Day: May 14, 2023

Missing persons are a borderline issue for Cypriot literature, says the author-doctor Hari N. Spanou, whose novel “The Outpost” recently received a special mention from the pan-European committee of the European Literature Prize. Referring to this honorary distinction, Spanou tells the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that she felt “happy and a little surprised”, because she did not expect the impact of her novel in Europe. Books published in Cyprus are not widely known in Greece, while the reader can very easily find translated foreign literature, she points out. Replying to a question from CNA, Spanou states that it was not easy for her to deal with the issue of missing persons, which remains an open wound for Cyprus. She explains that it was something she hadn’t decided beforehand, adding that she originally intended to deal with the first phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. ‘My readings before writing the novel revolved around this theme,’ she points out. “The missing are a borderline issue for Cypriot literature,” she adds. “I realised that in addition to the humanitarian dimension and the fact that it constitutes a war crime, the issue of missing persons is complex and does not mainly concern those who have disappeared, but how it affects people today”, the author emphasises, underlining that in essence “The Outpost” investigates the ignorance of the living about what happened then. Asked if anything has changed in her perspective on missing persons after dealing with the issue through her novel, Hari N. Spanou answers positively, adding that, on a personal level, the book was the trigger to search for the story of a cousin of her father, who was missing, and to look for further information. On a broader level, Spanou says that relatives of the missing feel embarrassed by the fact that the reports on the missing do not mention the circumstances of these people’s deaths. “These stories are still shocking. Real reconciliation cannot be built if it is based on lies and if real justice is not delivered,” she points out. Speaking about the way the state and society are handling the issue of the missing today, Spanou tells CNA that the state has a lot of information but the investigations have escalated due to the refusal of the Turkish army to allow exhumations. On a social level, the families of the missing come together and bond over the funerals and memorial services of those found, she notes. Even several years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the testimonies of people who want to talk about the events before they die are increasing, she indicates. Referring to her relationship with writing, Hari N. Spanou says that she has been writing since she was a child. “For the last 20-25 years, writing has been for me a way of understanding, a way of observing and reflecting on the human condition,” she tells CNA. Her engagement with writing begins with her need to understand, she adds.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus and Israeli forces conducted between 7-11 of May the international drill IASON-1/2023 – BLUE SUN in the framework of the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme between the armed forces of the Republic of Cyprus and the State of Israel. A press release by the Ministry of Defence says that the drill took place with the participation of personnel and means of the Air Command of the National Guard and the Israeli Air Force. Israeli aircraft were stationed at the “ANDREAS PAPANDREOU” Air Base in Paphos, from which they executed the various scenarios of the drill. The purpose of the exercise, which was planned and coordinated by the armed forces of the two countries, was to train together the National Guard and the Israeli Air Force IPA personnel in air force deployment tactics, as well as to increase operational readiness and the level of standardization in planning and conducting air operations. Chief of the National Guard General Staff, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis, congratulated the personnel for the planning, preparation and successful conduct, as well as for the level of readiness, operational training and their high morale and professionalism. He also noted that the drill highlights the strategic relationship and strengthens the ties between the members of the armed forces of Cyprus and Israel, thus contributing to the strengthening of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The drill was part of the international collaborations developed by the National Guard with the armed forces of friendly countries. According to the press release, the exercise was particularly constructive.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

We see a lot going on, both in defence and in politics towards Russia, but some great ideas for visa waiver and other financial aid for Cyprus are also being discussed, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), Endy Zemenides has said noting the progress that has been made in bilateral relations between Cyprus and United States of America. In statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Zemenides highlighted the close relations of Cyprus and Greece with the USA, the progress that has been made in recent years with the contribution of the Greek-American community and also commented on the presidential elections held today in Turkey. Invited to comment on the participation of more than 40 Congress members and Senators in the 38th Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference that t??? place in Washington DC on May 9-11, Zemenides described it as impressive. “With what has been going on lately, such as the war in Ukraine, it was impressive that 40 Congress members and Senators attended the conference and indeed from the most important ones,’ he said. He went on to add that ‘it is important that not only the expatriate community, but also Greece and Cyprus have such appreciation. We cannot imagine and we must not forget where we were five years ago and compare it with today”. He also referred to the progress that has been made in recent years in the relations between Cyprus and Greece with the US State Department. He said he was impressed by Congress member David Cicilline and quoted him as saying “who would have imagined ten years ago when I met you that today we would arrive here. That the East Med Act had passed, Greece and Cyprus would have been at the center of American politics, we would have succeeded in lifting the embargo.” “But here we are today and with such foundations we can go further” he said. Asked about a possible policy change vis-a-vis the Cyprus issue after the presidential elections in Turkey, Zemenides said that we have to wait and see. “We have many things happening right now. We have to see what will happen with the elections in Turkey, the changes and opportunities when the elections are over. And not because one [presidential candidate] is better than the other, not because they will be friendlier or more peaceful, but because Turkey has huge economic needs. He [the next Turkish president] will have to change course if he wants to have support from America and Europe, otherwise he will be financially ruined,’ HALC Executive Director said. Erdogan already has a big problem with inflation, he has a lot of debt, he has spent all the funds to become president again, he further noted. ‘He gave increases to the Public Sector salaries 45% and I don’t understand what money he will have in the summer,’ Zemenides added. ‘For the financial aid that Turkey will need, it will have to come to terms with the West. And he cannot get along with the West as long as he has these positions towards Greece and Cyprus,” he also noted. The executive director of HALC also referred to the new US ambassador in Nicosia. “For the first time we see such a good choice in American diplomacy. It reminds me a little of the case of Pyatt when he went to Greece. The fact that she took over almost at the same time that Christodoulides [assumed office] is important,’ he pointed out. ‘We see a lot going on, both in defense and in politics towards Russia, but some great ideas for visa waiver and other financial aid for Cyprus are also being discussed,’ Zemenides went on. ‘I used to believe that the closer the bilateral relations between Nicosia and Washington become, the easier the solution will be. For decades we did the opposite. We were holding bilateral relations hostage in the Cyprus issue and that is why nothing was being done. If we do the opposite, we may have some results,” Zemenide said.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos referred to the long-standing support of Cyprus for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea during an intervention at the 2nd EU Indo- Pacific Ministerial Forum which took place in Stockholm. The Minister took part in the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers – Gymnich – and the 2nd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum that took place in Stockholm 12 and 13 of May. A press release by the Ministry says that during the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in a round table discussion on security challenges in the region. In his intervention, Kombos referred to the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, stressing that in a constantly changing geopolitical environment, it is important that issues related to regional security, such as maritime disputes, cyber security and humanitarian issues, are jointly addressed. He stressed Cyprus’ longstanding support for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Convention’s dispute settlement mechanisms provide the international community with the appropriate tools to effectively address critical issues such as maritime security, natural resource exploration and exploitation, and dispute settlement, he stressed. At Gymnich, the Foreign Ministers discussed about Ukraine and EU-China relations. Regarding Ukraine, the Ministers held a strategic discussion on the EU’s long-term plans on the issue. They also had the opportunity to hold a separate exchange of views with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. In his intervention, the Minister of Foreign Affairs referred to the unity demonstrated by the EU on the issue of Ukraine, stressing that through this unity we succeeded in taking tangible measures and having an unprecedented support for Ukraine. Referring to sanctions, he said that we are witnessing the effort of third countries to bypass them. Concluding, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Ukraine’s future lies within the EU, noting that this is through an ambitious, but necessary, program of reforms in the country. The Foreign Ministers also had the opportunity for an in-depth discussion on EU-China relations. In his intervention, the Foreign Minister referred to the EU’s multifaceted approach to China, stressing that China is an important country in international affairs, but also an important trading partner for the EU. Our approach to China must go through a structured dialogue, which focuses on the issues that are of significant importance for the Union, without forgetting European principles and values, he pointed out. On the sidelines of the Gymnich deliberations and the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Kombos held a series of separate meetings with the Foreign Ministers of India, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore, with whom he exchanged views on issues related to bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues. He also had the opportunity to have a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, to whom he conveyed the undivided support and solidarity of Cyprus to the people and the Government of Ukraine, stressing that Cyprus, as a position of principle, supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of his country.

Source: Cyprus News Agency