ΚΥΠΡΟΣ

AKEL, DISY and DIPA request the appointment of a Financial Commissioner immediately

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AKEL, DISY and DIPA request the appointment of a Financial Commissioner immediately

The Greek government has left the Unified Authority for the Out-of-Court Resolution of Financial Disputes (EFEEDEXF) without a Commissioner since June. Members of Parliament have requested the immediate appointment of a Financial Commissioner. The budget for EFEEDEXF for 2024 has been approved unanimously and includes reduced expenses compared to the previous year. The budget deficit will be covered by the agency's reserves. The recent legislation passed for EFEEDEXF has created expectations in society and borrowers. The appointment of a Commissioner is crucial for implementing the new legislation. The new Board of EFEEDEXF will announce the position and make a recommendation to the Cabinet. The government is expected to appoint a Commissioner soon. The Office of the Commissioner should launch an advertising campaign to inform citizens about the new responsibilities. The government's delay in appointing a Commissioner is seen as a failure.

Vafeadis: The photo labeling measure is effective – From 800 to 200 complaints per day

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Vafeadis: The photo labeling measure is effective - From 800 to 200 complaints per day

The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeiadis, emphasized the importance and effectiveness of the photo-enforcement system in improving road safety and reducing fatal road accidents. The Council of Road Safety was informed that the number of complaints regarding the system has decreased from 800 per day to an average of 200 per day in the last quarter of 2022. There was a discussion about the operational issues with the photo-enforcement system and the need for better public information. Measures will be taken to improve the system's functionality and signage. The practical implementation of the legislation for e-scooters and the monitoring of rental companies and usage were also discussed. The Minister proposed expanding the 30 km/h speed limit zones to promote safe use of personal mobility devices and will take initiatives to implement relevant applications. The need for modifications to the legislation will be evaluated in collaboration with the Union of Municipalities.

They were handing out cash in suitcases in a hotel in Nicosia but… – In the Parliament, the €1m kickbacks for SAPA projects

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They were handing out cash in suitcases in a hotel in Nicosia but... - In the Parliament, the €1m kickbacks for SAPA projects

The Commission of Institutions decided to examine the reasons why disciplinary cases against two construction companies involved in the bribery scandal of the Paphos Sewerage Board (SAPA) were not tried for eight years. The companies and their executives admitted to being involved in the scandal, but the cases were dismissed due to the delay in their proceedings. The Council of Registrations and Control of Contractors terminated the disciplinary prosecutions. The Mayor of Paphos, Phaedonas Phaedonos, called for an investigation into the reasons why the trials were not completed. The four Councils of Contractors appointed since 2016 were unable to reach decisions on the disciplinary cases. The delay in the proceedings was deemed an abuse of the process, resulting in the dismissal of the charges against the companies and their executives.

Farmers with their tractors outside the House of Europe – See the traffic regulations in the center of the capital

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Farmers with their tractors outside the House of Europe - See the traffic regulations in the center of the capital

Farmers from various regions of Cyprus will gather outside the House of Europe in Nicosia to protest against the EU's agricultural policies. They will present a resolution to the European Commission and distribute fruits to passing drivers. The police have planned traffic arrangements for the protest. Farmers from the Paphos province will also gather at the Konion roundabout. The farmers' protest is aimed at raising awareness among consumers about the impact of EU policies on agriculture. They argue that production costs are unrealistic, green taxes are imposed on various aspects of farming, and imports from Ukraine and other countries are uncontrolled. The EU is also accused of promoting unfair competition by entering into trade agreements with Latin American countries for the import of agricultural products that do not meet European quality standards. The police have announced traffic arrangements for the protest, and the Lord Byron Avenue in Nicosia will be closed during the event. Traffic facilitation will be provided by the police throughout the protest.

Aiming for a Europe without cancer – EU measures and actions to fight the disease

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Aiming for a Europe without cancer - EU measures and actions to fight the disease

In the European Union, there were 374,800 cases of breast cancer in women in 2022, and it is projected to reach 412,000 cases by 2040, an increase of 10%. In the EU, 319,200 people were affected by lung cancer in 2022, and it is expected to exceed 382,000 cases by 2040, an increase of 20%. Prostate cancer cases for men are predicted to increase by 24%, while colon and stomach cancer cases are expected to increase by 23%. Deaths from breast cancer and prostate cancer are also expected to increase. Four out of ten new cancer cases in the EU could be prevented. The European Commission has implemented various actions and initiatives to combat cancer, including funding, research, and access to quality care. Vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B is recommended to prevent certain cancers. However, there are still challenges and inequalities in cancer treatment in the EU.

The cohabitation contracts reached 5,000 – The law has been in force since 2016 (table)

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The cohabitation contracts reached 5,000 - The law has been in force since 2016 (table)

Same-sex and heterosexual couples can officially become spouses by the State through simplified procedures, without the need for a religious or civil marriage ceremony and with expenses not exceeding €200. They just need to make an appointment at the local District Administration. The process of entering into a civil partnership requires the individuals to present themselves in person before the District Officer of the district in which one of them resides, or in case they do not permanently reside in the Republic, in the district of their choice, and submit a duly completed and signed civil partnership form, along with other required documents such as identification, a declaration of no prior marriage or civil partnership, and a certificate of freedom. The District Officer then issues the civil partnership certificate and registers it in the District Administration's registry. The civil partnership can be dissolved through a written joint declaration, a court order, or by marriage between the partners. The cost of entering into a civil partnership is €90, with additional fees for issuing a certificate and a certificate of freedom.

Register for special education children

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Register for special education children

The Ministry of Education is preparing a registry for children with special education needs, where all the necessary documents and evidence will be stored. This will eliminate the need for parents and guardians to submit the same documents every year when applying for support. The Ministry aims to address the issue of changing escorts for children, which currently requires changing schools and submitting multiple forms. They also aim to record the needs of these children in a timely manner to avoid problems with escorts in the new school year. The Ministry is working towards creating a registry to streamline the application process and ensure faster decision-making by the relevant committees. Additionally, efforts are being made to provide differentiated educational materials for children with special needs in mainstream classrooms.