The Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to travelers to Mali and Guinea-Bussau.

‘’Taking into account the state of instability in the northern part of Mali due to an on-going revolt, the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus are advised to avoid all but essential travel to certain areas and follow local or international news reports on the political and other developments in the country,’’ a press  release said.

‘’Additionally, taking into account the state of instability in Guinea Bissau due to a military coup d’etat, Cypriot citizens are advised to avoid non essential travel to the country,’’ it added.

In case of emergency, the ministry advises that the representation of the European Union is contacted at:

Delegation of the European Union in Mali, UATT Building, 4th Floor, River District, BP 115 Bamako, call 44 92 92 92, fax 44919191, email delegation mali@eeas.europa.eu or delegation-malipresse@eeas.europa.eu

Follow Cyprus Guide For Latest News About Cyprus

Related posts:

This year’s 7th Cyprus Annual Wine Awards left no doubt in the international community that local wines are going from strength to strength. Strictly regulated blind tastings of 135 wines resulted in a total of 41 awarded medals: 15 gold, 25 silver and Grand Gold, a cored confirmation of excellence, being presented to Keo’s St John 2005 Commandaria. Special mention was made of the two indigenous grape varieties, maratheftiko(red and rose wines) and xynisteri (white) wines which produced excellent tasting wines this year, according to competition judges.

For the second year running, Dr Rowald Hepp from Schloss Vollrads Reisling Estate in Germany presided over the jury panel: Tom Cannavan (scotland), Jean-Luc Berger(France), David Seijas(Spain), Maria Tzitzi (Greece), Tamas Oroszlan (Hungary), Denis Roudenko (Russia),Vassos Manoli(Cyprus) and Miroslav Kalanic (Serbia); the nine person jury, all experts and highly esteemed Professional in the field of oenology and viniculture, tasted and evaluated the wines in a three day closed tasting session in Le Meridien Resort and Spa, Limassol, which culminated in the Grand Awards presentation at the Gala Dinner last Saturday.

Adding further to the prestigious occasion, this year’s competition was held under the auspices of the International Organisation of Vine(IOV), whose director, Federico Castelluci, attended the event, and spoke of the ‘’incredible evolution in quality of Cyprus Wines in recent years.. so much so that no bronze medals have been awarded this year only silver and gold.’’

This accreditation highlighted both the strict protocol and procedures in place throughout the Cyprus competition and ensured the integrity of the final result awarded.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr Hepp said ‘’thank you to the Cyprus Wine Coıncil for a perfectly set up, very Professional wine tasting; we taste wine by wine, this is one of the few wine competitions around the world where this is done.

Follow Cyprus Guide  For Latest news About Cyprus

Related posts:

Plastic driving licences will replace the current paper ones by 2013 as part of an EU harmonising bill discussed yesterday by Parliament.

Other changes, including fees and an increase in the minimum driving ages of certain groups, are expected to be applied even earlier.

House Communications Committee Chairman Antonis Antoniou said Cyprus was in danger of being fined by the EU if it does not immediately make plans to harmonise its driving laws with those of other member states.

‘’For this reason the suggestions made today will be put before the plenum as soon as possible,’’ said the chairman.

According to the new bill, instead of expiring on the driver’s 70th birthday, licences will have to be renewed after 15 years for motorcycles and cars.

For buses and heavy goods vehicles licences will need to be renewed every 5 years.

Significant changes will also be introduced as regard to the age requirement for motorcycle licences.

For mopeds and scooters the driving age will remain 18, however, for highpowered motorcycles drivers will need to be 22-years-old with two years driving experience or 24 with no prior experience.

The minimum age for the latter category is currently 18.

In addition, the minimum driving age for cars will remain 18, however the lowest age for driving a bus will rise from 21 to 24 and from 18to21 for heavy good vehicles.

‘’There will also be changes in the fees for purchasing certain licences,’’ added Antoniou.

A car licence will still cost €60, however, under the new legislation the application fee for a  learner’s licence will increase from €5.10 to €20 while the actual learners licence will increase from €8.50 to €60.

In addition the cost of an international licence will increase from €25.60 to €40.

Meanwhile, all new drivers will be issued plastic driving licences by the Road Transport Department as of January 19, 2013, while paper licences will remain valid for current holders until 2033.

According  to Antoniou, the new flexible,plastic credit-card style driving licences, which are commonplace in most EU countries, will have a photograph and  are designed to reduce the risk of fraud.

Disy deputy Andreas Michaelides welcomed the harmonisation of the driving law but also criticised the committee for not examining the bill at an earlier date.

‘’It should have been examined on January19, 2011 but instead it was submitted on April 26, 2012. The MP also expressed concern over the increase in driving licence and application fees.‘’such increases are overly step especially during a time of economic crisis.’’

Follow Cyprus Guide For Latest News About Cyprus

Related posts:

The Agriculture Ministry has expressed ‘’deep disappointment’’ over a decision by cheese manufacturers to withdraw an application to register halloumi as a Protected Designation Product (PDO) with the EU.

Speaking to the media, Minister of Agriculture Sophoclis Aletraris said that although the decision was to be regretted it was not the end of the road.

‘’We are obliged to respect their wishes and will inform the European Commission that the application is to be withdrawn. It is a shame that after so many years of efforts and geing just steps away from having the PDO approver that we should have this result.’’

Aletraris added, however, that registering halloumi is a Cypriot prototype was not entirely up to the CMA and that the ministry was willing to meet other organisations wishing to apply for a PDO.

‘’A group of sheep and goat farmers have contacted the ministry and expressed interest in registering the same PDO again with the EU, but nothing is official yet,’’ said the Minister.

The withdrawal of the application comes after longstanding efforts to reach an agreement over an official halloumi recipe, which cow, goat and sheep farmers as well as dairy producers have been unable to see eye to eye on.

The Cheese Manufacturers Association, in an announcement said the decision to withdraw the PDO was due largely to the types of milk and ratios stated in the PDO, which the association claims would cause the overall price of the local cheese to increase and export sales to decrease.

According to president of the CMA Athos Pittas, their other main objection was over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to change the recipe so that fort he period of December to June halloumi will contain 35% sheep and goat milk while fort he July November period it would contain 23%.

‘’No cheese manufacturer wants to miss the opportunity to register halloumi as a Cypriot prototype but actions must be taken to safeguard the interests of everyone involved.’’

‘’Significant changes were made to the original application for halloumi, after it was published in the state gazete, without the approval of the association which is the reason for  the withdrawal,’’the announcement said.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the sheep and goat farmers coordinating committee, Panayiotis Constantinou confirmed that farmers were ready to apply for another PDO based on the original prototype.

‘’It is unfortunate that the PDO is going to be withdrawn at this stage but the sheep and goat farmers committee is ready to reapply to ensure that halloumi is not registered by another country.’’

Registering halloumi as a PDO carries numerous benefits for Cyprus, including the producers’ exclusive rights to use a registered name and EU logos on their packaging, protecting product names from misuse and helping producers obtain premium price.

Related posts:

Located in the village of Lapta, The Olive Press Flat Green Bowling Facility is the first of its kind in the North Cyprus! The Olive pres s will provide a fantastic outdoor bowling facility for both enthusiastic bowlers and tourists visiting Northern Cyprus. Nestled just a few hundred metres from the main road but quiet and tranquil. The Olive Press provides an excellent location to play, drink and dine.

The olive press Bowling Bar and Restaurant is owned by two families Martin and Anne Monks-Appleton and Louise Lawlor and John Iles who are embarking on the biggest journey of their lives! It all started with a family holiday in March 2010 and a dream for a beter life whilst being able to provide a worthwhile business to the local people of the North Cyprus.

This brand new family-run business will provide an excellent bowling facility made from specialist artificial turf imported from Green gauge in Scotland providing a suberb surface. Also providing members the option to play with Full Size Green offering 6 full size bowling rinks capable of housing up to 8 people at once alongside 2 Short matt greens. With the housing capacity of 48 people at any one time the olive press also offers customers a wonderful rustic dining area made up of hand made solid furniture.

3 , 6 ande 12 month bowling packages are available giving members 7 day access to the green. The Olive Press also offers non-members to join in on the fun and take advantage of the facilities. For those of you who have never played before however would like to give it a try, free 1 hour sessions will be at your services in which a member of staff will introduce you to the basic rules of the game.

Follow Cyprus Guide For Latest News About Cyprus

Related posts: