Possible disciplinary offences by state officials have been recorded in the investigation into illegal intervention in the Akamas, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Wednesday.An investigative officer is expected to be appointed to examine the potential offences. Speaking after the cabinet meeting at the presidential palace, Panayiotou told the press she briefed the ministers on … Read more
The initial cost to operate the 30 community clusters resulting from local government reform will reach €3 million, which the government will cover.
The investigation by the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) into Makarios Drousiotis’ book “Mafia State” intensified with a hearing focused on the chapter “A Spy in the Palm of My Hand.” Drousiotis presented evidence of being surveilled through electronic devices, raising questions about potential police involvement. The book details his experience of approaching the police with suspicions of being monitored through malware. The investigation also looks into the events surrounding Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev’s divorce in Cyprus, alleging involvement of a law firm with ties to the former president, questionable legislative amendments, favorable court rulings, and suspicious financial transactions. Former President Nicos Anastasiades has denied all allegations. Gabrielle Louise McIntyre is leading the IAAC inspection team, with witness testimonies ongoing. Sophie in ‘t Veld warned in 2023 that individuals in public life are at risk of surveillance, emphasizing the importance of accountability in democracy.
The text criticizes the practice of televising the President’s introduction before Cabinet meetings, questioning the purpose it serves beyond displaying government power. The President is shown doling out orders to ministers, addressing them by their first names and discussing important issues such as the Larnaca marina and amendments to laws. The outcome of the discussion is announced at the end of the meeting, which is closed to the public, leading to the question of the point of televising the introduction.
The Emir of Qatar’s visit to the Presidential Palace focused on discussing concrete projects rather than indulging in rhetoric. During the meeting, both leaders emphasized specific references and tangible results, agreeing to establish a working committee to review progress every six months. Qatar expressed interest in energy, ports, the financial sector, and technology collaborations. They also discussed political issues such as the Cyprus problem and the situation in Gaza. The Emir’s visit marked a strategic step towards further developing strong bilateral ties between Qatar and Cyprus.
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hammad Al Thani visited Cyprus for the first time, accompanied by a delegation of ministers to discuss economic, investment, and tourism cooperation between the two countries. President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed the Emir and emphasized the potential for further strengthening bilateral relations. However, the President made an inappropriate comment by suggesting that Cyprus could act as an ambassador for Qatar in Brussels, which was seen as a breach of diplomatic protocol and raised concerns about the credibility of the Republic.
The termination of the contract for the development of the Larnaca port and marina was due to a loss of trust and breakdown in communication between the contractor Kition Ocean Holdings and the government. The government sought legal advice and decided to terminate the contract after the company refused to pay the guarantee amount. The Kition CEO blamed the government for the project’s failure, stating that changes were needed to make it viable. The government acknowledges mistakes were made and plans for the project were over-ambitious, making it unviable. If a new company takes on the project, plans need to be modified and scaled down.
Fact: The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Cyprus for an official visit.
The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Hellenic Energy Exchange (HEnEx) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing negotiations on the secondary market of Guarantee of Origin certificates from renewable energy sources.
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.