Cypriot judoka Asvesta secures spot at Paris Olympics
Sofia Asvesta has officially secured her place in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
cooperation
Cypriot donkeys , ‘used as proxies’ to kill stray dogs in Turkey
Cypriot donkeys are being used as proxies by news media in Turkey to encourage the idea of euthanizing stray dogs. The debate on euthanizing stray animals in Turkey has caused a divide in Cyprus. The population of wild donkeys has increased, causing damage to property and crops. However, neither local leaders called for the euthanization of donkeys. Donkeys are of great economic benefit to the Karpasia region and measures are being taken to control their population. A “Karpasia donkeys management plan cooperation protocol” was signed to better manage the free roaming donkeys in the region.
On This Day: Russia’s worst recorded earthquake killed 1,989 people in 1995
– In 1940, Belgium’s King Leopold surrendered to the invading Germans in World War Two, and the evacuation of defeated Allied armies from Dunkirk began, saving a total of 224,585 British and 112,546 French and Belgian troops.
Geri Olympics kick off with promises for national strategy
A national strategy to support the elderly is set to launch by September.
LNG import blues
The LNG import project at Vasilikos in Cyprus has faced recurring problems and delays. The project, which aims to switch power generation from oil to natural gas, could reduce electricity prices by one-third, resulting in annual cost savings close to €300-€400 million. The project has faced issues due to a badly conducted tender, unclear terms of reference, and a contractor with no experience in such projects. The current contractor, CPP, has claimed additional costs and the project is not progressing as expected. The government is considering various options to complete the project, including finding a way to move forward with the present contractor, seeking independent expert advice, and exploring alternative plans if necessary.
After China drills, Taiwan president again extends goodwill
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te extended goodwill towards and offered cooperation with China following Chinese war games near the island. China carried out military drills in response to Lai’s inauguration speech, which Beijing viewed as a push for Taiwan’s independence. Lai rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty and has offered talks, but has been rejected. Lai called on China to share responsibility for regional stability and expressed a desire for mutual understanding and reconciliation through cooperation. Taiwan condemned China’s war games and discovered a cardboard box with political slogans written in simplified Chinese characters suspected to be dropped by a drone. China’s military has been releasing propaganda videos directed at Taiwan since the drills began.
Tatar knocking on doors in Brussels
Ersin Tatar, the representative of occupying Turkey, is seeking “equal international status” with a European stamp for the breakaway regime in Cyprus. He wants meetings and visits abroad to be at the same level as those of President Christodoulides, aiming for full equality with the Republic of Cyprus. Despite efforts mainly in Brussels, Tatar has not been successful in getting the desired level of recognition. However, the Turkish side is finding more support in Turkish-speaking countries like Azerbaijan. The policy of recognizing two states in Cyprus is causing tension, with Ankara potentially resorting to blackmail if faced with an impasse. Turkey is not expected to make any moves before July and will likely wait until after the completion of the UN Special envoy’s mission.
China, ’s Li, Japan’s Kishida in South Korea for first trilateral talks in four years
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul for a trilateral summit with their South Korean counterpart, their first three-way talks in over four years.
Let the Poles in-Cyprus looking to attract more than half a million tourists, as Warsaw warms up to closer relations
Tourist diplomacy is important for bilateral relationships between countries, with Poland and Cyprus increasing their ties in recent years. Poland is becoming a significant market for Cyprus, with a growing number of Polish tourists visiting the island. The President of Poland highlighted the welcoming and safe environment in Cyprus, attracting more visitors. Brexit has decreased British tourists to Cyprus, making room for Poland to potentially become the second top tourist market. Polish investments are also increasing in Cyprus, with Polish companies setting up headquarters on the island. Additionally, Poland has a long-standing archaeological mission in Paphos, further strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.
The 63 candidates for the EU elections in Cyprus
Voters in Cyprus will be choosing from 63 candidates in the European Parliament elections, with 45 men and 18 women running. Six of these candidates will represent Cyprus in the European Parliament.