London Greek Radio

UK Special Envoy on Cyprus Jonathan Allen is set to pay the island a two-day visit on Wednesday and Thursday during which he will hold contacts regarding the Cyprus talks.

“Jonathan Allen, the UK’s Special Envoy on Cyprus will visit Nicosia for 2 days on 29-30 March,” a British High Commission press release issued here today says.

During that time, it is added, “Allen will hold contacts with both sides in the Cyprus settlement negotiations, UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, Espen Barthe Eide, and meet representatives of civil society and the bi-communal technical committees whose work also makes an important contribution to rapprochement between the communities of the island.”

Speaking on the visit, British High Commissioner Matthew Kidd said that “the UK welcomes the commitment of Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci to resuming political level talks soon.”

“The two leaders have shown courage and dedication to get this far in their negotiations, and have made remarkable progress,” he added.

He also expressed the view that “with continued commitment and political will on behalf of the leaders, we continue to believe that an historic agreement is within reach.”

Allen has held the role of Special Envoy on Cyprus since the Geneva Conference on Cyprus in January 2017.

He served as Political/Communications Officer at the British High Commission from 1999 – 2002.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities resumed in May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

The talks were interrupted in mid February by the Turkish Cypriot side, which demands that a decision passed by the Cypriot Parliament relating to a 1950 referendum on union with Greece is revoked, claiming this indicates a shift in the Greek Cypriot side`s goal for a federal solution. The amendment provides that there will be a very brief reference one a year to the referendum at schools.

President Anastasiades has described the House decision as wrong and called on the leader of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, who walked out of the talks, to return to the negotiating table to discuss pending issues with a view to reach a mutually acceptable agreement to reunite the country.

The UN SG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus is hosting a dinner for the two leaders on Sunday. This is the first time the two will meet since mid February.

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UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide is set to host a dinner for Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci next Sunday, April 2, at Ledra Palace hotel, in Nicosia.

In a press release the UN SG`s Good Offices Mission in Cyprus announced on Monday that “Eide, will host a dinner for the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Akıncı, on Sunday 2nd April.”

“The dinner will be held at the Ledra Palace Hotel within the UN buffer zone,” the press release concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities resumed in May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

The talks were interrupted in mid February by the Turkish Cypriot side, which demands that a decision passed by the Cypriot Parliament relating to a 1950 referendum on union with Greece is revoked, claiming this indicates a shift in the Greek Cypriot side`s goal for a federal solution. The amendment provides that there will be a very brief reference one a year to the referendum at schools.

President Anastasiades has described the House decision as wrong and called on the leader of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, who walked out of the talks, to return to the negotiating table to discuss pending issues with a view to reach a mutually acceptable agreement to reunite the country.

Sunday will be the first time the two will meet again.

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Foreign Minister 0f Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides and his British counterpart Boris Johnson discussed today the prospects for resumption of the negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue, in the margins of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers, held in Brussels today. I.Kasoulides reaffirmed  President Anastasiades` will to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, while pointing out that the new Turkish absurd claims such as the issue of the “four freedoms” further complicate the process.

Boris Johnson expressed confidence that mutually acceptable formula is feasible on the security issue and I.Kasoulides stressed that while they have filed several constructive ideas, clearly the right unilateral intervention of a third State and perpetual stationing of Turkish troops is out of the question. The Minister met with his British counterpart at the latter’s request to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

During the main Council`s works, the Eu 28 discussed  security and defense issues, developments in the Western Balkans, migration and the implementation of the new framework of partnership with third countries, the peace process in the Middle East and the issue of EU – Egypt relations.  A joint meeting of the Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers of the EU Member States, also took place, where defense and security issues, such as those arising from the EU`s global strategy.

The EU foreign Ministers also discussed developments in the Western Balkans. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Mogherini informed them on the tour she has completed in the region. The EU28 also talked about migration, focusing on the 3rd progress report on the implementation of the new framework of partnership with third countries.

The 28 Foreign Ministers also invited the Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Hassan Shoukry during lunch,  for a detailed review of the EU – Egypt relations and their prospects.

In his speech I.Kasoulides welcomed the opportunity for comprehensive review of the relations with Egypt (regional, migration, human rights, economy etc.), underlining the strategic role of the country in a turbulent region and the need for the EU support reforms in the country.

Finally, the Foreign Ministers discussed the latest developments in the Middle East as well as how they shaped the roles and positions of the EU in the Peace Process in the Middle East.

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President Nicos Anastasiades has called on Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to return to the negotiating table for a Cyprus solution with a productive stance, in order to continue the momentum of the talks and maintain all the positive elements that have been achieved in the past 22 months during the UN backed talks.

He also calls on Akinci to return to help reconvene the Conference on Cyprus as it was agreed last January during the first Conference in Geneva.

The Presidency of the Republic issued a statement on Tuesday, regarding the meeting the President had earlier today with the Bicommunal Peace Initiative. The President expressed his readiness for a new meeting to be set with the Turkish Cypriot leader to resume the talks from the point they were suspended to reach a just and viable solution on the basis of the February 11, 2014 agreement between the two communities, UN resolutions and the unanimous decisions of the National Council.

He also told his guests, as he has publicly stated, that the decision taken recently by the Cyprus House regarding the Union Referendum was not appropriate and unnecessary.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-backed talks since May 2015 with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

Akinci walked out of a meeting in mid February, in the framework of the UN-led negotiations on the Cyprus problem. Anastasiades and Akinci had elaborated earlier on in that meeting their positions on an amendment passed by the Cypriot Parliament which includes a once a year reference of no more than ten minutes at schools to the 1950 referendum held in Cyprus, advocating enosis (union with Greece).

President Anastasiades has described the House amendment “wrong” and called on Akinci to return to the negotiating table. Akinci demands that the amendment is revoked before returning to the negotiating table.

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President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades called on the Turkish Cypriot leader to abandon his accusations and return to the negotiating table in a constructive manner, with a view to reach a solution in Cyprus that would meet the expectations of both communities.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace, after Thursday`s meeting between himself and T/C leader Mustafa Akinci, President Anastasiades expressed sorrow for the outcome of the meeting.

During their short meeting in the framework of the negotiations for a Cyprus solution, which began at 1000 in the morning local time, Anastasiades and Akinci elaborated on their positions as regards a decision taken by the Cypriot Parliament on Friday to commemorate the 1950 Enosis Referendum in schools.

President Anastasiades stressed that while the discussion was taking place in a friendly and constructive manner, after a short break as a result of a disagreement between the Greek Cypriot side and the UN, the Turkish Cypriot delegation left the meeting without any reason.

The President said that the Turkish Cypriot leader`s claims as to what happened during today`s meeting are not the real facts and expressed his belief that UNSG`s Special Advisor for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, who was present at the meeting, will set things straight.

Replying to a question, the President expressed the view that the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side during today`s meeting had been decided in advance.

He emphasized that the Greek Cypriot side and himself remain fully committed to the achievement of a viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem, and the continuation of the dialogue as agreed before the UN Secretary General on the 12th of January 2017.

The President said that UNSG Envoy Espen Barth Eide tried to convince the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to return, however he was uncompromising.

President Anastasiades explained that during the meeting Akinci reiterated what he publicly has stated in relation to the concerns of the Turkish Cypriot community because of the decision taken by the House of Representatives, to commemorate in schools a referendum held in 1950 in favor of Cyprus` union with Greece. He pointed out that he explained to Akinci that these concerns are not justified and he referred to the unanimous statement by the National Council taken on Monday, which clearly underlines that the objective is not the union with Greece and is not of course the partition. He also repeated that the Turkish Cypriot side cannot doubt the will of the Greek Cypriots for a solution.

President Anastasiades said that the unanimous statement of the National Council speaks of the commitment to a solution that is fully compatible with the resolutions of the UN General Assembly as well as the Security Council resolutions.

He also repeated that he will not allow anyone to doubt or question our side’s sincere will for a solution that will be accepted by both communities.

The President said that during today’s meeting he referred to various incidents that disregard the sensitivities of the Greek Cypriot community, pointing out that he never sought to stop the dialogue, he did not ask the Turkish Cypriot leader to assume any responsibility or to correct the decisions taken by the political parties in the Turkish Cypriot community.

Furthermore, the President said that he highlighted the progress that has been achieved and the fact that it is important to focus on continuing the negotiations in order to address the remaining differences.

President Anastasiades added that in today’s meeting he pointed out that one should not seek excuses in order to avoid the assumption of responsibility that Turkey bears or to allow Turkey to raise demands that do not concern the interests of the Cypriot people.

He went on to say that such approaches undermine the whole process and are not consistent with is publicly proclaimed. The President called on Turkey once again to contribute to solving fundamental issues of the Cyprus problem that have to do with the concerns of the Greek Cypriot community.

He said that inappropriate or unnecessary decisions or statements give pretext to Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot community and they are exploited in order for them to avoid taking any responsibility.

The President of the Republic also went on to say that the Greek Cypriot side remains fully committed to finding a viable and functional solution and to the continuation of the dialogue as agreed before the UN Secretary General in Geneva on January 12, 2017.

He urged the Turkish Cypriot leader to return to the dialogue and show constructive spirit so that they can achieve a comprehensive solution that meets the expectations of both communities.

Invited to comment on a statement by the Turkish Cypriot leader that it was the President who first walked out of the meeting, he said that the journalists themselves are witnesses to what happened as they were informed from the Turkish Cypriot media that Akinci left the talks, while he (the President) arrived that the Presidential Palace at least half an hour later as he was waiting for Special Envoy Eide to convince Akinci to return to the negotiating table.
Asked about the UN stance and Eide’s efforts, the President said that Eide made an attempt to create an environment of understanding and while referring to the concerns expressed by the Turkish Cypriots, he suggested that they are maybe wrong or right.

He explained that he responded to that saying that it is not accepted for him to doubt the will and intentions of the Greek Cypriot side, especially having witnessed after two years, the stance of the Greek Cypriot side.

The President said that after that, he asked for a small break and while he was outside, the Turkish Cypriot leader and his team walked out. He went on to say that not even Eide himself realised what had happened, he remained in the room and he did not go out to greet the leaders and their teams, as he always does.

He pointed out that Akinci’s statements do not respond to the real situation, adding that he wishes to be really careful in what he says as he does not want to exacerbate the situation. He also expressed his hope that Eide will state the real facts, adding that he will also brief the UNSG on the incident and the accurate facts.

He also spoke about events that are celebrated by the Turkish Cypriots that offend the Greek Cypriots.
President Anastasiades also said that never before an issue was brought up about the celebrations for April 1st, which mark the anniversary of the Cypriot anti-colonial liberation struggle of 1955-1959 and represent the desire and objective for union with Greece.

He pointed out that if our wish is the reunification of our country, we must abandon any pretexts and focus on what is important and crucial in order to give our country hope.

The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

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Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci continued on Thursday their talks aiming to reach convergences on the issues which are still pending at the negotiations on the Cyprus problem by discussing the chapter of governance.

In statements upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace Anastasiades said that relative progress has been achieved adding at the same time that quite a lot of work remains to be done. Furthermore he said that the various chapters will be discussed interdependently.

Asked if the date for the convening of the next session of the Conference on Cyprus has been agreed, Anastasiades said that it will probably take place after the 13th of March.

In his statements, Anastasiades said that the negotiators of the two sides have written down “the convergences, the slightest divergences and the big divergences” and that on the basis of this preparation the two leaders began their discussion to see how more differences are transformed into convergences. He added that today they discussed the chapter of Governance.

He said that relative progress was achieved but quite a lot of work remains to be done. Furthermore he noted that discussion on the various chapters will take place interdependently “to achieve, on the basis of everything that has been also agreed in the past, the biggest possible convergences before the Conference on Cyprus”

Asked if the UNSG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide informed them on his recent meetings with the guarantor powers, Anastasiades said that they have a picture about what happened in those meetings.

He added that “the general picture is that the intention of the involved parties is to reach a solution as soon as possible,” adding that this will become apparent at the negotiating table so that “we do not rest on the various assurances.”

Responding to another question, Anastasiades said that they did not discuss today about the issue of the four fundamental freedoms.

The Conference on Cyprus convened, on January 12, in Geneva, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with the participation of Anastasiades and Akinci, the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom as guarantor powers, and in the presence of the European Union as an observer, to address the issue of security and guarantees, a crucial chapter in discussions for a Cyprus settlement.

The Conference decided to establish a working group at the level of deputies to identify specific questions and the instruments needed to address them, and that the Conference will continue at political level immediately thereafter to review the outcome of the working group’s discussions.

In parallel, according to the decision, the negotiations on outstanding issues in the other chapters will continue between the two sides in Cyprus.

The working group of deputies met in Mont-Pelerin, Switzerland, on January 18-19, and according to Eide “successfully completed the mandate entrusted to it by the Conference.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led negotiations since May 2015, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

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Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades described Wednesday’s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci as “creative”, as they continue their talks in the framework of UN-led negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem.

He also said they discussed the way forward for the negotiations.

In statements on his return at the Presidential Palace from the meeting, Anastasiades referred to the statement which the UN issued about the meeting, which announced their decision to meet again on February 9 and request the UN to prepare the continuation of the Conference on Cyprus in early March.

Asked if they discussed Turkey’s demand that Turkish citizens should enjoy the four fundamental freedoms of the EU after a solution in Cyprus, he said they did not, adding that they also talked about the methodology to be followed from now on.

Responding to a question about statements made recently by Turkish officials, Anastasiades said that he raised this issue during his meeting with Akinci on Wednesday as he did during his meeting with the UNSG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on Tuesday, noting that if fewer statements are made, this “will contribute to the positive climate that we want to prevail” in the dialogue between the communities in Cyprus.

Therefore, the President noted, any statements either overoptimistic or otherwise do not contribute to what the leaders of the two communities are pursuing.

Asked if he is worried by the tension between Greece and Turkey, Anastasiades said that this is a negative development. At the same time he expressed hope that problems will be overcome.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

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1^ος Παγκύπριος μαθητικός διαγωνισμός Λαογραφίας, οργανώνεται από το Πανεπιστήμιο Νεάπολις Πάφου.  Δικαίωμα συμμετοχής έχουν και όλοι οι μαθητές και μαθήτριες των παροικιακών σχολείων του Λονδίνου.

 

Τα θέματα του διαγωνισμού αφορούν στις πιο κάτω θεματικές ενότητες:

α)  Ποίηση  (με λαογραφικό περιεχόμενο)

β)  Παραδοσιακό τραγούδι

γ)  Παράδοση – λαϊκός πολιτισμός – λαϊκοί τεχνίτες

Για οποιεσδήποτε άλλες πληροφορίες για κάθε επιμέρους ενότητα καθώς και κανονισμούς, μπορείτε να  απευθύνεστε στα τηλέφωνα/ Ε-mail:

α) κύριος Ξενοφών Παναγή (Φιλόλογος, Β.Δ) 99478392/ tosoda@cytanet.com.cy   (για Α΄ Ενότητα: Ποίηση)

β) Δρ. Στάλω Γεωργίου  (Καθηγήτρια Μουσικής- Μουσικοσυνθέτης, Πανεπιστήμιο Νεάπολις 26-843347/ stalo.georgiou@nup.ac.cy  (για Β΄Ενότητα: Παραδοσιακό    Τραγούδι)

γ) κύριος Σταύρος Χριστοδούλου (Ιστορικός- Ερευνητής, Πανεπιστήμιο Νεάπολις) 26-843331/ stavros.christodoulou@nup.ac.cy (για Γ΄ Ενότητα: Παράδοση- Λαϊκός Πολιτισμός- Λαϊκοί Τεχνίτες)

 

Θα δοθούν βραβεία στα έργα που θα κριθούν τα καλύτερα από ειδική κριτική επιτροπή.

Τελευταία ημερομηνία υποβολής έργων είναι η 28^η Φεβρουαρίου 2017.

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The sad news of George Michael, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou’s passing has shocked fans around the world. Many of these people have visited his home in Highgate North London, to make their tributes, to lay-down flowers, cards, candles and personal messages. You will see a Greek and a Cypriot flag put on the fence’s gate to make the point visibly he was one of their own.

With fans silently reflecting and contemplating his career, his musical achievements and even his kindness and generosity for charity, in his 53 years on this planet.

This included the singer pledging his signed-discs for London Greek Radio‘s Radiomarathon appeal.

A petition which has been circulating on Facebook has been launched by Mr John Vasiliou on change.org under the heading, ‘We the fans want a George Michael’s statue outside his Highgate Home.’

Mr Vasiliou who is a driving instructor and owns a hair salon with his wife, in Muswell Hill, he saw the last ever Wham! Concert, makes a super fan in our book. He would like nothing more than to have a permanent installation as a way of honouring the man and his work, every time to see it, at The Grove, in Highgate, George Michael’s house.

Mr Vasiliou stating: ‘A statue of George Michael to be erected outside the home of George Michael in Highgate in honour of the music & songs he wrote for all his fans and for being an anonymous philanthropist to his community and various charities.’

3,572 plus people have placed their signature on this petition in the weeks since the singer’s death on the 25th December 2016, Christmas day.

The petition will be handed to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party Teresa May MP at 10 Downing Street, London, January 2017.

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Stella Stavrou is 75 years old. 4’11 approx. Small frame. Scars on her face from diabetes, she was wearing a black & white knee length coat, black leggings, mulberry coloured round scooped neck long sleeve top,  black beanie hat and black quilted hand bag with long gold chain handles, black shoes.

She was last seen on Sunday, 15th January approx 2pm and told her family she was going to the Whittington hospital to visit their father. She did not arrive at the ward and she has not returned home since.

She suffers from dementia and diabetes and has not had her medication since leaving the house yesterday, so she may appear very confused and disorientated.

Stella is Greek-Cypriot speaking only, with patchy levels of spoken English.

The areas she may have gone to are Finsbury Park, Holloway, Archway, Haringey and Clissold Park. She would have walked and/or taken the bus on these routes.

Any information please contact the police on 101.

UPDATED 16.01.2017

Good news, Stella Stavrou aged 75 from Islington has been found safe and well.

Thanks for your help with this appeal.

Source: Islington MPS

Article written by London Greek Radio