO Secretary-General exercises his or her duties based on the Organization’s Convention, he said.

He added that the Republic of Cyprus is an IMO member and is elected at a high ranking post by the Organisation’s plenary and there will be no issue if Turkey is elected in the post of Secretary – General.

The President noted that elections will take place in June and candidacies can be submitted until Friday. He added that Greece and Turkey have supported each other, as the former supports the latter’s membership for the IMO, while Turkey supports Greece’s candidacy for a seat at the United Nations Security Council as an elected member for the 2025-2026 term.

“I understand that this was agreed when the Greek Foreign Minister Dendias travelled to Turkey after the earthquakes,” President Christodoulides added and underlined that “we will make the most” of a possible strengthening of the two countries’ relations.

He further pointed out that anyone can see that the Republic of Cyprus cannot support Turkey’s candidacy, simply because Turkey does not allow ships under the Cyprus flag to dock in Turkish ports.

“You realize that it will not be possible for our side to support such a candidacy,” he concluded.

Turkey occupies 37% of Cyprus’ territory since 1974 and does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Commission has sent letters of formal notice to Cyprus for failure to notify national measures transposing directives in time regarding a directive on drinking water and cross border company activities, as part of its package of infringement decisions released on Monday.

In this package, there are 25 Member States who have not yet notified full transposition measures for six EU directives in the fields of environment, internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs, migration, home affairs, security union and justice. Cyprus has received letters of formal notice regarding two directives.

Member States concerned now have two months to reply to the letters of formal notice and complete their transposition, or the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion, the last step before the possible opening of a case in front of the Court of Justice of the EU.

Drinking water

The Commission updated Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (the Drinking Water Directive) which now includes updated safety standards, introduces a methodology to identify and manage quality risks in the whole water supply chain, establishes a watch list of emerging substances and introduces conformity provisions for products to be used in contact with drinking water.

The new directive tackles water leakages as now on average 23% of the treated water is lost during distribution in the EU. The directive also includes new provisions that require Member States to improve and maintain access to drinking water for all, and for vulnerable and marginalised groups in particular.

Member States had the obligation to transpose these new EU provisions into their national systems by 12 January 2023, and to communicate their national transposition measures to the Commission.

To date, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, failed to notify national measures fully transposing the Directive by the set deadline and will therefore be receiving letters of formal notice.

Company law

In November 2019, the Directive (EU) 2019/2121 amended the Directive (EU) 2017/1132 and laid down new rules to help companies move across borders under harmonised EU rules. These new rules will make it easier for companies to merge, divide or move within the Single Market, while providing safeguards against abuse and ensuring that employees’ rights are well protected.

Member States had to transpose the Directive into their national legislation and inform the Commission thereof by 31 January 2023. The following Member States have not notified the national measures transposing the Directive: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Source: Cyprus News Agency