Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus House President, Annita Demetriou, expressed hope that the ongoing process under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations will lead to positive developments in the Cyprus issue, ultimately resulting in a fair and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem. She made these remarks during her address at the Athens Defence Conference on Monday.

Demetriou added that such a solution could serve as a catalyst for establishing conditions of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region, emphasizing that this process enjoys the unwavering support and solidarity of Greece.

She also underlined that the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is now concluding, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening its constructive and stabilizing role in the broader Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region, to the benefit of regional peace and stability.

Addressing the issue of security and defence within the European Union, Demetriou stressed that it has become a top priority. As she noted, ‘the pressures facing the rules-based international order, along with the complex challenges undermining our democracies, make it imperative to remain constantly vigilant and to continue developing and adapting our military capabilities and the European defence industry.’

‘The current adverse circumstances undeniably require the European Union to strengthen its capacity to act autonomously and to prevent and effectively manage emerging security challenges,’ she said. She added that the Republic of Cyprus successfully contributed to advancing key legislative initiatives across the full spectrum of the European agenda, including the fields of defence and security.

‘The European Union must lead-for its citizens, for the protection of its strategic interests, and above all for the defence of its fundamental principles and values: international law, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. To achieve this, unity and collective action are essential, and must be reflected in the development of a common security and defence culture. We must move immediately, from a mindset of preparedness to genuine operational readiness, as we have already delayed for too long. Greece has a significant role to play in strengthening the Union’s defence readiness,’ Demetriou stressed. She further noted the need for the continuous enhancement of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy and the various initiatives that contribute to the evolution of Europe’s security architecture.

Finally, the House President highlighted that Greece and Cyprus serve as pillars of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and have a substantial contribution to regional cooperation. ‘Through the trilateral cooperation mechanisms established by Greece and Cyprus with like-minded countries in the region- until now with Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan-important partnerships and synergies have been developed in key sectors, including military and defence cooperation. Our shared vision is to promote peace, stability, and prosperity throughout this turbulent region,’ she concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Cyprus recorded 63 occupations facing labour shortages and 11 occupations with labour surpluses in 2024, according to the 2025 EURES Report on Labour Shortages and Surpluses, published on Monday.

According to the report, labour shortages in Cyprus span a wide range of occupations. The most severe shortages are recorded among nurses, midwives, information and communications technology (ICT) sales professionals, systems analysts, software and applications developers, web and multimedia developers, medical imaging technicians, waiters, and bus drivers.

Occupations experiencing medium-severity shortages include, among others, restaurant managers, retail and wholesale trade managers, accountants, electricians, electronics and mechanical engineering technicians, chefs, shop salespersons, cashiers, construction workers, air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians, welders, heavy goods vehicle drivers, cleaners, and workers in agriculture, livestock farming, fisheries and construction.

The report also identifies low-severity shortages in occupations such as health and elderly care services managers, engineers of various specialisations, general practitioners and medical specialists, hotel receptionists, cooks, healthcare assistants, carpenters, plumbers, electrical mechanics, bakers and kitchen assistants.

At the European level, the report notes that although labour shortages are widespread, they are concentrated in a relatively small number of member states. According to EURES, this indicates that there is still considerable potential to strengthen cross-border labour mobility within Europe.

The report stated that employers in countries such as Bulgaria, Italy and the Netherlands face difficulties filling a broad range of positions, from doctors to welders, with 57% of labour shortages classified as being of medium or high severity. By contrast, countries such as Latvia, Austria and Finland more frequently report labour surpluses, particularly in administrative and creative occupations.

According to the data, 98% of occupations experiencing labour shortages in at least one member state simultaneously show labour surpluses in another EU country.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 29/06/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS = 1000

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE 211.517,75

INDEX VALUE %DIFF. VALUE

FTSE/CySE 20 180,000 0,210 202.299,370

MAIN MARKET INDEX 245,480 0,390 179.099,260

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX 3.185,780 -0,380 37.980,110

CSE GENERAL INDEX 305,960 0,200 205.191,860

HOTELS INDEX 1.978,080 0,000 0,000

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX 2.016,030 -0,250 26.092,600

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting.

CNA/ME/MK/2026

The Government considers the visit of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin, to Brussels, as very useful and important, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis told CNA.

“We consider it important and very useful that this meeting will take place with the EU institutions, taking into account the role that the EU can play in assisting the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin,” he stressed.

Letymbiotis noted that the Government was informed that Holguin’s visit to Brussels has been postponed to July 13. It is recalled that it was initially scheduled for June 28.

The Spokesperson said that the progress of the EU-Turkey issues and the simultaneous interconnection with the progress on the Cyprus issue is a declared position of the EU and recalled the conclusions of the April 2024 European Council.

Letymbiotis pointed out that in view of the new initiative for Cyprus undertaken by the UN Secretary General, the EU has now the tools and incentives to make progress on both issues at the same time.

It is recalled that in the meantime, the NATO Summit will be held in Turkey on July 7 and 8.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

A new international study, led by the SURF Lab of the University of Cyprus in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology and University College London, finds that automated digital tools can reliably analyze city street networks – helping governments and planners make faster, more cost-effective decisions.

Researchers tested automated and manually edited (hybrid) modelling methods across four cities – Nicosia, London, Gothenburg, and Madrid – to understand how well automation can support urban planning.

Key Insights

Lower costs, faster results: Fully automated models remove the need for time-intensive manual editing, significantly reducing the cost and time required for urban analysis.Reliable for strategic planning: Automated tools accurately capture large-scale patterns of movement and accessibility, making them suitable for city-wide and regional policy decisions.Scalable for multiple cities: Because the process is automated and reproducible, it can be applied consistently across many cities – supporting national and international comparisons.Targeted use of expert input: Manual refinement is only needed in specific cases, such as detailed neighbourhood planning or complex urban areas.

What This Means for Decision Makers

Urban analysis is a critical step before making investments in transport, housing, and public space. Traditionally, preparing accurate street network models has required specialist input and significant time.

This study shows that automated workflows can deliver comparable results for most planning needs at a fraction of the effort, allowing policymakers to:

Test more scenarios before committing to projects Make evidence-based decisions more quickly Allocate resources more efficiently

While automated tools perform well for large-scale decisions, the study highlights that local, fine-grained analyses – such as pedestrian movement in specific neighbourhoods – may still benefit from targeted expert review.

Automated street network modelling offers a practical and cost-efficient solution for modern urban planning. It enables governments, local authorities, planners and designers to scale up analysis, improve transparency, and support better-informed decisions – while reserving expert input for where it matters most.

The Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Skourides, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to nurturing the country’s next generation of scientists and innovators during a meeting today with the Robotheadz robotics team, ahead of their departure to Sydney, Australia, where they will represent Cyprus at the FIRST® LEGO® League Asia Pacific Open Invitational 2026, taking place from 9-12 July.

The meeting formed part of the Chief Scientist’s broader initiatives to connect talented young people with Cyprus’ research and innovation ecosystem while strengthening the country’s international presence through youth excellence.

The Cypriot delegation consists of ten outstanding students who earned first place in the national FIRST LEGO League competition with a project focused on archaeology. During the meeting, the students presented their innovative mobile application, which combines programming and digital technologies to promote Cyprus’ archaeological heritage.

The Chief Scientist encouraged the students to pursue their passion for science, technology and innovation and shared practical advice ahead of their international competition.

During the meeting, he also held a live discussion with the H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Mr Samoutis, to coordinate support for the delegation in Sydney, including engagement with the Cypriot community to ensure the students enjoy a successful and memorable experience while representing Cyprus abroad.

As part of this initiative, the Office of the Chief Scientist, in collaboration with the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), provided the team with material showcasing Cyprus’ scientific and cultural achievements, including:

two 3D-printed cultural artefacts created by the research team of Professor Marinos Ioannides,

audiovisual material highlighting Cyprus’ cultural heritage and innovation ecosystem,

and an introduction to flagship national research projects, including Cyprus’ nanosatellite initiative, demonstrating how research conducted in Cyprus is contributing to cutting-edge developments in space technologies and biomedical science.

“Cyprus has exceptional young talent, and it is our responsibility to create the opportunities that allow our children to dream, innovate and excel internationally.

Investing in young people is investing in the future of our country. Through the Office of the Chief Scientist, we remain committed to supporting every initiative that promotes scientific thinking, innovation and international outreach. Robotheadz represents not only Cyprus in a competition, but also a nation that believes in knowledge, research and technology.”

Led by coach Dr. Pericles Cheng, the Robotheadz team departs for Australia carrying the best wishes of the entire country. The Chief Scientist expressed his confidence that the students will serve as outstanding ambassadors for Cyprus, demonstrating excellence, creativity and the innovative spirit that characterises the country’s next generation.

The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) expresses its profound sorrow at the passing away of journalist Sevgl Uludag.

In a press release CMP points out that throughout her life, Sevgl Uludag dedicated herself to uncovering the truth and raising awareness about the issue of missing persons.

”Her tireless efforts and commitment to shed light on the fate of missing persons, helping families in their search for answers, and amplifying the voices of affected families made a significant contribution to the humanitarian mission of the CMP”, the press release reads.

The CMP extends its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched.

”May her memory be a source of inspiration, and may she rest in peace”, CMP concludes.

Asylum seekers receiving rent and food allowances in Cyprus have fallen to 2,000 and include, among others, nationals of Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Iraq.

Sources at the Deputy Ministry of Migration told CNA that about 400 of these are Syrians, and that the Deputy Minister has ordered an expedited examination of their applications. “Since December 2024 when the government in Syria has changed, the situation appears to be stabilising and therefore the reasons that previously favoured granting international protection no longer apply today”, the sources said.

Overall, around 13,600 asylum applications are pending, of which 9,600 concern Syrian nationals. As the same sources noted, “over the past three years, benefit amounts have been reduced by 50%”.

The sources pointed out that the strict migration policy of the government of President Nikos Christodoulides “has achieved a sharp reduction in irregular flows and at the same time a significant reduction in the cost of migration.”

The expected decrease of tourist revenue of 35.1% in April 2026 compared to April last year in terms of revenue, compared to April 2025, is significantly due the developments in the Middle East region, Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis, has said. He emphasized at the same time that the government and the Deputy Ministry have taken actions, timely, aimed at reducing losses and reversing the negative condition.

In a written statement following the released of figures by the Statistical Service, Koumis said that basically the month of April followed the situation of March ”a period that, as is known, was significantly affected by the conflict in the Middle East region”.

He recalled that April last year was the best in the history of Cyprus tourism, as tourism exceeded 400,000 arrivals for the first time. He went on to say that April 2026 is a month affected, inter alia, by the conflict in the Middle East, intense negative international publicity and reduced flight schedules.

The Deputy Minister also recalled in his statement that during April a debate took place on the ”so-called Jet Fuel Crisis”, i.e. the negative discussion regarding aircraft fuel, with the main element of discussion being fuel reserves in Europe. He said that this discussion caused impact on the European tourism economy, an additional uncertainty and a decrease in the rate of bookings.

Among the actions the government took, the Deputy Minister recalled that foreign journalists and influencers were hosted on the island in an attempt to promote tourism, adding that Cyprus is a safe destination.

Koumis went on to say that the improvement in numbers and figures that followed, proves that the measures taken had a positive effect.

CyStat figures

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A significant decrease, for the second consecutive month, by 35.1%, was recorded in tourism revenues in April 2026, compared to last April, due to the decrease in tourist arrivals as a result of the war in Iran, according to figures published Monday by the Statistical Service.

In the first four months, the decrease in revenue amounts to 23.9%, compared to the first four months of 2025.

Based on the results of the Traveler Survey, tourism revenue in April 2026 amounted to pound 197.5 million, compared to pound 304.2 million in the corresponding month of 2025. It is noted that tourist arrivals in April had decreased by 27.6%, on an annual basis, and in March by 30.7%.

According to CyStat, the decrease in tourism revenues in March had reached 33.8%, compared to March 2025. In contrast, in the first two months of 2026, January and February, before the start of the war in Iran, tourism revenues had increased by 7.8% and 7.0%, respectively.

Cystat said that for the period January – April 2026, tourism revenues are estimated at pound 443.0 million compared to pound 582.5 million in the corresponding period in 2025, recording a decrease of 23.9%.

Furthermore, per capita tourist expenditure in April 2026 amounted to pound 651.77 compared to pound 726.42 in April 2025, recording a decrease of 10.3%.

According to CyStat, tourists from the United Kingdom (the largest tourist market with 39.2% of all tourists in April 2026) spent an average of pound 86.43 per day, while Polish tourists (the second largest tourist market in that month with 8.4% of the total) spent an average of pound 81.89.

German tourists (third largest market with 8.0%) spent pound 85.99 per day.

The appointment of criminal investigators is expected to be announced ‘as soon as possible’, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis told CNA, in relation to the reports concerning the book Mafia State.

Asked by CNA when the appointment of criminal investigators to examine the findings contained in the report of the Independent Authority Against Corruption and the Final Report of the Inspection Officers regarding the investigation into the book “Mafia State” is expected to be announced, the Spokesperson said that the aim is for an announcement to be made “as soon as possible”.

It is noted that the Prosecutorial Council has decided to forward, in full, both reports and all accompanying documents to the Police and the Council of Ministers, so that the prescribed procedures can be initiated to investigate any possible criminal offences that may arise from the findings of the inquiry.

According to information obtained by CNA, announcements on the matter may be made on Wednesday, when the Council of Ministers is due to meet.