Category: General

Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, has convened a meeting for Friday, March 4, with the participation of Ministers and other officials, that will discuss the impact of the developments in Ukraine.

According to a press release issued by the Presidency, participants will look into ways of addressing the repercussions of the developments on the Republic of Cyprus.

Among others the meeting will be attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulides, Finance, Constantinos Petrides, Interior, Nicos Nouris, Defence, Charalambos Petrides, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, Transport, Communications and Works, Yiannis Karousos, Energy, Commerce and Industry, Natasa Pilides, the Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Savvas Perdios and Shipping, Vassilis Demetriades, the Central Bank Governor, Constantinos Herodotou and other officers.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Presidents of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Israel Isaac Herzog on Wednesday condemned the war in Ukraine, expressed their deep sorrow for the people of Ukraine and emphasized the need for the crisis to end soon with diplomatic means and via dialogue.

Herzog paid an official visit to the island and held consultations with the President of Cyprus which covered the invasion of Russia in Ukraine, the bilateral cooperation, the Cyprus issue and Cyprus’ initiative for the climate crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Ukraine and the need for dialogue

President Anastasiades said that as Cypriots, we relate very closely to the plight of the Ukrainian people as we, ourselves, have been victims and are still suffering from the tragic consequences of the 1974 Turkish invasion.

“As such, it goes without saying that we have joined our voice with that of our partners in the EU and beyond in condemning the Russian invasion and in taking steps for assisting the Ukrainian people in these critical moments. We both agree dear President that the current crisis will have grave repercussions globally, as we both agree that it can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means”, he said.

President Herzog in his statement spoke of a terrible tragedy that we see unfolding in front of our eyes saying that “the war in Ukraine is an affront to the international order”.

He expressed his deep pain and sorrow adding that he is deeply concerned about the people of Ukraine and the members of the Jewish community and that he hopes “and we all hope and pray that this war ends quickly”.

He also said that a memorial that was set up in a village outside Kiev for 33,000 Jews, victims of the Nazis during WWII, was bombed yesterday by the Russians.

He went on to say that the Israeli government has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s national integrity and joined the international community in supporting the resolution at the UN General Assembly.

“Israel is working to help advance a diplomatic solution in Ukraine and has offered its services to this end”, he noted.

Herzog also said that Israel has sent an unprecedented amount of humanitarian aid of 100 tons, describing this act as a moral obligation.

Bilateral cooperation-energy-climate crisis

President Anastasiades said that the excellent relations on the political sphere are also mirrored in the robust cooperation between our respective business and scientific communities, and, even more importantly, in ever increasing the people-to-people contacts.

“The fact that the war in Ukraine greatly impacts the energy supply and its prices, reinforces even more the argument and the belief that the EU needs diversified and stable energy supplies to guarantee its energy security. In this regard, we are convinced that the Eastern Mediterranean, of which our countries are integral part, can prove highly beneficial to the EU’s energy security, providing alternative routes and also cleaner energy sources”, Cyprus President said.

He went on to say that the East Med Pipeline, if proven technically and financially viable, can provide gas and hydrogen, thus diversifying European supply routes and adapting to various needs of the market. In addition, he said, the EuroAsia Interconnector, with its practical significance and its strategic value in promoting cross border energy cooperation, has attracted the strong support of the EU, with the European Commission recently approving significant part of its financing.

Cyprus President also said that he conveyed to President Herzog his appreciation for Israel’s active support for the Cyprus’ Climate Initiative for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

As regards the trilateral cooperation mechanism with Greece, he said that this is a cooperation based on our common assessment that the increasing and ever-changing challenges the international order and our own region are facing, can only be navigated through dialogue and adherence to international law.

“This view is shared more widely, as showcased by the readiness of the United States to engage in an extended form of our Trilateral, as a 3-plus-1 format”, he noted.

President Herzog in his statements said that President Anastasiades has played a huge role in building friendships and strategic partnership with Greece.

“Cyprus, Israel and Greece are anchors of stability in the Mediterranean, we continue to benefit from these bonds. Cyprus and Israel relationship is a pillar of stability in the Mediterranean and a key to a sustainable and prosperous region in the future”, he noted.

The Israeli President referred to the bilateral cooperation in many fields which creates new economic opportunities for the benefit of our borders and cities. He also spoke of the cooperation in combating fires in both countries saying that friends are there to assist when you need them.

Herzog spoke of the need to work to deepen bilateral relations in culture fields and people to people relationships so that young leaders can shape the next generation of the bilateral cooperation.

He praised President Anastasiades’ leadership in regional cooperation in the fields of climate change and energy.

“We strongly support developing such forms through strategic action plans. And expanding them to include additional partners especially the US”, he said.

He also referred to President Anastasiades’ recent visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia and the benefits and new possibilities for joint initiatives.

“There are new winds of peace blowing through our region. The historic Abrahan Accords are creating new possibilities for joint initiatives as we saw at the Paphos forum with the UAE”, he said.

Cyprus issue-CBMs

President Anastasiades said that he briefed his counterpart and elaborated on our numerous and persistent efforts, including the proposed confidence building measures (CBMs), to resume a meaningful and result-oriented negotiation process.

“Unfortunately, these are met both by claims from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership for a two-state solution that run contrary to the agreed basis of the settlement and by unilateral and illegal actions on the ground and at sea which run contrary to international law and the UN Security – Council Resolutions”, he said.

He went on to say that it remains vital that all stakeholders involved will work constructively towards the creation of the necessary conditions for results-oriented negotiations to take place and added that he expressed his appreciation “that you (President Herzog) will convey our messages during your upcoming visit to Turkey.

President Herzog in his statements said that the conflict in Ukraine is a reminder of the necessity of working together to protect our values, principles and interests. “And is exactly my message in Turkey next week, as I believe in cooperation between people and all faiths for the well-being of humanity”, he said.

He noted also that in these times of hardship and turmoil “we must stand together and reaffirm our longstanding and historic alliances”.

Decoration ceremony

Following the statements to the Press, President Anastasiades decorated the President of Israel with the The Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios the Third, one of the highest honors the Republic of Cyprus can bestow, as he noted in his speech.

President Anastasiades said that Herzog’s ties with the island have been forged before his own birth and spoke of the connection through his grandparents who were an integral part of what might be called the island’s first large-scale business venture in agriculture in the 1930’s.

He also noted that colonial Cyprus, became a place of internment for 53,000 Shoah survivors, on their way to their Homeland and the Herzog family, making the best use of its connections to the island, provided concrete and significant assistance towards the interned Jews, giving them a glimmer of hope in humanity in those darkest of times.

Anastasiades also spoke of his personal contribution in establishing close cooperation between the diasporas of Cyprus, Israel and Greece and his well-known campaign against antisemitism.

He said that Cyprus has recently obtained the status of an observer member to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), as proof of our strong commitment to respect for diversity and combatting anti-Semitism in all its forms.??

The President also noted that the Grand Collar is bestowed to President Herzog in view of his heritage, his contribution to-date and of his future efforts in promoting universal values and enhancing the ties between our two nations.

President Herzog thanked President Anastasiades for his contribution to strengthen bilateral relations and for his deep commitment to human values and the fight against intolerance and anti-Semitism.

He added that he is a great friend of Cyprus and referred extensively to his family`s close ties to the island. He also referred to the help of Cyprus, which served as a refuge for thousands of Jews during World War II, which expresses the special values of the people of Cyprus, as he noted.

President Herzog said that he accepts this distinction on behalf of all those thousands of Jewish refugees. Finally, he invited the President of the Republic to visit Israel, expressing the desire to decorate him with a similar honorary distinction, while pointing out the principles with which President Anastasiades is serving his term.

President Anastasiades then hosted an official luncheon for President of Israel and his delegation.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The National Council convenes on Thursday at 1830 local time, under Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, to review developments in the Cyprus problem, since its last meeting, and to be informed about the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) issue, Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

Pelekanos noted that the members of the Council are also expected to discuss about the situation related to developments in Ukraine.

“There will be a review of the developments in the Cyprus issue, since the last meeting of the National Council, and an update and a discussion on the issue of the CBMs that are being promoted, as well as on the efforts for the resumption of the negotiations,” Pelekanos said.

Asked if they will also discuss about the war in Ukraine, the Spokesman noted that participants “are expected to discuss the developments and the situation as regards Ukraine.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The President of Israel Isaac Herzog, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, arrived on Wednesday morning at the Presidential Palace, in Nicosia.

Herzog was welcomed by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and laid a wreath at the statue of the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III.

The Presidents of Cyprus and Israel would later have a tête-à-tête, before embarking on extensive consultations with the delegations of both sides. Anastasiades and Herzog will later speak to the press.

The President of Cyprus will also decorate the Israeli head of state.

Bilateral relations, Ukraine and the Cyprus issue are on the agenda of talks.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus and Saudi Arabia have stressed, with regards to the Ukrainian crisis, the importance of settling disputes by peaceful means, giving priority to dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and making all possible efforts to de- escalate the situation, to restore security, stability and limit the negative repercussions of this crisis.

A Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades’ official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on March 1st, said that the two sides also affirmed their full support for all efforts aimed at de-escalation and solving conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

Moreover, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its principled position on the Cyprus issue of the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and dialogue in accordance with the rules of the international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, while the Cypriot side expressed its condemnation of the terrorist attacks with ballistic missiles and drones carried out by the terrorist Houthi militia against vital installations and civilian objects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As it is noted, “the two sides expressed their satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations and stressed the importance of developing them in all fields to serve common interests and enhance mutual benefits. To this end the two sides reaffirmed their desire to work towards developing an Action Plan of strategic orientation and practical deliverables for further strengthening the excellent existing relations.”

On the economic level, “both sides stressed the importance of increasing economic cooperation through enhancing and diversifying trade and investment exchange, and exploring opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, and Cyprus Vision 2035, further outreach between private sectors in both countries in order to discuss and encourage trade and investment opportunities and translate them into concrete partnerships.”

Both sides also stressed their governments` strategic pursuit “to create a fertile and motivating environment for investment in several sectors in both countries through launching several joint initiatives including in the field of culture, antiquities, food, medicine, digitalization, cyber security, and financial services. The two sides also agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in civil aviation, maritime transport, air transport, and ports.”

According to the Joint Statement “the two sides agreed to explore areas of joint cooperation in a number of energy fields, including petrochemicals, energy efficiency, electricity, renewable energy, innovation, clean technologies for hydrocarbons, and low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen, and to work on localizing the energy sector products and its related supply chains. In addition to developing projects related to these areas, to contribute to the sustainability of demand for the energy supply globally.”

In this context, Cyprus welcomed the Kingdom`s launch of the Saudi Green and the Middle East Green initiatives. Moreover, it expressed its support for the Kingdom`s efforts in the field of climate change through the application of the Circular Carbon Economy approach. Likewise, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the initiative of the Cypriot President to address climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The two sides expressed their aspiration to enhance cooperation in implementing these initiatives.

They also stressed the importance of increasing the pace of cooperation in the field of tourism and development of tourism activities in the two countries, exploring the tourism potentials of each country, and promoting cooperation on sustainable tourism, for the benefits and development of the tourism sector.

Moreover, in the field of defence and security cooperation, the two sides agreed on the importance of continuing to develop military cooperation between them in a way that meets the interests of both sides in order to achieve security and stability in the region.

They also reviewed relations of the EU with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of which Cyprus is a strong supporter, including of stepping up engagement in the context of the EU – GCC institutional framework, and affirmed the strategic merit of this crucial partnership, the Joint Statement noted.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Unemployment dropped to 6.3% of the Cyprus’ labour force in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 8% in the respective period of 2020, the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat) has said.

According to the labour force survey for Q4 2021, the number of unemployed persons amounted to 29,600 compared with 36,677 persons in the respective period of last year. Unemployment in men and women amounted to 5.8% and 6.7% respectively from 8.3% and 7.8%.

The number of employed persons was 443,937 and the employment rate 60.5% of the population (males 66.8%, females 54.6%) in comparison to 419,424 persons (58.1%) in the corresponding quarter of 2020, Cystat said.

In the age group 20-64, the employment rate amounted to 77.6%, with rate for males at 83.8% and for females 71.7%. In the corresponding quarter of 2020, the rate was 75.0% (males 81.5%, females 68.8%).

For the age group 55-64 the employment rate was 65.7% in comparison to 61.5% in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

According to the distribution of employment by sector, the biggest percentage of employed persons was in Services (81.1%), followed by Manufacturing (16.5%) and Agriculture (2.4%). For the 4th quarter of 2020, the corresponding percentages were: Services 78.3%, Manufacturing 19.2% and Agriculture 2.5%.

The share of part-time employment to total employment was 11.2% or 49,848 persons (males 8.7%, females 14,1%) compared with 11,4% (males 9.2%, females 13.9%) in the respective period of 2020, Cystat added.

Furthermore, 88.9% or 394,476 of the total employed persons were employees, of which 12.3% (48,485 persons) had a temporary job. In the corresponding quarter of 2020 employees with a temporary job accounted for 86.6% of total employment.

Youth unemployment aged 15-24 years, amounted to 17.4% of the labour force of the same

age group (males 16.8%, females 18.1%) in comparison to 19.9% (males 28.4%, females 10.9%) in the

corresponding quarter of last year.

As far as the duration of unemployment is concerned, 47.7% of the total unemployed persons searched for a job for a period of less than 6 months, 16.2% for a period of 6-11 months, whereas a percentage of 36.1% were long-term unemployed. The corresponding rates for the 4th quarter of 2020 were 45.1%, 25.2% and 29.7%, Cystat said.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Lilyana Pavlova, responsible for lending operations in Cyprus, will pay an official visit to Cyprus between March 3-4, according to a statement issued by the Cyprus Ministry of Finance.

It is noted that Pavlova, who will be accompanied by EIB officials, wil meet the Ministers of Finance, Transport, Communications and Works, Energy, Commerce and Industry, as well as other stakeholders.

On March 4th, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides, and Pavlova will hold a press conference, in order to review the activities of EIB in Cyprus for 2021 as well as prospects for further cooperation, in the framework of joint efforts to support the Cypriot economy, it is added.

The press conference will be held in English at the Finance Ministry between 12:00-12:45, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yannis Karousos and Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios focused on the government`s objectives to improve Cyprus’ air connectivity and the country`s tourism industry in general, during a press conference held on Wednesday 2 March for the presentation of the new flight programme of the TUS airways.

Replying to a question about a possible revision of the government`s decision to close Cyprus’ airspace to Russian planes after Turkey said it would not impose similar sanctions, Karousos said that “this is something we will discuss with the Foreign Minister and the President of the Republic in order to take decisions.”

According to Karousos, Cyprus had to take drastic measures in 2020 in an effort to deal with the severe impact caused by the restrictive measures on the aviation sector and by extension on tourism, which together contribute more than 20 per cent of the country`s GDP.

“The most substantial action was the development of an action plan for the resumption of flights that was put in place in June 2020, which was also supported by a temporary incentive plan prepared in collaboration with the operators and granted to the airlines to cope with the impact of the pandemic,” he said, adding that “the plan has recently been extended with approval from the European Commission with effect until the end of June 2022 and with a budget for the next six months of €6.1 million. We expect 60 airlines offering flights connecting our country with the rest of the world to take advantage of the project in the first half of 2022.”

In addition, the Transport Minister also referred to the initiative taken by Cyprus at the European level with the promotion of the Declaration on Air Connectivity, with the main objective of supporting the aviation sector. “We were pleased to see 13 of our EU partners welcome this initiative and we are pleased to announce that on 7 and 8 April we will host a conference in Cyprus with the participation of 13 European transport ministers, which will culminate in the signing of the declaration”, he added.

Karousos also mentioned the war situation in Ukraine, saying that if it remains unstable, and given the sanctions imposed against Russia, it will mean “a reduction of about 15% of the total passenger traffic estimated for 2022, which translates into about 1.6 million passengers (arrivals and departures).”

Finally, the Transport Minister praised TUS Airways` contribution in implementing the Ministry`s strategy over the past year, and announced that the company was granted commercial rights for the Larnaca – Beijing – Larnaca route twice per week.

On his part, the Deputy Minister of Tourism thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation in “rescuing” the tourism sector over the past three years, and noted that “it is very important that airlines align with the national tourism strategy, the objectives of opening new markets and increasing adequate connectivity, a strategy which was presented after consultation with all stakeholders.”

In his intervention, TUS CEO Michael Weinstein said that the company believes in Cyprus and that the company`s aim is to transform Larnaca airport into “a transit hub, including new destinations from September, such as Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, Marrakech in Morocco, Dubai in the UAE, as well as Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.”

According to a company spokesman, seasonal routes from Larnaca to Greece (Kefalonia, Skiathos, Kalamata, Preveza) and Central Europe (Lyon, Strasbourg, Toulouse) will start in 2022, as well as permanent routes to Brussels, Paris, Tel Aviv and Eilat, while from seasonal routes Paphosto Paris, Düsseldorf, Nuremberg and permanent ones to Athens and Tel Aviv have been planned as well.

Responding to a question about a possible revision of the government`s decision to close the airspace of Cyprus to Russian aircraft after Turkey said it would not implement sanctions, Karousos said that “this is something we will discuss with the Foreign Minister and the President of the Republic in order to take decisions. At the moment our decision remains valid, as decided in the EU Foreign Affairs Council, but I stress that we are the only country that had a reservation, which was noted down and for which, as far as I have been informed, a way was found to be legally protected.”

He remarked, however that “Russia`s economy has been so negatively affected that even if there was no flight ban we would not get the tourists we anticipated”, while pointing out that attention is turning to actions that will attract new markets in an attempt to fill the gap created by the Russian and Ukrainian markets.

In response to the same question, the Deputy Minister of Tourism stressed that “we must be particularly cautious with regard to the Russian-speaking markets, given that there is a war going on at the moment that no one knows when it will end or when we will be able to reopen our skies for the Russian market”, while with regard to the opening of Cyprus to new markets, Perdios pointed out that the connection of Cyprus with countries such as Saudi Arabia and France is the result of previous targeted actions.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The economic sanctions imposed against Russia following is invasion of Ukraine are not affecting Cyprus to a large extent as the island’s banking system has no exposure to Russia, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides has said, noting that Cyprus has no reserves held by the Russian Central Bank abroad which are now frozen.

“The sanctions concerning the EU banking system do not affect Cyprus to a large extent, as Cyprus’ banking system has no exposure to Russia,” Petrides told CNA.

The banking system, he added “maintains one of the highest levels of capital adequacy and liquidity ratios and there is no reason for concern for any Cypriot bank.”

Petrides also noted the Central Bank of Cyprus has no reserves held by the Russian Central Bank abroad, which are now frozen due to the sanctions.

“We have no exposure and there is no cause for concern,” he added.

Replying to a question, the Finance Minister said it is premature for Cyprus to revise its macroeconomic projections for 2022, due to the crisis in Ukraine.

“Surely there will be some impact which we are trying to contain,” he said, noting that new flights to and from alternative destinations will be announced soon, that would offset the tourist flows from Russia and Ukraine.

He noted that the duration of the crisis is key in relation to the extent of the macroeconomic impact, noting that “Cyprus will be affected much less than other countries.”

Petrides however noted that the macroeconomic impact is associated with inflationary pressures due to the rise of oil and wheat prices “something which cannot be assessed accurately at the time being.”

Furthermore, Petrides said he will convene the Economic Advisory Committee on Friday in the presence of the Ministers of Labour, Energy and Commerce, the Governor of the Central Bank and the social partners in a bid to assess the economic situation.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou has highlighted the contribution of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in the efforts to conserve, preserve and showcase Cyprus` monuments.

Demetriou received on Monday the Greek Cypriot co-chair and members of the Committee Sotos Ktoris, Ioannis Karis, Alecos Tringides, Katerina Frangoulidou and Natalie Neophytou, a Parliament press release says.

“The President of the House of Representatives praised the Technical Committee`s contribution in the efforts to conserve, preserve and showcase out country`s cultural heritage monuments,” it notes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency