London Greek Radio

The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cyprus held its annual Parliamentary Reception for Cyprus on Tuesday 11th July to mark the tragic anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation of July 1974. During the event, titled ‘Cyprus: The Quest for a Solution’ the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, updated a full house of Parliamentarians and members of the UK Cypriot community about the recent Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

“The unacceptable status quo is not an option for neither Greek Cypriots nor Turkish Cypriots. The outcome in Crans-Montana is not a positive development… We remain fully committed to negotiating within the UNSG framework, which clearly states that the current system of guarantees must be terminated, that intervention rights should be abolished, and that troops withdraw upon an agreed framework.” 

The Cypriot Government Spokesperson, Nikos Christodoulides stated to MPs.

MPs and Peers express their strong, and cross-party, support for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, including the abolition of guarantees and removal of Turkish troops.

Government Spokesman and Federation President met with Labour Foreign Affairs and Lib Dem Brexit teams to discuss the Cyprus issue and Brexit.

Federation President, Christos Karaolis, welcomed guests to the event and spoke of the UK Cypriot community’s determination to support efforts to find a solution that unites Cyprus, and ensures that Cyprus is free from foreign guarantees and Turkish troops.

He said, “in the face of increasing Turkish intransigence, now is the time for all Cypriots – whether they are Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronite, Latin or Armenian – to ensure that our demands for a truly independent and sovereign Republic of Cyprus, are heard loud and clear.“

Mr Christodoulides spoke about the recent Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Mr Christodoulides began by outlining the framework for the meeting prepared by United Nations Secretary General, who chaired two days of the Conference on Cyprus. He went on to say that the UN Secretary General had stated that a new system of guarantees was needed and called for the termination of any right of intervention in favour of a new security system where all Cypriots would feel secure. Mr Christodoulides said that during the recent negotiations “the Turkish side refused to substantially negotiate within the UN Secretary General’s framework and therefore an impasse in the negotiations was reached.”

The Cypriot Government Spokesperson continued, “[in order to end the impasse] President Anastasiades submitted proposals which effectively addressed the concerns of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots… President Anastasiades’ proposal stated unequivocally that it was only valid if the right of intervention and the system of guarantees were abolished; there was full withdrawal of the occupying Turkish troops based on an agreed timeline; and the expectations of the Greek Cypriot side on territorial readjustments were met. All participants reacted positively to the proposal apart from the Turkish side, whose unwillingness to cooperate forced the UN Secretary General to close the meeting.” Mr Christodoulides concluded by expressing his regret that Turkey appears unwilling to work within the UN framework for a solution and stated that “our goals remain unchanged, we are fully committed to having a truly independent, sovereign, reunified state, free of any dependencies on third countries.”

Sir Roger Gale, who had earlier been re-elected Chair of the APPG for Cyprus, informed attendees that, “MPs across all parties remain as resolved as they ever have been for a solution in Cyprus.” Sir Roger concluded by paying a warm tribute to the extensive work of former MPs Sir Alan Meale and David Burrowes in advancing the Cyprus cause in Parliament during their time as MPs.

Speaking after Sir Roger, Baroness Massey of Darwen emphasised her continued support for the reunification of Cyprus, saying she would continue to campaign for a just and viable solution.

The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, told attendees that “despite the recent disappointments I would like to say that I have fought for a reunified Cyprus for 18 years and I will continue to fight for however long it takes.” Ms Villiers reaffirmed her support for the abolition of the Treaty of Guarantee and foreign country intervention rights, as well as a clear time-limit to any Turkish troops that were allowed to remain in Cyprus after a solution.

The next MP to speak was Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North. Ms Ryan paid tribute to the “huge, vibrant and active British Cypriot community” and added that, “the Cyprus issue would be solved already if it was by Cypriots, for Cypriots.”

Bambos Charalambous MP, the recently elected MP, of Cypriot origin, for Enfield Southgate, said that “Cyprus will have a voice in Parliament and we will all do our best and take every opportunity to promote our cause.” Mr Charalambous called on the British Government to put more pressure on Turkey to end its occupation in Cyprus and that “Turkish troops must leave Cyprus and a system of guarantees is not fit for a modern country.”

Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, called for a “solution by Cypriots, for Cypriots”, paid tribute to some of the most important UK Cypriot community organisations and congratulated Bambos Charalambous on his election as MP for Enfield Southgate. Newly appointed Government Whip, Mike Freer MP, expressed that, “my personal view, is that I don’t believe Cyprus requires foreign guarantees or foreign troops.”

Bob Stewart MP spoke passionately about his fond memories of growing up in Cyprus as a child. He declared that, “Cyprus is where my heart is, you cannot find a more beautiful country, you cannot have such history in one place… Cyprus is special and needs reunification.” He went to emphasise the need for compromise to find a solution and said “Turkish troops have no place in Cyprus.”

Jack Dromey MP expressed his disappointment at the collapse of the recent round of negotiations and said “my commitment to the cause of reuniting Cyprus remains steadfast.”

Roger Godsiff MP told the room how he is “a passionate supporter of a reunited Cyprus and will continue to work for this cause in parliament.”

Caroline Nokes MP reaffirmed her commitment to a reunited Cyprus and said, “I will continue to work towards securing a solution that reunites Cyprus and all its people.”

Speaking at the reception, Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, reiterated his support for the end of the Turkish occupation, the reunification of Cyprus and the return of refugees to their home. Mr Corbyn said that he will “never stop campaigning for the reunification of Cyprus.” He went on to say that he has a longstanding connection to the Cypriot community through his experience as a Councillor in Haringey at the time of the Turkish invasion where he met many refugees and, as a result, has many good friends in the Cypriot community.

Other distinguished guests in attendance included the Cyprus High Commissioner, Euripides Evriviades; members of the Cyprus High Commission; the Mayors of Lefkoniko and Akanthou; Andreas Papaevripides, President of POMAK (the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots); Harry Charalambous, President of NEPOMAK UK (the youth branch of POMAK); and members of the National Federation of Cypriots’ Executive Committee and Secretariat.

Christodoulides meets Labour Foreign Affairs and Lib Dem Brexit teams
As part of Mr Christodoulides’ visit, he met Emily Thornberry (Shadow Foreign Secretary), Khalid Mahmood MP (Shadow Minister for Europe), and Fabian Hamilton MP (Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament). During this meeting Mr Christodoulides discussed the Cyprus issue and Brexit. Discussing the Labour Party’s policy on Cyprus, the Shadow Ministers said that a mechanism would have to be found that addresses the security concerns of all Cypriots, however this could not be through the current system of guarantees or the presence of foreign troops.

APPG for Cyprus holds its Annual General Meeting
Prior to the event ‘Cyprus: The Quest for a Solution’, the APPG for Cyprus held its Annual General Meeting where Sir Roger Gale was re-elected as Chair. During the AGM, members of the APPG for Cyprus also had a private meeting with the Cyprus Government Spokesperson. The Officers of the APPG for Cyprus were elected as follows:

Chair: Sir Roger Gale
Vice Chairs: Theresa Villiers, Joan Ryan, Bambos Charalambous
Treasurer: Roger Godsiff
Secretary: Catherine West
Trustees: Angus MacNeil, Baroness Massey of Darwen, Kate Osamor

 

Article written by National Federation of Cypriots in the UK

Below you can read the response of the Foreign and the Commonwealth office to the 23rd of June letters sent to the PM and the Foreign Secretary by the President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Mr. Christos Karaolis.

 

 

Article written by London Greek Radio

Giannis Kalatzis, the voice behind the late 60’s and 70’s hit songs like ‘Delfini Delfinaki’ and ‘Kyra Giorgena’, died on Thursday. He was 74.

Songwriter Ilias Philippou announced the passing of the chart-topping singer on his Facebook page.

Giannis Kalatzis was born in Thessaloniki in 1943 and his career as a singer began in the early 1960s when he was a member of Trio Moreno in Thessaloniki. Later he settled in Athens and made his first major collaboration with composer Giorgos Mitsakis.

His rise to fame happened after he began collaborating with some of the most famous Greek composers: Manos Loizos, Mimis Plessas, Stavros Kougioumtzis, Giorgos Katsaros, Yannis Spanos and Tolis Voskopoulos.

He has also participated in music records of many other famous Greek pop singers, such as Giorgos Dalaras, Haris Alexiou, Giannis Parios, Mariza Koch and Litsa Diamanti.

During the 1970s he collaborated with composer Nikos Karvelas while in 1981 he released a record with songs by Tolis Voskopoulos.

In 2013 Giannis Kalatzis was honoured in the Greek version of the television programme Your Face Sounds Familiar broadcast by ANT1 with actor Konstantinos Kazakos impersonating him and performing one of his most famous songs – ‘Delfini Delfinaki’.

His well-known songs – many classic songs during the 1980’s on the London Greek Radio air-waves such as ‘To Palio Roloi’, ‘Paramythaki Mou’, ‘Isoun Oraia’, ‘Tzamaika’.

He released solo albums including the self-titled ‘Giannis Kalatzis’ in 1968, ‘Kyra Giorgena’, ‘Paramythaki Mou’, ‘Ena Taxidi’.

He retired from his singing career in 1984, but in 1985 he took part in a concert dedicated to Manos Loizos.

Kalatzis is considered one of the best singers of the time and his songs have been performed by many artists of the younger generation.

Article written by London Greek Radio

All is going smoothly in relation to the drilling ship “West Capella”, bound to start the exploratory drilling in block 11 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone on behalf of Total, Deputy Government Spokesman Victoras Papadopoulos stated on Wednesday.

He also urged for calmness and dismissed reports linking the presence of foreign naval forces in the region with the drilling activity. “At this time, we should all remain calm and down to earth, because many of the news coming from abroad do not correspond to reality and create unnecessary fuss,” Papadopoulos said, in statements at the Presidential Palace.

Vessels in the region are there for specific reasons and “there is nothing worrisome right now,” the Deputy Spokesman added.

According to Papadopoulos, the drilling ship reached its destination in the early hours of Wednesday and is “fully cooperating with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus”.

In a separate announcement, the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism said that the Total E&P Cyprus B.V. / Eni Cyprus Limited consortium commenced today its drilling operations at the ‘Onesiphoros West 1” well.

The “West Capella” drilling ship, already on site, will conduct the necessary checks and tests, once stabilized. According to the Ministry announcement, distributed by PIO, the well is expected to be completed in approximately 75 days, reaching a maximum depth of around 4,250 metres below sea level. At that point, waters are 1,698 metres deep.

Concessions by the Republic of Cyprus in block 11 were granted to Total back in 2013. The French energy giant decided to extend the lease of block 11, re-evaluating its geophysical model in view of the discovery of Egypt’s giant Zohr field, only about 6km away from the boundary of block 11. Last March, Eni announced an agreement with Total to acquire 50% participating interest of the offshore block. Total remains the operator of the block.

 

Article written by

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades briefed on Monday the members of the National Council about the developments in the negotiations on the Cyprus problem that took place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

According to statements made by the leaders of the political parties after the meeting, during today’s session, President Anastasiades informed them mainly about what happened during the last day of the talks in Crans-Montana, and no discussion took place.

Political leaders said the National Council will convene again next Monday and Tuesday, 17 and 18 of June 2017. On Monday, the political party leaders will express their views and the positions and on Tuesday they will discuss the situation in the presence of the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias.

Later today, President Anastasiades will also inform the Cypriot people over what happened in Crans-Montana.

The UN-backed talks in Switzerland ended inconclusively. Peace talks aim to reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, under a federal roof.

Article written by

A 15-YEAR-old girl is reported missing from Harrow, London. She was last seen on Tuesday 4th June approximately 4 pm.

She is a London Cypriot girl. Angel, is described with a nose ring, she was wearing ripped jeans, with trainers and carrying a grey Armani bag.

She went missing with her friend Monika Mikalkeviciute, 16 years-old from Edgware, Middlesex.

UPDATED: 15.07.2017

Angel and her friend Monika have been found safe and the girls are back at home… yesterday evening, Friday 14^th July, her Aunty Christina Pavlou taking to Facebook said: ‘’ She’s home!!! She’s safe, and more importantly alive!!!! ….. Thank you everyone for all your prayers, kind words, support and help, it’s been a living nightmare for us, but she’s finally home, again thank you, I’m so relieved, I can’t stop crying!!!! Thank you God!!!!! ‘’

Article written by London Greek Radio

Theresa May has repeated her call for “flexibility by all sides” involved in the ongoing Conference on Cyprus in a telephone conversation she had this morning with her Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister praised the constructive role that both parties have played to reach this point and reiterated that there is a major opportunity to be seized.

“She added that any agreement requires all sides to show leadership and flexibility and that the UK will do it all it can to support a settlement.”

Prime Minister May had also spoken with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Monday. She had noted that “we now have a unique opportunity to reach a settlement” and that in order to reach a final outcome “there will have to be flexibility on all sides.”

Article written by CNA

A 15-year-old Cyprus football player is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Giorgos Mikellides is fighting against leukaemia and the island-run Philanthropic Volunteer Organisation of Footballers ”Goal in Life” has asked all people aged 18-45 to enrol as bone marrow donors to help Giorgos win this important battle.

Giorgos is a member of the AEL Limassol U16 (Under 16) football squad where he plays as an attacker. He started playing football 7 years ago until recently when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

”As an attacker he has scored many times, but it is time for Giorgos to score a decisive goal. In his struggle to score, he is not alone” reads the announcement. Giorgos is in need of a bone marrow donor in order to undergo a bone marrow transplant operation which is scheduled to take place in mid-July in Germany.

Anyone who is between the ages 18-45 and is a permanent resident of Cyprus can enrol as a bone marrow donor. People interested in helping Giorgos or other people who may be in need of a transplant may apply at the Karaiskakio Foundation, or at the Blood Bank of their nearest hospital and by filling in the online form at http://www.karaiskakio.org.cy .

Article written by in-Cyprus, London Greek Radio

The President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK Christos Karaolis has called on Prime Minister Theresa May to use her influence on Turkey to make a lasting impact on the reunification of Cyprus.

The letter sent on Friday ahead of the Conference on Cyprus in Switzerland’s Crans Montana, begins by congratulating the British Prime Minister on her return to No. 10 and by extending the UK Cypriot community’s solidarity in view of the recent terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.

Mr Karaolis refers to Cyprus as “a stable and reliable ally for the UK, both in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as the European Union.”

He notes the renewed hope that a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue can be reached and adds: “There is no doubt, however, that Cyprus’ reunification depends on Turkey’s willingness to remove its troops from the occupied northern part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, and on its sincere engagement with the United Nations-facilitated process with deeds and not just words.”

He asks for the UK Government’s support in Crans Montana on the key issue of Security and Guarantees. “The UK Cypriot community strongly wishes to see Cyprus reunified and believes that Cyprus’ membership of the United Nations and the European Union provides the best form of security for Cyprus’ sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. No modern, sovereign country has, or should have, another sovereign country as its guarantor. The system of guarantors is anachronistic and outdated and has no place in the modern world,” states the letter.

As for the UK’s role, the Federation President notes that it is a crucial actor not only due to its historic obligation as a Guarantor Power but also due to the sovereign bases on the island and the common membership of the Commonwealth and the EU.

“At this crucial time, we ask that the British Government does more to exert real pressure on Turkey to engage positively and constructively towards a just and viable solution in Cyprus… Forty-three years after the invasion of Cyprus, the UK has played a major role in shaping a new world: now, under your renewed leadership, is the time for Britain to act accordingly on Cyprus and press Turkey to work for a fair and lasting settlement for the benefit of all Cypriots,” Mr Karaolis notes.

He concludes his letter by asking for a meeting with the Prime Minister in order to discuss the prospect of Cyprus’s reunification further.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. UN peace talks are underway to find a negotiated settlement to reunite the country under a federal roof. A conference on Cyprus with the participation of Greece, Turkey and the UK reconvenes on Wednesday in Crans Montana.

Article written by

Theresa May has said she wants EU citizens living in the UK to stay after Brexit as she announced plans designed to put their “anxiety to rest”.

 

All EU nationals living in the UK lawfully for at least five years will be granted “settled status” and be able to bring over spouses and children.

Those who come after an as-yet-agreed cut-off point will be given two years to “regularise their status”.

Jeremy Corbyn said the offer was “not generous” and “too little, too late”.

Labour said the UK should have made a unilateral guarantee of security to EU citizens in the aftermath of last year’s Brexit vote.

A 15-page document outlining the detail of the UK’s offer to EU citizens has been published as Theresa May addresses MPs on the outcome of Friday’s EU summit – at which she first set out her plans.

 

She told the Commons that she wanted to give reassurance and certainty to the 3.2 million EU citizens in the UK – as well as citizens of the three EEA countries and Switzerland – who she said were an “integral part of the economic and cultural fabric” of the UK.

But she said any deal on their future legal status and rights must be reciprocal and also give certainty to the 1.2 million British expats living on the continent after the UK leaves the EU – expected to be on 29 March 2019.

The key points of the UK’s proposals are:

• Those granted settled status will be able to live, work, study and claim benefits just as they can now
• The cut-off date for eligibility will be between 29 March 2017 and 29 March 2019
• EU nationals in the UK for less than five years at the specified date will be able to continue living and working in the UK
• They will be able to apply for temporary residency after a “grace period” – expected to be two years – has elapsed
• Once here for five years, they can apply for settled status
• Family members of EU citizens living abroad will be able to return and apply for settled status
• A period of “blanket residence permission” may apply to give officials time to process applications to stay in the UK
• The Home Office will no longer require evidence that EU citizens who weren’t working held “comprehensive sickness insurance”

Under the plan, all those with five years of continuous residence in the UK would be able to apply for “settled status” and could expect roughly the same benefits, in terms of access to pensions, welfare and healthcare, as UK citizens.

Mrs May said the application process would be simplified and a “light touch” approach adopted. The existing application process for permanent residency involves filling out a 85-page form and has been widely criticised.

“Under these plans, no EU citizen currently in the UK lawfully will be asked to leave at the point the UK leaves the EU,” Mrs May said.

She told MPs that those granted settled status, equivalent to having indefinite leave to remain, would be “treated as if they were UK citizens for healthcare, benefits and pensions”.

 

Mrs May said spouses, children and other family members currently living outside the UK would be able to return and apply for settled status on the same basis as the dependents of British citizens.

Pressed by several Labour MPs, she suggested there would be no income barriers for those whose relatives have been here for more than five years.

“There will be no extra requirements,” she said. “We are not talking about splitting up families.”

She also insisted the UK should police the new rules rather than the European Court of Justice.

But Mr Corbyn said the question of citizens’ rights should have been dealt with in isolation rather than being dragged into the “delicate and complex” matrix of trade and other Brexit-related issues now being discussed.

“The prime minister went to Brussels last week to make what she described as a generous offer to EU nationals in this country,” he said.

“The truth is it is too little, too late. That could have been done and should have been done a year ago when Labour put that very proposal to the House of Commons. This isn’t a generous offer. This is confirmation the government is prepared to use people as bargaining chips.”

And the SNP’s Ian Blackford said there were still “more questions than answers” about how EU citizens living in Scotland would be affected.

Article written by BBC News Website