Wind farm first for Cyprus

(Cyprus Weekly) - By Lucie Robson

The ground breaking ceremony for Cyprus’s first wind farm took place in the Orites area of Paphos on Wednesday marking a significant milestone in the island’s development of its renewable energy capability.

“This occasion marks a historic day for the progress of our country towards ‘green development’,” said House President, Marios Garoyian at the ground-breaking.

The first such installation of its kind in Cyprus, the wind farm is expected to be operational by the end of 2010 and will produce 8% of the island’s total energy capacity.

The wind farm is located on the Orites Mountain on a site spread over 16 square kilometres.

The project has a capacity of 82MW in its first phase, with approved capacity for 140MW when complete.

Orites, the first private-sector power project on the island, is also the first to benefit from the new 20-year fixed rate tariff that has recently been approved by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the European Commission. Construction began last month, with operations scheduled to start at the end of 2010.

Managed by DK Wind Supply Ltd, financing for the project was secured by Platina Partners LLP, a private equity fund advisor specialising in renewable energy.

Financing for the project was secured by Platina Partners. Debt financing was arranged by Commerzbank, ING and Nord LB, with EIB providing 50% of the debt.

The ceremony was attended by Akis Ellinas, Chairman of DK Wind Supply, Thomas Rottner and Emma Collins of Platina Partners, House President, Marios Garoyian, Interior Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis, EIB Vice-President, Plutarchos Sakellaris and Deputy High Commissioner for Cyprus, Brian Olley.

The blessing was given by the Senior Diocesan Official Father Geronimo.

In an official statement, Ellinas spoke of the benefits of wind power: “At a time when climate change climbs to the top of the political agenda, wind energy continues to be the only advanced technology ready and able to deliver renewable power on a large scale,” he said.

“Our project is the biggest investment in renewable energy and the first wind energy investment in Cyprus. It represents an investment amounting to €170m.”

Orites is expected to save Cyprus from a hefty EU fine on CO2 emissions and will help the island meet its quota of 6% renewable energy production in 2010.

The project will contribute significantly to the Government’s target of producing 13% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. It also represents 27% of the required installed wind energy capacity of 300MW by 2020. The implementation of the project was mindful of environmental aspects and is bringing together know-how from leading EU companies including Vestas and Siemens.

“Financing the first renewable energy project in Cyprus was an exciting challenge and we are delighted to have helped secure the first wind project on the island,” said Thomas Rottner of Platina Partners.

“As well as being an important milestone in the continuing expansion of Platina’s European renewable energy portfolio, the success in financing Orites in tight debt markets demonstrates that credit is still available for the best projects.”


Future of renewable energy finance

EIB Vice-President, Plutarchos Sakellaris, spoke of the future of the bank’s financing of renewable energy projects.

“Orites is the largest and most advanced wind farm in Cyprus. It paves the way for further developments in the sector, and brings the Cypriot Government closer to its target and EU’s objective for renewable energy production,” he said.

“The EU objective for renewable energy will be a major challenge, as the required investment could be in the order of €600-700b up to 2020. We at the EIB are ready to play a strong and active role in supporting the Member States’ efforts with adequate funding and adapted finance products.”

Cypriot and British business cooperation was highlighted by British Deputy High Commissioner, Brian Olley.

“I welcome the collaboration between Cypriot and UK companies - the sharing of expertise and know how - which has helped make this possible,” he said.


Green initiatives stressed

The launch comes just days after an EU conference on renewable energy took place in Paphos which was attended by key stakeholders from Cyprus and Greece.

Speaking at the conference, the Swedish EU Presidency stressed the need for business to embrace ‘green’ initiatives.

“It is impossible to develop our economies without firm action on climate and the environment,” it said. “A low carbon economy is the only way towards growth.”

CYPRUS PRESIDENT - INDEPENDENCE DAY - MESSAGE

(CNA) - President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias said on Wednesday that the evaluation of Turkey`s EU accession course in December provides Turkey with the opportunity to prove that it really wishes a solution to the Cyprus problem, and warned that if Turkey continues to provoke the EU, by refusing to meet its obligations, it will not be able to continue its accession course unobstructed.

He added that Cyprus` support to Turkey`s EU course was a strategic decision, in order to create the dynamics for a solution, noting that a solution should be based on principles and be the product of negotiations and agreement between the two communities.

In a message to the people for the October 1 anniversary of the independence of Cyprus, President Christofias referred to the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, which is ``a common success of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,`` and added that ``we owe honour and gratitude to those who fought and fell to liberate our homeland, to defend the independence, democracy and territorial integrity of our homeland all these years.``

President Christofias referred to the ``Cyanean Rocks, adventures and tragedies`` of the newly established Republic of Cyprus, the high levels of growth and progress achieved by the people of Cyprus, and the events of 1974.

He also referred to the efforts that led to the resumption of the dialogue for a Cyprus settlement, noting that the agreed basis is ``a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in relevant UN resolutions, for a single state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international identity.``

``We are pursuing a solution that will safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the whole of our people. It is our view that Cyprus, an EU member state, does not need guarantees and guardians with intervention rights,`` he added.

President Christofias said that the first round of negotiations ``was concluded with some relative progress, which however is not enough.``

``Nevertheless, we continue the negotiations with the same determination. We knew from the beginning that the path of the negotiations would be neither easy nor strewn with rose petals. The path of the negotiations is difficult and uphill but we who are seeking a solution and reunification, permanent peace and security, the restoration and safeguarding of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, it is a one-way street,`` he pointed out.

He said that ``our effort is to achieve a solution the soonest possible, because the passing of time creates more problems,`` adding that ``we will not accept a solution that is not based on principles, and we will not accept a solution that is not the product of negotiations and agreement between the two communities.``

President Christofias said that, ``with the policy we are implementing, we managed to convince the international community that the process for a settlement belongs to the Cypriots, that there will be neither arbitration nor deadlines.``

``Despite the problems in the negotiations, I continue to state that I am reservedly optimistic. With the continuation of the comprehensive strategy we are following, with calmness and insistence on the fundamental principles of the solution, which we have collectively discussed at the National Council, we can reached the long-awaited solution,`` he said.

He pointed out that, ``in order for this to happen, it is a necessary prerequisite that Turkey changes its stance,`` adding that Turkey ``holds the key to the solution and must use it.``

``The time has come for Turkey to prove that it really wishes a solution. The evaluation of its EU accession course in December provides Turkey with this opportunity. By meeting the obligations it has undertaken towards the EU and its member states, and by constructively contributing to efforts for a solution, Turkey will above all help itself. We warn Turkey that if it continues to provoke the EU, by refusing to meet its obligations, it will not be able to continue its accession course unobstructed,`` he said.

President Christofias noted that Cyprus` support to Turkey`s EU course was a strategic decision, in order to create the dynamics for a solution. ``Our support is not a blank checque. It is up to Turkey to cash it,`` he added.

He also referred to the need for unity on the home front in order for the struggle of the people of Cyprus to be successful, and assured that ``establishing unity is a standing aim of our government.``

President Christofias noted that the recent meeting of the National Council, top advisory body to the President of the Republic on the handling of the Cyprus problem, and the issuing of a joint statement with the contribution of all members of the body, was ``an important step to create unity on the home front.``

Regarding other challenges faced by Cyprus, President Christofias said the vision of his government was to build a more just society, which will be able to meet the reasonable needs of the citizens.

He also referred to the global financial crisis, which ``unavoidably adversely affects the economy of Cyprus as well,`` and expressed optimism that the problems would be overcome.

``I assure the citizens that the commitments contained in the programme of my government will be implemented. The financial crisis may delay the implementation of some of them, which is a natural development under the circumstances, but all promises will be kept,`` he said.

President Christofias also sent a message of confidence and optimism to all, as well as a special message of friendship and cooperation to the Turkish Cypriots.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island.

President Demetris Christofias in New York

(Photos Of the President and his wife Elsi
at the Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York
September 26, 2009. Click on images to enlarge.)

Last night, the President addressed an event organized by the Cyprus Federation of America to honour veteran Greek Cypriot community leader Hambis Nicolaou with the “Justice for Cyprus” award. During his address, the President touched on the Cyprus issue. He mentioned that "we are struggling to persuade the world that the international law, the United Nations Charter, European Union values and all human rights conventions, international or European, are violated in Cyprus".

Christofias said that the paradox is that Turkey which is the perpetrator in the case of Cyprus, appears, with the support of its powerful friends, to be the victim “and us, who we are the victims, appear to be the perpetrators”.

He also stressed that the fact that the Greek Cypriot side accepted the bizonal, bicommunal federation as the solution to the Cyprus problem has been a historic compromise and expressed regret that "many of our interlocutors ask from us to make more concessions."

Referring to the Annan plan he said that the Greek Cypriot side had to reject it even if it was prepared by the former UN Secretary General, noting that the plan was not fair or balanced and the solution would not be viable and functional.

President Christofias reassured that he will continue his struggle for the vindication of the people of Cyprus.

A World of Paradoxes

(Source: Cyprus Weekly) - In his address to the United Nations General Assembly last night President Christofias highlighted three paradoxes, all of them linked directly to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus:

1: That Turkey, though a member of the Security Council, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the United Nations

2: That Turkey, though a member of the Security Council, maintains occupation troops on the territory of another member state of the UN and of the European Union.

3: That Turkey, though a member of the Security Council, undermines the unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus by promoting the creation of a second state in violation of Security Council Resolution 541, which branded the unilateral declaration of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state null and void.

There is a fourth - very blatant - paradox that reflects directly on an international community prepared to look the other way as laws are flouted and human rights ignored.

The United Nations is supposed to represent the conscience of the world, while the Security Council is supposed to act in the name of international legality.

Turkey’s very presence on the Security Council is a reflection of how far the United Nations still has to go if its promises to build a just world are to be believed.

Granted, Turkey is not the only country that does not deserve a place on an international body purportedly brought together by a shared commitment to peace and justice.

Nor would treating it as a pariah state necessarily bring the desired results.

But surely the time has come the UN to take a long hard look at its members and – just like any club – remind its members that there are rules to the game that must be adhered to.

UN Security Council member Turkey would be a good place to start.

Below is the President's speech to the UN in its entirety:

Mr. President,

I wish to extend to you sincere congratulations on your election as President of the 64th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and to also express appreciation for the excellent work done by your predecessor, Mr. Miguel d’ Escoto Brockmann.

I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the work of the Organisation and to congratulate him for his initiative to convene the High-level Summit on Climate Change.

Since its independence, the Republic of Cyprus has been committed to multilateral diplomacy and the strengthening of the role of the United Nations.

World stability and welfare have been threatened by the recent global economic crisis. The crisis showed the weaknesses of our collective oversight systems. It is only through collective international action and not through economic nationalism that we can overcome such challenges. The same is true of action against disease and poverty, as well as the prevention of further damage to the environment, which affects the lives of us all.

The most important lesson to be learnt from the financial crisis is that the economy cannot be seen in isolation from the needs of society.

Despite the remarkable development of production forces, that could have secured decent living conditions for all, in many parts of the world people are still deprived of basic goods such as drinking water and health care, as well as access to education and work.

The magnitude of the financial crisis shows that it is a crisis of the system and of its most extreme manifestation- neo-liberalism and market lawlessness. In its present form, globalization is not the realization of the vision of philosophers and social revolutionaries for global brotherhood and prosperity for all. This is because globalization is driven by the pursuit of excessive profits. As a result, the rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer.

Mr. President,

More than half way to the 2015 deadline for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, the financial crisis is forcing states and institutions to re-assess global priorities. The UN is the most important international body able to tackle the effects of the global financial crisis, and to act collectively and effectively, to prevent their most dire consequences.

The world today is facing multiple challenges and threats: climate change, depletion of resources, human rights abuses, failure to protect vulnerable populations, increased regional and interstate conflict, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, pandemics.

From this podium we have heard the desperate voice of those who live on small island states, the despairing appeal of youth and the dramatic warnings of scientists about climate change. If we do not take measures now, we face the risk of extinction. We join our voice and lend our support to the proposals for taking concrete action. We must take measures now. Tomorrow will be too late. The December Meeting in Copenhagen must become a historic turning point towards addressing effectively catastrophic climate changes.

Mr. President,

Since its independence, the Republic of Cyprus has relied heavily on the principles of the United Nations in maintaining its independence, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

After the twin crime of a military coup and foreign invasion of Cyprus in 1974, when military force attempted to obliterate our statehood and violated the integrity of our state, the United Nations responded with a number of important resolutions, expressing the international community’s moral and legal support to the Republic of Cyprus.

The plethora of Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions on Cyprus provided my country with the necessary support to continue its struggle for a solution to its political problem, on the basis of those resolutions, the principles of the UN Charter and of international law.

Shortly after my election in office, I undertook the initiative to bring the stalemate to an end. As a result of that, we embarked a year ago, on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, and under the auspices of the Good Offices Mission of the Secretary–General, on intensive negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat. Trusting the sincerity of Mr. Talat’s intentions, we have engaged in a common effort to bring an end to the division of our country.

We agreed that the process would be in the hands of the Cypriots without arbitration and artificial timetables.

Some progress has been achieved in the negotiations. But not such as to make us confident that we are close to a final solution to the Cyprus problem.

Our goal is the restoration of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of the Republic of Cyprus, the common homeland of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It is also our goal to restore the human rights and basic freedoms of all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus regardless of their ethnic background.

We are committed to the evolution of the unitary state into a federal state consisting of two largely autonomous regions. One region will be administered by the Greek-Cypriot community and the other by the Turkish-Cypriot community. Given the fact that in Cyprus the population lived intermingled throughout the island, this constituted for us a great historical concession made by the late President Makarios to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots.

We remain true to this commitment. The United Federal Republic of Cyprus must safeguard the unity of the state and its institutions, as well as of the economy and the people.

Unfortunately, despite our common efforts, the Turkish Cypriot side, supported by Turkey, continues to present positions and proposals which lead us outside the framework of the United Nations Resolutions on Cyprus with regard to the termination of military occupation, the illegal possession of properties and the presence of settlers. Possible acceptance of these positions would lead to an acceptance of many of the consequences of the occupation and to violations of international Conventions on human rights, basic freedoms and the principles on which federations are built. It is clear that such a solution would be neither viable, nor functional, and would not ensure the continuing unity of the state and the country.

We sincerely hope that during the second round of negotiations, which has just started, there will be a reconsideration of Turkish positions, so that we can, as soon as possible, reach an agreed solution which we can then present to the people in separate simultaneous referenda.

This solution must be by the Cypriots, for the Cypriots. It is evident that we will not present the people with a solution originating from outside and neither can we accept arbitration and exercise of pressure through artificial timetables. These preconditions were agreed with the Secretary-General under whose auspices the negotiations are taking place. I would like to take this opportunity to thank once again the Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon for his Good Offices Mission and for the role of the United Nations as a facilitator in the negotiating process.

After the 1974 invasion and the occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey has become a key player for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The success of our efforts for a solution of the problem depends on Turkey’s political will and the policies it implements. It is not enough for the Turkish leadership to publicly state that it supports the negotiating process.

Turkey should contribute in a practical way to a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined in the relevant Security Council resolutions. Instead Turkey pursues a confederal solution.

A good will measure on the part of Turkey would have been the implementation of SC Resolution 550 of 1984 which stipulates the transfer of the occupied ghost-town of Varoshia to the administration of the United Nations and the return of its legal inhabitants to their homes and properties. In addition, Turkey should proceed with the normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, as well as with its recognition as stipulated by the decisions of the European Union.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you: Is it not a paradox for a country that is a member of the Security Council not to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the United Nations, the European Union and of all international organizations?

Is it not a paradox for a member of the Security Council to maintain occupation troops for 35 years on the territory of another UN member state, and a member state of the European Union?

Is it not a paradox to undermine the unity and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus by promoting the creation of a second state on the island in violation of Security Council Resolution 541 of 1983 which unanimously condemns the illegal UDI, calling it null and void, and calls on all states to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus?

Yes, it is a paradox and it is also illegal. In fact it is an anomaly! Cyprus has never sought nor wishes to have hostile relations with its neighbour, Turkey. But it is our responsibility to defend the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state.

Nevertheless, I would like from this august body to express my readiness to initiate dialogue with the Turkish leadership, in parallel to our negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot leader, to share ideas about the future, which would greatly enhance the chances of a positive outcome to the negotiations.

Cyprus has consistently supported the accession of Turkey to the European Union, in the belief that the whole adaptation process and Turkey’s eventual membership would benefit our neighbours, our region and us. However, this support is not unconditional. Turkey should fulfil its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus as well as towards the European Union.

Mr. President,

I would like to state one more time that our Turkish Cypriot compatriots are equal citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, and that I personally will strive consistently for their rights and for finding their rightful place in all organs of the state.

My political roots are in the Progressive Peoples’ Movement of my country which always stood by the side of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots for peace and harmonious co-existence. Nevertheless, the rights of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots cannot be implemented at the expense of the rights of the bigger community, which is the Greek-Cypriot community. There must be mutual respect. I want to assure you that I will spare no effort in order to achieve a balanced and just solution which would restore the rights of the people as a whole.

We have all paid a heavy price - human, political and economic - and continue to pay a heavy price. The profits of lasting peace will be beneficial for the people of Cyprus, of Turkey and for the peoples of our region as a whole.

Real political leaders are not the ones who think of the next election but of the next generation. We have the responsibility to work together to achieve a lasting peace in our region.

I wish to the family of Nations a successful conclusion of the deliberations of the 64th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

I thank you.