Category: Cyprus News Agency

The final Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AgriFish) under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union will take place next Monday and Tuesday in Luxembourg, with discussions focusing on the future of agriculture, fisheries and food security in the EU.

The Council will be chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou, while Commissioners Costas Kadis, Oliver Várhelyi and Christophe Hansen will participate in the proceedings.

According to a senior EU diplomat, the Council is being held at a time when the agriculture and fisheries sectors are gaining increasing strategic importance for the European Union, as they are directly linked to food security, support for rural and coastal communities, economic growth, and the Union’s resilience in the face of geopolitical and climate-related challenges.

The official noted that over the past six months, the Cyprus Presidency has focused on advancing measures aimed at providing greater predictability and stability for farmers and fishing communities, while ensuring that EU policies remain responsive to current challenges, including geopolitical uncertainty, the effects of climate change and rising production costs.

The first day of the Council will be dedicated mainly to fisheries, with ministers expected to exchange views on the state of fish stocks and fleet capacity as part of preparations for fishing opportunities in 2027.

Ministers will also discuss the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and its future direction. The exchange of views will focus on the effectiveness of existing instruments, as well as issues such as simplification, fleet modernisation, generational renewal, the energy transition, the development of aquaculture and the competitiveness of the sector.

In parallel, according to the official, the possibility of adopting a partial general approach on the proposal for the future of EU support for fisheries, aquaculture and maritime policy for the 2028-2034 period is also being considered.

The second day of the Council will be devoted to agriculture, with ministers expected to examine the situation of agricultural markets in light of the continuing effects of the war in Ukraine, geopolitical developments, climate pressures and challenges related to animal health.

Particular attention is expected to be paid to developments in the dairy sector, as well as the impact of extreme weather events on the production of fruit, vegetables and cereals.

According to the senior EU diplomat, Member States are also expected to seek clarifications regarding the use of the agricultural reserve, ahead of a European Commission proposal to mobilise pound 540 million.

The agenda also includes a policy debate on the future of the CAP beyond 2027, with a focus on flexibility, subsidiarity and maintaining common European objectives.

As the EU official noted, the Cyprus Presidency sought to incorporate into the relevant legislative texts the requests of Member States for a fairer, more competitive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, while preserving a level playing field and the common character of the European market.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 21/06/2026

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)

36

22

32

Larnaka Airport

21

47

Limassol

30

21

58

Pafos Airport

21

73

Frenaros

31

22

52

Prodromos

25

14

55

Polis Pafos

30

20

66

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 21/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 22/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1013hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine. Overnight and during dawn, increased low cloud coverage is expected with risk of local mist or/and fog patches.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has a plan to break the deadlock and reach a solution to the Cyprus issue, said Victor Papadopoulos, Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic, on Sunday, noting at the same time that the coming weeks will be decisive and that now is the time for unity among both people and political leadership.

In a memorial address at the annual service for the heroes of Choulou, in Paphos district, Papadopoulos recalled that President Nikos Christodoulides ‘from the very moment of his election, launched an international campaign and an effort to resume talks aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem.’

He added that the UN Secretary-General should take the lead in a new initiative, ‘so as to break the prolonged deadlock and achieve the long-awaited resolution of the Cyprus issue, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and the principles and values of the European Union.’

At the same time, the Director of the President’s Press Office continued, ‘a marathon effort has begun to create the conditions for the European Union’s involvement in this process, so that, on the one hand, Turkey would have incentives and benefits to agree to resume talks to settle the Cyprus issue from where they were suspended and to find a solution, and, on the other hand, the European Union would be present in the negotiation process with the aim of ensuring that the solution will be compatible with the acquis communautaire and the principles and values of the Union.’

Today, Papadopoulos noted, ‘following tireless, sincere efforts on our part, backed by genuine political will-despite the difficulties the President of the Republic has faced and continues to face due to Turkish demands for a solution outside the agreed framework- we are in the midst of a new, dynamic effort by the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to convene a new, expanded conference this summer that will lead to the resumption of talks on a comprehensive, functional, and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.’

The Secretary-General, he noted, ‘has a plan to break the deadlock and reach a solution of the Cyprus problem,’ while assuring that President Christodoulides ‘is making every possible effort to ensure that António Guterres succeeds in his endeavour.’

‘These are critical moments, as the coming weeks will be decisive for the course of our national cause. Consultations are in full swing at various levels, both at the United Nations and within the European Union, which is supporting the Secretary-General’s efforts in full coordination with him,’ he said.

For this reason, Papadopoulos stressed, ‘now is the time for unity-unity among the people and the leadership, and unity among the political leadership. Unity so that we may achieve, as a first step, the resumption of talks and subsequently the liberation and reunification of our country through a solution based on the decisions and resolutions of the United Nations and the principles and values of the EU.’

A solution, he noted, ‘that will allow the state to function smoothly both domestically and internationally. A solution that will be sustainable and will rid Cyprus of occupying forces and anachronistic guarantee systems.’

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.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced. María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

Nicosia’s historic centre and neighbourhoods come alive through the Make Music Cyprus Festival 2026, which is being held in the capital for the eighth time. This year’s event expands the palette of musical genres with the participation of over 500 artists, making Cyprus the 2nd country in the world this year with the largest participation of artists.

In statements to CNA, Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos pointed out that this year is the first time that the festival is a three-day event – as it was a one-day event until last year- and it is also the first time that the festival embraces the entire Nicosia Municipality.

The musical activities started on Friday from the old town of Agios Dometios and continued on Saturday in Aglantzia and Egkomi. On Sunday the festival returns to the historic Nicosia centre, which has traditionally been the focus of the festival, with an expanded number of stages.

“It was a huge success in Agios Dometios. It was the first time the historic centre was so lively for so many hours,” Prountzos said, adding that there were so many people of all ages, so many young people, but also seniors who really enjoyed themselves.

He explained that the reasons for organising the festival throughout tree days instead of one were twofold. Firstly, it was a constant endeavour of the municipality to expand the beneficial activities across the board, which – as he noted – is one of the positive aspects of municipal unification. At the same time, he said that the high demand from the people led to placing the festival inside the neighbourhoods, enabling it to take off.

Regarding the types of music presented at the festival, he said that all genres of music are covered, with more classical sounds, foreign music, pop, rock as well as Greek modern music, while two symphony orchestras will participate in the Old Town. The musical events are hosted in various locations, from Asclepius and Faneromeni to the Old Town Hall Square, Nicosia Town Hall and Eptanissou.

A musical walk in Nicosia

Nicosia Municipality’s Cultural Services Manager Maria Petsa described how a beautiful walk is created through the festival, as people move on foot from one point to another, watching different musical acts and creating a continuous flow of visitors from square to square. She said this is the eighth year of the festival, which this year hosts more than 500 participating musicians and thousands of visitors, and has expanded to the municipal districts of Nicosia, with the first night being a great success.

In fact, this year’s event has seen a record number of artists participating, while Cyprus is the second country in the world this year with the highest number of artists participating, she added.

More summer cultural events are on the way

The Mayor also said that the Municipality is planning a series of cultural activities over the summer for the capital, starting with the 3D projections at the Davila Promenade for the entire summer period. He added that the “Summer Nights” will soon start, turning the capital into a big open cultural map.

From June to September, squares, neighbourhoods, urban centres and parks in the Nicosia, Egomi, Agios Dometios and Aglantzia municipal districts will host a diverse programme of events with free admission. Other music festivals and concerts are also planned, featuring big names such as popular singer Lex, which are expected to attract people to enjoy summer nights in Nicosia.

Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis is travelling to Rome from June 22 to 24 to participate in the international conference ‘Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit 2026 – Forging Partnerships for Resilience’, where she will join a ministerial panel alongside the Shipping Ministers of Italy, Greece and Malta.

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the summit is organised by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in cooperation with the Italian Shipowners’ Confederation (CONFITARMA) and is held under the auspices of the European Commission Representation in Italy and the Italian Government.

During her visit, Hadjimanolis will hold bilateral meetings with Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, Malta’s Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett, as well as Italy’s Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi.

She will also meet representatives of European Union institutions and international shipping organisations with a view to strengthening cooperation and dialogue on maritime affairs and European shipping policies.

Contracts for the installation of Cyprus’ first centralised electricity storage systems, with a total capacity of 120 MW, will be signed next Tuesday, paving the way for reduced curtailments of solar power generation and greater utilisation of renewable energy, Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michalis Damianos told CNA on Sunday.

According to the Minister, the battery storage systems to be deployed by the Cyprus Transmission System Operator (TSO) are expected to be delivered in January 2027 and installed within the following two to three months, allowing them to become operational by the summer of 2027.

‘By the summer of 2027, we will have at least 120 MW of battery storage capacity operated by the TSO. This means that solar energy which is currently lost because it cannot be stored will be utilised,’ Damianos said.

He noted that the new storage capacity is expected to reduce renewable energy curtailments, particularly those affecting households with rooftop photovoltaic systems, which currently see part of their electricity production rejected due to grid constraints.

Damianos also said that the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is moving ahead with its own storage projects, while the TSO has already issued connection terms for battery installations proposed by private investors.

‘We believe that by 2027 there will be significant storage capacity in the system, which is currently absent,’ he said.

The TSO facilities form part of a pound 50 million project for which the international tender has already been awarded.

Strong interest from EAC and private investors

Beyond the projects promoted by the TSO, considerable interest has also emerged from both the EAC and private investors for the development of battery energy storage systems.

According to the latest TSO register of connection applications, dated June 15, 2026, the EAC has submitted two applications with a combined storage capacity of 180 MW. The first concerns an 80 MW system in the Dhekelia area in Larnaca district and is currently at the stage where technical studies and documentation are being submitted for the issuance of connection terms and an offer. The second concerns a 100 MW project in Moni in Limassol district and is at the initial grid connectivity assessment stage.

At the same time, the most advanced private-sector applications represent a total capacity of 151 MW. These include a 32 MW project in the village of Ergates in Nicosia district and a 59 MW project in the village of Psevdas in Larnaca district, both of which are progressing through the connection approval process.

In addition, five projects in Arediou, Platanisteia, Orounta, Alampra and Palaiometocho, with a combined capacity of 60 MW, have already received connection offers and terms from the TSO, placing them a step closer to implementation.

Overall, the TSO register contains 36 applications for energy storage systems with a total requested capacity of approximately 925 MW, highlighting strong investor interest in battery storage infrastructure in Cyprus.

The growing need for energy storage is reflected in the sharp increase in renewable energy curtailments recorded in recent years. According to data from the Distribution System Operator approximately 306 GWh of electricity generated by distributed renewable energy systems was curtailed in 2025, compared with around 167 GWh in 2024. During periods of high solar generation and relatively low electricity demand, instantaneous curtailments frequently exceeded 250 MW and on some days surpassed 300 MW.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 20/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 21/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1010hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. Low clouds are expected at times. Risk of local mist over night and dawn.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

Thirty schools, 58 teachers and approximately 400 students benefited from the European Parliament School Ambassador programme 2025-2026, which officially concluded with a ceremony on Friday evening.

The programme is organised by the European Parliament Office in Cyprus in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth.

This year’s event holds special significance, as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of the programme’s creation and provided an opportunity to review its progress and achievements.

During the school year, more than 450 activities and events were held as part of the programme, during which students and teachers collaborated with Members of the European Parliament, European institutions, and local organizations to promote understanding of parliamentary democracy, the values of the European Union, the functioning of European institutions, and the active participation of young people in civic life.

At the closing event, remarks were delivered by the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Dr. Athena Michaelidou, Head of the European Parliament’s Office in Cyprus, Thea Pieridou, and Director of the European Parliament’s Liaison Offices, Stephen Clark.

In her speech, Pieridou noted that this year’s programme included 30 schools from all districts of Cyprus, 58 teachers, and approximately 400 students.

‘Throughout the year, students and teachers had the opportunity to represent Cyprus at European events in Rome and Madrid, while next week, teachers from the programme will visit Brussels to learn about the European institutions firsthand,” she said.

At the same time, she added, “students participating in the Euroscola programme will have the opportunity to find themselves at the heart of European democracy, take their seats in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and experience what it’s like to be a European lawmaker alongside their peers from across Europe.’.

She also said that the European Parliament’s Office in Cyprus has consistently invested in the European dimension of the programme, offering students and teachers from all participating schools the opportunity to take part in educational activities and visits abroad, making Cyprus one of the very few countries -if not the only one-where all schools participating in the programme can benefit from such European experiences.

In her remarks, Michaelidou said that at a time when Cyprus is actively contributing to shaping European developments through its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, our responsibility toward the younger generation becomes even greater.

She also noted that this year holds special significance, as it marks the tenth anniversary of the implementation of the programme in Cyprus.

‘Over the past decade, the programme has evolved into a vital institution for European education and democratic citizenship, building strong bridges of communication between young people and European institutions. Thousands of students and teachers had the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the principles, values, and functioning of the EU,” the Minister of Education said. “They had the opportunity to cultivate active participation and critical thinking, but above all to develop a sense of European citizenship,’ she added.

Addressing the teachers, Michaelidou said that the programme’s success would not have been possible without their guidance, inspiration, and dedication.

As she said, success of this programme ‘demonstrates what we can achieve when European institutions and the education sector collaborate with a shared vision.’

MEPs Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP), Costas Mavrides (S and D), and Geadis Geadi (ECR) attended the event and made brief remarks.

In his remarks, Hadjipantela said that he had visited schools in all the districts because he believes young people have a lot to say, adding that we must listen to them carefully because they are the future, and noting that what particularly impressed him was the keen interest shown by students at all grade levels in the role and significance of the EU in their lives.

Addressing the students Mavrides, told them that ‘our homeland is under partial occupation, and for this reason, go forth in your lives defending the Charter of Fundamental Rights for all European citizens, which must be applied in Cyprus from Apostolos Andreas to Akamas and from the Kyrenia Castle to Limassol.’

On his part, Geadi said that ‘it is an honour for us to have students who care about public affairs, students who read, students who get involved, students who make us proud in Europe,’ telling students at the same time that the EU is a Union of opportunities.

The Closing Ceremony of the ‘European Parliament School Ambassador’ Programme 2025-2026-10 Years of SPEK-was held under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Republic of Cyprus remains steadfastly committed to a policy that combines the protection of those who are truly entitled to it with legality, responsibility, and an effective response to migration challenges, the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection said on Saturday, marking World Refugee Day 2026.

Referring to the World Refugee Day, celebrated on June 20, the Deputy Ministry notes in a press release that it “serves as a reminder of the international community’s responsibility toward those forced to flee their country of origin due to war, persecution, violence, or serious human rights violations.”

Cyprus, as a country that has experienced refugeehood and displacement since 1974 due to the Turkish invasion and occupation, approaches the issue with responsibility and a commitment to international and EU law, it is noted next, adding that “safeguarding the right to international protection is an expression of the Republic’s fundamental values, as well as part of a broader responsibility for the proper functioning of the asylum system.”

‘The Republic of Cyprus remains steadfastly committed to a policy that combines, on the one hand, the protection of those who are truly entitled to it with the rule of law, and, on the other hand, responsibility and an effective response to migration challenges,’ the press release notes.

In this context, it is added, the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection ‘is strengthening the relevant mechanisms, improving procedures, and promoting the timely and lawful examination of applications for international protection, taking into account the country’s European obligations, operational needs, and the public interest.’

It is noted that, in this same context, the entry into force of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum on June 12, 2026, constitutes a significant institutional development for the European Union and its member states.

‘For the Republic of Cyprus, the new framework is directly linked to the need for meaningful European solidarity, a balanced sharing of responsibility, and effective procedures, particularly for Member States on the front lines of migratory pressures,’ it is further added.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Deputy Ministry reaffirms the Republic of Cyprus’s steadfast commitment to a comprehensive asylum and migration policy, which is grounded in the international and European framework and serves the rule of law, legality, human dignity, and the public interest.