Day: June 2, 2023

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Cyprus’ Energy Minister says 2023 a milestone year for “Aphrodite” gas field

Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry George Papanastasiou has said that undoubtedly, 2023 is a milestone year for Cyprus’ “Aphrodite” gas field, as the licensee will have to make significant decisions regarding its development, according to their contractual obligations.

He was speaking at a conference organised by the Energy Committee of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, focusing on natural gas and renewable energy sources (RES).

Papanastasiou mentioned that on Wednesday, May 31st, the consortium of Chevron, Shell, and NewMed Energy submitted the revised Development and Production Plan for the “Aphrodite” gas field to the Ministry of Energy. He said that the purpose of the revision, as emphasised by the consortium, was to optimise the development plan by utilising synergies with other facilities located in Egypt. This revision process, he added, began after Chevron acquired Noble Energy.

“The Ministry of Energy will carefully study the consortium’s proposal for discussion and consultations, aiming to reach a final and mutually acceptable text. In any case, the final approval will be issued by the Republic of Cyprus,” he noted.

He added that in the meantime, the consortium has initiated the appraisal drilling in the “Aphrodite” gas field, which was expected to be completed within the summer. He added that the drilling was anticipated to provide significant information about the field that will aid, among other things, in shaping the development and production plan.

Increased energy prices open a window of opportunity

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At the same time, the Minister stated that the unprecedented surge in energy prices, particularly in Europe, creates a favourable environment for the development of natural gas fields discovered in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“The window of opportunity that has opened will not remain open for long, and for this reason, we must act swiftly and decisively in collaboration with the companies operating within our EEZ, implementing our research program and advancing the development of existing and future gas discoveries,” he noted.

Regarding upcoming drilling activities, he mentioned that the joint venture of Eni and TotalEnergies intends to conduct an appraisal drilling in the “Kronos” discovery in late 2023 or early 2024.

As for the remaining licensed blocks, the Minister highlighted that license holders within the Cypriot EEZ are progressing with their research programs, which are expected to culminate in the next 2-3 years. He expressed hope that these efforts would lead to new discoveries, thus enhancing Cyprus’ energy potential.

The Minister expects companies to submit specific proposals for infrastructure

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The Minister explained the alternative proposal that the government has presented to industry companies for the importation of natural gas to Cyprus for electricity generation purposes through a pipeline. As he said, natural gas would come from fields in the Eastern Mediterranean, possibly including the Cypriot fields. This gas, he added, would be secured at prices prevailing in the region and would be used both for electricity generation and for liquefaction and export to Europe and elsewhere.

He pointed out that the two main goals of the proposed infrastructure was to reduce the cost of electricity in Cyprus and the country’s energy security.

“We are convinced that these infrastructures will incentivise gas producers in the Eastern Mediterranean to utilise them for transportation to Cyprus, where it will be liquefied for exports as LNG, to Europe and global markets,” he said.

He also mentioned the ongoing discussions with Israel on the matter and the workshop held in Nicosia last Monday and Tuesday to present this prospect to the companies.

“I must say that the initial response from participants was positive, and we expect them to return soon with specific thoughts and proposals, as well as an official expression of interest in participating in such a project,” he said.

He further noted that natural gas will play a significant role in the green transition as a bridge fuel leading to a green and circular economy.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Hadjizacharias discussed connectivity and artificial intelligence in Luxembourg

Deputy Minister Philippos Hadjizacharias discussed with his counterparts the future of connectivity and the need for state intervention to ensure coverage coverage in areas where the market is not investing, and also presented Cyprus’ strategy on artificial intelligence issues, during the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of the EU which took place in Luxembourg on Friday, according to a statement circulated by the PIO.

The ministers discussed the future of the connectivity sector and the need for measures which could boost investment in infrastructure, while also touching on the challenges facing the electronic communications sector. Part of the discussion focused on the growing importance of access to secure and reliable connectivity infrastructure which is necessary for an efficient single market.

During the discussion, Hadjizacharias pointed out that both the EU’s connectivity targets as well Cyprus’ national targets can only be achieved through state intervention. He explained that this is necessary to extend broadband coverage to “white areas” where the market is not willing to invest, such as semi-urban, rural and remote areas.

The Deputy Minister noted that Cyprus has made significant progress in the deployment of very high capacity networks (VHCN) and that the country has a subsidy programme in place for the deployment of such networks.

Hadjizacharias added that the Electronic Communications Code, along with the proposed Gigabit Infrastructure Act and Gigabit Recommendation, provide a stable and predictable framework within which investors, operators and consumers can make long-term decisions with confidence.

According to the statement, the Deputy Minister also referred to the challenges facing the electronic communications sector such as growing cyber threats, given the heavy reliance on electronic communications networks and services by critical operators and infrastructure in other sectors.

Hadjizacharias also stressed the need to expand international connectivity through submarine cables, underlining that this is of critical importance for Cyprus as an island member state.

During the Council, ministers also had an exchange of views and best practices on challenges raised by the use of Artificial Intelligence. In his intervention, Hadjizacharias referred to the Cyprus AI Strategy, which revolves around the establishment of a national committee for the reliable and ethical use of this technology. The aim, he said, is to create a safe, efficient and inclusive ecosystem.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Cyprus cultural heritage showcased through digital maps and reconstructions

A new website, which aims to showcase cultural heritage sites across Cyprus, through photographs, interactive maps, 3D reconstructions and other multimedia, has been launched by the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) .

The Cyprus Digital Heritage website (www.cyprusdigitalheritage.com) is funded by the EU through the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, and will eventually include cultural heritage sites restored and conserved by the bicommunal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage (TCCH) from both sides of the divide, connected to both of the island’s main communities.

At this moment the website only includes some cultural heritage monuments, and new information for more sites is expected to be added gradually.

According to a European Commission press release, the website will include virtual tours featuring cultural heritage sites which hold significant cultural and historical value for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, representing a bridge between their shared past and a foundation for building a common future.

The platform will include interactive maps, 3D reconstructions, and other multimedia elements which can be a resource for education, researchers and cultural enthusiasts among the public.

‘The Cyprus Digital Heritage website presents an opportunity to stimulate dialogue, foster understanding and connect the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, thereby hopefully paving the way for the reunification of Cyprus’ said Kjartan Björnsson, Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support at the Directorate-General Reform of the European Commission.

‘The launch of the Cyprus Digital Heritage website, featuring TCCH sites, represents a remarkable collaboration between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities’ said Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus Head of Office.

Since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the financial support from the European Union amounting to almost 25 million euro. Overall, the TCCH has received 35.6 million euro from several donors to implement its priorities for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Tourism revenue up 41.5% in March

Cyprus witnessed a remarkable 41.5% increase in tourism revenue during March 2023, as revealed by the latest Travelers’ Survey results published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus on Friday.

The total revenue generated from tourism reached pound 97.8 million, compared to pound 69.1 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. This growth surpassed the pre-pandemic levels recorded in March 2019, which amounted to pound 96.6 million, signalling a robust recovery for the industry.

During the first quarter of 2023, the overall tourism revenue demonstrated a remarkable 46.1% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The total earnings amounted to pound 200 million, outpacing the previous year’s figure of pound 136.9 million.

Despite the overall increase in tourism revenue, there was a slight decrease in per capita expenditure among tourists in March 2023. The per capita expenditure for tourists in March 2023 amounted to pound 530.72, compared to pound 536.39 in March 2022, representing a 1.1% decrease.

British tourists, who constitute the largest tourist market accounting for 33.8% of total visitors in March 2023, spent an average of pound 69.58 per day. Israeli tourists, the second-largest market during that month with 12.4% of the total, had an average daily expenditure of pound 140.89. Greek tourists, representing the third-largest market with 8.2%, spent pound 57.32 per day.

Among the various countries, Israeli tourists had the highest per capita daily expenditure, followed by visitors from Lebanon with pound 126.64 and Austria with pound 97.15.

In terms of the average length of stay in March 2023, tourists stayed for an average of 7.2 days. Visitors from the United States had the longest average stay at 11.7 days, followed by tourists from Sweden with 10.7 days and France with 9.9 days.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Cyprus top in list of medals at 19th Games of the Small States of Europe

June started off on the right foot for Cypriot athletes participating at the 19th Games of the Small States of Europe, held in Malta. At the same time, Cyprus tops the list of medals with a total of 58 medals.

Besides winning medals, Cypriot athletes also set national records and achieved individual performances.

Andreas Michallekidis won the gold in the long jump, with a distance of 7.44 meters. This performance is a personal record and his best performance of the year. Loucas Simillides finished in 4th place in the long jump with a distance of 6.73 meters.

Natalia Christofi broke the record in the women’s 110m hurdles with a time of 13.01, With her performance, Christofi not only takes home the gold but also leaves the stadium with a national achievement, which she herself held, as well as a race record previously held by Ermorfia Baourda since June 6, 2009.

In the men’s pole vault, Christos Tamanis clinched a silver medal with 5.20m while Nikandros Stylianou got the bronze also with 5.20m.

In the men’s 400m, Paisios Demetriades ranked fourth with a 47.90 time and PAvlos Nicolaou ranked 8th with 48.87.

In the women’s 400m, Kalliopi Koundouri finished second with 55.29 and Rafaelia Demetriou came third with 55.99.

In the 1500m, Michara Andrea Gacuni ranked fourth with a time of 3:51.99, a personal record while Christos Demetriou ranked fifth with a time of 3:54.26.

In the Men’s Shot Put Petros Michaelides finished fourth with 16.57.

In the 110m men’s hurdles, Constantinos Tziakouris came second with a time of 14.52 which is a personal performance while Christos Economides came third with 14.63, also a personal record.

In the Women’s Triple Jump, Nikoleta Chrysanthou came fifth with 12. 09 followed by Chrysonimfi Pediou with 11.86.

In the Women’s 3,000 m Steeplechase, Chrystalla Chadjipolidorou won gold after a firm finish and time of 11.02.11.

Cypriot athletes also broke the national record twice in women’s 100m backstroke. Maria Erokhina finished second with a time of 1.10.59 while Michaeldimi Procopiou ranked 7th with 1.16.44. The silver medal went to Panagiotis Panaretos for the Men’s 100m backstroke with 1.01.59 also a Pancyprian record.

Cypriot athletes won gold and silver in the 4?100 medley relay. The gold was clinched by the women’s team with a time of 4.15.98, a Pancyprian performance while the men’s team grabbed the silver with a time of 3.43.98.

Swimmer, Kalia Antoniou, added another gold to her collection by winning the 50m freestyle with a time of 25.23. In the same race, Anna Hadjiloizou finished in 3rd place with a time of 25.91 and claimed the bronze medal. Kalia Antoniou also secured the silver medal in the 200m freestyle with a time of 2:03.11, while Christina Ayiomamitou finished 5th with a time of 2:07.37.

On the other hand, in the 50m freestyle, Nicholas Antoniou fell behind his usual performance and finished in 4th place with a time of 22.98. Markos Iakovides finished 7th with a time of 23.51.

In the men’s 200m freestyle, Stavros Tzirtzipis came fourth with 1.54.51.

The two-day tournament of 3×3 Men’s and Women’s Basketball concluded with one gold and one bronze medal, held at the outdoor courts of the “Pavilion” sports complex in Malta.

They saved their best performance for the final. The Men’s National Team claimed the gold medal on Thursday, defeating Luxembourg 21-20 in the final and reaching the top step of the podium. The victory of Hionas, Georgiou, Mythilou, and Tretiakov was well-deserved, as they put their hearts into the most important match of the tournament and achieved a great success.

The women’s team secured the bronze medal in 3×3 basketball by defeating Malta 15-14 and rightfully climbing to the third step of the podium. Undoubtedly, it is a significant achievement for Georgiou, Kontou, Kyriakou, and Papadouri.

Cyprus judo claimed another gold on Thursday, winning the Men’s Mixed category.

With this success, Cypriot judo has reached an unprecedented number of 8 gold medals in this year’s Games of the Small States of Europe.

In addition, on Thursday, they added another medal, the bronze in the Women’s Mixed category. The judo athletes will return to Cyprus with a total tally of 8 gold, 1 silver, and 7 bronze medals in this year’s Games of the Small States of Europe.

The victory of the Women’s National Basketball Team against Montenegro is described as historic. The girls of coach Iraklis Pittakas prevailed with a score of 63-59 and secured their first win in the tournament, ending a 10-year “drought,” in not winning a game in the Games of the Small States of Europe for so many years.

In the ranking matches starting on Friday, the women who finished in 4th place will once again face Montenegro.

The Men’s National Team did not succeed, as they lost to Montenegro with a score of 80-70, and on Friday will face the winner of the match between Malta and Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, Cyprus remains top on the list of medals with a total of 58 medals, including 21 gold, 17 silver, and 20 bronze.

Following Cyprus is Malta with 48 medals (19 gold, 12 silver, 17 bronze), Luxembourg with 46 medals (12 gold, 17 silver, 17 bronze), Iceland with 27 medals (8 gold, 9 silver, 10 bronze), Monaco with 23 medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 9 bronze), San Marino with 17 medals (4 gold, 7 silver, 6 bronze), Montenegro with 13 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze), Andorra with 13 medals (2 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze), and Liechtenstein with 5 medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze).

The penultimate day of the 19th Games of the Small States of Europe continues on Friday with eight events.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Cyprus continues to top the GSSE Medals list

Cyprus continues to top the medals list of the Games of the Small State of Europe taking in place Malta, but is level with the host country as far as gold medals are concerned.

Cyprus’ total medal tally is at 67, 25 gold, 21 silver and 21 bronze, followed by Malta with 60 in total (25, 18, 17) and Luxemburg with 55 (15, 19, 21).

In today’s games, Cyprus secured three more gold medals with Andreas Charalambous in Men’s rifle with 246.2 points, Panayiotis Panaretos in Men’s Breaststroke and with Eleftherios Neos and Maria Constantinou in mixed doubles in tennis.

Furthermore, the Cypriot team clinched silver medals with Marilena Costantinou in Women’s riffle 10m, Maria Erohina in Women’s breaststroke marking a personal record and in Women’s 50m butterfly with Kalia Antoniou, whereas Loucas Marinos secured bronze medal in Mens’ 50m butterfly.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Cyprus-USA hold second Defence and Security Dialogue

The second Defence and Security Dialogue between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America was held on Thursday in Washington DC.

A press release from the Ministry of Defence notes that the delegations of the two countries discussed ways to further enhance the defence cooperation.

Officials from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus and the US Department of Defence discussed the progress achieved since the Cyprus-USA Dialogue on Defence and Security was first institutionalised in Nicosia in September 2021.

“Notably, this cooperation includes access to the US International Military Education Training Program, partnership with the National Guard of New Jersey in the context of the State Partnership Programme, joint exercises and trainings between our Special Forces and consultations on emerging global, European and regional security issues” the press release says.

It adds that the delegations also discussed ways to further enhance the defence cooperation and military ties between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America.

The delegation of the Ministry of Defence also held, on the 31st of May, bilateral talks with senior officials at the State Department’s Political-Military Bureau and the Office of Southern European Affairs.

Source: Cyprus News Agency