Visit of Opposition Leader Nicos Anastasiades to Israel A main opposition DISY delegation headed by party chief Nicos Anastasiades was in Israel from the 9-12 of January 2012 for talks with Israeli officials. During his stay, he met with President Shimon Peres, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, Minister of Infrastructures Uzi Landau, Deputy Foreign Minister Dany Ayalon, Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos. The discussions focused mainly on bilateral ties and the prospects of co-operation, especially in the field of energy, as well as the political developments in the region.   Visit of Cypriot Defence Minister to Israel Cyprus and Israel signed two agreements on defence cooperation and the exchange of classified information on the 9th of January 2012. The agreements were signed during the official visit to Israel by Defence Minister Demetris Eliades, at the invitation of Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ehud Barak. Minister Barak stated that the two countries share common values and wish for peace with their neighbours and that 2012 would be a historical year for strategic decisions. Minister Eliades said the existence of natural gas in the two countries’ EEZs opens a new chapter in relations between Cyprus and Israel and the recent exchange of visits of the Presidents of Israel and Cyprus has further supported the upgrading of relations. Minister Eliades also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos.   Visit of President Shimon Peres to Cyprus- November 2011 President Shimon Peres was on an official visit to Cyprus between November 2-4 2011. During his visit, he met with President Demetris Christofias and this was followed by extensive talks with the participation of representatives of the two countries.  Three bilateral agreements in the fields of industrial research & development, telecommunications & information technology services and renewable energy & energy efficiency were also signed as was a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus and the Antiquities Authority of the State of Israel . Furthermore, President Peres had the opportunity to meet with the President of the House of Representatives Mr. Yiannakis Omirou, the opposition DISY leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and Archbishop Chrysostomos.      Postgraduate Scholarships offered by the State of Israel for the academic year 2012/2013- September 2011 The State of Israel has decided to grant 5 scholarships to Cypriot citizens for one academic year (8-months) for (a) post-doctoral and research programs (b) MA and PhD programs (c) undergraduate and graduate programs in overseas programs, as well as a one month duration summer Hebrew language program at the University of Haifa. The scholarships cover University tuition (partial or full coverage), a monthly food allowance (up to $ 600) and basic health insurance, for study programs offered in public universities in Israel. The costs for accommodation, transport and air ticket will be borne by the grantees themselves. Applications should be submitted to the Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation by Monday, 31 October 2011 (http://www.cyscholarships.gov.cy). More Information, Ms Maria Hadjigeorgiou, Embassy of Israel, Tel: 00357-22369507, press@nicosia.mfa.gov.il or on the website http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Scholarships/

Business Forum in Israel

The Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce with the collaboration of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Tourism and the Cyprus-Israel Business Association organised a business forum in Israel on the 24th of January 2012 in order to strengthen the trade and business activities between Cyprus and Israel.

The business delegation, made up of 60 businessmen, was headed by the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Praxoulla Antoniadou. During her stay in Israel, the Minister met with her counterpart Shalom Simhon, the Minister of Energy & Water Resources Uzi Landau, the Minister of Transport and Road Safety Israel Katz as well as the Minister of Tourism Stas Misejnikov and discussed current bilateral issues and ways in which the relations of the two countries can be further upgraded.

More than 75 Israeli companies participated in the forum and dozens of business-to-business meetings were held in Tel Aviv. Minister Antoniadou's presentation focused on the strategic position of Cyprus in the energy sector while the President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry Phidias Pilides emphasized the benefits of Cyprus as an international business & financial centre, both of them referring to the great potential that exists for enhancing bi-lateral co-operation. Uriel Lynn, the President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers Commerce welcomed the guests from Cyprus and stressed the importance of strengthening Cyprus-Israel relations in the fields of trade and economy and Yifat Inbar, Director of the Foreign Trade Administration at the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor overviewed the bi-lateral trade relations.

Andreas Michaelides & Angelos Votsis-both Members of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Trade & Industry, the President of the Cyprus-Israel Business Association Christakis Papavassiliou and officials from both the Chamber and the Ministry also participated in the delegation. 

Watec Israel 2011 Presentation

On the occasion of Watec Israel 2011, the Embassy of Israel and the Cyprus-Israel Business Association organised a presentation entitled:

"Israel’s Potential Contribution to Combat Climate Change and Water Crisis".

The speaker, Mr. Avraham Israeli, specialist in water and environmental technologies overviewed the water, environmental and renewable energy sectors of Israel and presented the innovative solutions Israeli companies have to offer. He also pointed out that Watec Israel 2011 offers a great opportunity for meeting, discussing and establishing research and business co-operation with relevant companies and institutions.

Many companies attended the event and the participants showed keen interest to learn more about the new technologies emerging from Israel. Representatives from the Water Development Department, the Electricity Authority, the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Institute as well as from local Sewerage Boards and Municipalities also participated. A question and answer session followed the presentation. 

The presentation was held on the 4th of October 2011 at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Mr. Manthos Mavrommatis, President of the Chamber made the introduction. 

The 6th International Exhibition & the 3rd International Conference on Water Technologies, Renewable Energy & Environmental Control will be held in Tel Aviv from 15-17 November 2011.

Visit of Ester Levanon to Cyprus

Mrs. Ester Levanon, Chief Executive Officer of the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange visited Cyprus at the invitation of the Cyprus - Israel Business Association. The Association with the co-operation of the Embassy organised a very successful business lunch with Mrs. Levanon as the guest speaker on Monday the 5th of September 2011 at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia.

The topic of her speech was entitled: “The Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange as a reflection of the Israeli Economy” and covered the activities of this state of the art, highly advanced Exchange as well as its very important role in the Israeli economy. Mrs. Levanon pointed out that the secret of the success of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange are the very good companies listed in it, some of which are the biggest in their field internationally. TASE is now an Exchange with a market capitalization of $175 billion that reflects the real economy of Israel which is on an upward trend. 

Present at the lunch were the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Mrs. Praxoulla Antoniadou Kyriacou, Ex-Minister Antonis Paschalides, the President and the Secretary-General of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr. Manthos Mavrommatis and Mr. Panayiotis Loizides, the President and the General Manager of the Cyprus Stock Exchange Mr. George Koufaris and Mr. Nondas Metaxas, the Ambassador of Israel Mr. Michael Harari, the Ambassador of Belgium, the President (Mr. Christakis Papavassiliou) and members of the Cyprus – Israel Business Association as well as many other distinguished diplomats and businessmen from Cyprus and abroad.

During her visit, Mrs. Levanon also had the opportunity to meet with the General Manager of the Cyprus Stock Exchange Mr. Nondas Metaxas and discuss ways of enhancing further their co-operation.  

Business Delegation from Israel

A Business Delegation from the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce visited Cyprus on the 4 & 5 of April 2011. During their stay, the delegation had the opportunity to visit both the Cyprus and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce & Industry and had more than 50 constructive business-to-business meetings with local companies. The President of the FICC Mr Uriel Lynn, that headed the delegation, met with the President of the CCCI Mr Manthos Mavrommatis, the Vice President (Commerce) of the LCCI Mr Philokypros Andreou, the Vice President (Services) of the CCCI Mr. Tony Antoniou and the President of the Pafos Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr. George Leptos and exchanged views and ideas on how to further enhance their co-operation. He also had the opportunity to point out the benefits that the close ties between the two Federations offer to the business communities of both countries during a press conference that was held in Nicosia. At the press conference, Mr. Lynn also made a presentation of the Israeli economy and spoke about the bi-lateral trade between Israel and Cyprus.

Hebrew lessons at the 'Epimorfotika'- September 2011

The "epimorfotika' Centres of the Ministry of Education and Culture offer for the year 2011-2012 HebrewLanguage Lessons for Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol.
The courses are scheduled to begin in the first week of November.
Those interested can fill out the formavailable on www.moec.gov.cy/epimorfotika until Friday, September 30, 2011.

"The Human Resources Manager"- September 2011

Screening of the Film by Eran Riklis, based on the novel by the fanous Israeli author Abraham B. Yehoshua, a tragi-comedy centered on the HR manager of Israel's largest industrial bakery, who sets out to save the reputation of his business and prevent the publication of a defamatory article.

On Tuesday 20th September 2011, at 20.30, at Rialto Theatre Limassol, tel: 77777745.

Admittance free (The reservation of seats is imperative).

"The Worst Company in the World" in Mid Summer Nights Festival- July 21rst 2011

Evenings with open-air screenings of a selection of awarded films as well as live music performance and theatre under the starry sky in the courtyard of the ARTos Foundation. Every Thursday at 21:00, starting June 30th until August 4th 2011. Free entrance.

On Thursday 21 July 2011, screening of the Israeli Film "The worst company in the world" (50 min). An award-winning and refreshingly entertaining documentary that offers an amusing behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a firm over one fiscal year, as the manager’s son – also the film’s director – joins this motley crew in a last-ditch attempt to save his father’s collapsing business. A personal documentary that is also an endearing father-son journey.
For more information: 22 445455 or www.artosfoundation.org

TARARAM (= Slang for a big fuss, mess, disorder) -A show that you don"t want to miss!

Performance was canceled due to the tragic explosion at Mari on July 11th 2011.

Tararam is an Israeli music and dance group. It produces extraordinary sounds from ordinary objects by using industrial tools, suspended drums, percussion, and the artists' very own bodies as sources of sound. Combined with this incredible symphony are exhilarating musical tracks, impressive choreography, live singing, and comical theatrics. For over a decade, this energetic cross-disciplinary performance group has been leaving audiences around the world inspired and asking for more. On the 14 of July it will perform in Cyprus, at Pattichion amphitheatre in Larnaca!

“Extazira”- is a wild and powerful blend of rhythm, music, movement and comedy show, interwoven with brilliantly executed body drumming, live ethnic-flavored vocals, and theatrical antics. The show ranges from impressively dynamic to seductively intimate by incorporating a variety of sounds and rhythms from ordinary objects, industrial tools, suspended drums, percussion instruments and music that celebrates the world around us. The show features the definitive personalities and individual skills of the group's energetic performers, as they each dance, sing and drum in perfect harmony.  

More information tel 77777181.

Cinema Dance Box, June 2011

Cinema through dance, an excellent performance by Amfidromi Group, especially for the young generation! The performances will be held on June 23 & 24 in Nicosia (Pallas Cinematheatre) and on June 25 in Larnaka (Theatro Skala).

Information tel 22781104

'Residents Of The Future'  at the Aglantzia Jazz Festival 2011, June 2011

'Residents Of The Future'  perform original tunes, written and arranged mostly by guitarist and band former Yuval Ron. The music reveals influences of modern jazz icons, and a mixture of many other contemporary artists from the progressive rock, fusion and metal genres. The music places a constant emphasis on harmonic richness, rhythmical sophistication, dialogue between the players and an extensive use of synthesizers, laptops and other electronic instruments.

On Thursay 16th of June, at 22.30, at Old Aglantzia Square. Free entrance.

For information www.aglantzia.org.cy

‘The Ilan Salem Ethnic Jazz Ensemble’ featuring RECHELA, Cyprus Tour May 2011

One of the globe’s and Israel’s best known flute player, Ilan Salem’s Ethnic Jazz Ensemble will be touring Cyprus from the 12-15 of May with a sensationally stunning world class line up!

Ilan Salem is considered to be one of the most sought after musicians and a charismatic and talented educator!  

The Ilan Salem Ethnic Jazz Ensemble featuring Rechela is a unique combination of Middle Eastern influenced Jazz ranging from ethnic, classical, Arabic to ladino and the stunning vocals of Rechela with rhythms of Khaleeji – the popularized traditional music of the Bedouin of the Gulf and Sinai Peninsulas.  

For general information & assistance: 25 661466 Or Visit www.fluffyfish.net 

Under the auspices of the Embassy of Israel

Exhibition on the Holocaust: “No Child’s Play -Children in the Holocaust: Creativity and Play”, January 2011

In the framework of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust the Embassy of Israel in Cyprus hosts from Yad Vashem, The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, the exhibition “No Child’s Play -Children in the Holocaust: Creativity and Play” in the Municipality Hall “Peace”, on Ledras Str, from the 27/01/2011- 16/02/2011, Mon-Fr 07.30- 14.30, Wed 15.00-18.00.

The exhibition tells the story of survival - the struggle of these children to hold on to life. It describes their attempts to maintain their childhood and youth by creating for themselves a different reality from that which surrounded them.