10 Years BirdLife Cyprus ... Protecting Nature, Inspiring People

Cyprus is an important place for birds at a national, European and global level, mainly due to its geographical location. Situated on one of the key migratory corridors of Europe, it is estimated that during migration, around 150 million birds pass through Cyprus as they migrate between Europe, Africa and Eurasia. 

Having been identified as an Endemic Bird Area of World Importance by BirdLife International, BirdLife Cyprus is predominantly focusing on two campaigns at the moment.

BirdLife’s development officer states that “One of our main campaigns is against illegal bird trapping. For this we have a monitoring programme, where a person who goes out into the fields and basically counts how many nets and limesticks he can find. We use that data to lobby for enforcement and to raise awareness.”

“Our other campaign is for the protection of important bird areas in Cyprus, the Natura 2000 network. What we do is we recognise which areas in Cyprus are important for birds and lobby to get them protected. And we have managed to get most of them designated and protected by the Cyprus government.”

But aside this, BirdLife Cyprus also has other interests such as lobbying for a more sustainable common agriculture policy of the EU, organising educational programmes and raising awareness in schools, monitoring appropriate assessment procedures when developments are proposed in the Natura 2000 area and climate change adaptation to name a few.  They also campaign for the "Life Oroklini project" -- a restoration and protection of the Oroklini Lake.

One can assist Birdlife’s activities by reporting incidents of illegal bird trapping and should feel free to approach the association with injured birds or queries. 

BirdLife Cyprus also brings vultures to the island from Crete to strengthen the population.

BirdLife’s development officer states “there’s about ten vultures left in the wild in Cyprus.  Most birds in Cyprus are threatened to some degree mainly by habitat destruction, illegal hunting and trapping.  The raven is on the brink of extinction, maybe one or two are left. People don’t really see them anymore. We used to have the Imperial eagle in Cyprus which is now extinct.  Most of the birds in Cyprus are migratory, around 300 of them, and 40 species stay in Cyprus to breed. We have around 50 resident birds, two endemic species that only breed in Cyprus, the Cyprus wheatear and the Cyprus warbler, both small birds and four endemic sub species that are all forest birds, found in Troodos."

More informations about BirdLife Cyprus can be found on:

www.birdlifecyprus.org

Concern: Increasing number of Greek Cypriots selling property in occupied north

Cypriot President Anastasiades expressed concern about the increasing number of Greek Cypriots selling off property in the occupied north stating “They need to realise that, even if this is not their intention, they are creating negative conditions for freedom and reunification and weaken our negotiating position.”

He explained that we should not ignore the fact that the Greek Cypriot properties ‘compensated’ through the property commission in the north are transferred to the Turkish Government.

“It is natural that those who want a solution are those who were victims of the invasion,” he added.

But also those considering selling their properties due to their own financial difficulties are worsening the country’s situation by exposing it to more dangers. "They should think again.”

He also said that a solution to the Cyprus problem can be reached soon if only Turkey finally makes the right steps to demonstrate that it can abide by UN regulations and work towards their aspirations for entry into the EU. 

“It is time for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots to make convincing steps to show that they want and are able to implement UN resolutions and that they can also fulfill the requirements of EU membership.” 

Panagiotis Georgotas' Fight

Panagiotis Georgotas is a 4 1/2 year old boy from Corfu, Greece. A boy truly innocent and full of life now has been faced with the most tragic circumstances. For the past 20 months he is fighting with Neuroblastoma which is a very aggressive form of cancer.

In order to keep the hope of survival ... the Georgotas family are asking for help. It has been deemed necessary for the boy to come to the United State to seek the proper medical attention. He is being admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The Pankerkyraiko Association of America & Mathrakian Society of America have teamed up to help raise funds and awareness for Panagioti. 

Any donation will help Panagioti and his family to cover the medical costs. You may contact Kostas Notias at Alma Bank to make a direct transfer to Checking Account # 0120018780 Or you may send a check payable to “Pankerkyraikos Association FBO PANAGIOTIS GEORGOTAS” and send to 14-01 150th Street Whitestone, NY 11357 USA. 

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Ελπιδα για τον Πανουλη!!!!!!

Panagiotis Georgotas' Fight

Remarks by Spokesman following Anastasiades’ meeting with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

An assessment of the course of the negotiations, the confidence building measures and the more active involvement of the European Union in the negotiation process for a solution to the Cyprus problem, were the issues discussed at today’s meeting between the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Eric Rubin, at the Presidential Palace.

In his remarks to the press following the meeting, the Government Spokesman, Mr Christos Stylianides, said that the meeting had focused on three pillars. “The first one entailed the assessment of the course of the negotiations so far. The President of the Republic presented his views and assessment on the phase of the submission of the initial positions, the so-called screening, and there was an exchange of views on how to overcome some problems that have already been ascertained. 

Secondly, there was a systematic and thorough discussion on the issue of confidence building measures, which focused primarily on the issue of Famagusta.”

He added that the third issue discussed was the more active involvement of the EU in the process of the negotiations, the value and importance of this involvement and how much it could help so that the dialogue would become more productive and specific, mainly in relation to the compatibility or the lack of compatibility of the submitted proposals with the acquis communautaire.

The return of the fenced-off area of Famagusta as a confidence-building measure, was at the centre of the Tuesday meeting.

Anastasiades’ proposal for the immediate opening of the Turkish-held ghost town of Famagusta under the auspices of the EU and the UN to give a new momentum to the UN-brokered peace process which began on February 11.

But the Turkish side appears unwilling to return the occupied port town to its lawful Greek Cypriot inhabitants.