London Greek Radio

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has invited British Prime Minister Teresa May to visit Cyprus.

British PM Theresa May (L) – Cyprus President Nicos Ansatasiades (R)

According to a Downing Street spokesperson, President Anastasiades, during his meeting with May in London on Tuesday, “updated the Prime Minister on efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s steadfast support for the process and said the UK stood ready to help bring this to a successful conclusion”.

The spokesperson also said they discussed Brexit and May “made clear that the British people had voted to leave the EU and the Government would deliver that – there would be no going back. The PM emphasised that while the UK is leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe and we would want to maintain strong relations with European countries and the EU once the UK has left”.

“Finally, the Prime Minister thanked the President for his kind invitation to visit Cyprus and said that she hoped to have the opportunity to do so in the future”, he added.

President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are engaged in intensive peace talks to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades briefed the expatriates in London on the course of Cyprus peace talks, reiterating once again his determination to keep the efforts for a solution.

Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain (R) – President Anastasiades (M) – NFC President Christos Caraolis (R)

The President attended a dinner in north London on Monday evening, organised in his honour by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK.

President Anastasiades said he was determined to carry on working for a solution to the decades-long problem that would end the division of the island, with a negotiated settlement which would be “viable and workable and will the concerns of both (Greek and Turkish Cypriot) communities.”

“I am determined to work for a settlement of the Cyprus issue. But a settlement that meets – and I stress this – the expectations and the concerns of the Greek Cypriots. I will not disregard the concerns of the Turkish Cypriots, but I will not overestimate false concerns of the Turkish Cypriots at the expense of Greek Cypriots”, the President pointed out.

President Anastasiades praised the contribution of the populous Cypriot community in the UK, expressing his “admiration” over the persistent way in which they strive for better days for Cyprus, “beyond any personal ambition.”

He also made a special reference to the presence of many young NEPOMAK (overseas young Cypriots’ federation) members at the event, and he paid tribute to the recently deceased Chris Lazari, a distinguished member of the UK Cypriot community.

In his welcome address, the President of the Federation Christos Karaolis congratulated the President of the Republic for his “insistence, patience and determination” to settle the Cyprus issue. He also praised President Anastasiades for his “undogmatic” work in methodically and systematically establishing international cooperations and alliances to safeguard the Republic of Cyprus’s interests.

Karaolis pledged , on behalf of the UK Cypriot community, to keep demanding that the British MPs and the UK Government fulfil their country’s obligations towards Cyprus, working towards the end of the Turkish occupation and contributing towards a negotiated settlement.

The dinner attendees also presented President Anastasiades with a birthday cake in the shape of Cyprus, on the occasion of his 70th birthday (27 September).

Mr Anastasiades will visit the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain on Tuesday afternoon, before meeting Prime Minister Theresa May in 10 Downing Street.

He will then fly to Paris, where on Wednesday he will be received by President Hollande.

We feel it’s time to comprise a list of all the tunes of summer of 2016 that you have absolutely loved listening to on LGR.

Taking into consideration the tracks that have been requested on our live shows and the reactions of our listeners through comments sent to our in-box, emails, Facebook, tweets, telephone calls all adding to our LGR Hits list.

This is purely a fun and interesting exercise whilst at the same time giving you the chance to check out our most definitive list of song titles and artists.

So … What do you think…? Have your favourites got through here?

Panos Kalidis – Kou Pepe (Valentino Remix)
Master Tempo – Sexy Selfie 
Stan – Se Zilevo Pou S Exei 
Nikos Ganos – Ti Na Leme
Eleni Foureira feat. Mike – Ti Koitas
Kings – Pagoto
Kostas Doxas – Vilono Thavmastis Sou
Konstantinos Christoforou feat Giannis Parios – Vazo Ena Pario
Stella Kalli – I Agapi Ta ‘Hei Ola
Elli Kokkinou – To Xamogelo Sou
Petros Iakovidis – Vale
Kyriacos Georgio feat. Jackpot – Sto Poto Mou Rixte Staxti
Giorgos Liatis – Rantevou
Kostas Doxas – To Tragoudi Tou Kairou (Happy Day)

Elena Paparizou – Fiesta
Pantelis Pantelidis – Thimamai
Kostas Glavas – Mperdemata DJ Pantelis & Vasilis Koutonias RMX
Konstantinos Argiros – Athina – Thessaloniki
Konstantinos Koufos – Metro Antistrofa (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
Valantis Feat Droulias Brothers – Asanser (Official Remix 2016)
Demy – Isovia Mazi
Malou – Mia Fora Sto Toso (DJ Pantelis & Panos Haritidis Official Remix)
Dimitris Kokotas – Giata Me Tyrannas (Lainas & Brakoulias 2016 RMX)
Hrispa feat. Nikos Souliotis – Perasmena Ne, Xehasmena Ohi
Giannis Apostolidis – Tragikos
Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Kataferes
Kostas Orfanidis – Ola Kala (Moro Mou)
Nikos Apergis – Spase Ta Frena (Dj Kambi Official Remix)

Iordanis Agapitos – Panta Proti (feat. Ioanna Zervolea)
Konstantinos Koufos feat. Katerina Stikoudi – I Pio Oraia Stin Ellada
Mira & John Bozidis – Monadiki
Sasa feat Giannis Sofillas – Stin Paraligia
ARVA feat. Lefteris Pantazis & Alina Ly – Synergy
Konstantinos Pantzis & Nikos Souliotis feat. Giannis Panopoulos – Vale Sti Nyxta Fotia
Stavento feat. Eleni Vitali – To Mantili
Stavento feat. Melina Aslanidou – Nero Ke Xoma
Amaryllis – Afto Na Meine Metaxi Mas
Fani Drakopoulou – Se Zilevo S ‘Agapo
Stella Kalatzi – Se Goustaro
Andreas Leontas – Protos Rolos
Petros Imvrios – Xeria Psila
Konstantinos Pantzis & Nikos Souliotis feat. Giannis Panopoulos – Vale Sti Nyxta Fotia

Zan Baptist – Pes Tou (Dj Pantelis & Vasilis Koutounias RMX Clean version)
Konstantinos Pantzis & Nikos Souliotis feat. Antypas – Allos
Giorgos Tsalikis – Haidemeno
Prodromos – Ela Apopse
Nikoforos – Volta (Official Giannis Zissis Remix)
Melina Aslanidou – Mes Sto Spiti De Menei Kaneis
Xristina Koletsa – Agapame Opos S ‘Agapo
Giorgos Papadopoulos – Den To Antexo (Teo Tzimas & Nikos Markoglou Offical RMX)
Konstantinos Kandiros – Sto Limani Ton Chanion
Konstantinos Nazis – Se Ola Nai
Eleni Hatzidou – Vale Mou Fotia
Rec – Kai Se Thimamai Livin-R Remix
Dionysis Schinas – Apomimisi Agapis
Giorgos Tsalikis 2 Play – Den Eimai Kala
Christos Cholidis – Mi Mou Zitas

Concerns relating to the humanitarian issue of missing persons was the focus of a meeting between Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou and UK High Commissioner Matthew Kidd, on Monday, during which Photiou asked for help in order to exert pressure on Turkey to contribute to its resolution.

Photiou, an official press release says, noted that it is “unacceptable and inhumane for the families of missing persons to wait for decades to find out what has happened to their loved ones or to receive one bone out of their remains and to be asked to consider that this constitutes full information of what has become of them.”

The two men also discussed matters relatiang to the enclaved (Greek Cypriots living in northern Turkish occupied Cyprus).

On his part, the press release concludes, Kidd assured that his country will continue to contribute to the ongoing efforts to resolve the tragic problem of missing persons.

Hundreds of people from the island`s two communities have been listed as missing. Most Greek Cypriot have been missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot missing hail from 1974 as well as inter-communal fighting in the early 1960s.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN brokered talks resumed in May 2015 aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.

A Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) was established in April 1981 by agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities under the auspices of the United Nations.

In 2006, the climate was ripe for the CMP to begin excavations and exhumations on both sides of the island. In order to provide the required expertise, archaeologists and anthropologists from the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) were brought in to coordinate and train a bi-communal team of Cypriot scientists involved in exhumations and anthropological analysis. An anthropological laboratory was set-up in the United Nations Protected Area in Nicosia, according to the CMP website.

Since 2008, the CMP’s bi-communal forensic team has been carrying out exhumations autonomously (up to 8 teams in the northern part of the island and 2 teams in the southern part). EAAF forensic experts continue to be involved in the project for quality control purposes.

So far, out of the 1508 Greek Cypriots missing, 499 individuals have been identified and returned to their families for proper burial. As far as the Turkish Cypriots are concerned, out of 493 listed as missing, 181 persons have been identified and returned to their next of kin.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has said that when there is the will, there is the way and the time to find a negotiated settlement by the end of the year.

At the same time, the President pointed out that conditions at the negotiations must not be such that could act as a deterrent to the peace effort, instead of leading to a positive outcome, adding that “if we are led to conferences when circumstances are not ripe, they will not yield the result we are seeking.”

“I expect everybody to show commitment to our objective and be ready to respect the concerns of each of the two communities in Cyprus. We have already done this. There are some issues which continue to be very sensitive for the Greek Cypriot community and I expect that mutual understanding will give us the opportunity, through creative ideas, to find a way out,” he told the press replying to questions after a meeting in New York on Sunday afternoon with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The meeting, which lasted about 20 minutes, was also attended by Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the UN Nicos Emiliou, the Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides and Ban’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

The President said he had a comprehensive and creative meeting with the Secretary General.

He said at first they talked about the agenda of the General Assembly and assured Ban that Cyprus will, by the end of the year, complete the ratification of the agreement on climate change.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said they talked about the state of play in the UN-facilitated peace talks, currently underway between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities with a view to reuniting the country, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

“We talked about the current phase of the negotiations, with great impartiality and far from any blame game,” Anastasiades told the press, noting that he explained to Ban where things stand, saying that there are still pending issues that need to be addressed.

“I stressed the need for everybody to be particularly careful not to create any circumstances which may, instead of leading us to a positive result, prove to be a deterrent to our efforts for a solution,” the President said, adding that “If we do not focus on the substance and the concerns that exist, we might be led to conferences which, should they prove to be premature, will not yield the results we want to achieve.”

The President said that he was pleased to have found “absolute understanding” from the Secretary General about everything he had outlined during their meeting, in the presence of his advisor Eide.

Asked if he handed Ban any document with the views of the Greek Cypriot side and the six negotiating chapters, he replied “this will be done at the right time.”

In his remarks, the President clarified that the Secretary General did not hear anything “unpleasant” from him.

“The Secretary General did not hear anything unpleasant apart from the reality of the situation and the reality does not mean it is unpleasant. There are difficulties and that is why everybody, if they want to help find a solution in Cyprus, must focus on the actual difficulties so that all sides show understanding to the concerns of each other. Especially those that have an important role to play, (concerns) which led the Greek Cypriot community to reject the Annan plan (a UN-proposed solution plan),” in 2004 the President stressed.

Replying to questions, he said “what we are seeking is to continue the fruitful and constructive efforts in order to find a comprehensive solution.”

Asked if he believes that there is enough time to find a solution by the end of the year, he replied: “When there is the will, there is the way and the time.”

AEK of Larnaca achieved a great away victory on Sunday against Apollon of Limassol with 1-0 in the framework of match day 4 of the Cyprus League.

At the same time, the leader of the table APOEL beat Derynia with 2-0 in GSP Stadium and on Saturday Omonia defeated away Ethnicos Achnas with 2-1.

Match day 4 concludes on Monday with the match between Karmiotissa and AEL of Limassol. The results of match day 4: Apollon-AEK 0-1, APOEL-Anagennisi Deryneia 2-0, Doxa-Ermis Aradippou 1-2, Nea Salamina-Aris 0-0, Ethnicos Achnas – Omonia 1-2, Anorthosis-AEZ 2-2.

Standings: APOEL 9, AEK 9, Omonia 8, Apollon 7, AEL 7, Ermis 6, Anorthosis 5, Aris 3, Karmiotissa 2, Nea Salamina 2, Doxa 1, Anagennisi Deryneia 1, Ethnicos Achnas 1.

Unless substantive progress is achieved on pending issues, no multilateral conference can take place, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has stressed.

President Anastasiades (L) – UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide (M) – Turkish Cypriot Leader Mustafa Akinci (R)

In statements on Wednesday, returning to the Presidential Palace after the last meeting he held with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in the framework of one more intensified round of Cyprus talks, the President said that at the Cyprus talks, significant convergences have been achieved in cores issues, but there are still important differences on other matters.
He also expressed the conviction that if the Turkish Cypriot side acts like the Greek Cypriot side and demonstrates understanding as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s concerns, there is prospect to succeed.

Asked about the meeting he will hold in New York with the UNSG and the Turkish Cypriot leader, on the 25th of September, he said that the UNSG will be briefed on the progress achieved so far, the pending differences at the negotiating table as well as `on the more active involvement of all in an intensified effort so that to achieve as soon as possible those convergences that could lead us to a solution, acceptable by all parties`.

As far as the next steps is concerned, the President said that most probably, the leaders will continue their intensified talks.

“As mentioned in the joint statement, our intention is to take advantage of the coming months to succeed. As ambitious as it may seem it can become possible, if there is mutual understanding about the concerns of both communities, especially on sensitive issues that concern the Greek Cypriot side, “he said.

Replying to a question whether he is more optimistic after the conclusion of the latest round of intensified talks, the President said that this will depend on the differences that still remain.

He explained that if the Turkish Cypriot side acts like the Greek Cypriot side and demonstrates understanding as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s concerns, there is prospect to succeed.

Asked if there is a road map and if pressure is exerted by the international community, he said that there is no pressure and no intention to exert pressure, and added that if no substantive progress is achieved on the outstanding issues – which are many – so to justify a multilateral conference, this will not happen, no matter who intervenes or who wants to exert pressure, noting that there is no such intention so far.

As regards the press release issued earlier today in which there is reference to a more active role of the UNSG, the President stressed that this reference does not imply any arbitration role on behalf of the UNSG. The President pointed out that the press release notes that the Cyprus talks is a procedure led by the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus.

The content of the press release, he said, reflects the reality at the Cyprus talks, adding that significant convergences have been achieved in cores issues, but there are still important differences on other matters.

Asked if he feels strong enough `given the climate of division in the domestic front`, he said that he does not share the view that there is division in the domestic front, adding that `I am interested in the unity that must prevail between us` and noted that he needs the responsible stance of the political leaders in the next phase of the Cyprus talks.

He also said that when he returns from the US he will give a press conference to inform the people of Cyprus about the latest developments.

Finally, replying to questions he said that US Vice President Joe Biden will be among the officials he is scheduled will meet in New York.

President Anastasiades will brief this afternoon the National Council, the top advisory body to the President as regards the Cyprus issue, on the latest developments at the Cyprus talks.

Leaders want to see UN SG becoming even more directly involved, says Eide 

UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide has said the two leaders, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, want to see that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon becomes even more directly involved in the Cyprus reunification process in the coming months.

Eide who was replying to journalists` questions after the last meeting the two leaders held on Wednesday in the context of an intensified round of talks also said that in a meeting with Ban Ki-moon on September 25, in New York, all aspects of a Cyprus settlement would be discussed including financing. He did not wish to comment further however on what the framework of such financing could be.

Replying to a question on the possibility of reaching a solution by the end of 2016 he said that “it`s ambitions but possible” and did not wish to comment further, referring to the joint statement to the press issued by the two leaders he had read moments ago.

Asked what will happen in New York on September 25, he said that there will be a meeting with the SG Ban Ki-moon, the two leaders, myself and the core teams from all sides and we will discuss exactly what was said in the statement, which is the state of play and the way ahead.”

Asked in what ways could Ban Ki-moon intensify his support he said “by becoming even more directly engaged in the coming months.”

Replying to a question whether there will be multilateral meeting in the agenda of the meeting, Espen Barth Eide said that “what we will discuss with the SG will become known to the Secretary General when the meeting is being held and then maybe we can say something after that.”

But the commitment, he added, “is to have a serious meeting, well prepared from all three sides, the two sides here and the UN, to discuss where we are in this process.”

He spoke of how committed Ban Ki-moon is to the process, pointing out that “he is very committed, very supportive, as you saw in his statement only a few days ago when he mentioned that there are two signs of hope in the world, Colombia and Cyprus, in the same sentence.”

He is committed, he said, adding that the leaders “want to see that he becomes even more directly involved in the coming months.”

Asked whether they will also discuss the financial aspect of the solution he replied “absolutely.”

Replying to an additional question about a possible donors meeting Eide said “we will definitely discuss everything which includes of course the financing and that obviously also means that we have to discuss the modalities by which we ensure economic support”. In what kind of form, meeting or framework I have no comment, he concluded.

Article written by CNA

Joint Statement to the Press on behalf of the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Mustafa Akıncı
Wednesday, 14th September 2016

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

Today, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Akınci, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, completed an intensive phase of eight meetings.

In addition to holding substantive discussions on a number of issues, the leaders today took stock of the process after sixteen months of negotiations, into which a very significant amount of work, time and effort have been invested.

1. The leaders reiterated that they remain determined to do their utmost to reach a comprehensive settlement as described in the joint statement of 11th February 2014.

2. All chapters are being discussed interdependently.

3. Significant progress has been achieved on many of the outstanding issues on the Chapters of Governance and Power-Sharing, Economy, the EU matters and Property. However, certain substantial divergences still remain.

The two leaders also exchanged views and positions, in a brainstorming manner, on the Chapters of Security and Guarantees, as well as Territory. Although these initial exchanges have demonstrated that the respective views remain apart, there is a strong determination to resolve them in a mutually acceptable manner.

Cognizant of the remaining challenges, the two leaders are committed to continuing and intensifying their efforts in these leader-led negotiations in the coming months with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement agreement within 2016.

For this purpose, the two leaders will hold a joint meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 25th September, in New York. They will take stock of the state of play in the negotiations, inform him of their achievements to date as well as of the challenges ahead. They will exchange views with him and will request him to intensify his personal engagement in the process in the months to come.

London Cypriot singer Kyriacos Georgiou was in Sofia filming his music video of his new hit song, collaborating with Jackpot and Bulgarian singer Maria on the track ‘Sto Poto Mou Rixse Staxti‘. In Bulgarian it’s called ‘Ayde Chao’, and since it was released has notched up a pretty huge number of YouTube hits.

On August 6th he was there for the shooting of his video and worked with Maria to convey the desert-like backdrop to his song. The video has the stamp of the famous Bulgarian director and producer Luydmil Illarionov-Liusu who has been working with Nikos Vertis for the last 5 years.

The project came about by Kyriaco himself after being approached straight after a concert with Despina Vandi in Sofia, in January. He was asked about the possibility of releasing his music in Bulgaria and co-working with one of the country’s big producers and artists. They were asked to make a half Greek-half Bulgarian version of his song, which was already a big hit there, with one of their top singers Maria, who has previously done two duets with the well known Azis and Stan!

The 23 year-old singer previously worked with Jackpot in Posidonio two years ago, striking up a really good friendship; and they liked the idea of doing a song together.

Kyriacos told lgr.co.uk ‘My manager Vaggelis Papadopulos has been beside me for the last two years and we have managed to do some great projects together and he has opened up a huge market for me in Bulgaria as well as in Greece. I thank him loads for that as you always need a good team and co-ordinator by your side!’

Kyriacos revealed exclusively to us that he is currently in the studio recording a new single that will be released at the end of September by Spin Records.

He is in talks at the moment about the likely venue and place he will be performing this winter.

If you have yet to check out the music video for ‘Sto Poto Mou Rixse Staxti (Ayde Chao)’ then stop everything and watch this: