London Greek Radio

AEL of Limassol achieved a great victory on Saturday over Omonia of Nicosia and the League`s leader AEK beat Ermis and remained at the top of the standings. In the framework of match day 12, APOEL faces on Monday at 19:00 Apollon of Limassol in GSP Stadium.

The results of match day 12 are as follow: AEZ-Anagennisi 1-1, Aris-Doxa 4-0, Anorthosis-Karmiotissa 1-0, Nea Salamina-Ethnikos Achnas 1-0, AEL-Omonia 1-0, AEK-Ermis 1-0.

Standings: AEK 31, AEL 27, APOEL 26, Omonia 24, Apollon 22, Ermis 19, Nea Salamina 16, Karmiotissa 14, Anorthosis 14, Ethnikos Achnas 8, Aris 10, AEZ 8, Doxa 6, Anagennisi 2.

The Greek Cypriot side considers that Cyprus talks must continue at three parallel levels, after the negative outcome of the talks between Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, CNA has learned.

President Nicos Anastasiades (L) – Turkish Cypriot Leader Mustafa Akinci (R)

According to a well-informed source, the first level concerns the continuation of the discussion on the territorial adjustment criteria, with a view to reach an agreement on them, use them to draft a map and determine a date for a multilateral conference on security and guarantees. In this framework the Greek Cypriot side considers the intention of Greece and Turkey, and more specifically of the Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras and Turkey`s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to hold discussions with a view to prepare the ground for the multilateral conference as a positive step.

The second level concerns discussions on pending issues in all other chapters related to the internal aspects of the Cyprus issue, and the third other related issues which do not however concern the six chapters discussed at the negotiations, as the financial aspects of the solution and the assessment of the banking sector in the Turkish occupied areas, as well as the first day of the solution.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci held in November two rounds of UN-led talks in Mont-Pelerin on the territory aspect of the Cyprus problem. The UN announced after the end of their talks that despite their best efforts, they were not able to achieve the necessary further convergences on criteria for territorial adjustment that would have paved the way for the last phase of the talks.

Efforts to continue the UN-led peace talks on Cyprus continue this week, with the focal point being the return to the island of the UN Secretary General`s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, who had on Monday separate meeting with the leaders. British and US officials will also be visiting the island this week.

The Cyprus national football squad have joined the Movember movement whose aim is to raise awareness about prostate cancer. The Cypriot players are responding to a call by the Cyprus Football Association and are delighted to give their wholesome support to an incredibly vital cause. By this very generous initiative, they are helping to enlighten others about the disease which affects a large percentage of the male population.

Movember — a portmanteau of moustache and November; also known as No-Shave November —  is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches and beards during the month of November to raise awareness of various cancers, such as prostate.

The Cypriot players sported a fake moustache…

The Cyprus team took part during the training session ahead of the Gibraltar game, their last 2018 World Cup qualifying match this year.

The players sported a fake moustache, conscious how important it was to show their supporting in this island-wide concept, being backed by the official sponsors KEO.

To top it all, Cyprus beating Gibraltar 3-1 only a few days later, a win to earn them their first three points in Group H qualifying.

The Cypriot players Konstantinos Laidis, Pieros Sotiriou and Valentinos Sielis all scored a goal; well done to the boys for the football and setting above all, a very fine example. To helping absolutely the very worthy cause behind Movember campaign throughout the month of November.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has underlined that the Cyprus negotiations have not collapsed, noting that recent developments are just a bump on the road that has been very successful so far.

The Minister made the above statement responding to questions by MPs in the framework of the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, that takes place in Nicosia, on the occasion of Cyprus` Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, between November 2016 – May 2017.

The questions mainly focused on the Cyprus issue, with the PACE MPs asking about the latest UN-led intensive round of peace talks, focusing on territory, between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, which ended inconclusively this week in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland. The talks aim at reuiniting Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. President Anastasiades has vowed to continue working hard to find a solution.

Replying to the questions, the Minister outlined the reasons of the failure of the two sides to conclude their discussions in Mont Pelerin, noting that if there are internal chapters remaining, it is a bad tactic to move them on to the multilateral conference, because this negates the position that all internal chapters are Cypriot led and of Cypriot ownership.

“So, moving them along with the security issue, which is an external chapter, to the multilateral conference is something that the Turkish side wishes and we do not”, he pointed out.

The Minister said that therefore no date was given for the last and final mile, which would be a multilateral conference between the two communities and at least the three guarantors as stakeholders.

“This is a bump on a road that has been so successful so far. The negotiations have not collapsed”, he underlined, expressing belief that this will be corrected in the coming weeks, since none of the sides contemplates the end of the negotiation.

Kasoulides said that the difficulties that appear have to do with connecting the multilateral conference with the territorial issue, for a give and take phase.

This is wrong, he said, explaining that Cypriots must agree among themselves about all the internal subjects and “then we will deal with the international conference regarding the fate of the security”.

He pointed out that when we talk about security, then both sides have to feel equally secure.

Continuing the unilateral right of intervention of Turkey, which Turkey interprets as military intervention for the future, means that the Turkish Cypriots will feel 100% secure but the Greek Cypriots will feel 100% insecure.

“Both sides must be prepared for a compromise. Our side is prepared to accept a certain period of time at the end of which Cyprus will be totally independent and sovereign and I think on this we can negotiate and have a compromise”,  he went on to say.

Asked about the role of the guarantor powers, he said that Turkey at the moment insists on maintaining the treaty of guarantees, which was interpreted by Turkey as meaning right of unilateral military intervention under which and according to them they invaded in Cyprus not to restore the constitutional order, not to maintain the unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, but they stayed for the last 40 years and “I hope that this time when we will agree they will withdraw”.

He added that Greece is not any longer interested in being a guarantor power, while the UK position is that they will only respond to the requests of both sides and then they will consider ending their participation in a treaty of guarantee for the future.

“One of the role of the guarantors in sitting at the multilateral conference for discussing the chapter of security is to decide about the future of this treaty of guarantee that only one of the participants wishes to continue”, he stressed.

Asked about NATO, the Minister pointed out that when Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades was elected the task of this government was its request to join the NATO program, Partnership of Peace, but Turkey disagreed and “kept us the door shut considering NATO”.

The Minister was also asked about Brexit and US elections outcome. Noting that we have to respect the vote of the people, Kasoulides pointed out the need to remain truthful to our values and principles.He also noted the importance of the Convention of Human Rights of CoE and its guardian which is the European Court of Human Rights. Asked about the huge refugee flows in Greece and Italy, he said that solidarity among the European states is needed.

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May, Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides said on his twitter account.

The conversation focused on the Cyprus talks, according to the Spokesman.

Over the past two days, President Anastasiades has been in touch with various players interested in the UN-led peace effort, aiming to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

The most recent intensive round of talks, focusing on territory, between the President and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mustafa Akinci ended inconclusively in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The President has vowed to continue working hard towards a solution.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades stressed here tonight that he is determined to make all the necessary steps to help resume the peace talks, he is engaged with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to find a negotiated settlement which would reunite the island.

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades

Expressing regret at the inconclusive UN-led talks, in Mont Pelerin in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the President said he has no wish at all to enter into a “blame game”, adding at the same time that he would reply to claims which suggest that the failure of the most recent round of talks is due to the stance of the Greek Cypriot side.

Speaking at a televised interview, the President said he merely outlined the facts as these unfolded at the negotiations on territory, which ended inconclusively

“In order to reach a solution which will be accepted by both communities, what has been agreed must be observed and the solution must meet first and foremost the principles and values of international and European law, and must allow a viable, functional and modern European state to operate,” the President said.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in talks to reunite the country under a federal roof.

Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, began on Monday morning a very substantive and constructive discussion on the territorial adjustment criteria and continue their crucial discussion in the afternoon.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades (L) – Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (R)

The criteria concern the percentage of the territory of the constituent states, the number of Greek Cypriot refugees who will return to their properties under Greek Cypriot administration and the percentage of the coastline for each side.

Reliable sources, close to the talks, have said that it is difficult but realistic for Anastasiades and Akinci to reach a conclusion during their negotiations which aim to reach an agreement on the territorial adjustment criteria, then draft a map based on these criteria and set out a date for a multi-party conference on the issue of security and guarantees.

According to the same sources, during Monday`s meeting the two leaders put on the table positions which they had not expressed during their fist round of talks in Mont-Pelerin, that can contribute towards achieving results. However, as it is noted, they did not talk about specific regions that will be returned under Greek Cypriot administration. Their discussion will continue at 1800 local time.

The second round of talks is Mont-Pelerin is scheduled to conclude today. CNA has learned that the two sides have not so far discussed the possibility of extending the talks. President Anastasiades is scheduled to leave Switzerland on Tuesday morning.

The same sources said that during their meeting on Sunday morning the two leaders had a general discussion on various aspects of the Cyprus problem, as for example the first day of the solution, the economic aspect of the solution, the multi-party conference, and the implementation of the acquis communautaire after the solution, without any conclusion. An exchange of views on the issue of criteria took place towards the end of their working dinner on Sunday evening.

It also noted that President Anastasiades had on Sunday two telephone conversations with the Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras whom he informed about the course of the negotiations in Mont-Pelerin.

Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in talks under the UN auspices since May last year, with a view to reunite Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974, under a federal roof.

On Wednesday, last day of his official visit to Athens, US President Barack Obama gave his assurance that Greece will continue to enjoy his country’s core support, while at the same time expressed his personal commitment that he will continue to urge the debt-ridden country’s creditors to adopt policies that will put Greece on the road to recovery.

“You will continue to have the core support of the United States, and at the same time I will continue to urge creditors to take the steps needed to put Greece on a path towards sustained economic recovery,” he said during a speech in Athens, his last European trip before handing over the helm of the US Presidency to Donald Trump in January.

“As Greece continues to implement reforms, the IMF has said that debt relief will be crucial to get Greece back to growth. They are right.”

Picketing the Turkish Embassy in London on Tuesday 15 November, a vocal demonstration, organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, made itself heard despite the Embassy’s refusal to recognise the protest, or to engage in dialogue with British Cypriots. British Cypriots made their voice heard outside the Embassy condemning the illegal declaration of the pseudo-state and calling on Turkey to remove its troops from Cyprus and to honour its obligations to Europe and Cyprus.

This year marked the 33rd consecutive year of the picket outside the Turkish Embassy on the black anniversary of the illegal Universal Declaration of Independence. The declaration was condemned by UN resolutions 541 and 550 and the illegal state has not been recognized by any country except Turkey.

During the picket, the President of the National Federation of Cypriots was joined by the President of POMAK, Officers and Members of the Federation’s Executive, the President of NEPOMAK and the former President of EFEK (Cypriot Students in the UK) to deliver a resolution to the Turkish Ambassador. The letter of resolution called on Turkey to demonstrate with actions not words its support for the current negotiations to reunify Cyprus by withdrawing the Turkish occupying army, dropping its anachronistic demand to be a Guarantor power. The resolution also called on the Turkish government to abide by the resolutions of the UN Security Council, the European Union and international law. The resolution also called upon Turkey finally to resolve the terrible human tragedy of the Cypriot people who went missing during its invasion of the island in 1974.

A resolution was also sent to Prime Minister Theresa May, calling on the UK Government to exert its influence on Turkey to help reunite Cyprus.

At the protest Mr Karaolis, Federation President, said:

“Over the course of the last one and half years, President Anastasiades and Mr Akinci have made significant progress in their efforts to reunite Cyprus. A re-united Cyprus where Greek and Turkish Cypriots could peacefully live and prosper is both attainable and viable.  Both together would likely make the country an international and regional trading hub, particularly as the Republic has one of the world’s largest registered shipping fleets, extensive financial and business networks, possesses major oil and gas deposits off shore and is rapidly developing technology and tourist sectors capable of surviving in the toughest markets. It would also offer a beacon of hope for both Christians and Muslims alike to live peacefully together in a part of the world which has become unaccustomed to such a reality.

However, this will only happen if Turkey refrains from interventions that undermine the negotiations and demonstrates the necessary political will to remove its troops from the island, drops its outdated guarantor demands and returns the occupied territory to its rightful owners.”

13 year-old George Michaelides will represent the Cypriot flag at the 14th annual  Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016, which airs on 20th November 3 p.m. London  time. One can see it on a computer or iPad on RIK1 or 2 live. This year the little sibling of the Eurovision competition we all know, will be organised at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta, Malta.

George Michaelides was born in Paphos on 26th August 2003 and will represent Cyprus with the up-tempo song ‘Dance Floor‘ to be sung in Greek and English. He penned the lyrics to his tune meanwhile, Andreas Anastasiou composed it. Andreas Anastasiou is a music producer with quite a few Eurovision credentials he wrote Cyprus’ entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song ‘San Angelos S’apapisa’ and in 2013 he was a member of the Belgian delegation for their Eurovision entry ‘Love Kills’ with Roberto Bellarosa.

George Michaelides is such a talented vocalist and dancer and will be accompanied on the stage for the performance of his song by his younger sister Mia Michaelides, also fellow dancers Georgina Moakler, Nikoletta Antoniou and Emily Christodoulou. We believe this makes best use of the ‘dance floor’ theme to the song.

George is already gaining much invaluable experience in the performing arts and more recently performed at the Spotlight Theatre Festival in London, and as a soloist artist at the Leicester Square Theatre. In Cyprus he played the role of Charis in Amanda The Musical at the Strovolos Theatre, Nicosia as well as the Larnaca Dimotiko Theatre. Last year George performed with the Musical Kids TV show at The Pavillion in Nicosia as well as at the city’s Royal Hall.

In 2014 George travelled to Germany for the UDO European Street dance Championships and ranked 3rd place in the Under 12’s Advance Solo Category.

George has trained with some of the industry’s most distinguished performers, choreographers and creative directors such as Lukas Mc Farlane, Gareth Walker and Ryan Jenkins.

Aside from his performances with his theatre school, George is also active in martial arts and currently holds a blue belt in judo. Over the past couple of years George has supported local charities by performing at their fundraising events. Charities that he has supported include PASYKAF (Cyprus Association. of Cancer Patients and Friends), St Michaels Hospice, Animal Welfare and Solidarity Paphos. Last year he was nominated for a Paphos Hearts of Gold Award for his work.

We at London Greek Radio wish George the very best of luck and we are sure he will make the Cypriot nation very proud, with his lively song and performance showing all of our fellow Eurovision nations how abundantly talented Cypriots are.