SPECIAL ISSUES - ANALYSES
Cyprus talks - Greentree II meeting in NY

Cyprus lags in quality of environment, EEA says

UNSG's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer – Interview with CNA

FM talks to CNA on foreign policy and EU presidency

Interview with Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU

Denmark: we aim to help resolve the EU crisis

Commander of SBA: Bases are here to stay

Chairman of CRTA concerned over quality of Greek TV programs in Cyprus

CIPA Chairman stresses prospects of foreign investment in energy

Faneromeni High School: a nest of multiculturalism

Europe at a great turning point, Greek Minister says

Commerce Minister talks to CNA on natural gas, tourism, the economy

National Analysis Centre combats counterfeiting offences

Cyprus' EU Presidency ready to address Ankara’s communication challenges

Rizokarpaso pupils aspire to a better future

Commissioner for Personal Data Protection – Interview with CNA

Interior Minister - Interview with CNA




Cyprus talks - Greentree II meeting in NY

by Athena Arsalidou

In January 2012 one more meeting on the Cyprus issue took place at the Greentree mansion in Long Island, New York, between the UN Secretary General Ban Ki – moon and the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

The meeting took place 23 – 24 of January and was the second one at the same venue. The first one took place on October 30-31, 2011.

In his statement after the conclusion of the talks, the Ban urged the two leaders to make decisive steps towards a final agreement on the Cyprus problem, noting that at this state of the talks, to maintain the momentum and continue negotiations, even in an intensive manner, is not enough.

He said that at the end of March he would be hearing about the process from his Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer and, ''if his report is positive, consistent with the relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May.''

Ban added that ''this has been our fifth meeting together to support the leaders' work to develop a comprehensive settlement for Cyprus, building on the steady efforts that have been made on the island since the resumption of negotiations more than three years ago.''

''When we met in Greentree last October, the leaders expressed confidence that they could reach a settlement. The two sides have continued their negotiations since that time to meet this objective. Just before this latest meeting at Greentree, I wrote to the two leaders pointing out that the talks have moved into the final phase. Substantive discussions at Greentree were an integral part of this phase, leading to a multilateral conference and an ultimate settlement. Both leaders responded by reiterating their commitment to a solution,'' he said.

He pointed out that ''the two sides came to Greentree with three main challenges to resolve'' namely ''the election of the executive, property and citizenship.''

''I asked the leaders to use this time to make decisive moves. Discussions over these two days were robust and intensive, although limited progress was achieved. I reminded the leaders that this process is Cypriot-owned and Cypriot-led. The UN is not here to impose solutions upon the sides,'' Ban said.

The UN Secretary General noted that ''in terms of next steps, I have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks, to which they agreed.''

In earlier remarks Ban had referred to the forthcoming presidency of the EU Council, which Cyprus will assume for the second half of 2012, pointing out that “I have made it quite clear that we cannot go on this way, and considering that Cyprus is going to take the Presidency of the European Union from July 1st, then there is not much time left”.

President Christofias’ assessment
----------------------

In his statements President Christofias said that “discussions took place without the achievement of progress again,” adding that this was due to the fact that “both sides remain firm on their positions.”

President Christofias said that the invitation of Ban to the two leaders was not justified as no progress had been made in the past two-and-a-half months.

President Christofias explained that both sides are firm on their positions as regards issues of governance, not only as far as the executive power is concerned but also as regards external relations, international treaties and airspace.

Referring to the property issue, he said that in all discussions held the issue is connected with the territory issue, expressing appreciation towards the UN Secretary General because in all his and his team’s relevant remarks the connection between the two is emphasised.

President Christofias also said that the Turkish side submitted certain data outside the deadline defined, adding that the data could also be found on the internet. This, he noted, constitutes a violation of the commitment of both sides for the creation of a committee which would discuss the relevant data confidentially.

“Unfortunately the Turkish side did not respond,” he said, adding that “the matter is still unresolved and the General Secretary’s statement calls on both sides to exchange certain important data concerning the property issue and to simultaneously discuss the property issue.”

That does not necessarily mean that maps should be presented, he said, specifying that this is ''not what we are asking for.''

''We are asking for the Turkish Cypriot side's intention as regards our basic demand for territorial adjustments,” he stressed, explaining that this is means that 100,000 refugees from 1974 ought to be offered the possibility to return under Greek Cypriot rule and to have full ownership of their properties.

This will greatly help in order to discuss with an open mind the issue of property as regards properties remaining under Turkish Cypriot rule, he said.

Referring to the possibility of an international conference being convened and of timetables being set, President Christofias reiterated that he made it clear to the UN Secretary General that he will not accept a timetable for the international conference.

“The Secretary General expresses intentions in his statement, but under specific prerequisites,” he noted, adding that “the prerequisite is that significant progress will be achieved, which will meet with our approval and which Downer will report on.”

The Secretary General, President Christofias said, will consult us on whether this progress exists and on whether the conference will be convened,” stressing that the UN Secretary General’s position “will be in accordance with the last UN resolution and all the others UN Security Council resolutions as regards an international conference being convened.”

He further said that he would have wished for progress to have been achieved, thus noting that he leaves from Greentree “not satisfied”.

Referring to Cyprus' EU presidency, which certain quarters describe as a landmark date, President Christofias said that he has been very clear and decisive on this issue.

“I have made it clear that there is no correlation between Cyprus' presidency - which is the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus and not of the Greek Cypriot side – and the possibility for an international conference to be convened or of the solution of the Cyprus issue,'' he said.

President Christofias expressed the wish that the Turkish stance changes before July so that a solution can be achieved.

“I think it will be very hard,” he said, “having in mind Eroglu’s persistence on various issues which we cannot accept.”

Unless Turkey is truly pressed to change its position, there is no chance to convene an international conference and resolve the Cyprus issue, he stressed.

Commenting on Ban’s statement that limited progress has been achieved, President Christofias said that “if the fact that there has been agreement on the exchange of data can be considered progress, then let us call it progress.”

He noted however that no progress has been achieved on the substance of the various issues.

Asked how one can ensure that the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor for Cyprus Alexander Downer will move within the context of UN resolutions, bearing in mind that he has not done so on various occasions in the past, President Christofias noted that “there is always the Security Council.”

Despite the fact that Downer has acted in an adverse with UN Security Council resolutions manner in the past, the Security Council has on quite a few occasions ensured that the direction of the process is different than the one Downer wanted to follow, he pointed out.

The reaction of the UN Security Council
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UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer briefed the Security Council on the outcome of the talks on the Cyprus problem at Greentree.

According to information by Security Council members, Downer noted that the progress achieved at Greentree was limited but said he remained optimistic.

On an international conference on Cyprus, he reiterated the three preconditions announced by Ban, which provide for agreement on the internal aspects of the problem before an international conference convenes.
  
The British raised the issue of UNFICYP restructuring, noting that the Security Council will have to reassess the presence of the force in Cyprus, on the basis of its resolutions on peace operations.

The US supported the British position, posing questions about expenditure for the force and its presence on the island for many years. They also asked whether it is time for the Council to begin contemplating a plan B.

Russia, France and China disagreed with the suggestion, underlining that the issue is irrelevant with the discussions and the negotiations which are carried out.

The three countries also noted that no timetables must be laid down, nor must the process be speeded up more than it is necessary, because this could halt the process.

As regards the issue of the international conference, they reiterated the preconditions set out by the latest Security Council resolution.

The French representative disagreed with the connection of the negotiations with the EU Cypriot Presidency during the second half of 2012.

Other members of the Security Council which intervened recommended patience.

Downer agreed that the EU Cypriot Presidency and the negotiations are different things, adding that realistically when Cyprus assumes the Presidency, Cyprus and President Christofias will have a busy programme.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. The latest round of UN-led talks has been underway since 2008 with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

The first meeting between the two leaders and the UNSG took place in November 2010, followed by two more meetings held in Geneva on January 26 and July 7, 2011.

CNA/AAR/MM






Cyprus lags in quality of environment, EEA says


Evie Mitsidou Phillips


Cyprus’ environmental score board is behind other European countries, European Environment Agency Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade has said, expressing particular concern about the accelerated loss of biodiversity in the island.

In an interview with CNA McGlade, in Cyprus on a one-day visit, says that “air quality is average but going in the right direction”. However, she adds, “waste, water, biodiversity and land are all on the negative side in relation to other European countries”.

According to McGlade, “the loss of biodiversity is accelerating, the fact that water scarcity is intensifying, even though you have much water demand under control, still means that you need a much better way to distribute water across households, industry and agriculture”.

“I would have to say for biodiversity, which is one of my greatest concerns here, there is perhaps not enough information for people to make good informed decisions”, she says, adding that “it is a shame because Cyprus is at the crossroads of many different plants, species and animals and 7% we think of the animals and plants here, are only found in Cyprus, they are endemic”.

European Environmental Agency data, she says, show that 17% of the water sources are perhaps heavily polluted.

The lack of information in Cyprus about the environment, she points out, is an area “we need to concentrate on”.

Referring to the air quality scores of Cyprus, she says they are improving, adding however, that with increasing levels of drought in the area there will be more dust in the air, a challenge that needs to be addressed. She stresses the need for transport and industry related legislation to take into account air quality, giving Ukraine as an example to avoid, where, as she notes, contaminated air has reduced life expectancy by nearly 20 years.

McGlade points out that “biodiversity is important because ecosystems can do a huge amount to help save money, to help secure the future for water particularly”. Water, she adds, “when it’s in drought conditions, can suffer far more for example from the input of fertilizers”.

“If ecosystems are starved of water, in other words if it is all taken into households and into industry and agriculture then natural capacity to clean up water goes away and then we have to spend a lot of money cleaning up water to drink it”, she notes.

EEA Executive Director proposes that chefs in Cyprus use traditional products in high cuisine, something that according to her will create a real sense of ownership of culture. Prickly pears, she says using it as an example, could become fashionable and people would come to Cyprus to have a food experience as well as for the touristic value of nature.

“In Cyprus there are many indigenous species and there are many things that we could eat that we don’t look to, so that is why I think that biodiversity is important, it is a food asset that potentially we could exploit”, she points out.

Replying to a question about what environmental issues are due to be discussed during the Cyprus EU Council presidency McGlade says that “we have the most crucial discussions around the future of the environment action programme and it is during the Cyprus presidency that words will be put on paper”.

“We know already that there is a strong inclination to look at implementation; the idea not only of just enforcement but more participation by citizens to help keep the environment safe, to keep a high quality”, she adds.

McGlade further notes that “one of the most important dossiers will be the blueprint for water and therefore it is appropriate in many senses that Cyprus holds the presidency as we will be discussing the most important water legislation in Europe”.

Replying to a question about how water use can be managed better, she stresses that it is crucial to realize that everyone has a role to play in the management of water.

“All of society should decide on how much water goes to agriculture, how much water goes into looking after ecosystems etc”, she points out.

McGlade also speaks of a shift in people’s way of thinking, referring to the Australian experience, where extreme draught resulted in best water management practices.

“The most practical thing that Cyprus could do”, she says, “would be to show through example and through leadership what it takes to run an economy in a water scarce area”.

“Instead of just planning extra desalination plants trying to use the natural capacity of Cyprus, to in a way avoid that huge intensification”, she notes, adding that “that has happened and been shown to be a successful way of avoiding the construction of desalination plants with a lot of energy requirements and so on”.

CNA/EPH/GV/2012 
   

UNSG's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer – Interview with CNA Maria Myles The UN aims at “a good outcome” on three outstanding core issues – governance, citizenship and property - at a meeting later this month in New York, between the UN Secretary General and the leaders of the island’s two communities. The UN also believes that there cannot be a conclusion of the ongoing Cyprus peace process without an international conference, with the participation of the three guarantor powers of Cyprus’ independence, namely Greece, Turkey and Britain. In an interview with CNA, ahead of the meeting on 23-24 January 2012 at Greentree, New York, UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer said it is possible to clinch an agreement on outstanding core issues if there is “political will” and a spirit for compromise, which he believes both leaders, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, have and display at the negotiating table. “The meeting at Greentree will be either a success or a failure,” Downer said, rejecting expressions such as “make or break” with regard to the peace process. Downer said the two leaders will need to fix three “real issues”, namely the election of a rotating presidency and vice presidency, agreement on who will get citizenship of the United Cyprus Republic and conclusion of property concerns, in conjunction with territorial adjustments. “Our theory is that if they reach agreement on the core issues, then a lot of the detail will fall into place,” he explained, saying that the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee, Alliance and Establishment is one such core issue, which will have to be discussed at an international conference with the participation of the three guarantor powers (Britain, Greece and Turkey) of the Republic’s sovereignty and independence. Another core issue, Downer referred to is the actual detail of territorial adjustment, maps and figures, which as he noted, both leaders have agreed to discuss in the lead to an international conference. “You can discuss territory and property but you cannot finalise boundaries,” he pointed out. “The plan is by Greentree we will have the shape of what we want to do on the executive, property and citizenship and if we can do that, then we will have achieved something pretty good,” he told CNA, recalling that on the economy and EU matters there have been convergences and internal security issues are all but agreed. “This process looks as though is going to make it. If in the end they cannot make an agreement on these things, and they remain miles and miles apart, which probably is not a fair representative on where they are at actually, we would probably reach a point where there is not much we can do for them,” he said. Asked what he would describe as success at Greentree, he said “if we can get a good outcome on the executive, and one or two other aspects of power sharing and governance, then we can say we are pretty much done there.” A good outcome on property would mean that “we are heading in the right direction”, he added, noting that after that the talks can move to a multinational conference. “We cannot finish the process without having an international conference,” he stressed. Asked if there is a timeframe in this effort, Downer described the process “incredibly difficult”, saying one has to wait and see what Greentree comes up with and stressing that persistence and courage are necessary prerequisites for this process. On the prospects of getting the “good outcome” the UN aims at from the forthcoming meeting, Downer had this to say: “we would not be organizing the meeting if we did not think there was a possibility that it could be successful, you have to take a risk, it could be unsuccessful and the whole process could collapse, but it could be successful and the process could march on.” Asked until when is the UN prepared to continue this process, he referred to the Presidency of the EU which Cyprus will assume at the beginning of July this year, which will be followed by the presidential elections next year. “Time is not the issue though. If get a deadlock, then it is finished, if it is not deadlocked, and the meeting produce outcomes, you just need to get the job done. This process will come to an end where either there is an agreement or a complete deadlock. If you want an agreement on the core issues, then you can do that in a very short period of time. You do not need hundreds and hundreds of hours to write out a lot of detail, both know each other’s positions, it is not time you need, it is political will,” he stressed. Invited to clarify why the UN considers Cyprus’ EU presidency an impediment, Downer noted that Cyprus has to chair meetings, there are time restraints and decision makers in Cyprus will have to focus on EU issues. “I must say though that the presidency is months away, agreement on core issues should not take months, it can be done relatively quickly with the right will, right political environment, spirit of compromise and clever negotiations,” he pointed out. Replying to questions, he said the UN has no plans to postpone Greentree, even with the risk of failure. Asked why the leaders have not yet reached agreement, he noted that they had on a lot of things, but not on the outstanding core issues he talked about. “If I thought they never would, I would say this process is just completely deadlocked but I do not see that,” he added and called on both leaders to find ways to break the deadlocks which have emerged in the past few weeks, saying “this process has gone through one of its less inspiring phases” during this period. On the UN role at the talks, he explained “we are helpers, we talk to the two sides, try to understand their positions and sometimes we explain to the sides the positions of the other side.” “We do not call the shots in terms of their positions, we are here to help,” he explained. On ways the UNSG can help the meeting at Greentree, he replied “he will have to do his best, in private meetings, in his own inimitable way.” Asked if this meeting will be “make or break”, he said “it is either a success or a failure, it is not my expression to say make or break.” On the intensions of the two leaders to reach agreement, he said “they want an agreement but on whose terms, an agreement means you have to understand you cannot have everything you want, they both have different starting points, the place is disastrously divided. I think both are working for an agreement, I reject completely claims by people that either Mr Christofias or Mr Eroglu are people of ill will who are not trying to make an agreement. To say they do not want an agreement, that is not fair.” President Christofias and Eroglu are set to have talks with the SG on 23-24 January at Greentree, New York. This will be their third meeting with Ban, who has warned that the Cyprus talks cannot go the way they are being conducted at present. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their immediate withdrawal. CNA/MM/GP/2012

FM talks to CNA on foreign policy and EU presidency

by Emilia Christofi

The government of the Republic of Cyprus will not allow Turkish provocations and threats to affect the handling of the Cypriot presidency of the European Union, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis has said.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Marcoullis said Cyprus is determined to successfully and effectively complete the historic challenge that arises from undertaking the EU presidency in the second half of 2012.

We should also contribute, she added, in our capacity, in the formation of a common future for Europe and its people.

A successful Cypriot presidency, she remarked, will give added calibre and prestige to Cyprus, both in Europe but also in the rest of the world.

Regarding her recent visit to Washington, Marcoullis told CNA that there is room to further develop and enhance relations with the US in many fields, such as energy, for which the US has shown keen interest, especially after the discovery of natural gas reserves in Cyprus’ Block 12 in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

On the Cyprus problem, Marcoullis said that Nicosia wants Washington to continue its firm support of the ongoing direct negotiations and convey the right messages to Ankara to find a just and functional solution to the Cyprus issue.
Referring to the discovery of hydrocarbons in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, the Cypriot Minister said this provides opportunities that should be seized for the country’s benefit but also for the benefit of the wider region.

Commenting on regional developments following the collapse of regimes in Arab countries, she said Cyprus should continue to contribute to stability in the region in a number of ways.

Regarding measures to avert stronger ties between the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime with the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Marcoullis said moves by the government, in many cases, have curtailed attempts by the regime to upgrade its links with OIC countries.

On US-Cyprus ties and her recent meeting with her American counterpart, Hillary Clinton, Marcoullis said that “Cyprus maintains very friendly relations with the US, which have been significantly strengthened in recent years, through cooperation in many sectors of mutual interest and benefit, such as the economy and trade, as a result of a positive climate, relevant legislation and structures which attract companies and investment, as well as the agreement to avoid double taxation which led many American companies to operate from Cyprus and do business with European countries, the Middle East, Asia and Africa”.

There is also close cooperation in combating terrorism, said Marcoullis, due to Cyprus’ geographic position and its role as an international maritime centre.

“There is room to further enhance relations with the US in many sectors, such as the very promising sector of energy, for which the US has exhibited special interest, especially after the existence of large quantities of hydrocarbons was confirmed in Cyprus’ EEZ and the excellent relations with the US company Noble Energy International”, Marcoullis said.

As far as the Cyprus issue is concerned, Marcoullis remarked that the US believes a solution is not only necessary for peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean but will also act as a catalyst in the accession of Turkey to the EU. They have assured that they will continue to exert their influence towards Turkey to change its stance.

Asked where she believes a greater effort is required for a more effective foreign policy, Marcoullis said that “bearing in mind the small size of Cyprus, the limited resources and the political problem we have to address, dealing with a powerful country Turkey, the Foreign Ministry is making every effort to be represented as best as possible in the European and international arena”.

Cyprus, she added, “is the easternmost and southernmost member of the European Union and has a geographic position that is central between East and West. This position has always played an important role in the geostrategic interests of the region from ancient times until now and has always been the focus of interest of powerful forces. Its geostrategic value remains unchanged over the years and I would add that the recent discovery of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean has upgraded the geostrategic and geophysical position of Cyprus as well as the interest of the international community”.

“We aim to exploit the geostrategic and geopolitical significance of Cyprus through a multifaceted and dynamic foreign policy which will highlight the added value of Cyprus and what it has to offer both in the EU and the wider region,” she said.

Marcoullis said that the rapidly changing political and social developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa have created new facts in the region and Cyprus seeks to highlight, at the greatest possible level, its regional role.

“Our traditional excellent political and economic relations with these countries allow Cyprus to become a genuine and unbiased link for the EU with Arab countries. For this reason, we are scheduling specific initiatives with the aim to upgrade the relations of the EU and the Arab League,” she noted.
The discovery and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone can make Cyprus a hub not only for the production of energy but also for sharing hydrocarbons with neighbouring states for export to the EU, she explained. That way, she said, we can show that Cyprus can contribute to the energy balance of the EU and to secure an alternative energy supply, helping the EU withdraw its dependence from third countries from which it imports either natural gas or oil.

At the same time, said Marcoullis, “we will give emphasis on a targeted economic, political and energy diplomacy that will allow us to promote our positions and to further create common bonds and interests with other states.” The main aim of this diplomacy is bilateral relations that will promote economic, trade, and cultural relations with Cyprus and the countries of the region, turning Cyprus into a bridge between Europe and North Africa and Middle East countries, she added.

Asked how Cyprus can contribute to stability in the region, after the collapse of Arab regimes, Marcoullis said Cyprus is directly affected by regional developments, not only because of existing political and economic bonds but also because of its close proximity to these countries and the immigration influx.

“Cyprus can, wants and should contribute to the stability of the region in a number of ways. Firstly, our EU membership and the Presidency we shall exercise is a unique opportunity to concentrate our attention on our partners and the rest of the international community. Bilaterally, we support the association of political and economic involvement and assistance of the EU to neighbouring states which are moving faster towards democracy and rule of law”, she told CNA.

Asked about discussion between Cyprus and Lebanon on the agreement to delineate Lebanese EEZ, Marcoullis said that first indications are that the meetings that have been held are very positive and confirm the constructive role which Cyprus can have with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

On efforts to prevent improved relations between the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and the OIC, Marcoullis said the Organization’s efforts to upgrade relations with the illegal regime are mainly due to its SG Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who is of Turkish origin and is trying to promote Turkish interests through the organization.

“Our embassies make strong representations to the Foreign Ministries of OIC members about the Organization’s activities which aim to upgrade relations with the illegal regime which have often led to restricting relations between the OIC and the illegal regime”, Marcoullis said, adding that there is support within the OIC which disagrees with the Organization’s policy on the Cyprus issue.

On the significance of July 1st 2012 for Cyprus, Marcoullis said the presidency of the European Union is an historic challenge and a “great bet that we must win”. She said as a new member state and one of the smallest in the EU we are called to undertake a huge task to coordinate and promote European policy in many aspects for six whole months”.

“It is an historic opportunity for us to contribute, as best as we can, to achieve the great visions and aims of the EU but also a strategic investment for an effective participation in European proceedings”, the Minister told CNA.

“A successful Cypriot presidency will add to the prestige of the Republic of Cyprus both at a European environment and internationally. This will effectively strengthen Cyprus’ clout and increase its allies within and outside the EU. The Presidency is pivotal to Cyprus and to carry it through successfully, we must pursue wider cooperation with all institutions and sectors as well as with civil society,” she said.

Invited to identify the greatest challenge of the Ministry, Marcoullis told CNA that the FM has a leading role to play. “During our presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the informal Foreign Ministers’ Council as well as more than 25 meetings, which will take place in various towns of Cyprus, with the participation of ministers and high level officials from all member states and EU institutions”.

However, she added, the greatest burden lies with the Republic’s Permanent Representation to the EU, in Brussels and Luxembourg, where the biggest number of meetings will be held, which include the two European Council meetings, 60 meetings at ministerial level and more than 1500 meetings on working group level.

The Council’s Working Groups which fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, either in Brussels or elsewhere, amount to more than 60. Officials of the FM who will chair Working Groups are receiving intensive training to make the best possible appearance during the presidency, Marcoullis said, adding that all “ preparatory work at the EU Council is being done by Working Groups, since the decisions taken by ministers depend on the officers’ preparations. That is why the role of these officers is crucial”.

Marcoullis said the “Ministry’s cooperation with the European Foreign Action Service is of critical significance in promoting EU foreign policy. The Foreign Minister of the presiding country plays an integral part in the success of European external policy, in cooperation with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Cypriot Minister will be expected to represent the EU in many international meetings, following an understanding with Catherine Ashton. My Danish counterpart has been informed that he will attend 24 such meetings”, she added.

Marcoullis said that one of the fundamental challenges of foreign affairs issues is strengthening the Neighbouring Policy, and especially reinforcing relations with countries south of the EU. As far as countries of the Middle East and North Africa are concerned, she said, “we aim to make an important contribution to the stability and welfare of these countries, which are being tried by the extended political crisis and unprecedented revolutionary movements and reforms”.
Asked how Cyprus can achieve a successful presidency amidst threats over its sovereign rights to locate and explore its own hydrocarbon reserves in its EEZ, bearing in mind that Turkey, a country that is holding accession negotiations with the EU, does not recognize the country which holds the presidency, Marcoullis replied that “the structural ingredients of a successful presidency include excellent preparation and setting goals and drafting strategies to achieve these objectives”.

She said that Cyprus is well ahead in the preparatory process and continues to work with consistency and cooperation with all partners to achieve a positive and credible result. “The Republic of Cyprus is determined to complete with success and effectiveness the historic challenge of the EU Presidency. Our aim is not to allow the Turkish threats and provocations to influence the handling of the Cypriot presidency and to contribute in our own way, at the level of our abilities, to formulate a joint future for Europe and its people’, she stressed.

Turkey whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974 does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its EEZ, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

CNA/EC/MM/2012 
   



Interview with Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU

by Athena Arsalidou

Τhe presidency of the Council of the EU, which Cyprus will assume for the first time in July, is a “maturity test” for the Republic of Cyprus, the country’s Permanent Representative to the European Union Ambassador Kornelios Korneliou has said.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), he said that the “heart of Cyprus’ EU presidency will be beating in Brussels”, and more specifically in the Permanent Representation of the Republic to the EU, since there, in the EU capital, “the strength of the presidency will be tested on a daily basis”.

Korneliou pointed out that a successful EU presidency will significantly strengthen Cyprus’ position in the political arena, which in turn could contribute to efforts to reunify the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Moreover, he said that Turkey, which has officially stated it would freeze its relations with the EU presidency during Cyprus’ six monthly rotating presidency, should take into consideration the recent European Council position on the Turkish stance.

Alternatively, he noted, the only thing Turkey can achieve is to further complicate its EU accession process.

In their December 2011 European Council conclusions, the EU 27 heads of state and government have called “for full respect of the role of the Presidency of the Council, which is a fundamental institutional feature of the EU provided for in the Treaty''.

Asked which issues will be the most difficult to negotiate during Cyprus’ EU presidency, Korneliou said that one of the most difficult would be the Multiannual Financial Framework, the negotiation of which must close by the end of 2012, the European Asylum System, which should also be agreed by the end of the Cypriot presidency, as well as the crisis in the eurozone.

“Apart from our own priorities, which will be finalized in the near future, many of the issues we will have to deal with will be inherited from the previous presidency – Denmark”, he said.

Invited to say how the Cypriot EU presidency will address Turkey’s position to freeze its relations with the EU as longs as Cyprus holds the six monthly rotating presidency, Ambassador Korneliou recalled that the EU response to Turkey’s behavior has already been given by the European Council itself as well as by the EU Foreign Ministers Council late last year.

“Turkey has got the message and it is up to Ankara to react and behave as it should, just like any other candidate state. Otherwise, the only thing Turkey will achieve is to further complicate its EU accession process. Whether Turkey likes it or not, the Republic of Cyprus assumes on July 1 and for a period of six months the EU Presidency”, he underlined.

The role of the country which holds the EU presidency, he pointed out, is not to promote national issues or to resolve bilateral problems.

“It would be disastrous for any state if it were to attempt to exploit its EU presidency to promote or resolve national issues. We ought to behave in a European manner, highlight the modern face of Cyprus and emphasis our credibility a state”, he said.

Ambassador Korneliou noted that developments in the UN led negotiations to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem will continue alongside the EU presidency, but on another level, and not in the framework of the EU presidency.

He underlined that a successful EU Presidency will strengthen significantly the Republic and enhance its credibility and prestige in the international political arena.

This in turn, he said, could strengthen Cyprus’ position and contribute to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

“In my view, the assumption of the EU presidency by the Republic of Cyprus constitutes a maturity test for Cyprus as an EU member state, after eight years in the EU”, he underlined.

The Ambassador said that during Cyprus’ presidency the number of the European Councils is expected to rise due to the crisis in the eurozone and more than 60 ministerial meetings will take place in Brussels and Luxembourg, chaired by Cyprus.

Moreover, around 1.500 meetings will take place in the framework of the Council’s working groups. All meetings will be chaired by Cypriots. In addition to this, a great number of meetings will take place in Cyprus, including 15 informal ministerial councils.

Korneliou said that Cyprus’ EU presidency will also be represented in the European Parliament's meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg.

He added that Cyprus attaches great importance to the role of the European Parliament, noting that Cyprus will pursue a constant and close cooperation with the European Parliament, whose role has been significantly increased after the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

The number of Cypriots working at the Permanent Representation in Brussels will be increased to 200 during the six monthly EU presidency, including Cypriot officials from all ministries, the Republic’s Law Office, the Planning Bureau as well as Cypriots working in the European Commission.

Korneliou explained that the number of officials varies depending on the country which holds the EU presidency and its geographical distance from Brussels.

“Poland – which was the first of the trio presidency - had more officials than we will have, while Denmark will have fewer, but this has also to do with the geographical distance”, he said.

Referring to the role of the EU presidency as regards the Council’s working groups, he said that the chairpersons have a decisive role to play, since they have to find the right balance among the different positions of the EU member states. Some issues, he added, are sensitive and important to some member states, so the role of the Cypriot chairperson would be to find a compromise, a consensus that would meet the interests of the member states as well as the overall interests of the EU and its citizens.

He added that if an agreement is not reached on the level of the working groups, the issue is referred to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) or the EU Ministerial Councils.

The Republic of Cyprus became a full EU member state in May 2004. Cyprus will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU between July – December 2012.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and since then occupies 37% of the island’s territory.

Turkey is the only country in the world which does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus. The recognition of Cyprus by Ankara constitutes an obligation in the EU - Turkey negotiation framework signed by Turkey in October 2005.

CNA/AAR/MM 
    
       




Denmark: we aim to help resolve the EU crisis

by Maria Koniotou

The Danish EU Presidency, starting on January 1st 2012, wants to make a significant contribution in bringing the EU out of the current economic crisis, according to Danish Ambassador to Cyprus Kristen Geelan, who expressed at the same time confidence that the Cypriot EU Presidency, during the second half of 2012, will contribute to further enhancing EU cooperation.

In an interview with CNA, Geelan said that her country may not be a Eurozone member, but is as concerned about the depth of the crisis in the Eurozone as the Euro members. The ambition of the Danish EU presidency is to help Europe to become economically sustainable, focusing on structural reforms, budget discipline and stronger regulation of the financial sector.

Referring to Turkey’s decision to freeze its relations with the EU, during the Cypriot EU Presidency, as Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, Geelan recalled the conclusions of the latest European Council on this issue, noting that “we are part of these conclusions”.

Whether Turkey becomes a member of the EU depends on the EU member states as well as Turkey itself. The negotiations are currently at a standstill, but things can change, she points out. The Danish government supports the aim of Turkish membership and wants to keep the track open for negotiations and contribute to a positive dialog with Turkey, she said.

With regard to the Cyprus problem, the Danish Ambassador stressed that her country continues to support the ongoing direct negotiations under the auspices of the UN and continues to encourage the parties to engage constructively in finding a comprehensive solution as soon as possible to the benefit of both communities.

The Danish Ambassador also underlined the potential that the Danish EU-Presidency offers in terms of enhancing the general knowledge of Denmark in Cyprus. “I would welcome the possibility to share some of the experience that we have had and the knowledge gained with regards in particular to investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, but perhaps also in areas of a social-economic nature,” she said.

Geelan said that the priorities that the Danish government has set for the EU Presidency are a responsible Europe, a dynamic Europe, a green Europe and a secure Europe.

She pointed out the fact that the current seven-year EU budget is roughly around a trillion euro and stressed that “our main focus it to try with that budget to confront the economic challenges and to make sure that a big chunk of this budget is channeled for the right policy areas to boost growth, jobs and innovation. The Danish EU-presidency hopes to contribute to making Europe more economically responsible. This implies a political willingness to implement and comply with new rules on economic governance. We see at the moment a Europe which is slowing down, we are losing competitiveness and we need to realize that this is really a crucial time for European cooperation, for European competitiveness.”

According to the Ambassador, the dynamics of Europe are threatened and “that is our concern. We want to strengthen the competitiveness of Europe, we want to make sure that we take full advantage of globalization and we want to deliver, during our Presidency, concrete results and make a significant contribution to bring the EU out of the current economic crisis. We want to strengthen the institutions, strengthen the collaboration and the mechanisms.”

She added that “the Danish Presidency also wishes to promote a green Europe and hopes to see a further greening of European economies and promoting green growth. If we want to preserve our prosperity and high living standards in the long term we must maintain our interconnected perspective and continue to reflect green perspectives in our policies.”

“And finally the Danish presidency will promote a safe Europe – both internally and externally. Recent events where the Schengen system came under pressure has been a reminder that we need to finalize the EU's common asylum system in order to ensure appropriate reception and treatment of asylum seekers throughout Europe and work for a stronger Schengen cooperation,” she added.

She noted that a safe Europe also means to support a stronger voice for the EU in global affairs. Only by speaking with one voice can the EU bring continuity and predictability into our relations with other nations, she said.

According to Geelan, the Danish government has decided to adopt a realistic and pragmatic approach vis-a-vis the Presidency. “We want to make sure the European project remains operational and we want to makes sure that it continues to deliver significant results for the 500 million people living in Europe. We need to bring the single market into the digital age and we want to strengthen Europe’s leadership in shaping a green agenda in order to create new opportunities for the more than 22 million unemployed people in the EU-countries,” she said.

She added that “we want to do more to help European companies remain at the cutting-edge, internationally, and we want to get tangible progress as regards the future budget of the EU. It would be lovely if we got an agreement during the Danish EU Presidency but the likelihood is that it will be after our EU Presidency that we get an agreement on the future European budget. So again we are taking a realistic approach.”

She said that “we must try and obtain meaningful reform in key areas like the Common Agriculture Policies, the Cohesion Policy, and we are firmly committed to channel EU-funds towards generating economic growth and create new jobs. So to sum it all up, the focus of the EU Presidency is on the financial situation, to improve the internal market and secure the competitiveness of Europe, greening of the economy and a secure and safer Europe and of course the latest experience that we have seen with increased refugees into Europe again raises the question how do we deal with increased refugees knocking on our doors, how do we continue to strengthen the Schengen cooperation of the EU.”

Asked about the Danish Presidency’s greening policy, Geelan said that she is talking about the environment, but also about energy efficiency and increased investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. “I think it is quite clear that the European energy policy, one of the areas which is still fragmented and a difficult issue to deal with as EU 27. What we are saying is in order for us to secure a continuous growth we also have to increase our investments in green technologies, renewable energy and energy efficiency. We need to make sure that we are not letting ourselves open to market fluctuations. The more that we can rely on ourselves as energy producers is a very important aspect of a continuous growth and development of the EU,” she added.

Asked about Cyprus’ possible contribution to the EU energy sector, if drilling which is taking place in its EEZ shows that is has oil reserves, the Danish Ambassador said that this would be most welcome. “Obviously it could make a most welcome contribution to European energy security. It is not just a question of money. It is about investments for generations to come in terms of energy supplies and energy security I think is that where the focus should be,” she added.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it. Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

Invited to comment on the fact that Denmark, a non-member of the Eurozone, is taking over the EU presidency during a time of financial crisis, the Ambassador stressed that Denmark may not be in the Euro “but we are as concerned about the depth of the crisis in the Eurozone as the Euro members and we will do our outmost during our Presidency to help pave the way for a solution to the crisis.”

Geelan noted that the Commission has circulated a first draft for a potential platform for negotiations taking up the following from the decisions that were taken at the most recent European Council and so far this seems to us to be a good basis for negotiations. “It would enable also non Euro members to become part of a future agreement. So we may not be in the Euro but for all purposes we will conduct our Presidency as if we were a full-fledged member,” she added.

Asked about the cooperation of her country with Cyprus, ahead of the 2012 presidency, Geelan recalled that the Trio countries, namely Poland, Denmark and Cyprus, began working on a joint platform at the beginning of 2009 and have been negotiating the joint platform and the Trio programme.

It will be the first EU Presidency for Cyprus whereas this is the 7th Danish Presidency of the European Council, she noted.

“So we have a little bit of experience but obviously this is not the first time that an EU-country takes over the EU Presidency for the first time. We have been very happy to meet specific requests from Cyprus in particularly areas of environmental issues,” Geelan said.

“But working together also means that help can go both ways. So Cyprus will also be helping Denmark in respect of some of the working groups on the Common Defence and Security Policy where Denmark has an opt-out. In addition we are working closely in the area of European development policy where obviously Denmark as a significant donor country has considerable experience and expertise,” she noted.

She stressed that “as far as we are concerned we are confident that Cyprus will manage to stir Europe throughout the Cypriot Presidency.”

The coming six months represent a golden opportunity to enhance the overall knowledge of Denmark in Cyprus, she said and added: “What I am more interested in is to share some of the experience that we have had and the knowledge gained with regards to investing in r energy efficiency, renewable energy, but also areas perhaps more of a social-economic nature as I now see the debate developing in Cyprus with regards to austerity measures that have been passed in parliament.”

She said that Denmark also has a considerable public sector and has quite an elaborate social fabric. “I would welcome the possibility of sharing some of our experiences - from developing appropriate care facilities for the elderly – to making the public service more efficient and effective,” she said.

Asked about statements on the part of Turkey that it will freeze its relations with the EU during the Cypriot EU Presidency, she noted that with the conclusions at the latest European Council the EU 27 countries have made their decision vis-a-vis Turkish statements vis-a-vis Cyprus very clear.

“I don’t think that I could add anything to the conclusions of the European Council and I have taken note of the comments by the Cypriot FM who expressed her satisfaction with the agreed conclusions,” she added.

She said that since 2009 there has been a broad majority in the Danish Parliament supporting the aim of Turkish EU membership. “But what we also say is that this requires that Turkey meets the requirements for membership. Obviously the membership of Turkey requires a consensus among all EU member states but our national position is that if Turkey meets the requirements for membership then they should also become a member. As a Presidency we have the obligation to listen to all the views of the Council and at the same time we find it important to try and keep the negotiations on track and to continue to contribute to a positive dialogue with Turkey,” she added.

Asked about the issue of EU enlargement, Geelan noted that Denmark has been a strong advocate of enlargement, adding that “it is one of the key pillars for Danish EU policy and for spreading peace, stability and prosperity in Europe.”

“At the same time we also need to be realistic and we need to take the EU’s ability to absorb new members into account, also in time of crisis. There is still a number of countries in Europe that we would welcome into the European family let me mention Serbia, the Former Republic of Macedonia, and we think it is very important that we as the EU keep that commitment. This is not saying that we are looking into lowering standards. Certain basic rules and principles commonly referred to as the EU acquis are prerequisites for joining the EU family,” Geelan stressed.

Asked about the EuroMediterranean cooperation in view of the Arab Spring and the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa states, the Danish Ambassador said that “it is quite clear that this is an area that we need to continue to prioritize. We – the EU - need to strengthen our relations with the new democracies around the Mediterranean.”

She said that her country has nationally a programme called the Arab initiative where for a number of years “we have worked very closely with NGOs and human rights groups in say Syria – Egypt, Marocco Jordan – to mention some, not to mention our extensive development programme in the Palestinian territories where we have been a key donor for a number of years.” She added that they also had the pleasure of working with Cyprus on specific projects.

“So I think it is an issue that has already been and will continue to be high on our agenda and we are very strong advocates for the EU27 to continue to stay engaged,” she said.

She added that her country was also part of the coalition in Libya and that during the discussions in the EU27 it has been a keen advocate for sanctions against the regime in Syria and its commitment will continue during the Danish EU Presidency.

“We have to make sure that the countries which are now going through a very-very significant transformation are fully attuned and interested in closer collaboration with EU. But we also have to remember that closer cooperation also includes economic cooperation, in other words how to help these countries improve their economies. Unemployment in many of these countries is high – in particular amongst young and often well educated people. So the main issue is how we develop also closer economic relations with these countries and the region. It is not only aid, it is about providing jobs and opportunities for people,” she concluded.

CNA/MK/MM/2011 
                  
 




Commander of SBA: Bases are here to stay

By Maria Myles

Britain has no plans, either now or in the future, to abandon its military bases in Cyprus, Commander of the British Forces Cyprus and Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administrator Air Vice Marshal G E Stacey has said, adding at the same time that London would renew its offer to relinquish sovereignty over parts of the Bases, as part of an overall political settlement of the question of Cyprus.

In an interview with CNA, the Commander also said that the people of Cyprus are to benefit from any finds of minerals in the SBA and referred any possible amendment to the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee to the contracting parties.

He noted the good relations the British Bases (BB) enjoy both with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and the local communities, saying the SBA authorities are trying very hard to improve them.

Asked if Britain has any plans, immediate or future, of abandoning the SBA, the Commander replied in one word “no”, saying that the SBAs continue to be a crucial part of the UK’s military infrastructure and operations.

On the role of the Bases over the years and given that London no longer has the strategically placed sites abroad it used to have, he said there has been very little change in the role the Bases play and added, “although the number of personnel is smaller than in the past, the Bases maintain a very important operational focus.”

Asked if a UK proposal to relinquish sovereignty over parts of the Akrotiri SBA and Dhekelia SBA still stands, in the event of an agreement between the island’s two communities on a political settlement, the SBA Commander reiterated London’s commitment to supporting the UN-sponsored settlement process and the offer to relinquish sovereignty over parts of the bases as part of a successful settlement process.

On the relevance today of a proposed change to the Treaty of Establishment, relating to territorial sea, especially taking into account the latest developments in the search for hydrocarbons, off Cyprus’ shores, he explained that revenues from mineral extraction in the SBAs already go to the Republic of Cyprus. “We have repeatedly said that the benefits of any find in this region are for the people of Cyprus,” he added.

On the UK’s commitment to the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee and whether it must continue to apply as it stands, he noted that this is a matter for the signatories to the Treaty.

Replying to a question on London’s readiness to relinquish some of the privileges it has retained after Cyprus’ independence, he replied, “I value the existing facilities and always prefer to work on the basis of cooperation not confrontation. I believe the current arrangements work well.”

The UK has secured unprecedented privileges for the SBA through the 1960 Treaties, including flying rights over the territory of the Republic of Cyprus without restriction other than due regard for the safety of other aircraft, the right to install and operate freely in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus new and existing communications systems and electronics systems, the supply of any information received by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus about the movement of all aircraft with the FIR administered from Nicosia etc.
Questioned on the use of the SBA by aircraft other than British aircraft, the Commander explained that the SBAs were retained in 1960 to allow the UK to meet its military needs.

“That remains their critical function today and we continue to ensure that usage of all our facilities (including by aircraft) is strictly in accord with HMG’s commitment to the Republic of Cyprus on these issues,” he added.

On bilateral cooperation on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by London and Nicosia, especially on police and security issues, he said the SBA always strive for full cooperation, saying that the Bases offered assistance to the Republic of Cyprus after a massive explosion which destroyed the island’s main power plant.

“We did what we could to reduce power consumption on the bases. We will soon stop gliding operations at Kingsfield airstrip to assist with the future development of Larnaca Airport. SBAA and BFC communicate regularly with the Republic of Cyprus' authorities on issues of mutual interest, my objective is to avoid any surprises,” he said.

Cooperation with the Cyprus government is “good”, he said, adding that they value the good relations with local communities and this is something they strive hard to maintain and improve.

“Relations with local communities are very good. I am conscious that we are in a beautiful environment and the SBAA must protect that for future generations. It is also vital that the local communities are fully engaged in this and we work very closely with them and the appropriate departments within the Republic to try to achieve this,” he added.

Asked about existing SBA training areas and other related sites London has retained after 1960, he noted that the Bases use a number of training areas both in the SBAs and in the Republic of Cyprus, which are key to UK training and preparation for operations.

“I value the cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus' authorities to enable us to make full use of the facilities and maximize the training value for our troops,” he said.

On the Red Arrows training in Cyprus, the Commander explained that “the Red Arrows, together with many of our fast jets, have been conducting their military training here for some time. I’m not sure why the Red Arrows should be singled out for specific criticism as it is simply fast jet training which we conduct with many other squadrons.”

However, he said, “we work hard every year with the local communities to address their concerns and minimize disruption and to identify how the Red Arrows might support community projects.”

Asked about payments the UK has to make to the Republic in respect of fees and charges relating to immovable property, ports and public utilities, he said that “we pay all our electricity and other bills on time and after the Mari explosion, for example, we did all we could to reduce power consumption.”

Britain has retained two military bases in Cyprus, after the island gained its independence, following a four-year anti-colonial struggle in the mid-50s.
CNA/MM/RG/2011







Chairman of CRTA concerned over quality of Greek TV programs in Cyprus

by Thalia Neophytou

Executive Chairman of the Cyprus Radio Television Authority (CRTA) Andreas Petrides, expressed his strong concern about the quality of television programs produced in Greece and distributed in Cypriot channels.

In an interview to CNA, Petrides said he fears that Cyprus could become a TV ''garbage dump'' of Greek channels.

“This danger exists because the main source of television programs for channels in Cyprus is Greece and unfortunately because of the situation of the television landscape in Greece and the economic crisis, there’ s a real risk that trash TV from Greece will be distributed to Cyprus at very attractive prices” he said.

Petrides also talked about the new legislation promoted by the Authority, explaining that the main objective is to have more equitable monitoring and control of Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CYBC), with other private channels.

He also referred to the changes in the broadcast licensing due to the new legislation, European directives and the transition to the digital era.

Petrides explained that there are two TV Licence types issued by CRTA, namely for general and thematic TV channels. A thematic TV channel devotes at least 80% of its program on a specific topic, such as sports, music etc. A general TV channel should have news, cultural programs, etc, he explained.

As he noted, the most basic precondition for licensing, is the nominal value of the shareholding not to exceed 25%. Provisions requiring the production of domestic television programs are abolished, since under the community law, domestic and European productions cannot be distinguished.

“European directives determine what we call European productions. So, whether the program was produced in Cyprus or in Greece or in France is a European production. Therefore we can not distinguish a Cypriot and a non Cypriot program”, he told CNA.

Speaking about recent massive layoffs in a Cypriot TV channel, Petrides clarified the role of the Authority in working relations of the broadcasters, pointing out that the Authority can intervene in the regulation of employment relations, only at the stage of licensing and cannot force the applicants to sign contracts.

“The competent authority in case of failure in signing a contract between the employer and the employee is the Ministry of Labour, where there is a reference in the code for industrial relations. There is also a written opinion of the Attorney General, saying that it is unconstitutional to require from an applicant for a TV license to make a collective agreement,” he said adding that those who were blaming CRTA in that case were wrong, because the Authority didn’t have the power to do anything.

He also referred to the efforts made by the Authority to help the broadcasters improve their economic situation so as to be more viable, giving as example the promoted law for television advertising.

“TV advertising is determined at the present by commercial breaks which have a specific number and time limit. We intend to abolish this provision and harmonize our rules with the European Directive, imposing 12 minutes advertising per hour. So 20% of the air time could go to advertising. This will give the advantage to the station to reprogram the advertising breaks, depending on the audience and the kind of the program and thus it will allow better of a station’s income”, said Petrides.

The Executive Chairman of the Cyprus Radio Television Authority, also spoke about technological upgrading efforts, aiming to improve the Authority’s ability to control TV programs more efficiently and to increase its productivity.

He also referred to the efforts of CRTA in this direction, through close cooperation with the Hungarian Authority, and said that they plan to buy the necessary equipment, so as by mid-February to have modern systems of recording and storing TV programs.

“It is a very important step, because it will significantly increase productivity in the Authority and will allow more systematic monitoring of television programs and will significantly reduce the time to investigate complaints against the broadcasters”, he told CNA.

Noting that he considers CRTA fines an effective tool to prevent violations of the law, he said however that the Authority’s supervisory role should not be considered as a police role. He added that their role is much broader and that they have contacts and are in a constant dialogue with journalists and managers of radio and television stations, as well as with other actors, both public and private, who have a role to play in shaping the broadcasting landscape.

CNA/TNE/AAR/2011








CIPA Chairman stresses prospects of foreign investment in energy

By Thomas Kettenis

Nicosia, Nov 28 (CNA) --- The newly appointed Chairman of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) Christodoulos Angastiniotis has highlighted the great prospects of attracting foreign investment in the field of energy in Cyprus, as a result of the exploration now underway in the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone for hydrocarbon reserves.

In an interview with Cyprus News Agency, Angastiniotis analysed the priorities of CIPA’s newly appointed Board of Directors and the fields and countries that Cyprus should focus in order to attract foreign investment. He pointed out the great interest of many countries, such as China, Russia, France and Norway, in investing in the field of energy in Cyprus. He also noted that income from hydrocarbon reserves should be used on a long term basis.

In addition, Angastiniotis commented on the Finance Minister’s fiscal consolidation measures announced in November, noting that the levy on the turnover of Cypriot firms for the next two years would harm entrepreneurship and would have negative effect on the economy.

Asked about CIPA priorities, Angastiniotis said that the new Board of Directors will be organized into committees. “We will follow almost the same structure as the former Board of Director, which means that we will establish an Executive Committee, a Promotion Committee, a Committee on Investments Support, a Committee on Human Resources, and a Committee on Internal Auditing”, he explained. He added that the new Board of Directors will work out a plan on how to promote Cyprus as an attractive destination for investments.
 
On the importance of CIPA and its enhanced role, Angastiniotis said that it is important for CIPA to work with flexibility and not to follow the bureaucratic procedures of the public sector. He said that a delegation from CIPA will meet with the Ministers of Commerce, Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as with the President of the Republic in order to coordinate their moves. “Everybody should understand that CIPA is the official representative of Cyprus on attracting foreign investments”, he added.

Asked about amendments to existing legislation to boost investment, Angastiniotis said that the Committee on Institutional Framework has prepared legislative proposals on tackling bureaucracy and on many other issues, that have been adopted. There are however, many more proposals that are pending and many other ideas that will be prepared. In addition, he said that the Committee on Institutional Framework is preparing the Double Taxation Agreements, noting that such an agreement with Kazakhstan has already been prepared.

Replying to a question on CIPA’s results, Agastiniotis said that many foreign companies have invested in Cyprus through CIPA. There is still room for additional investments, he said, noting that especially now, with the prospects of finding hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus’ EEZ, the potential for attracting foreign investments is much greater.

Asked to elaborate on this issue, Angastiniotis said that there are inventors from China, Russia, France and Norway who are interested in investing in energy in Cyprus. “It is the sector that will be in the epicenter during the next years in Cyprus and we should deal with that very carefully”, he pointed out. Noting that the issue of hydrocarbon reserves has its political aspect, he said that the Government is right in proceeding with the second hydrocarbons licensing round in Cyprus’ EEZ.

“If we say that, in the worst case scenario, the reserves from the block 12 cover the needs of Cyprus for the next 80 years and that there are reserves in the other blocks – for which the government has proceeded with the second hydrocarbons licensing round - then the field of energy constitutes the most promising sector for foreign investment and it could save our economy”, he stressed.

However, he noted, we should deal with that issue by thinking on a long term basis, following the model of Norway. Thus, we could cover some immediate needs with the income from the natural gas, but at the same time we should establish a national reserve fund which would provide the Republic of Cyprus with constant annual income for covering part of the expenses of the Republic and for providing prosperity to the people of Cyprus.

“This money (from national natural resources) should not be put in the direct consumption. Moreover, the money should not be used for the Republic’s expenditure, which should be immediately put under control and be reduced to be in line with the GDP”, he said.

Angastiniotis added that this government, as well as former governments, have excellently dealt with the issue of delineating the Exclusive Economic Zone, by signing agreements with neighbouring states. “We haven’t concluded yet the issue with Syria and Lebanon due to Turkey’s intervention, but I consider that this government and the former government have dealt with that issue in an excellent manner”, he pointed out.

Asked about the ongoing debate on the government-proposed fiscal consolidation measures, Angastiniotis said that the Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias has the good will, works hard and is capable to put things in the right direction. “There has certainly been a delay in adopting measures and the government and the political parties are responsible for that. There is no national consensus on economy”, he acknowledged.

He described as “unfair” a proposal for a 5% levy on the turnover of Cypriot firms for the next two years, saying that there are many firms in Cyprus which although they have a big turnover, they sustain losses or their margin for profit is under 0,5%. “The Finance Minister should distinguish the entrepreneurship from the wealth”, he said, noting that “if we harm the entrepreneurship, we will affect growth and public revenue and there will be no progress and no surpluses, and there will be unemployment and deficits.”
 
On the other hand, Angastiniotis said he agrees with the measure that includes the freezing of salary increases in the public sector for the next two years. He pointed out that this measure should be extended to three years and “we should also consider, if this is not enough, to include more salary cuts in the public sector for those employees with high income”. As regards the private sector employees, Angastiniotis said that the employees with high income should also contribute.

Asked about the 50% haircut of the Greek public debt and its fallout on Cypriot banks and foreign investments, Angastiniotis said that the Cypriot banks are facing an unprecedented crisis. He added that it is very difficult for them to attract money from existing shareholders and from the internal market, and it is also difficult to attract foreign institutional investors.

However, he noted that he does not worry about the foreign and the internal deposits in the Cypriot banks. He said that the Cypriot banks should reconsider their costs and their interest rates. “With the current interest rates, not only do they not help the economy, but they also strangle the economy, they strangle the entrepreneurship and work against their own interests”, he said.

Replying to a question regarding the prospects of attracting investments from China, Angastiniotis said that China is the future for foreign investment. He added that CIPA has opened an office in China, having considered the encouraging results and the prospects of investments from that country.

Finally, asked about his prediction for 2012, Angastiniotis expressed optimism for the future. He assured that CIPA will make whatever possible in order to attract foreign investment. “There are prospects that we should seek and I am optimist that we will make it”, he concluded.

Cypriot Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias presented on November 18 a new set of fiscal consolidation measures which would enable Cyprus to regain access to international markets and to achieve its fiscal targets. The measures include the freezing of salary increases in the public sector for the next two years, amounting to savings of 255 million euro (125 million 2012 and 230 in 2013), a levy for private sector employees earning more than 2.500 euro, as well as a 5% levy on the turnover of Cypriot firms for the next two years.

Houston-based ‘Noble Energy’, whose drilling rig is already in place, off the island’s southern coast, has begun drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ last September. The company has a concession to explore for hydrocarbons in an offshore field, south of Cyprus, known as Block 12 or “Aphrodite”.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the EEZ with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement was signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

The Council of Ministers authorised on November 23 the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Praxoulla Anotoniadou to proceed with all necessary actions to launch the second hydrocarbons licensing round.

CNA/TKE/MM/2011





Faneromeni High School: a nest of multiculturalism

by Maria Antouna

Nicosia, Nov 25 (CNA) – One might be surprised to come across a hub of lively young children, from all over the world, right in the heart of this divided capital city, Nicosia, where damage and destruction is but a breath away, as buildings stand derelict and abandoned for the past few decades, in the UN-controlled buffer zone.

Yet, this is exactly where multiculturalism is thriving, thanks to pioneering educational programmes Faneromeni High School has adopted. The school lies in the old part of Nicosia, within the Venetian walls.

The historic grounds of Faneromeni church and the nearby high school are considered a landmark of the area. A visitor walking up the steps of the school cannot help but admire the building's neoclassical architectural form.

It is break time and pupils are running around the school corridors carefree. Their happy faces, full of life, reflect their innocence. Children from all nationalities speak Greek fluently. To hear them, one cannot tell whether they come from Cyprus or elswhere.

How can anyone categorise children in different groups or nationalities? After all, they all have the same smile, the same innocence, exhuming an inner calm that reaches out to everybody’s soul. Here, all children are the same, they look to the future aiming to seize the day and live it to the full. 
 
Two girls are chit-chatting with one another, laughing merrily.
 
''I speak Arabic at home because my parents cannot speak Greek. I am the one teaching them the language”, says fifteen year old Yiasmin Alkadi, who comes from Iraq . ''At least I try to do so'' she adds laughing. ''My mother does not work but my father works for the UN'', she says.
 
''I have fun at school. I wouldn't want to return to my country'', she notes, adding ''now I am a Cypriot, that's how I feel. This is the place I have been living in for the past seven years''. 
 
Her friend Mela Konstantinou, of the same age, is from Romania. She says her father is a Romanian Serb and her mother Romanian. 
 
''I wouldn't want to go to Romania. I want to stay in my beloved Cyprus'', Mela says, adding that ''I would like to become a Greek language teacher. I even like the idea of becoming an actress or a script writer''.
 
''Having fellow students from other countries has taught me from a young age not to be a racist'' Giorgos Athanasiou, a Greek Cypriot student says, adding that ''I am very lucky because I learn a great deal from my fellow students, they teach me about their countries and their languages''.
 
''I don't see them as different, they are just like us'', he points out.
 
''Our students come from countries with different cultures and customs'', says Evie Shakalli Argyridou, the headmistress of the school. 
 
According to Argyridou most of the children are Greeks from Pontos, a region located near the Black Sea. Greek Cypriot students are few and usually come from mixed marriages. Non Greek speakers constitute about 20% of the school children and usually come from Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran and China.
 
The old Nicosia centre has suffered as a direct result of the Turkish invasion of 1974, which split it in half, a buffer zone dividing the once thriving historic centre. Many Greek Cypriots who lived in the area chose to move further away. In recent years there has been a trend for immigrants to inhabit the area and make the old walled city of Nicosia their home. More often than not the families are poor and their standard of living is low. 
 
The school is considered to be in an Educational Priority Zone and a Greek language teacher has been appointed to teach foreign students. Greek language teaching programmes, which are funded by the government and the EU, are provided in an effort to combat social exclusion and reduce the possibility of substandard school performance.

Argyridou also notes that the Ministry of Education offers students extra curriculum classes in the afternoon in Greek, mathematics, IT, foreign languages, journalism, physical education, theatre, music and art.
 
Despite facing adversity, the school continues to maintain high standards, Argyridou stresses. 
 
The school cultivates human values such as democracy, freedom, social justice and moral values such as respect, understanding, solidarity, tolerance and love, she notes.

“We cultivate respect to tradition, history, religion, language and particular ethnic characteristics”, Argyridou adds.

Faneromeni church ecclesiastical committee also helps poor families when needed.

Faneromeni high school was founded in 1852, originally an all boys school. From 1937 to 1961 the school operated as a school for girls. Today, the school operates as a nest of multiculturalism, offering education to children of all origin, ethnicity, religion and background.
 
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led negotiations are underway between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in an effort to reunite the island under a federal roof.
 
Nicosia remains today the only divided capital in Europe. 
CNA MAN/MM?2011 
            
   



Europe at a great turning point, Greek Minister says

by Ralli Papageorghiou

Nicosia, Nov (CNA) --- The European edifice stands at a great turning point, the EU has been undermined in the eyes of society and what is needed are objectives and policies, new Interior Minister of Greece Anastasios Giannitsis has stressed in an interview with CNA.

If the Eurozone fails, the impact would be explosive for Europe and a return to nation states, without European integration, would mean a huge weakness of Europe in the global economic and political system, Giannitsis pointed out.

The way that euro area has been built had too many flaws and deficiencies, he said, noting that for 10 years the project proceeded smoothly under normal conditions, there was no political will to go on to a more tight economic governance. The crisis revealed not only the weaknesses but created a wider crisis in the eurozone, he said.

According to the Greek Minister, either measures will be taken to restore confidence in the currency, policies to consolidate the member countries that have this problem and create institutions and mechanisms to ensure the protection of national currency, or we will go on in a situation as it is today with an uncertain outcome.

Replying to a question about “more or less Europe”, Giannitsis stressed that less EU will take the Union back in history. “More EU can lead us forward, but one has to see what the targets will be, what the content of this stronger Europe is and how to achieve greater internal integration and coordination of policies. We saw that after the decade of 2000 the EU became larger, but weakened.”

For the new Papademos government in Greece, Giannitsis said that it was created to help Greece move on. He feels the responsibility to restore the country’s confidence on a European level and among the Greek people. ''We will stick to the euro, we will implement the agreements of October 2011, which are very important for Greece, so after that, gradually we can reverse the negative course''.

Asked about Greece’s experience of the EU Presidency in 2003, the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs at that time, now Interior Minister, recalled that one poignant experience of the Presidency was the war in Iraq and all related action and moves, EU internal contradictions and other factors associated with this event. It was a great pressure for Greece at that time but it went well, Giannitsis said.

“What is important for a country, small or big, is to show that it can be an effective, transparent and an impartial chairman or mediator between the parties who must take decisions in EU”.

The EU is a venture which is unique in history and as such it will enjoy victories and accept defeats, said the Greek Minister, underlining that through their weaknesses and mistakes the European partners must identify the mistakes, correct them and move forward.

Giannitsis described developments in natural gas and oil exploration in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone as “extremely positive”. He wished Greece, who has started a comparable process, could also have similar discoveries. These developments may be the beginning of a new phase that will strengthen the economy of Cyprus, place it in a better position in the European political scene and create other economic opportunities in directions which cannot be defined at this stage, in the sense that Cyprus will be a player in the field of energy.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

Cyprus is also due to take over the EU rotating Presidency at the 2nd half of 2012, Turkey, an EU candidate member state which does not recognise the Republic, has threatened to freeze relations with the EU during that time.
CNA/RP/MM/2011




Commerce Minister talks to CNA on natural gas, tourism, the economy

by Evie Mitsidou Phillips

The positive results from possible discovery of natural gas in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone will be immediate, despite the fact that reserves will not be exploited for another few years, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Praxoula Antoniadou has said.

In an interview with CNA, Antoniadou expressed optimism for the future of the Cypriot economy.

“The Cypriot economy has demonstrated it can withstand a lot”, she said, adding that “if in a couple of weeks we are lucky enough and hydrocarbon deposits are discovered within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), then despite the fact that about three years will need to pass before deposits are actually used, the interest of foreign investors will be obvious from day one”.

“We will witness the first positive results of this new prospect immediately”, she pointed out.

Asked whether cooperation with Israel on joint projects for a sub-sea pipeline or a liquefied natural gas plant have been discussed between the two countries, Antoniadou said that some views were exchanged with the Israeli Minister of Infrastructure, adding however that discussions on eventual cooperation are at a purely preliminary level.

Interest has been expressed, she said, by the private sector, adding that the government is looking into a request by Israeli company Delek to be given a 30% share of the permit Noble Energy has for block 12. Antoniadou said the request is being examined by an advisory committee and will eventually have to be referred to the Council of Ministers for approval.

“In the three months since I have taken up my duties as Minister, I have seen the expression of great interest by many investors and Israeli companies, interested either in participating in a 2nd permit round, or in projects which have to do with areas relating to drilling”, she said.

Antoniadou said there has been interest from companies all over the world, something which shows the great potential ahead in case deposits of hydrocarbons are discovered.

Cyprus, she pointed out, can become part of the energy map of the region and of Europe itself, adding that Cyprus will be able to reinforce Europe’s energy security at a time when the EU itself is looking for new sources of natural gas.

Invited to comment on reports that the government is planning to give a permit for a new block to Russia’s Gazprom, Antoniadou said that within the next few days she will be submitting a proposal to the Council of Ministers on the preparation of the 2nd permit round.

“Once I get the approval from the Council of Ministers, I hope we will be ready before the end of the year with the preparation of the necessary documents and their publication in the official journal of the Republic and the EU”, she said.

“Right now no promises have been made to anyone”, she underlined, adding that “a 2nd permit round will take place in the same specifications as those of the 1st round, always in the spirit and letter of the relevant legislation of Cyprus and the relevant EU directive”.

Antoniadou announced the creation of a working group comprising seven or eight officials from the Ministry of Commerce, who will in turn be helped out by more officers with experience in such matters from other ministries.

On future plans for the tourist industry, she said that tourism has in fact supported the Cypriot economy this year.

“It is an area which has shown actual development”, she said, adding that “tourist arrivals increased by 11.1% and revenue by 14.4% by September”.

Throughout the years, she noted, efforts have been made to improve the tourist product and to enrich its different dimensions.

She explained that she has put forward a proposal on cooperation among Eastern Mediterranean countries to present a joint tourist product or to organise combined visits in the region.

“This way the region's tourist product will attract greater interest and the numbers of tourists coming to the entire region will increase”, Antoniadou added.

She pointed out, however, that the quality of Cyprus’ tourist product must be kept high, expressing the view that a recent tendency of some tourist operators towards quality tourism is very helpful for Cyprus.

Antoniadou announced that Cyprus will host a Tourism Forum during its six-month rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012. The event, she said, is due to take place in October, which could help boost tourist arrivals for the winter season.

“During my visit to London, I have also spoken with the World Tourism Organisation and we are trying to organize an event of the WTO in Cyprus as well”, she said.

Asked if the Ministry has any plans to further enhance business support schemes for young people and women, Antoniadou acknowledged that funds are limited.

However, she noted that what could be done is to try through existing schemes to encourage more people with smaller funds, in specific areas. The aim, she added, will be to encourage entrepreneurs, innovation and educated young people who have really taken the brunt of the global economic crisis.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement which will reunify the country, under a federal roof.

Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

CNA/EPH/MM/2011 
      



National Analysis Centre combats counterfeiting offences

By Kyriaki Christodoulou

More counterfeit euro banknotes circulate in Cyprus today than in the past, however the situation does not appear to be “worrying”, Head of the National Analysis Centre for Counterfeiting Euro banknotes and coins Christakis Antoniou has told CNA in an interview.

The National Centre operates under the umbrella of the Forensic Services of the Cyprus Police and it was founded in 2004, after the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. When Cyprus entered the Eurozone in 2008 and adopted the euro as its national currency, the Centre played a very significant role in training police officers, bank employees, customs officials and other officers in recognizing fake euro banknotes.

According to European Central Bank statistics, the second half of 2010, a total of 364,000 fake euro banknotes were discovered in the European market, recording a decrease of 5.9% compared with the previous six years. The biggest number of counterfeit banknotes was located the second half of 2009 and it amounted to 447,000.

More specifically, in the second half of 2010 there was an increase of 43,5 % in the circulation of fake 50 euro banknotes and an increase of 38% in the circulation of fake 20 euro banknotes.

Regarding Cyprus, Antoniou told CNA that in the period between 2004-2008 a total of 200-250 fake banknotes were located annually. Since 2008 and Cyprus’ accession to the Eurozone, this number has more than doubled and authorities located 600 fake banknotes every year. In 2010 this increased to 2,217 mainly because of two huge cases of counterfeit fraud. The total value of these fake banknotes was 100,970 euro whereas the total value for 2009 was 42,000. For 2011 a total of 656 fake banknotes were located in Cyprus, most of which were 50 and 20 euro banknotes.

“This has been the case in the previous years for the rest of the EU member states and the reason is that 20 and 50 euro notes are more commonly used in our every day transactions whereas the notes of bigger value are rarely used. When a customer hands over a 200 or 500 euro note, the bank cashier or any salesperson is more suspicious and checks for its authenticity”, Antoniou explained.

He said that among EU countries, France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands have the largest problem of counterfeited banknotes and coins. Referring to coins, Antoniou underlined that Cyprus is the only European country which has not had any cases with fake coins.

The Balkan states and Turkey are believed to be the number one countries where fake euro banknotes are printed.

He also added that all the fake notes located in the Cyprus market come from abroad, noting that “so far no illegal printing premises have been discovered in Cyprus and this indicates that the fake banknotes enter the country from abroad”.

Antoniou said that in the past there have been several reported cases of counterfeit banknotes and coins from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas, via the several crossing points operating along the ceasefire line (the line dividing the northern Turkish occupied areas from the southern government controlled part of the country).

He also said that in the past the European Union has asked Turkey to withdraw some of its national coins because they appeared to be similar with the euro coins and there was a massive confusion in the market.

Antoniou explained to CNA that when a suspicious banknote is located in the market, it is delivered to the National Centre Laboratory where a detailed examination takes place, using specialized equipment.

“When we establish that a banknote is counterfeit, we then classify it in specialized common European categories and we notify the European Central Bank. This helps the Bank to assort the banknotes and be able to know at any time where the banknote comes from and then locate the original source from where it was circulated to the European market”, Antoniou explained.

He said that the procedure is not particularly complicated, however it is time consuming, because of the technical analysis that is taking place for the classification of the banknotes.

The National Analysis Centre for Counterfeiting Euro banknotes and coins has established close cooperation with the Central Bank of Cyprus, the European Central Bank, Interpol, Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office.

According to Head of the Centre, there is continuous training of the staff, who often participate in seminars and workshops abroad.

“The EU has adopted the ‘Pericles’ program in 2001, establishing an exchange, assistance and training programs for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting”, Antoniou said, adding that each year the EU is funding the program with one million euro.

Antoniou noted that so far, there has not been a single case of counterfeit coins in Cyprus, adding that Germany faces the biggest problem among the Eurozone members. Each year a total of 180 000 fake coins are located in the European market among which 80 000 are located in Germany.

As of January 1, 2012, all member states are obliged to introduce new “authenticity machines” in all banks and credit institutions in order to check the authenticity of all coins circulated in the market.
CNA/KCH/MM/2011




Cyprus' EU Presidency ready to address Ankara’s communication challenges

Work at the Press and Information Office (PIO) to develop the communications strategy of Cyprus’ EU Presidency, in the second half of 2012, is progressing at a quick pace, PIO Director Eleonora Gavrielides has told CNA.

Gavrielides believes that the PIO will make up for lost time, wasted during the initial phase of preparations, noting that her Office has been working on this for the past couple of years.

Moreover, the PIO Director says that the Cyprus EU Presidency will be ready to face possible communication challenges from Turkey’s threats to freeze its relations with the EU during Cyprus’ Council Presidency term. In such an event, she notes, Nicosia will act according to its mandate, as the country holding the Council Presidency, responsible for coordinating the response of the 27 member states.

In an interview with CNA, Gavrielides also underlines the importance of chairing a successful EU Presidency in order, as she says, to reverse the widespread perception among member states that the country remains single-focused, due to the Cyprus issue. Moreover, she notes that the country will have the chance to acquire a good reputation in the EU, by fulfilling its role as the policy coordinator of the various trends among member states. This image, she explains, will be very difficult to reverse.

Speaking on the latest decisions by the government, concerning the organizational structure of the Presidency’s preparation, Gavrielides explains that Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, appointed as Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs, would assume the responsibility for the overall political oversight of preparations of the Cyprus EU Presidency.

She explained that drafting and implementing the EU Presidency communications strategy is a task belonging to the Government Spokesman, while the PIO will have the task to formulate the proposals for the communications strategy and act on their implementation.

Gavrielides further says that she has started quite early to prepare for the Presidency’s communications aspects, by having contacts and exchanging information with member states that had held previous Council Presidencies. Therefore, she notes, when the communications task was finally assigned in its entirety to the PIO, her office was ready to propose some alternatives.

On the communications strategy of the Cyprus EU Presidency, Gavrielides says that although some time has been lost in the initial phase of engaging the society in the endeavor, quite a lot of work has been done since. The initial plan, she says, was lengthier in time, but it had to necessarily be condensed. Gavrielides insists however, that this does not mean that Cyprus is starting from scratch, due to the initial preparations the PIO embarked upon in the past couple of years.

The PIO Director also speaks about the importance of engaging the society in the Presidency and notes that the EU Presidency will have an impact on the way the country’s image is projected in Europe. “If we manage to hold a reliable and good Presidency, Cyprus will manage to reverse its current image, that the only issue it cares about is the Cyprus issue”, Gavrielides says.

She further notes that there are many benefits from acquiring a good reputation as the “coordinator” country of the European Council and points out that this reputation will stay on for a long time and it will not be easy to challenge it. As she puts it, “the EU Presidency is a big investment, especially for the new and small member states”.

Gavrielides further adds that the government is not aiming at organizing an extravagant EU Presidency, adding that it will be more restrained in its budget than Poland, the country holding the current EU Presidency.

She notes however that the end result will be “decent and efficient”, proving that Cyprus, aside from being a small country, is also able to be well-organized and ready to fulfill its role and prove its capability of brokering consensus among EU member states.

An issue looming large vis-a-vis the upcoming EU Presidency is Turkey’s threats to freeze its relations with the EU. Asked whether the PIO will be ready to effectively manage such communication challenges, Gavrielides notes that Turkey’s threats against the Republic of Cyprus is a rather political issue that requires a political response.

She says however that Ambassador Mavroyiannis has stated Cyprus’ position quite clearly on this issue, underlining that Nicosia’s aim is to conduct an EU Presidency, in parallel with the efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

As Gavrielides says, “we are not going to formulate our policy on the Cyprus issue through the EU Presidency, but at the same time, we are not going to allow Turkey to use the Cyprus issue in order to get in the way of the Cyprus EU Presidency”. She also notes that in case Turkey chooses to freeze negotiations with the EU, the problem will lie with Ankara and adds that in such eventuality, Cyprus will handle the issue accordingly, as the Council Presidency responsible for coordinating reactions from 27 member states.

Replying to questions, Gavrielides puts a lot of emphasis on the Presidency website, adding that it comprises a tool of great importance, since Cyprus is geographically remote from the rest of Europe. She says that the website is currently being designed and that it will be ready four months before the start of the Presidency.

Furthermore, she adds that the Presidency logo is ready but it will not be revealed, until a few months before the launch of the Presidency. Gavrielides finally notes that having a Presidency motto is sometimes problematic, because circumstances may change and the motto may no longer seem appropriate. She says that while the EU Presidency is in the midst of a debate for “more” or “less Europe”, Cyprus is calling for “a better Europe”.

Gavrielides interprets this call as an attempt to deepen European principles and values and emphasize solidarity, the welfare state and European cooperation, but notes however that the slogan will not be used officially as a motto.

CNA/AGK/MM/2011 
   
 





Rizokarpaso pupils aspire to a better future

By Ralli Papageorgiou

Andreas would have been a high-school graduate this year if he had not been forced to repeat a previous class; not because he was a bad pupil and he failed the class. “Normally, I would have been in a higher class but I missed a year because there were not enough pupils (to form a class) and I had to do the same class,” says Andreas. Andreas does not attend an ordinary school.

He is one of just 13 pupils attending the Rizokarpaso high-school in the Turkish-occupied north-eastern part of Cyprus. It is the lowest number of pupils since the school re-opened in 2004 and it will be the only year with no graduates. Only three of his 12 schoolmates are girls. Today the high-school has the same number of pupils as it had when it first opened back in 1917.

Vasoula, who is in third class, did the first two years of primary school in the government-controlled areas because her family had to move from Rizokarpaso so that her older brothers could attend high-school. One is now at university studying mathematics while the other is doing his army service. Vasoula also has two younger siblings who attend primary school at Rizokarpaso.

She is a good pupil and wants to be a teacher but she seems to miss school in the government-controlled areas where she had more things to do -- more friends.
“Here, we go home and then back to school,” Vasoula told CNA. There are plenty of activities for pupils while in school – after class however there is nothing to do.
But Vasoula does not seem to mind returning to Rizokarpaso as a teacher. “Why not?”

Two of the teachers at the primary school at Rizokarpaso had graduated from the local gymnasium and returned home to work. Koula, another pupil, wants to become a secretary and Loukia plans to study physiotherapy. Some things at Rizokarpaso feel like a step back in time – the old fashioned cast iron school bell, the building, which used to house a girls school. But it does have an IT room with one computer for each pupil. Use of the computers, however, could be difficult at times due to power restrictions in the occupied areas of Cyprus. There are also other restrictions.

Upon our arrival at the high-school we were informed by headmistress Lucy Lysandrou that the “gendarmerie” had banned us from talking to pupils and teachers and taking photographs. “This cannot be done, and that is an order,” was the reply we got when we protested, explaining to them that similar visits and subsequent reports had been done in the past without any problems. Our pleas fell on deaf ears, they were to no avail.

Even the headmaster at the primary school Andreas Kyriakou appears very cautious about what we are trying to do. “Today we cannot talk”, he explains. Some “official or other” had been in touch to warn him about our visit. A signed photograph of one of the most renowned Cypriot poets Vassilis Michaelides, hangs on the wall outside Kyriacou’s office.

The primary school has 22 pupils, 4 in pre-school and 18 in the primary school—housed in what used to be an only boys school. Two of the 18 children will go to the high-school next year. The number of primary school pupils is dwindling every year. Just two pupils attend the first grade this year. One of the two, Ahilleas, is a busy-body, fools around, cries, argues, plays with his mates, just as one would expect from a buoyant young boy of his age. He is good at painting and gave us one of his paintings to remember him.

The children talked to us, told us about their life at Rizokarpaso, their dreams, their hopes for the future and their vision of their homeland. This is not their own choice, not their own making, but they have to make the most of what they have, they yearn for knowledge, they want to move on to a better life.

They aspire to something better for their future, which by necessity, under current conditions, would most likely be in the government-controlled part of Cyprus.
All of them know they will have to leave once they finish their schooling here, by necessity; there is no higher education for them in occupied Cyprus. This means they will have to leave their families behind and seek another home away from home. But they dare to dream.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA/RP/GP/2011 



  

Commissioner for Personal Data Protection – Interview with CNA

by Kyriaki Demetriou

 Personal data and private life, in the modern era of computing and internet, are more exposed than ever before. Simple daily habits such as shopping online, social networking, visiting places where closed circuit television systems operate (CCTV) and operating filing systems can lead to excessive disclosure of personal data, even unbeknown to us.

The office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection in Cyprus was established in 2001 to deal with the protection of personal information against unauthorized and illegal collection, in addition to recording date and using further.

The Office grants the individual certain rights, including the right to information, and gives them the possibility to submit to the Office complaints relating to the application of the Law.

On September 27, Yiannos Danielides was appointed as the new Commissioner. In an interview with CNA, Danielides acknowledged that there is a need to make the public more aware of the Commissioner’s role in Cyprus.

He explains the risk that we run regarding the protection of personal data when accessing the internet and social networking websites. Danielides analyses some of the most important problems his Office has to deal with.

Asked about his plans, the Commissioner says that in due time he will try to see where the Office has got to and what needs to be done regarding people’s perception of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection.

“I truly believe that we are lagging behind. People do not know what exactly is the role of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection,” he remarks.

Fortunately, he adds, “we have a very well-staffed office. The staff is remarkable and works very hard. Every day I deal with various cases and take the appropriate decisions in consultation with the administrative personnel of the Commissioner’s office”.

In relation to the control of the establishment and operation of filing systems by various bodies, Commissioner Danielides stresses that his Office applies the law strictly. “If we receive a complaint concerning the operation of a filing system without the Commissioner’s approval, as required, we invite them to follow the legal procedures”.

According to the Processing of Personal Data (Protection of Individuals) Law 2001, as amended, the data controller must submit to the Commissioner’s Office a Notification about the establishment and operation of a filing system or the commencement of processing.

“Personal data must be respected as the constitutional rights of every citizen are. There are Cypriot citizens who do not know their rights deriving from the law for the protection of personal data. What needs to be understood is that every citizen’s personal data, either typical ones, such as their phone number, or more sensitive ones, such as their race, or religion and political beliefs, must be fully respected” he points out. “Entities that keep records of thousands of citizens’ personal data cannot process or divert them, comment on them or send them elsewhere without the personal data subject’s consent or the Commissioner’s approval” he adds.

Commissioner Danielides recognizes that previous Commissioners, Goulla Frangou and Toula Polychronidou, have done a great job.

Asked about the complaints his Office receives, Commissioner Danielides notes that there is a variety of problems and complaints to tackle. “We receive complaints about the banking sector, the Bankruptcies and Liquidations Section, complaints about unsolicited communications, commonly known as spam or junk mail or commercial junk mail, vilifications and CCTV. These complaints are being investigated by our administrative staff and if there is a violation of the law, they call on the offenders to abide by the law otherwise we impose sanctions”.

Asked to say if he considers the sanctions the Commissioner can impose to be deterrent, Danielides told CNA that after studying a number of cases he reached the conclusion that the “offenders” complied with the law after sanctions had been imposed on them.

On complaints received about “spam” or “junk mail” and ways his Office handles them, he notes that each case is examined on an individual level. Moreover, he stresses that the law is clear as regards this issue.

“Whoever receives unwanted mail or sms has the right to contact the sender and request to stop receiving them. If the sender fails to comply with law, then the person receiving the unwanted mail can complain to the Commissioner’s Office, who on his part will impose sanctions”. According to Commissioner Danielides there is a variety of issues relating to advertising, and it is only a matter of time to tackle them.

Referring to the exposure of personal data on the internet and especially on social networking sites, he indicates that the greatest risk is that of publishing a lot of personal data on personal webpages, blogs and social networking sites without knowing how and who may use it. In many cases, he adds, even if we delete some of the data posted on webpages, this may still be available through cashed copies of some search engines.

“Young users of the internet, usually excited about introducing themselves and meeting other people, disclose too much personal information, without having checked first what kind of protection the specific website provides to them in relation to who can actually view their personal data and if these will be accessed by other persons or companies for other purposes, such as advertising”, he adds.

Often, he notes, “fake email messages are sent that try to trick the users into giving their passwords of various online services (Phishing). Other scams also exist like for example the cases where the users receive an email stating that they have won a lottery and in order to receive their winnings they need to pay some expenses for the transfer of the money”.

Asked about the Inland Revenue Department’s request for the “combination” of several governmental departments filing systems in order to collect information on individuals and identify those who evade taxes, Commissioner Danielides says that “we cannot violate the law according to which the Office of the Commissioner operates”.

On September 30, he had a meeting with representatives of the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Finance, the Inland Revenue Department and the VAT Services. The Commissioner describes the meeting as constructive, adding that “we are on the right track to ensure compliance with the law, and at the same time dispel the notion that the Office of the Commissioner protects tax evaders”.

According to Commissioner Danielides there has been a recommendation on the matter from the Office of the Attorney General, which reconciles the views of both the Inland Revenue Department and the Commissioner for personal data protection, on this matter. He explains that according to the Principle of Proportionality, which ensures that personal data collected is relevant, appropriate and not excessive in relation to the purposes of processing, the Office of the Commissioner cannot permit full “combination” of filing systems.

“If we apply the so called ‘fishing expedition’ we are running the risk of facing sanctions by the EU,” he warns. “However, I do not believe that permitting ‘combination’ of filing systems so that the Inland Revenue Department can collect information on yacht owners, will necessarily mean that they are ‘fishing’ ” because the number of yacht owners in Cyprus could not be more than a hundred or maybe two hundred. Access to various filing systems can be allowed when looking for something specific and limited, he explains. “I understand that the number of yacht owners in Cyprus is limited”.

“I believe that the opinion of the Attorney General will resolve the matter” Commissioner Danielides stated.
 
Asked about other issues that his Office needs to deal with, the Commissioner referred to the establishment and operation of ''Artemis'' Bank Information Systems Ltd, responsible for the operation of data exchange among banking institutions members of the Association of Commercial Banks in Cyprus, for control purposes of credit ratings and creditworthiness of their clients. “We receive a lot of complaints regarding ‘Artemis’. What I know is that ‘Artemis’ is a legal process designed to protect the legitimate interests of the banks. But there are several other issues we need to deal with and make suggestions for its improvement”.

Another issue the Office of the Commissioner has to tackle concerns complaints about the Bankruptcies and Liquidations Section. Specifically, the Commissioner receives complaints from individuals who went bankrupt and although they have recovered they still cannot receive a loan from a bank. That is because the Bankruptcies and Liquidations Section does not have a mechanism to “delete” those who have actually recovered after a bankruptcy, he explains. “These people remain exposed” the Commissioner notes, adding that on October 24 he will be meeting with representatives of the Department of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver to examine the issue.

Last but not least the Office of the Commissioner will examine, in consultation with the Cyprus Sport Organisation, whether an athlete’s name should be published when found positive at an anti-doping control and has been excluded from an athletic event.

Commissioner Danielides has told CNA that in 2011 his Office issued Decisions concerning seven cases, four of which had sanctions imposed on the “offenders”. Specifically, Larnaca General Hospital has been obliged to pay 3000 euro for the loss of a patient’s file. Also the online news website “sigmalive.com” faced a 3000 euro fine, for illegally publishing online an individual’s personal data. A 3000 euro fine has also been imposed to Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, for not taking appropriate security measures for the protection of personal data. Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber also faced a fine of 1000 euro also for not taking appropriate measures for the protection of personal data.

So far, during 2011, the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection has received 167 complaints relating to unsolicited communications, disclosure of personal data, CCTV systems, and violation of the right to access, that is the right of the data subject to know whether their personal data are or were processed.

CNA/KD/MM





Interior Minister - Interview with CNA

By Thalia Neofytou

Exploration of natural gas in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone is being handled in cooperation with experts, taking into account the wider developments in the field in order to have a successful result, Interior Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis has said.

“We are proceeding with this project, we know what our interests are, but we also act on the advice of experts, bearing in mind our own plans,” he has told CNA in an interview.

Sylikiotis, who is member of the Ministerial Committee that will deal with Cyprus’ hydrocarbon issues, stated that the government has handled the issue efficiently and in a timely manner and dealt with Turkish threats in the best possible way. He also said that the country’s natural wealth in its Exclusive Economic Zone should be exploited in the best possible manner to the benefit of all Cypriots.

“We need to manage these issues with composure, prudence and patience taking into account the wider interests of Cyprus. What is most important is to have integrated planning and always to take the necessary steps”, he said.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, is the only country in the world which does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its EEZ, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and signed an “agreement” with the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus, delineating what they call continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any profit that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

Immigration – Local Government - RES

Sylikiotis expressed Cyprus’ concerns on the reintroduction of border controls in the Schengen area, in the event of exceptional cases, saying that this measure actually punishes countries which are at the forefront of migratory pressures of the EU, such as Cyprus.

 He stressed that the EU should not look inwardly but should safeguard its basic principles such as the free movement of persons and solidarity among member-states. He noted that the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in 2012 will focus on solidarity and the Mediterranean dimension of immigration policy.

In response to criticism that the Government pays a lot on unemployment benefits and allowances to foreign workers, Sylikiotis defended the right of those who contribute to the Social Security Fund to get benefits. He pointed out that Europe, whose population is aging, needs foreign workers to contribute to pension schemes.

Regarding refugees and asylum seekers in Cyprus, Sylikiotis said that their applications review process was accelerated, contributing to the decrease in the number of applications and allowances paid to them, in the past couple of years. He added that Cyprus cannot be regarded anymore as an “attractive destination” for illegal immigrants.

“Previously asylum seekers were receiving an allowance for six months and then they could work for 2 or 3 years while waiting for their application to be processed. Now their applications are examined in less than six months, Cyprus is no longer an attractive destination”, he said.

Regarding new town planning regulations, Sylikiotis said that for the first time procedures followed were open and transparent. He added that mistakes have been made in the past but now new rules are set to facilitate development.

Speaking about local government reforms, Sylikiotis was upbeat that the proposed legislation will be approved by the House of Representatives and will be implemented by the new municipal and community councils after December’s municipal elections.

Sylikiotis also spoke about Cyprus’ efforts to meet EU goals in the field of Renewable Energy Sources, saying that Cyprus has made significant progress in this area and will supply 20% of its energy from renewable energy by 2020.

He also announced the Ministry’s decision to establish an auction system for large-scale solar farms, in order to reduce the cost of generating electricity from the sun.

CNA/TNE/MM




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