London Greek Radio

The government of Cyprus has clarified that it has not received a proposal to move the Cyprus reunification talks or to have a conference on the issue of guarantees on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In a written statement Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides (pictured) also reiterates the government`s focus on the dialogue and expresses its “determination not to consent to the kind of actions that in essence impede the process that is under way.”

“With regard to the public dialogue that is taking place on the occasion of the invitation to the President of the Republic for Davos, the Government wishes, first of all, to clarify that it has not been the recipient of a proposal for the transfer of the talks (on the Cyprus problem) and/or for the holding of any conference that would concern the issue of guarantees, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos,” Christodoulides notes.

Moreover, he continues, “as the President of the Republic himself has also made clear, at the present phase of the dialogue that is under way, such a thing would be premature and under no circumstances helpful.”

Presently, he recalls, “there is a process under way for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, and our side is doing whatever is possible so that those prospects are created that would allow us to be optimistic for a positive outcome which will terminate the occupation and reunite our homeland.”

“Whatever ideas and/or thoughts, in which – it is repeated – the Government was not a participant, succeed only in creating problems in the dialogue that is under way”, he points out.

And because nobody wishes more than our side for the present negotiating process to bring specific positive results, the Spokesman stresses, “we reiterate our concentration on the dialogue and we express our determination not to consent to the kind of actions that in essence impede the process that is under way.”

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks resumed in May aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Article written by CNA

On the 23rd of December, there will be a Christmas Charity Concert, Reception and Dinner featuring Mario Frangoulis, at the ‪Jumeirah‬ Carlton Tower Hotel in ‪‎Knightsbridge‬, in support of the ‎British Red Cross and ‪Hellenes and Philhellenes Worldwide.

Accompanying Greek tenor, Mario Frangoulis will be a pianist (Stathis Soulis) and a string quartet, (Jonathan Hill in Violin, Mike Gray in Violin, Ivan McrCeady in Cello and Christopher Pitsillides in viola), will perform Christmas songs recorded in Abbey Road Studios and the new album ”Tales of Christmas” will for the first time be performed in the UK.

Artists Christina Deljanov, Konstantinos Kapetanopoulos, Evangelos Konstantelos, Mina Kordali, and Stella Viopoulou-Voulgaraki, will be displaying their art work.

The special guests on the night, will be His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, the member of the British Royal Family Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia, his Royal Highness Prince Abdullah Alsaud of Saudi Arabia and Lady Colin Campbell. Also among guest-list is the President of the British Red Cross Lady Lamport, the Vice-President of the British Red Cross Solangela Garbutt, his Excellency the Greek Ambassador to the UK, Konstantinos Bikas, his Excellency the High Commissioner of Cyprus Evripides Evriviades.

For bookings: +44 (0) 7437498405

email: contact@dianoiaworldwide.com.

For more information:

http://dianoiaworldwide.com/index.php/coming-events

Article written by London Greek Radio

His Excellency, the High Commissioner of Cyprus in the UK Euripides L. Evriviades (pictured) recently gave a speech  entitled “Cyprus: Prospects for reunification, peace with Turkey and regional stability” at Oxford University

 

The event was organised by Oxford University’s research centre of South East European Studies (SEESOX).

If you click on the link below you can read a summary of the High Commissioner’s speech, penned by David Madden (SEESOX Associate and Senior Member of St Antony’s College)

Cyprus: Prospects for Reunification, Peace with Turkey and Regional Stability

Article written by London Greek Radio

China closely follows developments in the Cyprus issue and supports its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Foreign Minister of the People`s Republic of China Wang Yi, who concludes today an official visit here, has said.

In statements after a meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, the Chinese FM said he looks forward to a mutually acceptable solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The two Ministers discussed the deepening of bilateral relations, with Wang saying that they could cooperate in infrastructure, hydrocarbons, tourism, ports and agricultural products. Kasoulides said that Cyprus supports China`s initiative for the Silk Route and looks forward to concrete prospects of cooperation. He also said that Cyprus submitted an application to become a regional member of the Asian Infrastructure and Development Bank.

Welcoming the Chinese official to Cyprus, Kasoulides said that he was briefed in the morning by the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on the Cyprus talks and they underlined the crucial role of the UNSC in the implementation of a solution.

Kasoulides pointed out that China follows with great interest developments in the Cyprus problem and thanked his Chinese counterpart for China`s principled stance on Cyprus` territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The two Ministers also discussed EU – China relations, Syria and other regional issues.

In his initial statement to the press, Wang Yi said that his visit to Cyprus aims to deepen the mutual political trust which defines the relations between the two states as well as the promotion of practical cooperation. He stressed Cyprus` strategic geographical position

Referring to the Cyprus issue, the Chinese FM said his country, as a permanent UNSC member state, follows developments in the Cyprus peace talks and supports the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to retain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China, he said, will continue playing a positive role at the UNSC.

As regards bilateral cooperation, he said that China is ready to discuss cooperation in the maritime sector by contributing to the upgrading of the Cypriot ports, as well as the development of industrial areas around the ports.

Wang said that other fields of cooperation could be infrastructure and hydrocarbons, as well as tourism. Referring to the latter, the Chinese Minister said that this year, 120 million Chinese tourists traveled abroad, noting that if only 1% of them visits Cyprus, then the island could receive 1,2 million additional tourists.

He added that the last sector of cooperation could be agricultural products such as olive oil, wine and milk products.

Replying to a question whether the Republic of Cyprus would provide facilities for Chinese warships, Minister Kasoulides noted that “Cyprus’ ports are open and Chinese warships are welcome to approach our ports. I recall that during the operation on the chemical weapons in Syria, a Chinese warship was docked here, being part of the escort of the merchant ship.”

Finally, in relation to the role that the Security Council could play in case of a solution of the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister Kasoulides noted that his Chinese counterpart listened with great interest President Anastasiades’ views about the role of the Security Council in the adoption, as well as the monitoring and implementation of the solution. “I believe there is understanding on behalf of China, but the final outcome, will be subject to consultation among the Permanent Members of the Security Council”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded.

Article written by CNA

The wrong name was announced as the winner of Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas last night.

Host, Steve Harvey announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez to be the winner of Miss Universe 2015 but then after she went on stage to receive her crown and perform the ritual wave, he came back on the stage to announce that he had made a mistake and the actual winner in 2015 was Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (Awkward!)

Not only did he make a mistake on live television, he also made a spelling mistake on his first apology tweet, which he later deleted.

#MissUniverse2015 was one of the biggest trends on twitter last night; there were many jokes and memes about this mistake all over twitter. The reaction was mixed, some people were angry some were sympathetic towards Harvey however most people thought his mistake was hilarious.

Steve Harvey tweeted a second apology on twitter, now with the correct spelling of each candidate in the pageant, “I’d like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.” Harvey sent this apology after the public roasted him on twitter about his first apology and calling out the wrong name on live television.

Article written by Chantel Georgiou

To raise awareness of Lyme disease in the UK, FIGHT LYME NOW has released a campaign song called ‘Fight it!’. It’s all to do with teaching people about the disease and the way it is currently treated.

The disease, which is spread by tick bites, has very limited available treatments in the UK meaning many patients have to go abroad to receive medical attention.

There is currently only one way of testing for Lyme disease in the UK and that only has a 50% accuracy rate. Many of the people tested may be getting false negative results.

The campaign is made up of a survey and a petition in aim to get the Government’s attention on the subject of the lack of awareness and treatment for the disease.

To get involved and help find a new test for Lyme disease, click here to join the fundraising efforts. Below is the song “Fight It!” We hope you’ll enjoy it and feel compelled to share it:

Article written by London Greek Radio

Everyone must be aware of the massive influx of refugees from war devastated countries to Europe, and the dangerous journeys they have endured. Transit camps are where many of them end up, a crossing point from Greece to Macedonia.

Andrew Marr, a volunteer worker with Hackney Cypriot Association, is now at one of these camps, working alongside the Hellenic Red Cross, Medicins Sans Frontieres and other charity volunteers.  Andrew has appealed for help in what is an increasingly fluid and desperate situation. Border restrictions increase; the European response to the crisis is unresolved; and the severe winter weather has taken hold.

Andrew has appealed to his friends in the UK for help, and how can we refuse?  At the beginning of November he wrote:

“We are desperately short of everything; we have not nearly enough coming in. For me, the numbers of people heading our way, with the everyday possibility of FYROM (Macedonia) closing the border and the prospect of sub-zero temperatures, biting Northern Bora winds and driving rain or snow, we have a humanitarian disaster waiting to happen here. 

We need winter clothes, particularly children’s and babies (hundreds of children come through every day, some with no shoes at all) we need just about everything for babies; blankets, small easy to transport sanitary products such as toothbrushes, shavers, soaps etc  

Local people are very generous, and visit the camp with hot cooked food, but there are no kitchen facilities onsite”

Hackney Cypriot Association is collecting essential clothing and everyday goods that are urgently required and sending it over to the camps. This appeal is for the money needed for packing, freight transport and any other urgent needs at the camps.

To find out how you can help or to send a donation click here to visit the Hackney Cypriot Association charity page.

Article written by London Greek Radio

Minus One have been named as the Cypriot representatives for the up-coming Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, which will be held in Stockholm.

The pop-rock band, which is made up of five members will be looking to lead Cyprus to their best ever finish in Eurovision history.

Vocalist, Francois Micheletto, will be assisted by fellow band members Harrys Pari, Costantinos Amerikanos, Antonis Loizides and Chris J, who will be collectively playing the drums and guitar.

The date for the release of the song has not yet been specified for listeners, which leaves Cypriot fans in eager anticipation. The LGR website will have the song on its release date in the months leading up to the competition.

Minus One have already started producing their song with the help of Swedish producer Thomas G:son who helped Sweden to a Eurovision triumph in 2012 with their song ‘Euphoria’. The involvement of the Swedish producer highlights the Cypriot ambition to impress at this competition.

In terms of performances at previous Eurovision song contests, Cyprus have never won and tend to finish in the wrong end of the leader board.

Head of Delegation Evi Papamichael helped decide who would be representing Cyprus for next summer’s contest and believes the combination can produce a winning formula. She said: ”Minus One and Thomas G:son are, I believe, a winning combination and will hopefully leave our Cypriot flag waving until the very end in Stockholm”.

The band narrowly missed out on this year’s competition with their entry ‘Shine’ and will be hoping for a vast improvement. They have since been performing at stages such as Downtown live in Nicosia and Savino in Larnaca.

The tournament Semi-Finals will span from the 10th May to the 12th May, where they will be hoping to stamp their authority on the rest of Europe.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

The 2016 Cypriot Eurovision hopefuls Minus One have recorded a special Christmas greeting message, wishing you the compliments of the season to you all the supporters of the Cyprus Eurovision Song Contest entry!

The Cypriot boys made up of vocalist, Francois Micheletto, will be assisted by fellow band members Harrys Pari, Costantinos Amerikanos, Antonis Loizides and Chris J, who will be collectively playing the drums and guitar.

The Cypriot entry will be drawn in one of the semi-finals on 10th and 14th May ultimately leading (should they manage to beat qualifying) to the Final on 16th May, at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm.

Check out Minus One on the festive road trip…

Article written by Tony Neophytou