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.

Mario Frangoulis sings Christmas songs for charity cause…

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

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.

Picketing the Turkish Embassy in London on Sunday 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 32nd 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. At this year’s picket participants also held a 1 minute silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the ISIS attacks in Paris and all Cypriots who sacrificed their lives for Cyprus’ freedom.

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 President of EFEK (Cypriot Students in the UK) to deliver a resolution to the Turkish Ambassador. The letter of resolution demanded the withdrawal of the Turkish occupying army and the Turkish colonists illegally transferred by Turkey to the north of Cyprus and called on the Turkish government to abide by the resolutions of the UN Security Council, the European Union and international law. This year, however, the letter also urged Turkey to respond with positive actions to encourage progress in the direct negotiations taking place on the island towards a just and lasting settlement. 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.

Federation member associations, NEPOMAK and EFEK showed their resolve against the illegal occupation and the self-proclaimed pseudo-state, which remains unrecognised by all countries in the world except Turkey.

Mr Karaolis, Federation President, said:

“We know that Turkey sustains and controls this illegal and unrecognised regime: for more than three decades, the so-called ‘TRNC’ has been a symbol of Turkey’s bullying behaviour, representing a threat to peace, security and stability on the island and in the region. As we all know the question as to whether or not Cyprus can turn a new page will depend on Turkey’s willingness to remove its army of occupation from the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, and on its sincere engagement with the UN-facilitated process. We call upon Turkey to end its intransigent policy towards Cyprus and with concrete actions respond to the positive momentum in Cyprus for a solution”

A joint application from the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has been put forward to grant Halloumi the same protected status as champagne or Parma ham, meaning only cheese produced on Cyprus could be called halloumi or hellim.

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has offered Greek and Turkish Cypriots his full backing in an attempt to save their brand name in the UK.

The British government are contemplating changing the famous brand of Halloumi/Helim in support of the British halloumi producers.
However, the president of European commissions has hailed the Island’s government by defending their cheese, he said: “The halloumi affair is proof that the island’s leaders are committed to reunifying Cyprus”.

Euripides Evriviades, Cyprus’s High Commissioner in London, vowed: “We will fight to the bitter end to secure our halloumi hellim, a truly Cyprus product.” Hellim is the Turkish Cypriot name for the national cheese.

A columnist from the Cyprus Weekly has made their feelings clear and fired this message: “We can tolerate drunken UK tourists in Ayia Napa and British troops on Cyprus soil, but we will not surrender our soft cheese colonial rule”.

In 2013 Greek Cypriots exported £58 million worth of Halloumi, with Britain accounting a third of that sum. This proves Halloumi is more than just cheese. It represents Cyprus and is accountable for a high amount of their profits.

The London Greek Film Festival, independent, alternative, progressive and creative as ever, remains loyal to its objective, despite the adversities: to act as the international meeting point for contemporary Greek film from across the world. The Festival, founded in 2008 by director Christos Prossylis and London’s Cosmocinema, continues to showcase the film productions of Greek interest in all its forms.

This year the Festival will take place from 19 to 25 October. During this week it will present more than 55 selected films at Camden’s Theatro Technis (26 Crowndale Road, London, NW1 1TT); it will also present 11 selected short and feature film scripts online. Screenings include feature films, short films, documentaries, experimental films and video art.

The Festival accepts films and scripts by Greek film makers from around the world, but also by non-Greeks whose work bears some Greek interest. It has established itself as one of the most prestigious events when it comes to showcasing contemporary Greek culture in the British metropolis and in Europe, projecting a positive and creative face of Greece. At the same time it creates networking and collaboration opportunities and it promotes new technologies which combine good old cinematography with the new possibilities offered by the modern film world.

On Saturday 24 October, Theatro Technis will host the ‘Odysseus Awards’ ceremony, during which the best films by category, will be announced, as voted by the judging committee. There will also be a ‘Viewers’ Award’ winner.Awards will also be presented to best actors, screenwriters, film makers and performers. The awards ceremony will be presented by the London based Greek correspondent Thanasis Gavos.

The Festival will draw to an end on 25 October with two very interesting informative / introductory workshops. The first one will be about the Festival’s new project in collaboration with London’s Cosmocinema: the ‘Filming in Greece’ international agency, set up to facilitate those who want to use Greece as their filming set. The second workshop will be an introduction to the ‘Acting Code’ method, developed over the previous decade by director Christos Prossylis and updated through his research theatrical group Cosmotheatre of London. The method is now available to the public.

The full programme of screenings and events is now available on the Festival’s website, will full description of the films and scripts – including images and trailers.

Website: www.londongreekfilmfestival.com

Email: info@londongreekfilmfestival.com

On Saturday 3rd October, Prosopa Events presents ‘Guess who’s going to die tonight’ (Μάντεψε ποιος θα πεθάνει απόψε) for two exclusive shows which will take place on Saturday 3rd October at The Mermaid Theatre in London.

The Greek theatre play with iconic actress Katia Dandoulaki is launching the 3rd successful season with a UK première in London. The play is a gripping psychological thriller, promising a night full of mystery.

Based on Robert Thomas’s ‘Trap for the lonely man’, the play was adapted by Mihalis Reppas and Thanasis Papathanasiou and revolves around the story of a woman, who rapidly started losing her mind after her husband’s disappearance.

Being the first Greek theatre play of this kind in London, the show is set to be a unique one, suitable for all sorts of ages.

The play

‘Guess who’s going to die tonight’ is a gripping psychological thriller concerning a woman (Kathryn, played by Katia Dandoulaki) whose husband has mysteriously disappeared. Kathryn reports the disappearance to the police, and soon the police inspector (Tasos Kostis) and the chalet owner (Eleni Krita) visit her at the chalet for the investigation purposes.

The routine inspection suddenly turns into a chain of unexpected events when the man claiming to be her husband (Thanos Kalioras) suddenly enters the room! Kathryn is convinced of some sort of conspiracy around her, as the man and various witnesses confirm that he is in fact her husband, but she knows it’s not him! Can the two witnesses (Tzois Evidi & Pantelis Kanarakis) solve the mystery or not?

Kathryn increasingly believes that everyone around her aims to drive her mad for some reason… But why?! Who can guess the finale?

For more information and to book tickets, click here.

UK Cypriots protest in Trafalgar Square…

This Sunday Cypriot’s march on Central London at this July’s anti-occupation rally, as this month marks 41 years since invading Turkish troops seized and occupied the northern one third of the Cyprus Republic, infringing and violating the territorial sovereignty of the Cypriot state, on the fateful tragic day, on July 20th 1974.

The protest rally begins outside Turkish Embassy in Belgrave Square at 3pm and marching on to Trafalgar Square for the main event itself.

Those gathered will be addressed by the Cypriot Minister of Agriculture Nicos Kouyialas and, pro-Cyprus British MPs will be giving short speeches to show their mutual support and solidarity to speed up efforts to put stop to the continuing division on the island.

The newly elected president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Christos Karaolis, urged Cypriots to pull-off this ”one small sacrifice” by their presence at the march, adding their voices to the cause and urging the UK Government’s backing to a ”just and sustainable solution” and one that brokers agreement to reuniting the country as a whole.

Christos Karaolis, the president of the National Federation of Cypriots UK…

Speaking to Drive Time host Tony Neophytou, Mr Karaolis, directly appealed to listener’s patriotic instinct. ”The fact you are listening to LGR means that something inside of you says you are a Cypriot, something inside of you makes you feel passionate about Cyprus be it whether you are born on the island or not, something inside of you feels passionate and I would ask you to demonstrate that passion this Sunday by turning out at 3 o’clock outside the Turkish Embassy on Belgrave Square where we will set off towards Trafalgar Square arriving there at 4pm, where we will joined by guest speaker minister of Agriculture for Cyprus, Nicos Kouyialis and parliamentarians… ”

”On the island there’s fresh momentum for a solution, there’s a new round of talks kicking off… we want to show our support here in the UK, that as British Cypriots, we still care deeply about what is going on in the island… we want to see our island reunited”.

”I would encourage everyone whatever their age to turn out and be there with us this Sunday, it’s a small sacrifice that we ask people to make for Cyprus but that small sacrifice if we can do it united as a community we’ll send a message loud and clear to our government here in the UK that as British voters this as an issue is important to us,” the president emphasised.

The umbrella wing, to some 80 associations of Cypriot villages to political parties and professional bodies, the federation has two key goals Christos explained.

”And I guess our goals are two fold first and foremost to lobby the government here in the UK to do what it can to help find a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue, and secondly, as a federation to mobilise and advance our community here, we are a community in the UK and we are here to stay, and as a federation we are looking to mobilise and advance it in all walks of life”.

On Tuesday July 7th, a picket will take place outside the House of Commons from the Missing People’s Association and the Cypriot Federation, and a lobby of the chamber will occur at 7:15pm to 9:15pm with MPs being quizzed on their policies and thoughts to Cyprus, Mr Karaolis underlined… ”politicians across the political spectrum coming to join us to talk to us about their ideas on Cyprus and also more importantly to allow members of the community to put their questions to elected representatives about their doing for Cyprus…”

The UK government has reiterated, during a debate at the House of Lords, its offer to “surrender” parts of the land in the British Bases back to a reunified Cyprus, once a comprehensive settlement has been reached.

Asked whether the offer initially made over ten years ago is still on the table, the Earl of Courtown Lord Stopford representing the government said: “The Foreign Secretary confirmed to Parliament on 1st June this year that the UK has made this generous offer that as part of a proper comprehensive settlement, we will surrender nearly half of the land mass of the SBA territories.”

Britain, a former colonial power, has retained two military bases in Cyprus, since the country gained its independence in 1960. Britain along with Greece and Turkey are the three guarantor powers of the Republic of Cyprus, according to the 1960 treaties that established the Republic.

The question was posed by Lord Anderson of Swansea who initiated the debate at the Lords’. The Labour life peer also asked “how it is that the guarantor power status still appears relevant when it is not and Cyprus is now a full member of the European Union?”

The government representative replied that “the United Kingdom meets its current obligations under the Treaty of Guarantee through support of the UN-facilitated settlement process, which is aimed at achieving a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This arrangement is not altered by Cyprus’s membership of the European Union.”

In his initial statement, the Earl of Courtown said that the UK government welcomes the “renewed sense of optimism” surrounding settlement talks in Cyprus. He added that both Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Moustafa Akinci are committed to a settlement and that their positive leadership is creating a real sense of momentum.

“There is now an opportunity for the sides to reach a just and lasting settlement. We hope the leaders will use the impetus that exists to make progress on key issues. UK will continue to support the UN-led process and both communities,” added the Conservative peer.