Category: Cyprus News Agency

Your Excellency European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Mr. Costas Kadis,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening,

I am honored to join you this evening on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, who sends his warm regards and sincere appreciation to such an esteemed gathering of partners and leaders of our maritime community in Limassol-a city that truly lives and breathes shipping.

Allow me also to thank Financial Media Way for organizing this important symposium, and for fostering a dialogue that reflects both the opportunities before us and the challenges we must collectively address.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Shipping has always been more than an industry for Cyprus. It is a driver of economic growth, a pillar of stability, and above all, a bridge for connecting economies, societies and continents.

Yet today, this bridge is being tested.

We are navigating a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade patterns and increasing complexity across global supply chains. Recent developments, including tensions in the wider Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, serve as a reminder of the fragility of global maritime trade routes and the importance of safeguarding stability at sea and freedom of navigation. We are closely monitoring these developments and remain cautiously optimistic that ongoing challenges will be addressed through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.

At the same time, our foremost priority remains the safety and welfare of seafarers, who continue to serve at the frontline of global trade under increasingly demanding conditions.

Meanwhile, the sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by decarbonization, digitalization, and evolving investment dynamics.

This is not a period of temporary disruption. It is a turning point for global shipping. And in turning points, leadership is what matters.

Cyprus has consistently demonstrated credibility, resilience and strategic vision, translating these qualities into meaningful influence within the international maritime community. We are not merely adapting to change; we are helping to shape it.

At the same time, we continue to work closely, with our partners, building on a longstanding maritime tradition and a shared commitment to common principles and values. Through our cooperation, we aim to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of European and international shipping.

One of our key priorities is to further strengthen the competitiveness of the Cyprus flag and maritime cluster, reinforcing their reputation as symbols of quality, safety and reliability.

Adding to the above, we have advanced the Ministry’s digital transformation by streamlining procedures and creating a more efficient and service-oriented environment for companies operating in and from Cyprus.

We have also introduced targeted initiatives to support our maritime cluster, enhance competitiveness, promote innovation, encourage education and more sustainable practices.

And as we continue to expand Cyprus’ international footprint, we ensure that our voice remains active and influential in major maritime discussions and decision-making processes, guided by a clear strategic vision, in strengthening our relations with the countries of the Gulf region through enhanced cooperation in maritime affairs.

These initiatives underscore our commitment to building strong international partnerships, promoting regional connectivity, and reinforcing Cyprus’ role as a bridge between regions and maritime markets.

These priorities are closely linked to our broader role at the European level. As the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union approaches its conclusion, we are proud to have placed maritime affairs at the centre of the European agenda. Our focus has been on supporting the maritime workforce, strengthening the sector’s competitiveness, and ensuring that the European Union speaks with a clear and unified voice in international maritime fora.

At the same time, we are placing greater emphasis on the protection of our oceans and the sustainable development of the blue economy, recognizing that the future of shipping is inseparable from the future of our seas and oceans.

Ensuring clean, safe and sustainable oceans is not only an environmental responsibility, it is a strategic priority for the long term resilience and prosperity of our sector.

We also recognise the critical importance of investment. The transition to a greener and more technologically advanced fleet, the development of alternative fuels, and the modernization of infrastructure will require strong partnerships, sustained commitment and long-term visions.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to conclude with a simple thought.

Shipping has always been a sector that connects. And in an increasingly fragmented world, the ability to connect is more important than ever.

For Cyprus, shipping is not only a source of economic strength, it is also a source of confidence and as no country can navigate today’s complexity alone, no company can meet tomorrow’s challenges in isolation.

The way forward lies in stronger cooperation between governments and industry, closer alignment between shipping and financial markets, and shared investment in innovation, sustainability, and the human element.

Because at the heart of shipping are not only vessels and cargoes, but our most valuable asset: our people.

Thank you.

The renovation of the mosque in the community of Agios Thomas, in the district of Limassol, has been completed, Sotos Ktoris, co-chair of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage posted on FB.

He said that it is a moderate building, built with local materials, harmoniously integrated into the natural and residential environment of the community.

“A piece in the mosaic of the cultural heritage of Cyprus, which we must preserve for future generations,” he says.

The project was funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP.

CNA/KCH/AGK/2026

Possible easing of measures imposed over foot-and-mouth disease, based on requests by livestock farming organisations and the epidemiological picture, is expected to be included in a new decree, President of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association and member of the epidemiological team Demetris Epaminondas told CNA on Saturday.

Epaminondas said a regular weekly meeting with agricultural organisations was held on Friday, during which requests by livestock farming organisations for an easing of measures were discussed, taking into account the epidemiological situation.

He said the issues raised would be finalised next week, so that a new decree could “most probably” be issued within the same week or, if that is not possible, the following week.

Epaminondas noted that he preferred not to go into details until the Veterinary Services complete their examination of the specific measures and decide which of the issues discussed will be included in the decree.

At the same time, he said nationwide surveillance sampling for foot-and-mouth disease has begun.

According to Epaminondas, the first results, concerning Limassol and Nicosia, were negative, while the remaining results from the other districts are still pending, with the samples already sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Asked about the factors affecting the survival and transmission of the virus, Epaminondas said high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation at this time of year do not favour its survival, reducing the chances of transmission.

Thousands of animals, including cattle and sheep, were affected in several livestock units initially in Larnaca and then in Nicosia district, following a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, first reported on February 20. FMD spread to Limassol in May. This followed an FMD outbreak in the island’s Turkish-occupied areas last December. Authorities proceed with a nationwide vaccination campaign of animals to contain the virus, while EU rules require all animals in the infected areas to be culled, bringing about a series of repercussions in livestock farming and other agricultural economic activities. Halloumi, Cyprus’ top agricultural export product, has been spared. Experts reiterate that FMD is not dangerous to humans.

No Cyprus nationals have requested assistance as of now, following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson told the Cyprus News Agency. He said that MFA is closely monitoring the situation.

Theodoros Gotsis told CNA that “no issues with Cypriot citizens have been reported so far”, adding that the consular authorities are monitoring the development of this humanitarian tragedy.

From the very beginning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed readiness to support humanitarian efforts in Venezuela, via EU mechanisms.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 27/06/2026 UNTIL 1200 28/06/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1008hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but tonight and early morning increased low cloud, local mist and fog patches are expected.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon West to Northwest 4, at times offshore 4 to 5 Slight

Night Northwest 3 to 4, gradually North to Northeast 3 Slight, gradually Smooth to Slight

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon Southwest 4, at times offshore 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, soon Northwest 3 Slight, soon Smooth to Slight

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times offshore 4 Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, later South to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Afternoon West to Northwest 4 Slight

Night Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 1130 Date: 27/06/2026

CNA/ME/AGK/2026

Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology

Date 27/06/2026

Station TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Highest Lowest

Nicosia (Athalassa) 38 21 19

Larnaka Airport 32 23 65

Limassol (New Port) 31 21 62

Pafos Airport 30 22 74

Frenaros 33 22 63

Prodromos 26 19 36

Polis Pafos 29 21 77

CNA/ME/AGK/2026

European Climate Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, and Cyprus’s Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, denounced on Thursday Cyprus’s exclusion from preparatory meetings for the COP31 World Climate Conference held in New York and Tokyo. The Conference will be hosted by Turkey. Moreover, Panayiotou called for timely EU action should Cyprus not be invited to the Conference itself.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Panayiotou, following the Environment Council meeting, Hoekstra said that on COP31, “any divergence between member states in terms of how they are treated is unacceptable to the Union. This is a conference organised by the UN. And if you decide to apply and become the host, there is no room for national diplomacy. You either decide not to organise, or you decide to organise – and if you decide to organise, that comes with certain obligations,” the Commissioner stressed. He added that the Union would be “absolutely clear with the Turkish presidency, with the Australians, and also with the UN” regarding its position on the matter.

Asked what the “full solidarity” expressed by member states actually means in practice, and whether it could translate into a boycott of preparatory meetings, Hoekstra said that “we are a Union of 27, full stop.” He added that “we’re not going to accept it, whether it’s small issues or bigger ones. It’s a matter of principle, but there are 27 member states that need to be treated the same way.”

The Commissioner recalled that the issue had already been raised directly with the Turkish side in recent months, when the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, was in Brussels, noting that “we were clear with the Turkish Ambassador to the UN,” and pointing out that there had been “lapses” in the type of invitations that should have been extended for previous meetings.

“We have flagged each and every time beforehand what is acceptable and what is not, and that is why we have been so clear in our communication to the UN, to the Australians, to Ankara, because this is a Union of 27. And to make absolutely sure this message is heard, I have conveyed it once again to the UN,” he added.

In her remarks, Minister Panayiotou said the Cyprus Presidency worked on COP31 preparations “despite the obstacles imposed by the COP31 host country, Turkey, on our participation in preparatory meetings. Such actions are not compatible with the principles of inclusiveness and equal treatment that underpin the UN system and the UNFCCC process. We therefore welcomed the strong support and solidarity expressed by Member States and EU institutions, reaffirming that the exclusion of an EU and UN member state from a UN Conference is unacceptable,” she noted.

“Since the start of the preparatory meetings hosted by Turkey, Cyprus has not been invited to participate in any of them,” the Minister noted. The Presidency’s concerns are based on information indicating that Turkey intends to invite only 26 of the EU’s 27 member states to COP31 and to the Leaders’ Summit, excluding Cyprus.

“This situation is unacceptable and inconsistent with Turkey’s responsibilities as host country of COP31. As host, Turkey must invite all UN Member States, including Cyprus, which also holds a coordinating role as Presidency of the Council of the Union,” the Minister said, adding that Turkey’s approach “is contrary to the fundamental principles of inclusiveness and equal treatment that underpin the UN system and the UNFCCC process, and is therefore unacceptable.”

Panayiotou called for immediate mobilisation by EU institutions. “If the Republic of Cyprus is not invited in time, then EU institutions and member states must engage without delay with the Turkish authorities and convey a very clear message that the non-invitation of an EU and UN Member State to a United Nations Conference is unacceptable,” she stressed, expressing satisfaction with the support already received from EU institutions and member states.

Summarising the Presidency’s position, the Minister said member states had called for “a clear message to Turkey that the non-invitation of an EU and UN member state is unacceptable, and today we discussed that there were many member states that spoke out strongly on this, including the Commission,” adding that “ensuring the unity of the European Union and a coordinated response is essential to safeguarding both the integrity of the process and the interests of the Union as a whole.”

On the Union’s broader strategy ahead of the Conference, Hoekstra said what is needed is “long-term reform paired with short-term pragmatism,” thanking the Cyprus Presidency “for all the work and the conversations we’ve had on substance, on how to move forward, on how to have the conversation with our friends from Australia, but also with the UN, about this process.”

The Commissioner noted the broad agreement that the Union should “go all in on electrification,” that the energy transition “is indeed accelerating,” and that the aim is to use COP31 “as an opportunity to show how the Paris Agreement is being implemented.” As he put it, “implementation is the name of the game,” while member states will host pavilions to showcase investments in green technologies, sending the message that the European Union is “a reliable partner across the board.”

Hoekstra stressed the need for a “united front at COP31,” and to “be ambitious, but also firm on what we want.” He also clarified that “this year is not about finance,” something that, he said, had come through clearly in today’s Council discussion as well.

?he high-level conference “Strengthening islands and coastal communities of the European Union’, is taking place on Friday in Paphos, with the participation of President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, Maltese Prime Minister, Robert Abela, European Commissioners, Ministers from the Republic and other EU member states, and officials from European institutions.

European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, will present the European Union’s strategy for islands, while Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, will present the European Union’s strategy for coastal communities..

According to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the conference will bring together European leaders, ministers, senior policymakers, representatives of regional and island authorities, European institutions, experts and other stakeholders to discuss the future development of the European Union’s island and coastal regions.

The event will showcase the European Union’s new strategies for islands and coastal communities, reflecting the European Commission’s vision for strengthening economic competitiveness and diversification, supporting the sustainable blue economy, addressing climate change, and improving resilience and connectivity. The strategies will also seek to foster vibrant and inclusive local communities while promoting citizens’ right to remain in the places where they live.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 25/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 26/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1008hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but early morning and overnight locally increased low cloud will be present with risk of local mist and/or fog.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

The settlement of the Cyprus problem would make a decisive contribution to strengthening stability and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou said during a meeting with Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, who is on a working visit to Cyprus.

According to a press release issued by the House of Representatives, Demetriou underlined the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to the resumption of meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the principles and values of the European Union.

She also expressed the expectation that Turkey would adopt a constructive stance in order to make the resumption of negotiations possible.

During the meeting, the House Speaker reaffirmed Cyprus’ steadfast support for the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, stressing that the European Union’s enlargement policy constitutes a strategic investment in peace, stability and security in Europe.

Demetriou congratulated Albania on the progress it has achieved in its accession process and assured the Albanian Minister of Cyprus’ readiness to continue actively supporting these efforts.

Hoxha thanked Cyprus for its consistent support for Albania’s European course, as well as for the role played by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in advancing the enlargement process, the press release said.

The Albanian Minister also reaffirmed his country’s support for efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus issue through dialogue, on the basis of international law and the principles of multilateralism.

The meeting also highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy and the need to further strengthen relations between the parliaments of Cyprus and Albania through increased exchanges at various levels.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, as well as on common challenges facing European states, including migration, energy security, defence and the maintenance of stability in the wider Mediterranean region, the press release concludes.