Category: Cyprus News Agency

Women-led civil society organisations are indispensable actors in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and post-conflict recovery and they are often the first responders to the needs of affected communities and play a critical role in promoting accountability and protecting human rights Cyprus UN Permanent Representative Maria Michail said.

In a statement at UNSC Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security held June 17, Michail said that the work of the women-led civil society organisations must be supported through sustainable, predictable and flexible funding, while women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders must be protected from threats, reprisals and violence.

She went on to say that more than twenty-five years after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains one of the most important frameworks for achieving sustainable peace, security and development.

Yet, she pointed out, women continue to be underrepresented in peace negotiations and political transitions and referred to UN figures according to which in 2023, women accounted for only 9.6% of negotiators and 13.7% of mediators in peace processes. At the same time, she added, gender-based violence remains pervasive in situations of conflict and crisis. The findings of the Secretary General’s latest report on conflict-related sexual violence are alarming, she noted.

According to Michail, women must be represented at all decision-making levels, including as mediators, negotiators, peacebuilders and signatories to peace agreements.

She also underlined that Cyprus remains firmly committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, noting that earlier this year, Cyprus adopted its Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for 2026-2028, structured around the pillars of Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery.

She said that the development of the National Action Plan was guided by an inclusive consultation process involving the National Machinery for Women’s Rights, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

She concluded her statement by saying that evidence consistently demonstrate that women’s meaningful participation contributes to more inclusive, effective and sustainable peace processes.

The National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus issue convened at around 10 am on Monday, chaired by President Nikos Christodoulides.

This is the first meeting of the National Council in its new composition following the parliamentary elections held last May and this is the first time that ALMA – Citizens for Cyprus and Direct Democracy parties participate in a National Council meeting.

Participating are President of DISY, Annita Demetriou, General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, President of ELAM, Christos Christou, President of DIKO, Nicholas Papadopoulos, President of ALMA – Citizens for Cyprus, Odysseas Michaelides, the President of Direct Democracy, Fidias Panayiotou.

Also attending are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Government Spokesperson, Yiannis Antoniou, negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side, Menelaos Menelaou, National Security Advisor and Director of the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP), Tasos Tzionis, Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office, Doros Venezis, and the Director of the President’s Press Office, Victor Papadopoulos.

According to information, former President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiades informed the Council that he would not be attending.

The National Council will be informed about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, following the recent visit to Cyprus of UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín.

After her visit to Cyprus, Holguín had meetings in Turkey and Greece with the Foreign Ministers of the two countries and is expected to return to Cyprus in the coming weeks after holding contacts in Brussels.

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.

Cyprus will receive pound 4.6 million from the European Commission after EU member states approved the Commission’s proposal on Monday to mobilize more than pound 56 million from the agricultural reserve fund. Under the same decision, farmers in Portugal will receive pound 30 million, in Romania pound 14.8 million, in Croatia pound 4.4 million, and Slovenia pound 2.8 million.

According to the announcement, these funds are intended to support farmers who suffered significant damage due to adverse climate events. Cyprus experienced prolonged drought and extreme heat beginning in May 2025, resulting in substantial crop production losses and higher animal feed costs.

The support will be directed to producers of fruits, nuts, vineyards, olives, and arable crops, including mixed livestock farmers. The allocated EU budget may be supplemented by national funding of up to 200% of the EU contribution.

Throughout 2025 and the first half of 2026, farmers in these countries suffered considerable damage and financial losses due to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters.

Portugal was affected by Storm Kristin in January and February 2026, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding that damaged agricultural land and infrastructure, causing major losses in agricultural production.

In Romania, severe drought and repeated heatwaves between June and August 2025 reduced sunflower and maize yields. Cyprus endured prolonged drought and extreme heat from May 2025 onward, leading to major crop losses and increased feed costs. In Croatia, spring and summer 2025 brought freezing temperatures, excessive rainfall, and drought, damaging crops such as fruit, vineyards, and sugar beet. Slovenia experienced spring frosts that affected apple production.

The agricultural sectors and crops eligible for support include for Cyprus citrus fruits, bananas, figs, pomegranates, prickly pears, vineyards, olive oil and table olives, cereals, fodder crops, beekeeping, and livestock farming (cattle, sheep, and goats).

Portugal’s sectors include arable crops, olive oil and table olives, fruits and vegetables, wine, and livestock farming, Croatia includes plums, hazelnuts, vineyards, alfalfa, and sugar beet. Romania’s include sunflowers and maize, and Slovenia apples. National authorities must ensure that farmers receive support quickly, and the aid must be distributed no later than 28 February 2027.

Following today’s approval by the member states, the Commission will formally adopt its proposal. It will then be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force the day after publication. The affected member states must inform the Commission without delay about the implementation details of the measures. This includes the criteria used to determine individual aid payments, the expected impact of the measures monthly payment forecasts, and the level of additional national support to be provided. The notification must also include measures taken to prevent distortions of competition and overcompensation.

Italian Ambassador to Cyprus Antonella Cavallari visited the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Monday, where she met with the Agency’s management and staff.

During the visit, she was briefed on CNA’s operations and its role as the official news agency of the Republic of Cyprus.

The discussions focused, among other things, on the role of the media in today’s world and on issues of mutual interest concerning relations between Cyprus and Italy.

The importance of further strengthening and deepening cooperation between the two countries was also highlighted.

The start of the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026 and the European Parliament’s approval of the new Returns Regulation on 17 June are “significant developments” for the EU and for Cyprus, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, said in a written statement on Monday.

According to the statement, the Pact introduces clear rules, faster procedures, stricter controls at external borders and solidarity mechanisms among member states – elements critical for frontline countries like Cyprus.

The Deputy Minister said that since taking office the government has taken measures that have reduced irregular flows by about 90% compared with 2022 and have resulted in the departure of roughly 35,000 third-country nationals. Legislation has also been strengthened to address criminality by foreign nationals.

Regarding the Returns Regulation, Ioannides recalled that the political agreement was reached on 1 June 2026 after intensive negotiations and that, as the representative of the Cyprus Presidency, he took an active part in the talks. Its approval by the European Parliament on 17 June, he said, reinforces the European approach to returns.

The Deputy Minister thanked the staff of his office and the Permanent Representation for their technical and negotiating contribution, as well as the Cypriot MEPs who voted in favour of the Regulation.

He said these developments do not conclude the effort. “On the contrary, they open a new and demanding phase of implementation. The success of the new European framework will be judged in practice,” he noted.

He added that Cyprus will continue to participate actively and responsibly in this common European endeavour, while the government “will continue to implement a strict but fair migration policy, aimed at both fulfilling our international obligations and protecting the interests of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Concluding, he reiterated that the decisions open “a new and demanding phase of implementation” and made clear that Cyprus will continue to apply a “strict but fair” migration policy, while actively engaging in European cooperation.

EU allocates over pound 56 million in emergency support to farmers in Portugal, Romania, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia

Today, Member States endorsed the European Commission’s proposal to mobilise over pound 56 million from the agricultural reserve. Farmers from Portugal will receive pound 30 million, Romania pound 14.8 million, Cyprus pound 4.6 million, Croatia pound 4.4 million, and Slovenia pound 2.8 million.

These funds will support farmers affected by significant damage from adverse climatic events. The support will be directed at fruit, nut, vine, olive and arable crop farmers, including mixed livestock producers. The allocated budget can be complemented by up to 200% of national funds.

Throughout 2025 and in the first half of 2026, farmers in those countries witnessed significant damages and suffered economic losses due to adverse climatic events and natural disasters.

Portugal was hit by Storm Kristin in January and February 2026, with heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding causing damage and destroying agricultural land and infrastructure. This resulted in considerable losses for agricultural production.

In Romania, severe drought and repeated heatwaves between June and August 2025 affected maize and sunflower yields. Cyprus experienced prolonged drought and extreme heat from May 2025, leading to major losses in crop production, as well as higher livestock feed costs. In Croatia, spring and summer 2025 brought freezing temperatures, as well as excessive rainfall and drought, damaging crops such as fruits, vines and sugar beet. Slovenia experienced spring frosts that damaged apple production.

Eligible agricultural sectors and crops for support include:

In Portugal: arable crops, olive oil and table olives, fruit and vegetables, wine and livestock;

In Croatia: plums, hazelnuts, vineyards, alfalfa and sugar beet;

In Cyprus: citrus fruits, bananas, figs, pomegranates, prickly pears, vineyards, olive oil and table olives, cereals, fodder crops, apiculture, and livestock (bovines, sheep and goats);

In Romania: sunflower and maize;

In Slovenia: apples.

National authorities must ensure that farmers rapidly receive the support, and aid must be distributed by 28 February 2027 at the latest.

Next steps

Following today’s approval by Member States, the Commission will adopt its proposal. It will then be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force the day following its publication.

The Member States concerned will have to notify the Commission about the details of the measures’ implementation without delay. These include criteria used to determine the granting of individual aid, the intended impact of the measure, the forecasts for payments broken down per month, and the level of additional support to be provided. The notification should also include the actions taken to avoid distortion of competition and overcompensation.

Background

The Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 includes an agricultural reserve of at least pound 450 million per year to cope with market disruptions or exceptional events affecting production or distribution. Given the increasing frequency of adverse climatic events, the Commission has stressed the importance of strengthening risk management tools and promoting their wider use across the EU, alongside proactive measures to address root causes and improve farm resilience.

For more information

EU exceptional market measures enhance the agricultural sector’s resilience amidst crises

Market measures explained – Agriculture and rural development

Quote(s)

From drought and heatwaves to storms and frosts, Europe’s farmers are paying an increasingly heavy price for extreme weather. The pound 56 million support of EU funding we adopt today demonstrates our solidarity with the farmers and regions most affected. Climate shocks are becoming the new reality for agriculture. Safeguarding Europe’s food security means investing in the resilience of our agriculture. Building that resilience – through stronger risk management and better preparedness for climate shocks – will be at the heart of our future Common Agricultural Policy.

Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 22/06/2026

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)

37

23

28

Larnaka Airport

33

23

49

Limassol

30

20

68

Pafos Airport

28

20

80

Frenaros

33

23

40

Prodromos

26

15

48

Polis Pafos

32

21

57

European cooperation is not merely a political objective but a practical tool that delivers tangible results, Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris said on Monday.

The Minister was speaking at the opening of the 148th meeting of Europol’s Management Board, taking place at the Filoxenia Conference Centre in Nicosia, in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Fytiris said that hosting the meeting was a special honour for Cyprus and coincided with the completion of the country’s 18-month term as Vice-Chair of Europol’s Management Board.

He noted that technological developments, geopolitical shifts and the spread of criminal networks create an environment that requires ‘vigilance, coordination and continuous investment in our collective ability to prevent and address threats.’

The Minister added that combating serious and organised crime, countering terrorism, protecting children from online threats, tackling cyberattacks and investigating new forms of crime are areas where European cooperation produces substantive results.

Referring to innovation, Fytiris said that artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis tools and new technological applications are transforming the work of law enforcement authorities, with Europol playing a leading role in supporting member states in using these capabilities ‘effectively and in line with the fundamental principles of the EU.’

For his part, Chief of Police Themistos Arnaoutis said the meeting was taking place at a time when Cyprus holds the role of Vice-Chair of Europol’s Management Board, actively contributing to its work and to the shaping of the organisation’s strategic direction.

Arnaoutis said that threats are becoming ‘more complex, faster and often go beyond national borders,’ adding that cooperation among member states remains crucial, as no country can effectively deal on its own with phenomena that have a strong cross-border dimension.

He also noted that Europol has established itself as a valuable partner for EU member states, through its support to national authorities, the exchange of information and the provision of specialised knowledge and expertise.

The Chief of Police further said that the meeting is of particular importance for Cyprus, as it coincides with the conclusion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, highlighting the country’s commitment to strengthening European cooperation for citizens’ security.

Cypriot MP and Co-Chair of the Europol Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group Demetris Demetriou referred to the Group’s meeting held in Nicosia on February 4 and 5, saying it offered MPs from across Europe an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, parliamentary scrutiny and a deeper understanding of Europol’s work.

He said the meeting focused, among other issues, on Europol’s role in combating migrant smuggling, cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking, online child sexual exploitation and financial crime.

Demetriou noted that the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group contributes to strengthening Europol’s accountability, adding that its next meeting will take place in early November 2026 in Brussels.

Europol Management Board Chairperson Ireneusz Sienko thanked Cyprus for hosting the meeting, while Europol Acting Executive Director Jurgen Ebner thanked Cyprus for what had been achieved during its EU Presidency, referring among other things to the launch of the Centre against Migrant Smuggling, discussions on Europol’s future and the importance of parliamentary scrutiny.

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou highlighted the achievements of the Cyprus Presidency in the fields of agriculture and fisheries as she arrived at the final Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AgriFish) under the Cyprus Presidency, taking place on Monday, in Luxembourg.

The Minister, who will chair the Council meetings, stated that the Council sends a clear message that agriculture and fisheries remain strategic pillars of the European Union’s food security and sustainability.

Referring to the fisheries sector, she noted that during the Cyprus Presidency the necessary amendments to the regulations on fishing opportunities were advanced, while important international agreements were also promoted, strengthening the EU’s role in ocean governance. At the same time, she referred to the launch of a broader discussion on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy, focusing on fishing opportunities for 2027 and on adapting the Policy to the demands of a rapidly changing environment.

As regards agriculture, the Minister stressed that the Cyprus Presidency sought to keep the sector high on the European political agenda at a time marked by geopolitical uncertainty, climate pressures and rising production costs.

She noted that during the six month term, initiatives were advanced to support rural communities under the next MFF, while progress was achieved on issues related to farmers’ income and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Minister also referred to legislative developments, highlighting progress on files such as the revision of the Common Market Organisation (CMO), the Plant Reproductive Material Regulation (PRM) and organic farming, noting that these initiatives aim to reduce the administrative burden on farmers.

Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis said that Ministers would discuss the results of the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, recalling that an initial exchange of views had taken place during the informal ministerial meeting hosted in Cyprus a few months ago.

He noted that the evaluation shows that, following the latest reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, progress has been made, with more fish stocks now being harvested at sustainable levels. At the same time, he added, the evaluation identified shortcomings and gaps, which will be discussed by ministers with a view to determining the next steps.

The Commissioner also said that discussions on fishing opportunities for the new season would begin at the Council, during which he would present the state of the fisheries sector and the challenges it faces.

He stressed that the objective of the discussions and decisions to be taken is to ensure a sustainable and resilient fisheries sector, not only in the short term but also in the long run, so that it can meet the needs of future decades.

Cyprus University of Technology hosts an international conference on innovation and inclusion in education

The Language Centre of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) proudly hosted the UNICollaboration 2026 international conference on 4-5 June 2026, welcoming researchers, educators, teacher trainers, policymakers, and students from around the world to explore this year’s theme, ‘Virtual Exchange in a Changing World: Innovation and Inclusion.’

The conference brought together more than 120 participants, creating a vibrant platform for international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on the future of Virtual Exchange, Telecollaboration, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). Through presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, participants examined innovative approaches to fostering intercultural understanding, inclusion, and collaboration in an increasingly connected world.

The programme featured 68 research presentations, 4 panel discussions, 7 interactive workshops, and 2 virtual poster presentations, with all sessions accessible both onsite and online, ensuring broad international participation and accessibility.

The conference was honoured to welcome two distinguished keynote speakers:

Professor Anthony J. Liddicoat (University of Warwick), who delivered the keynote address ‘Virtual Exchange: From Intercultural Experience to Intercultural Language Learning’

Dr Laia Canals (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya), who presented ‘Mobilizing Multimodal and Plurilingual Resources: Bridging Interaction and Interculturality in Next-Generation Virtual Exchanges’

Members of the CUT Language Centre actively contributed to the conference through presentations and panel discussions, highlighting their expertise and ongoing research in virtual exchange, technology-enhanced language learning, and intercultural communication.

Founded in 2007, the CUT Language Centre promotes multilingualism and intercultural understanding through computer-assisted language learning, teacher education, and innovative approaches to language teaching. Its long-standing commitment to international collaboration and digital learning made it a natural host for a conference dedicated to advancing virtual exchange practices and research.

Reflecting on the success of the event, participants praised the conference for fostering meaningful discussions, strengthening international partnerships, and showcasing emerging developments in the field. UNICollaboration 2026 reaffirmed the importance of virtual exchange as a powerful tool for connecting learners and educators across borders and promoting inclusive, globally engaged education.