Day: June 21, 2023

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Zoom Scheduler, now generally available, allows users to align calendars with clients and contacts quickly and easily

Zoom extends free signup period for Zoom Scheduler to July 20

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoom announced general availability for its new Zoom Scheduler tool and the extension of the free signup period. Zoom Scheduler makes finding the perfect meeting time easier by sharing availability for others to conveniently book appointments.

“We heard again and again from our customers that they were looking for a convenient way to book appointments without leaving the Zoom platform,” said Joseph Chong, Head of Product, Solutions, and Industry Marketing, Zoom. “With Zoom Scheduler, they can. Based on positive feedback, we will be offering Zoom Scheduler for free for anyone to try for one more month.”

Zoom is known for simplifying collaboration tools, and its latest product has taken on everyone’s least favorite meeting task: aligning calendars. Sharing availability windows back and forth manually takes up valuable time and adds more friction to a workday. Meeting with potential customers or clients often compounds this problem, as external participants lack visibility into one another’s calendars. Zoom Scheduler allows hosts to generate windows of availability that others can use to book appointments. With Zoom Scheduler, users will be able to grow their businesses faster and get more done so they can spend more time on what matters: preparing for the meeting or taking a break.

Get together with Zoom Scheduler

Now generally available, Zoom Scheduler places a meeting on the host’s calendar with a Zoom Meetings link already included, saving both participants time. Hosts can use their preferred calendar: Zoom Scheduler works seamlessly with Zoom Meetings and Zoom Mail and Calendar and integrates with both Google Calendar and Microsoft 365.

Features of Zoom Scheduler include:

  • Ability to schedule one-on-one meetings or one-to-many group meetings and specify how many people can attend any available slot.
  • Choose recurring availability or custom availability for one-off meetings.
  • Generate slots of availability when any or all team members are available.
  • Automate and customize email notifications.
  • Collect preferred information during the attendee booking process.

Beta customers love how Zoom Scheduler saves time and consolidates meeting scheduling where it makes the most sense: in the middle of the communication platform they know and love.

“Zoom Scheduler offers an easy, no-effort integration with the rest of the Zoom platform,” said Gabe Moronta, Visla. “It has all the features, settings, and capability I need.”

Zoom Scheduler integrates with Zoom Calendar, which has become a resource for meetings both before and after. Zoom Calendar offers a sidebar view alongside the Zoom desktop client, so attendees can maximize their time by seeing if others have joined the meeting yet. After the meeting, shared files live in the Calendar invite for future reference.

Free and paid Zoom users can try out Zoom Scheduler for free anytime before July 19, 2023. On July 20, 2023, Scheduler will be available as an add-on for purchase for $5.99/month per user on Zoom’s website (add to any existing legacy Zoom plan or Zoom One plan), and will be included in the Zoom One Business Plus and Enterprise Plus plans.

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations
Lacretia Taylor
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8862086

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James Absalom Elevated to Chief Commercial Officer – International at ZRG

LONDON and NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZRG Partners, a leading global talent firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, today announced the promotion of London-based executive James Absalom to the position of Chief Commercial Officer – International.

Absalom became part of ZRG when his previous firm that he founded as CEO in 2015, Walter James, was acquired in December 2021. In that time, revenues with the Walter James division have increased 23%. He has worked across numerous client verticals, including Consumer & Retail, Life Science, Industrial, Financial Services, Sustainability and Technology. His client portfolio includes global entities like Colgate-Palmolive, Gruppo Campari, SC Johnson, Unilever, Haleon, and Imperial Brands as well as numerous private equity and privately owned high growth organizations.

“James will be responsible for maximizing growth across all our business lines, including executive search, DEI, interim management, leadership & assessment consulting, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and showcase our truly collaborative, end-to-end talent advisory firm,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “We are confident he will help us grow our business practices all across the globe.”

In his new role, Absalom will oversee growth of ZRG’s international footprint in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Australia. In keeping with ZRG’s M&A focused growth strategy, he will also work closely with the board to identify, acquire, and integrate M&A targets internationally.

“I am excited to take on this newly created leadership role at ZRG Partners to grow our global client base,” Absalom said. “I am working with practice leaders, senior partners, and others throughout our worldwide network to provide best in class functional, geographical and sector expertise to ensure we can offer clients both a global footprint but also local partnership. My plan is to ensure we build long lasting, impactful, and value-driven business results where we focus on matching the right executives to the unique culture of our clients.”

Absalom will also continue to fulfil his senior partner role by originating and leading large searches across the C-Suite, managing his own clients, and bringing people in to grow the firm’s client base and business lines.

ZRG’s new Chief Commercial Officer’s experience includes working with complex global organizations in senior leadership positions that require both change and transformation.

Founded in 1999, ZRG, is one of the fastest growing global executive search firms in the search industry. With the financial backing of private equity investor RFE Investment Partners, ZRG provides a full suite of executive, middle-management, and customized search solutions through its offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The firm finds leaders across a broad spectrum of business markets, including aerospace, consumer, education, healthcare services and solutions, industrial, life sciences, non-profit, private equity and venture capital, and technology.

Contact: John Mooney, Over the Moon PR, (908) 720-6057, john@overthemoonpr.com.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8861627

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Ukrainian premier hails launch of business compact initiative by UK

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Wednesday to thank the UK for launching the Ukraine Business Compact. The British and Ukrainian premiers met in London as part of the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference. After thanking Sunak for organizing the conference, Shmyhal said Ukraine welcomed the initiative that has already recruited more than 400 companies worldwide. “Appreciate the strong support of the UK in all areas. United in defense – united in recovery,” he said on Twitter. According to the UK government, over 400 companies from 38 nations, with a combined annual revenue of over $1.6 trillion, pledged to back Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction in the wake of its war with Russia. “Major conglomerates, international corporations, and retail chains are among those who have signed up to the Ukraine Business Compact, spearheaded by the UK, as part of the two-day conference. Virgin, Sanofi, Philips, Hyundai Engineering, and Citi are among the companies involved,” said a statement by the British government ahead of the conference. Along with a wide range of bilateral talks, the Ukrainian premier also met with Odile Renaud-Basso, head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), on the sidelines of the conference. During the meeting, Ukraine, the EBRD, and Ukrainian energy companies Naftogaz, Ukrenergo, and Ukrhydroenergo, signed a memorandum that “will make it possible to attract additional financing for state-owned energy companies. Grateful to our partners for their timely decisions,” said Shmyhal.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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Russia expects Moldova to continue to ban opposition parties

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the ban Wednesday of the opposition political party, Shor, in Moldova. Zakharova said the ban caused “a wide negative resonance” in Moldova and “further split and polarized Moldovan society.” “This decision was perceived as another violation by the authorities of the principle of democracy,’ she said. ‘It’s not just about democracy as a model, it’s about legality, about respect for the law.’ Zakharova pointed out that many expressed disagreement and tried to protest, slamming the restrictions imposed on the party as “an attempt to settle scores with political opponents,” and “a manifestation of disrespect for Moldovan citizens.” She cited Moldovan political scientists who linked the decision to ban the party with the elections of the head of Moldova’s Gagauzia region that took place April 30 and May 14, where Shor party representative Evgenia Gutul won. “There are concerns that such a practice of banning political parties may be applied to other opposition political formations in the country. And I can only confirm these fears, it will be so, they will not stop there,” she said. She also said the actions of Moldovan authorities “would hardly have been possible without the active support and patronage of the collective West.” “Westerners with the hands of Chisinau officials are trying to turn Moldova into another Ukraine,” she said, adding processes that preceded the deterioration of Russian-Ukrainian relations, notably “villainizing of everything Russian,” are now taking place in Moldova. Asked if she believes Moldova is being prepared to incorporate into Romania, Zakharova said: “There is no even doubt about it.” On March 17, the Moldovan parliament approved a final reading of a draft law renaming the state language from Moldovan to Romanian. According to a statement by the parliament’s press service, Romanian will replace Moldovan as the country’s language in all legislation published by the country, while “official,” “state” and “native” will also be replaced. – Rejection of UN access to Kakhovka dam Zakharova said Russia rejected a UN mission’s request to inspect the Kakhovka dam area because of its “politicized position” and absence of “a unified standard.’ “The main answer, the main principle is that either this is a unified standard — then the UN secretariat should have noticed the situation on the Nord Stream 1 and 2, then it is necessary to answer the question from which side the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is being shelled,” she said. The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed separately that proceeding from conditions put forward by the UN Secretariat, the goal of the mission was “to show Kyiv’s control over the territories,” not humanitarian assistance. Turning to the NATO Air Defender-23 military exercises, she said “the legend” used during the drill shows that the alliance’s efforts are directed at “the deterrence and even training of an offensive” on Russia. “The number of engaged forces and military equipment — and if we only speak about planes, this number amounts to 250, and some 100 of them are American — makes it clear that Washington and its allies are developing plans of waging a war with a comparable opponent. “It is no secret who this ‘opponent’ is. For decades Russia has been designated by NATO as ‘a training target.'” she said. The Air Defender-23 drill takes place less than one month after the Baltops-23 military exercise from June 4 – 16 on the border of Russia’s Kaliningrad region, she said. Zakharova said such a line, which Moscow sees as “reckless,” may lead to a direct armed clash of nuclear powers. “I think there is no need to explain once again the essence of the strategic risks arising in this regard and the potentially catastrophic nature of the further development of events in the worst-case scenario,” she said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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EU lawmaker charged by Belgian court over European Parliament scandal

Italian European lawmaker Andrea Cozzolino was released on parole after being accused of corruption, local media in Italy reported Wednesday. Cozzolino, a member of European Parliament, denied the charges while being questioned by police on Monday. A Belgian judge later ordered his release, Cozzolino’s lawyers said, according to public broadcaster RaiNews. His release was subjected to certain conditions, including no contact with other suspects in the scandal and reporting his travels out of Belgium in advance, RaiNews added. Cozzolino spent over four months in preventive confinement in his home, located in southern Italy. Before his detention, he was held in Naples in police custody, under a European warrant issued by the then-investigating judge Michel Claise. The socialist legislator flew to Brussels on Monday for questioning after the revocation of his house arrest. – Corruption scandal The EU has been shaken by one of the biggest corruption scandals in its history after Eva Kaili, a Greek member of European Parliament, was arrested on Dec. 9 by Belgian police on corruption charges. Kaili, 44, from Greece’s center-left PASOK-KINAL party and one of the European Parliament’s 14 vice presidents, was arrested after her home was searched on corruption charges allegedly involving Qatar, which was accused of paying Kaili to lobby for the Gulf state’s interests. Also, up to pound 1.5 million ($1.62 million) in cash was seized by the Belgian police across dozens of home and office searches. In addition, parliamentary computers were also confiscated to protect important data. Those detained alongside Kaili also included Italian European Parliament deputy Pier Antonio Panzeri, Kaili’s partner Francesco Giorgi, who worked as an assistant in the European Parliament, and Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, the director of the non-governmental organization working on rule of law.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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Nuclear triad ‘key’ in Russia’s military advancement efforts, says Putin

Further developing Russia’s nuclear capabilities on the land, sea, and air is a major aspect of Moscow’s efforts to boost its military might, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. “Taking into account new challenges and, of course, the invaluable experience of conducting a special military operation, we will continue to comprehensively improve the Armed Forces. The most important task here is the development of the nuclear triad,” Putin said at a meeting with the graduates of military universities in the capital Moscow. He said the nuclear triad is “a key guarantee of the country’s military security and global stability,” adding that about half of the country’s Strategic Rocket Forces have been equipped with “modern missile systems.” “Already, about half of the units and formations of the Strategic Rocket Forces are equipped with the latest Yars (missile) complexes, and the troops are being re-equipped with modern missile systems with the Avangard hypersonic warhead,” Putin said. Noting that the first launchers of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile system would also take up combat duty in the near future, he said arming Russia’s nuclear triad made it possible to “effectively and reliably provide strategic deterrence and maintain a global balance of power.” Putin said cutting-edge weaponry, systems, and armored vehicles had greatly helped Russia in its “special military operation” in Ukraine, indicating that their production and improvement will continue. He also said the aviation and naval arsenals of Russia’s “strategic nuclear forces” were being replenished. “We still have a lot to do to qualitatively increase the potential of all components of the armed forces, and we will implement these plans in full, using our own scientific, technological, production, and personnel base, relying on the growing capabilities of the domestic military-industrial complex and the Russian high-tech business,” Putin added. Ukraine ‘engaged in restoring combat capability’ Putin also talked about the situation on the front line in Ukraine, claiming that Kyiv’s armed forces were “engaged in restoring combat capability.” “Today, we see that the offensive potential has not yet been exhausted. There are reserves that the enemy is thinking about where and how to withdraw,” Putin said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, shared by the Kremlin on Telegram. He further claimed that the Ukrainian army was combining brigades that suffered “serious losses” into new units, adding that Kyiv feared similar losses in the future that could cause a decline in combat capabilities. Putin also claimed that Russian forces had destroyed a large amount of foreign military equipment during the conflict. “Of course, there are (German) Leopards (tanks). There are also French wheeled armored vehicles, American armored vehicles. Everything is there,” he said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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UEFA suspends Roma head coach Jose Mourinho for 4 games

UEFA suspended Roma head coach Jose Mourinho for four matches Wednesday after he abused a referee following the Italian club’s defeat to Sevilla in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final. UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) said it decided “to suspend AS Roma head coach, Mr. Jose Mourinho, for the next four (4) UEFA club competition matches in which he would otherwise participate, for directing abusive language at a match official.” Record holders Sevilla won their seventh Europa League title May 31 after the Spanish club beat Roma 4-1 on penalties in Budapest. Mourinho fumed at game official Anthony Taylor in the parking lot of the Puskas Arena after the match. European football’s governing body also fined Roma pound 50,000 ($55,000) for “lighting of fireworks, throwing of objects, acts of damage and crowd disturbances,” during the match and it banned the club from selling tickets to away supporters for the next UEFA competition match. The club from the Italian capital was also given a pound 5,000 fine for “improper conduct.” Roma completed the Italian Serie A in sixth place to seal a Europa League berth in the 2023-24 season.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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There is strong investment interest in Cyprus, President says

Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, spoke of a strong investment interest in Cyprus and zero tolerance for sanctions violations, during his address at the 62nd General Assembly of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPA), which took place at the Nicosia Municipal Theater on Wednesday afternoon. An important goal, he said, is the implementation of a new growth model. The President noted that there is a strong investment interest in Cyprus, indicating that significant investments from foreign countries are possible within 2023. “Today I had a first meeting with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, which was accompanied by investment funds and other investors from the country who are really interested,” he said, adding that another meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning “with all those who have invested in our country to hear their own concerns,” he said. He added that attracting quality investments is a top priority for the government, stressing that Cyprus has the infrastructure to attract this type of investment, as long as “we do what we must do”. President Christodoulides also noted that safeguarding the name of Cyprus as a reliable business and financial centre was one of the first challenges the new government had to handle. He said that immediately, the government, in cooperation with all supervisory bodies, took all the necessary measures and will continue to show zero tolerance in this matter. “The decisions taken by the American and British governments were not a positive development, but we should treat these decisions as an opportunity to bring this issue to an end,” he noted. The President called on ICPA members to continue to approach this issue with “and to work together to eliminate, through actions and not words, any shadow or doubt that exists at an international level about business activities in our country”. He added that Cyprus cannot afford not to rise to the occasion and to suffer a blow to its image due to the behavior of a minority. Regarding the tax reform, the President said that the goal is to modernise and simplify the tax system. “The main axes of the tax reform being promoted are the increase of the competitiveness of the tax model of Cyprus, the reduction of the administrative burden for tax-paying citizens and of course businesses and, at the same time, the provision of a fairer redistribution of the tax burden, while maintaining, at the same time, fiscal neutrality”, he said. The new tax proposal the government will put forward should be encouraging towards businesses and at the same time socially fair, Minister of Finance Makis Keravnos said in his address. According to Keravnos the government intends for the new tax proposal to balance the modern economic model and its prospects to evolve. ‘The new tax reform should aim towards a transparent and simplified system, with the least possible bureaucracy. It should be encouraging towards businesses and at the same time socially fair, it should be in line with European standards and aim to reduce tax evasion and tax avoidance,’ he noted. The government, he said believes that ‘the new tax proposal should constitute an improvement mechanism of equal distribution of product output and income, enhancing social cohesion and encouraging and facilitating investment activity.’ He stressed however that it should be fiscally neutral and have stability as its main characteristic, so that it can constitute an advantage and be an incentive for both local and foreign investors. Keravnos said that the University of Cyprus Economics Research Centre has been asked to draft the proposal, adding that experts from abroad would also contribute in the effort and at the right time ICPAC would also be asked to contribute. On his part, ICPAC President Pieris Marcou asked for reforms, institutional amendments and modernisation, stressing the need for a tax reform and digital adjustments. Referring to the economy Marcou said that the energy cost, the malfunction of supply chains, the cost of money with the constant increase of interest rates, the cost and different types of employment and a persistent inflation have a negative impact on the economy. These factors, he noted, are negatively impacting the economy leading to tendencies for a slowdown of growth On the economic prospects he said that ICPAC thinks there is room for improvement as far as the 2023 projections are concerned despite problems. To that extent he spoke about the prospects of new sectors such as energy research, innovation, technology, green and blow growth, sustainability etc. Referring to sanctions he assured that ICPAC as a relevant authority has been closely monitoring developments from the outset and has ‘undertaken multiple actions both to inform and train our members as well as to enhance our oversight role.’

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Cypriot MP report on inhuman treatment approved in PACE committee

The report and resolution on the issue of allegations of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in detention facilities in Europe, presented by Cypriot MP Kostis Efstathiou, in his capacity as Rapporteur of the Committee on Legal and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), were approved with a large majority at committee level. According to a press release by the House of Representatives, in his intervention, Efstathiou said that in many places of detention in Europe, inhuman and degrading practices continue to exist, in violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which explicitly prohibits any form of abuse or punishment. He also strongly criticised the fact that in some countries, such as Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, such phenomena are widespread and recurrent, making the problem systemic. The Cypriot Rapporteur underlined that the tolerance, lack of accountability, inefficiency of investigations and case-finding and non-compliance of the competent national authorities with decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) of the Council of Europe, are the main obstacles to the elimination of these phenomena, which are a major threat to human rights and human dignity. Efstathiou’s report and resolution will be tabled at the PACE Plenary for adoption by the end of the year, the press release concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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UK support to efforts for Cyprus solution is essential, President says

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday evening that finding a viable solution to the Cyprus problem remains the highest priority of his administration, noting that the support and solidarity of the United Kingdom to these efforts is essential and of great significance. In his address on the occasion of the celebration for the Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, at the UK High Commissioner’s Residence, in Nicosia, the President reiterated “our common and unwavering dedication for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, that will lead to a reunified Cyprus.” “A common dedication that is centered as well as firmly defined by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions in achieving a just, viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality, with political equality,” he added. Underlying that finding a viable solution to the Cyprus problem remains the highest priority of his tenure, he said that “I intend to make every possible effort to break the current deadlock and resume the negotiations.” “I will continue working tirelessly to achieve a comprehensive settlement that will lead to the reunification of Cyprus, the reunification of its people, its institutions and its economy. The support and solidarity of the United Kingdom to these efforts is essential and of great significance, particularly given its position as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council,” President Christodoulides stressed. He reiterated that the EU should play a decisive and leading role in the efforts to resume and effectively assisting the UN-led negotiations. “Cyprus is an EU member state and the Cyprus question is a European issue and as such requires European answers. The EU is also the only international actor that can provide tangible incentives for all parties, through a gradual and mutually beneficial approach for all involved,” he noted. He expressed his conviction that a solution to the Cyprus problem, in line with UNSCRs, particularly at a time when international legality is under attack, will be beneficial not only for the security and prosperity of the island, but for Europe and the region as well. President Christodoulides said that the relations between our two countries extend far beyond our interaction on the Cyprus issue, covering a wide spectrum of policy areas, adding that our synergies in the fields of business, education, tourism, economy and commercial ties, shipping, technology, research and innovation, constitute an integral pillar of our bilateral cooperation. Furthermore, he said that he has no doubt that the recent entry into force of the arrangement between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom relating to the non-military development in the British military bases is yet another important milestone to the bilateral agenda. “It signifies the vital importance we both attach on safeguarding the prosperity of the current and future residents as well as property owners in general, in that area”, he pointed out. He also expressed certainty, that the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the United Kingdom regarding the established bilateral strategic cooperation can solidify even further the cooperation achieving new heights between the two countries. He also referred to the Cypriot community in the UK, saying that it is the most dynamic aspect of our relations. “The Government and the people of the Republic of Cyprus are immensely proud of the vivid Cypriot community in the UK, the largest community of Cypriots overseas. Our diaspora, permanently residing in the UK with more than three hundred thousand people, has been a vigorous and strong advocate of our relationship, and of the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and reunite our country,” he noted. Referring to the bilateral ties, the President said that Cyprus and the United Kingdom share unique, deep-rooted ties. “It is indeed a relationship like no other. Today we reflect upon this long-standing relationship, one that has a difficult past to reflect upon and address, while at the same time we look to a promising future, ripe with opportunity for further close collaboration,” President Christodoulides pointed out. Furthermore, he said that the UK-Cyprus relations are underpinned by our mutual support for democracy and peace as well as by our shared values on the adherence to international law and the promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights. “Our countries are staunch advocates of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. These principles include, among others, our common devotion to the respect of the rules-based order and to the absolute necessity of reaching agreements on international disputes by peaceful means so as to protect international peace, security and stability,” he added Concluding, the President said that the reception is an opportunity to pay tribute to the King’s devotion to the service of his country, and at the same time celebrate the steadfast people-to-people contacts and our mutually beneficial cooperation on a wide range of issues of common interest, both at the bilateral as well as the multilateral level.

Source: Cyprus News Agency