Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the U.S.-Cyprus partnership is growing stronger, deeper and broader, and that Cyprus is “an important player in the region and a partnership for the United States that we deeply value.” A bilateral agreement was also signed bringing Cyprus closer to being included in the visa waiver programme for entry … Read more
Engaging voters in thinking through the difficult questions of the Cyprus problem could break the current deadlock and bring political leaders back to the negotiating table, according to a workshop organized by the Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Centre. The event focused on a “deliberative democracy” approach to update the peace process, with the goal of gaining public support for a sustainable solution. Panelists discussed options for assemblies, including citizen, elected, and constitutional assemblies, as well as the importance of starting with small “safe spaces” before moving on to larger assemblies. Despite the deadlock, only 20% of voters completely reject the idea of a bizonal bicommunal federation, indicating that engaging citizens could potentially help break the impasse.
The fact described in the text is that every time Cyprus faced isolated attempts for recognition of the illegal entity in the occupied part of Cyprus, the country always turned to the United States government for help, and the US always responded positively to avert the danger.
Recognizing the State of Palestine is fully in line with international law and UN resolutions, serving as an opportunity to revive the peace process between the two sides, according to Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. This recognition empowers the Palestinian government to fulfill its duties and address the daily needs of its citizens.
The Pentagon is committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza despite damage to the temporary pier off the coast. The Israeli Defense Forces are clearing the pier for repairs, expected to take over a week. The damaged pieces have been transported to Ashdod port for reconstruction. The cause of the damage was a recent storm from North Africa, but calmer seas are expected. Efforts are being made to find alternative routes for aid from Cyprus to reach Gaza. Over 1,000 metric tons of aid had been delivered prior to the damage.
A total of 50 British politicians have penned a letter to the UK Foreign Secretary urging him to allow direct flights between the United Kingdom and the north of Cyprus. The letter highlights that Ercan (Tymbou) airport abides by international aviation security standards and that the north is not a risk with no history of poor safety.
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.
The 5th edition of the Cyprus LGBTQIA+ Film Festival will take place from September 20 to 29 at NiMAC in Nicosia. The festival, organized by Queer Wave LTD, aims to bring together local and international communities through screenings and parallel events, providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ lived experiences and queer expression. Over the past four years, the festival has presented more than 170 Cypriot premieres of LGBTQIA+ films from the international scene, while also supporting local filmmakers and artists.
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has requested an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, causing a diplomatic dilemma for key member states who must balance support for Israel with backing the ICC’s actions. Some capitals, such as Paris, London, and Berlin, were informed beforehand about the plans, but many have not disclosed how they will respond if warrants are issued. Germany, in particular, faces challenges due to its support for Israel’s security and the ICC prosecutor’s independence. U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have criticized the move, while European countries like Britain and Italy are divided over the issue. The ICC has jurisdiction over the conflict between Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2022, despite Israel not being a member of the court. The international community’s response to the arrest warrants will be crucial for the ICC’s credibility and the rule of law.
The Cayman Islands and Barbados are competing for entrepreneurs’ attention as offshore business destinations. The Cayman Islands offer a tax-neutral environment with no corporate, capital gains, or sales taxes, while Barbados has low corporate tax rates and a network of double taxation agreements. Both locations have advantages in terms of business setup, legal frameworks, and lifestyle amenities. The choice between the two islands depends on specific priorities and business goals.