Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus received its first payment of pound 177.2 million on Thursday under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence financing instrument, the European Commission has announced. The amount disbursed represents 15% of Cyprus’s total allocation of pound 1.2 billion.

According to the Commission, this pre-financing payment will enable Cyprus to advance key defence investments, strengthen its resilience, and upgrade its military capabilities in line with common European objectives. The Commission emphasized that SAFE is designed to facilitate rapid and coordinated action, improve interoperability among European armed forces, and strengthen the European defence industry through joint procurement and closer cross-border cooperation.

The SAFE instrument, with a total budget of pound 150 billion, provides loans to EU member states to finance, primarily through joint procurement, ammunition, missiles, air defence systems, and land combat systems produced within the European Union. The instrument forms part of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030 plan, which aims to mobilize more than pound 800 billion in defence investments across the EU.

In a written statement, European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said that the pre-financing payment to Cyprus under SAFE ‘demonstrates Europe’s commitment to strengthening our common security and defence. This support will help Cyprus invest more rapidly in the capabilities it needs while contributing to our shared European objectives for a stronger, more resilient, and more interconnected defence industry. SAFE is about solidarity, readiness, and ensuring that Member States can collectively respond to Europe’s security needs.’

The Commission noted that the payment follows the completion of all required procedural steps and reflects the EU’s commitment to providing timely and meaningful support through SAFE. Further payments will be made as agreed milestones are achieved and the implementation of related projects progresses.

SAFE is financed through EU borrowing on financial markets and allows the Union to provide long-term loans to member states that apply for them, under competitive terms and an attractive financing structure. The loan conditions benefit from the European Union’s strong credit rating. All SAFE loans will be repaid by the Member States that receive them.

The government’s aim is to systematically integrate the gender perspective into all public policies, including fiscal policies, through a gender-sensitive state budget, Commissioner for gender equality Josie Christodoulou said Thursday.

The Commissioner made statements during an event in Nicosia, on the occasion of the completion of integrating gender perspective into the state budget. Christodoulou said that a substantial step was made in safeguarding the management of public resources to equally respond to the needs of all citizens.

She went on to say that this is a process that was adopted by 189 countries, including Cyprus, in the framework of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the 4th UN World Conference on Women in 1995.

The declaration explicitly calls on governments to integrate a gender perspective into fiscal policies and to assess the way in which public spending affects women. She noted that thirty-one years later, Cyprus is proceeding with this very important reform.

The Commissioner added that this development is mainly due to the political will of the government, which has set gender equality as a horizontal priority, promoting substantial institutional and legislative reforms.

Christodoulou said that the law ensures that ministries, deputy ministries and the broader public sector plan, implement and review policies taking into account their different impact on women and men.

She described this as a powerful policy tool that, after examining how fiscal decisions, policies and actions affect women and men differently, helps us to ensure that state resources are distributed, precisely, on the basis of these differences, fairly and effectively.

The Commissioner added that the key to the success of the project and to the design of targeted fiscal policies is the collection of gender-specific statistical data which provide the quantitative picture that allows the design of even more targeted policies and actions.

She also said that Cyprus received support through the European Commission and exchanged experiences and good practices with other European states with greater experience in gender budgeting issues.

In her statements the Commissioner noted that preparing a gender budgeting is a long-term process, which requires a change in culture, continuous training, collection of reliable statistical data and close cooperation between all stakeholders.

But she appeared optimistic saying that foundations have now been laid and the progress made allows us to look to the future with greater optimism.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 18/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 19/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1009hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. Today the weather will be mainly fine, but locally increased low cloud coverage will be present at times, mainly over the western coastal areas. Tonight, locally increased low cloud coverage will be present, but later local mist is likely, mainly over the eastern/southeastern coasts.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

Following the signing of a US-Iran agreement aimed at the immediate cessation of hostilities and the de-escalation of the crisis in the Persian Gulf, the UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for countries across the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, including Cyprus.

‘The Foreign Office’s intention is to signal that the crisis is de-escalating,’ a senior diplomatic source told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Thursday, noting that such a development could further boost tourism travel to the region.

This is the second time within a matter of days that the UK Foreign Office has effectively upgraded its assessment of Cyprus in terms of travel safety.

Earlier this month, it issued another update to its travel advice, removing the warning of an increased risk of regional tensions in Cyprus which could cause disruption to travel and have other unforeseen consequences, a caution that had been included in its guidance since the beginning of March.

The story of Cyprus mirrors the very essence of the European project, President Nikos Christodoulides said Thursday at the ‘Cyprus Insula’ exhibition in Brussels.

The exhibition, ‘Cyprus Insula – History, Memory, Reality’ of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation is open in Brussels as part of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.

President Christodoulides, who is in Brussels for the European Council meeting, visited the exhibition, along with Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and other officials.

In his speech, he said this was a ‘remarkable exhibition’, ‘a project that invites us to read Cyprus through the lasting lenses of Time, Place, and People’.

This travelling exhibition, he said, adapted from the major presentation currently hosted at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in Nicosia and curated by Dr. Yiannis Toumazis and Demetra Ignatiou, was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a flagship cultural milestone of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union, reflecting over four decades of the Foundation’s invaluable cultural contribution to the island.

‘Cyprus Insula’ he said, provides a unique opportunity to bring the story of Cyprus to audiences around the world. He noted that the very word Insula (island) ‘reminds us that while our geography is defined by the sea, our history has never been one of isolation’. Instead, he said, Cyprus has always been ‘a vibrant crossroad’, a European bridge to the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider world.

President Christodoulides said that the exhibition ‘carries us on a journey through the layered history, memories, and lived experiences that continue to shape the social, cultural, and political realities of Cyprus across generations, including the 1974 Turkish illegal invasion, detailing the trauma, memories, and profound shifts in our island’s societal and geographic landscape’.

At the same time, he added, the exhibition also brings into focus coexistence, identity, and belonging, ‘values that connect people across cultures and generations, far beyond the Mediterranean shores of Cyprus’.

He added that it portrays Cyprus as a place where cultures have crossed paths and flourished, while also acknowledging with raw honesty the complex challenges and divisions that have left an imprint on our collective memory. ‘At its core, it reminds us that understanding our past is essential to understanding who we are today and to shaping a future of peace, without foreign occupation or division’, he said.

Concluding, he said that ‘as we reflect on the core vision of the Cyprus Presidency – to foster an “Autonomous Union, Open to the World” – these cultural bonds resonate more deeply than ever’. The story of Cyprus, an island of synthesis, endurance, and dialogue, mirrors the very essence of the European project, he added. It reinforces the values that unite us, and the common purpose we share within a European Union that is truly united in its diversity, he said.

In his own speech, Toumazis, said that Cyprus, has long stood at the crossroads of civilisations, absorbing and transforming influences from across the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

‘From this perspective, Cyprus Insula encourages us to reflect on the island as a dynamic cultural organism whose history remains deeply relevant to the present day’, he said.

He noted that, at the heart of this exhibition lies the concept of insularity, understood not as isolation, but as interconnectedness.

He noted that the title ‘Cyprus Insula’, invites us to consider the island of Cyprus not merely as a geographical territory, but as a space shaped by movement, coexistence, migration, conflict, exchange and continuity across the centuries.

Through photographs, maps, archival material, contemporary artworks, immersive technologies and personal testimonies, the exhibition explores Cyprus as both a historical and an emotional landscape, he added.

The European Union has the most decisive role in the new effort by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to restart negotiations aimed at finding a sustainable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue, fully compatible with the principles, values, and laws of the EU, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday.

President Christodoulides made the brief statement on platform “X” following his meeting with European Council President António Costa in Brussels on Thursday afternoon, just hours before the start of the two-day EU Summit of the 27 Member States’ leaders.

‘The widely acknowledged success of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in every respect with a specific Plan, Strategy, Vision, and deliverables of significant added value for further European integration demonstrates among many other things, our commitment to the European project and to a Europe that is more autonomous, stronger, and more competitive,’ the President said in a broader assessment ahead of the conclusion of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU at the end of June.

‘Within this framework, the European Union has the most decisive role in the new effort by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to restart negotiations aimed at finding a sustainable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue, fully compatible with the principles, values, and laws of the European Union,’ he added.

From the European Council President’s side, it was confirmed that the Cyprus issue was discussed during the bilateral meeting. However, no further details were provided by Costa’s office regarding the substance or direction of the discussion.

Representing Cyprus at the meeting were Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, and Cyprus’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Christina Rafti.

Representing the European Council were Council Secretary-General Thérèse Blanchet and Anna-Maria Boura, President Costa’s adviser on foreign affairs.

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.

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.

Foreign Affairs Minister Constantinos Kombos has welcomed the agreement between the United States and Iran, describing as an important step towards enhancing regional stability in a telephone conversation he had on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

In a post on platform X, Kombos said that during his conversation with his Iranian counterpart, he welcomed the agreement on the MoU, while both sides also emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue and diplomatic engagement.

“I welcomed the agreement on the MoU, an important step towards enhancing regional stability. We also underlined the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement,” the Foreign Minister notably mentioned in his post.

Occupancy in Cyprus hotels shows improvement in June compared to previous months, according to Thanos Michaelides, President of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (PASYXE). However, he pointed out that the tourism market is still performing at lower levels than usual for this time of the year.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Michaelides stated that June’s bookings are noticeably better than in March, April, and May. Despite the improvement, typical June levels have not yet been reached, though the situation is described as comparatively better than the preceding period.

He noted an upward trend in the flow of bookings, although they remain below normal levels.

Regarding occupancy rates, the PASYXE President mentioned that the picture varies significantly from district to district and hotel to hotel. In the Famagusta district, hotel occupancy in June averages around 60%, while in Paphos it reaches approximately 70%, recording a comparatively smaller decrease than last year. He reminded that under normal conditions occupancy rates during the same period last year hovered around 90%.

Regarding Limassol, he noted that the district is in a comparatively better position than other areas, as it also benefits from business tourism. The bed capacity is more limited, which helps maintain better occupancy percentages, he said. Nevertheless, Limassol also shows lower occupancy compared to previous years, albeit to a lesser extent than other provinces.

Michaelides pointed out that high occupancy rates are required for hotels to be profitable. As he explained, the profitability of hotel units is evaluated on an annual basis; however, in practice, the main tourist activity is limited to about six months a year, making it critical to achieve high occupancy during the peak season.

In terms of tourist markets, he noted that the British market continues to be the most important source of tourists for Cyprus, maintaining its lead in arrivals. Positive signals are also being recorded from the Israeli market, which has begun showing activity once again, he concluded.

Referring to the overall picture for this year, Michaelides described 2026 as a difficult year for the hotel sector, underlining that the tourism industry has faced several tough periods from March until recently. He said efforts are focused on maintaining interest in Cyprus and curbing the impact caused by adverse conditions, with the goal of saving as much of the tourist season as possible by the end of the year. However, he noted that the evolution of the situation remains unpredictable.

The Hoteliers Association President expressed hope that following the resolution of the crisis in Iran, there will be further improvement in demand for holidays in Cyprus and the flow of bookings, clarifying however that so far there are no specific indications confirming this prospect. At the same time, he expressed hope that recent developments will contribute to an increase in bookings during the coming months, particularly in July, August, and September.

The projects of a metropolitan park at the state fair and the use of SOPAZ venue will change the picture of the capital, Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos said, during a press conference presenting what has been achieved in the last two years.

He noted that these two major projects can decisively influence the development of the capital. Prountzos said that the park will be a real metropolitan one, a green spot in the capital, adding that a common understanding has already been formed between the Municipality, the government and the involved bodies on the direction of the project.

He said that a public consultation, the preparation of a master plan and the architectural competition will follow. Referring to the SOPAZ development, the Mayor said that this is the largest development project in the city and possibly the largest in Cyprus.

According to Prountzos, the viability study shows that the economic activity that can be generated by the project approaches pound 500 million.

He said that the project will include an exhibition and conference centers.

Referring to the latest reform of the local authorities, the Mayor said that merging together four large urban municipalities in Nicosia was unprecedented in the history of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Mayor also referred to financial figures according to which the minimum real needs of the new municipality amount to pound 35 million, against a state grant of pound 22.5 million for the period 2025-2026.

The municipal authority is requesting additional support to finance a voluntary staff retirement plan, manage the pension fund deficit, estimated at pound 50 million, and strengthen the organization’s liquidity, he said.

Despite the financial difficulties, the Mayor spoke of substantial financial consolidation. He emphasized that the fiscal deficit was reduced by approximately 80% in two years through rationalization of expenses, reorganization of services and expansion of the tax base.

Regarding citizen services, Prountzos presented figures on digital transformation according to which more than 22,500 citizen requests submitted through the Novoville platform and a resolution rate exceeded 77%.

At the same time, the Municipality adopted a Participation Charter, strengthening public consultation processes and citizen participation in decision-making through neighborhood committees and other participatory tools.

Smart city applications are also being promoted, including geographic information systems, smart parking and waste management platforms.

Particular emphasis was also placed on the Municipality’s social policy. According to figures presented, more than 3,500 citizens were given assistance through social programs in 2025, while hundreds of citizens benefited from exemptions and discounts based on social and economic criteria.

The budget for social services is approaching pound 3 million, with the municipal authority indicating that the goal is to strengthen the social protection network and support vulnerable groups.

In the areas of cleanliness and public health actions, the municipality authorities removed thousands of bulky objects and more than 2,000 abandoned vehicles.

He further referred to actions with the aim of enhancing the capital’s international presence, noting that Nicosia is now actively participating in European networks and initiatives.

As regards actions for the environment, more than 22,000 new trees were planted, green spaces were upgarded and the municipality participated in European programs for climate resilience.

At the same time, reference was made to the creation of the “Lefkothea” citizens’ energy community, the first Cypriot energy community to receive approval from the European Energy Community.

During the presentation, the Mayor said that real estate sales increased by 13.6%, while transactions recorded an increase of approximately 30% compared to the previous year.

Prountzos also referred to the course of revitalization of the historic center and Makariou avenue, noting that the interventions of recent years have contributed to the return of business activity and the attraction of new investments.

The Mayor also referred to the new hotel developments, the redevelopment of old GSP stadium and the operation of the Nicosia branch of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the old part of the city, with the Municipality estimating that this will contribute to economic activity and the overall revitalization of the area.

Projects are underway in all other municipalities of the urban Nicosia area, including the reconstruction of the historical cores of Aglantzia and Engomi, the creation of student dorms, projects in refugee settlements, the upgrading of sports and cultural infrastructure, as well as interventions in the city center and in basic road networks.

The Mayor referred to the issue of traffic, underlining that the capital urgently needs investments in bus lanes, sidewalks, cycling infrastructure and sustainable mobility networks.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 18/06/2026 UNTIL 1800 19/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1009hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. Locally increased low cloud coverage will be present, but later local mist is likely, mainly over the eastern/southeastern coasts.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL