Cyprus News Agency – Page 147 – Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

President Christodoulides to meet with Holguin in the afternoon

President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, is expected to meet anew with the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, on Friday evening, in their second tete-a-tete since the UN envoy’s arrival to the island, earlier this month.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 5:00 p.m. (local time) at the Presidential Palace.

On Saturday, María Ángela Holguín is also expected to meet again with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman.

Holguín’s meetings with the two leaders follow the initial meetings she held with them last Monday.

On Tuesday, the Personal Envoy held separate meetings with the two negotiators. The possibility of a joint meeting was not discussed, ahead of the new separate meetings with the leaders.

According to CNA sources, during her meetings with the negotiators, Holguín continued discussions on preparations for an informal multilateral meeting planned for late July to early August. According to the same sources, the talks are focused ‘solely on substantive issues’ and not on Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs).

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.

Fire Service starts campaign to clear areas along buffer zone, Spokesperson tells CNA

The Fire Service has launched an inspection campaign of the areas along the buffer zone to identify vulnerable spots to ask competent state authorities for the necessary clearing and clean-up work so that houses and buildings in the government-controlled areas are not threatened, Fire Service Spokesperson Andreas Kettis, told CNA, here on Friday.

In his statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Kettis said that after a fire that broke out in the Nicosia district and threatened many properties in the government-controlled areas, “we started a campaign to inspect along the buffer zone, as we are doing island wide at this time in all communities, to identify where there are vulnerable spots and to appeal to the competent state authorities to carry out the necessary clearing of rubbish or brush clearing, so that properties and houses in the government-controlled areas are not threatened.”

Referring to an incident on Thursday when a Fire Service Officer was “arrested” by Turkish occupying “authorities” during an inspection concerning vegetation clearance at the boundaries of the Buffer Zone close to the government-controlled areas and was later released, he said that the Fire Service attempted to do this yesterday.

Kettis said there is a serious issue with fires that start in the occupied areas and spread to the government-controlled areas, as was the case in Nicosia where houses and properties were threatened, and the aim is to inform local authorities and the communities bordering the buffer zone so that the necessary brush clearings and clean-ups are carried out to avoid any threat to the government-controlled areas.

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.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 12/06/2026

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)

Larnaka Airport

Limassol

Pafos Airport

Frenaros

Prodromos

Polis Pafos

Meeting between UNSG personal envoy and President Christodoulides underway

A meeting between the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, María Ángela Holguín, and the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, is currently underway at the Presidential Palace.

This is Holguín’s second meeting with President Christodoulides since her arrival in Cyprus last Sunday.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, at 3.00 pm, Holguín also met again with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman.

Holguín’s meetings with the two leaders follow the initial talks she held with them separately on Monday.

The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General is expected to depart the island on Sunday and subsequently travel to Athens and Ankara for further contacts as part of preparations for a 5+1 meeting on Cyprus.

As she stated following her meeting with President Christodoulides on Monday, she is preparing, together with the UN Secretary-General, for a 5+1 meeting, expressing optimism that the ongoing efforts would lead to such a gathering.

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said earlier this week that the aim was to convene a new informal meeting on Cyprus, most likely during the last week of July or the first week of August.

Building permits issued up 48.8% in first two months of 2026

During the period of January – February 2026, 1,500 building permits were issued compared to 1,008 in the corresponding period of the previous year, recording an increase of 48.8%, according to data published by the Statistical Service on Friday.

The total value of these permits increased by 56.5% and the total area by 54.9%.

The number of dwelling units expected to be built with these permits amounts to 3,463, recording an increase of 79.2%.

Just in February, the number of building permits authorized during February 2026 stood at 711.

The total value of these permits reached pound 379.9 million and the total area 314.7 thousand square metres.

These building permits provide for the construction of 1,708 dwelling units.

First phase of Pedieos River/Kanlidere Rehabilitation Project completed, UNDP Cyprus says

The first phase of the Pedieos River/Kanlidere Rehabilitation Project was officially completed on Thursday, marking an important milestone in the ongoing effort to transform the river corridor into a vibrant, accessible and environmentally sustainable public space for all communities in Nicosia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cyprus has said in a press release.

It noted that the project, which is funded by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community and implemented by UNDP, to restore natural habitats, create shared public spaces and strengthen community ties. “Through improved walking and cycling infrastructure, the initiative promotes sustainable living, environmental stewardship and interaction between communities,” it added.

The event which marked the completion of the works brought together representatives from both communities, the European Union, UNDP, cyclists, community groups and residents from across Nicosia. Participants joined a walk and cycling activity along the newly completed route, celebrating the completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation works.

The completed 1.2 km section connects the Ledra Palace crossing area with the Pedieos River/Kanlidere corridor and introduces a two-way bicycle lane, a sidewalk and a green belt, creating safer and more accessible routes while improving access to nature in the heart of the city. “The completion of the first phase marks an important milestone in the wider rehabilitation effort along the Pedieos River/Kanlidere corridor,” the press release noted.

Expected to benefit at least 250,000 visitors annually, the Pedieos River/Kanlidere Rehabilitation Project is part of a broader effort to expand a 3.7-kilometre linear park in Nicosia, enhancing green areas, restoring the river environment and creating accessible public spaces for all.

!Following the completion of the first phase, works for the second phase are expected to commence in September 2026, further promoting sustainable mobility, recreation, environmental protection and interaction across Nicosia through the development of a continuous walking and cycling route,” the press release concluded.

Coming weeks until Holguin’s return to Cyprus are ‘crucial’, President says

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides described the coming weeks until the return of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, to Cyprus as ‘crucial’, expressing hope that there would be a collective approach domestically towards the objective of an expanded meeting on the Cyprus issue.

He also announced that the National Council has been convened for 22 June.

Speaking to journalists following his meeting with Holguín, and asked about what had been discussed, he said ‘we continued our very interesting discussion’.

He reiterated his optimism ‘that we will achieve the objective of convening an expanded meeting, which will result in the resumption of negotiations’.

‘This major effort continues,’ he added, noting that Holguín is to return to Cyprus after holding meetings in Turkey, Greece and Brussels.

He recalled that he had ‘a very good discussion’ on Thursday with the President of the European Council, António Costa, regarding the Cyprus issue and the role of the European Union in this new effort, as well as the broader objective of resolving the Cyprus problem.

He noted that he will be in Brussels next week, where he will meet again with Costa and with the President of the European Commission. ‘We are working towards one objective only: the convening of an expanded conference during which the resumption of negotiations will be announced.’

Asked whether specific dates for the meeting would be announced during Holguín’s next visit to Cyprus, the President said that ‘the most important issue is not the dates. There is a general timeframe that has already been mentioned, around late July or early August. We are focusing more on the substance’, he said, adding that he did not discuss specific dates with Holguín, only the substance.

Asked whether he was concerned that Turkey has escalated its rhetoric in recent days and whether its position may have changed since March, when it had been positive towards the UN Secretary-General’s initiative, the President said that this was an issue he had discussed with Holguín.

‘It is also something that Ms Holguín will discuss when she is in Turkey on Monday,’ he added.

In response to a question on whether, in light of Turkey’s recent rhetoric, the objective of resuming negotiations from where they left off at Crans-Montana still stands, the President replied: ‘Of course’. He added that the objective was to safeguard the acquis of the negotiations, ‘and ultimately, I repeat, we will all be judged by the outcome.’

He reiterated that the UN Secretary-General launched this effort in March following his meeting with the Turkish President. ‘That meeting took place. We met in Brussels and this effort began from that point onwards. If this effort does not bear fruit, someone will have to take responsibility. But I am not focusing on that. I will neither engage in, nor do I wish for, nor do I expect, a blame game to emerge,’ he said.

‘From the discussions we are having, I am optimistic that we can achieve the objective of an expanded conference, during which the resumption of negotiations will be announced,’ he added.

Asked when the National Council would convene, the President said that it had been scheduled for Monday, 22 June, after his return from Brussels.

Invited to clarify whether the new parliamentary parties, ALMA and Direct Democracy, would be represented at the National Council, the President said that all leaders of parties represented in the House of Representatives had been invited. At the same time, he added, he would also keep informed the leaders of parties that are not represented in Parliament but had previously participated in the National Council.

‘We are at a critical juncture. I want us to move forward collectively. I hope that this objective of unity and collective action can be achieved, and I do not believe that anyone is opposed to the resumption of negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework, apart from certain parties that have clearly stated different positions regarding the desired outcome,’ he added.

President Christodoulides welcomed the increased involvement of the European Union, noting that this had been one of his objectives from the outset, ‘and I hope we will continue in the same vein’.

‘The coming days and the coming weeks until Ms Holguín’s return to Cyprus are of crucial importance,’ he concluded.

Cyprus, Greece, Israel and U.S. to develop 3+1 Cooperation Roadmap on energy

The Energy Ministers of Cyprus and Greece, Michael Damianos and Stavros Papastavrou, Israel’s Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced their intention to hold a series of regular working-level meetings in the coming months aimed at developing a 3+1 Energy Dialogue Cooperation Roadmap, as part of the four countries’ ongoing cooperation under the 3+1 Energy Dialogue framework.

A Joint Statement issued following the Eastern Mediterranean 3+1 Energy Ministerial Dialogue, held Thursday in Houston, Texas, said that the purpose of the Roadmap is to identify objectives and actions in areas of mutual interest discussed during the meeting, including, where appropriate, leveraging the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center.

As one of the first actions, the countries agreed to establish a working group on cybersecurity and the physical protection of critical infrastructure, the statement added.

According to the Joint Statement, the competent ministries of the four countries aim to approve the Roadmap within the current calendar year and agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting in Israel in due course.

Cyprus Energy Minister Michalis Damianos, Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright discussed areas of mutual interest and ongoing cooperation, including energy security, offshore natural gas resource development, energy innovation, research and development, as well as regional infrastructure and connectivity.

The participants also underscored the importance of regional connectivity initiatives and projects among Greece, Cyprus and Israel that could create opportunities for U.S. companies, as well as the importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in strengthening economic resilience and secure supply chains.

The participants also welcomed the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.

Cyprus among EU countries with the highest employment growth, according to Eurostat

Cyprus was among the European Union member states that recorded the strongest increase in employment during the first quarter of 2026, according to data published by Eurostat on Friday.

More specifically, Cyprus recorded a 0.4 percentage point increase in the employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. This performance placed the country alongside Lithuania, Slovakia and Sweden in second place among EU member states with the highest increases. Italy recorded the largest rise, at 0.5 percentage points.

According to Eurostat, the employment rate in the European Union stood at 76.3% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 76.2% in the previous quarter.

The statistical office reported that a total of 11 EU member states recorded increases in their employment rates, while the rate remained unchanged in six countries. By contrast, employment declined in ten member states, with the largest decreases recorded in Latvia (-0.8 percentage points), Ireland (-0.7 percentage points), and Slovenia and Finland (both -0.3 percentage points).

3+1 Energy Dialogue and EMEC launch carry ‘political and geostrategic significance’, Letymbiotis says

The 3+1 Energy Ministerial Dialogue, bringing together Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States, as well as the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in Houston, constitute ‘a development of particular political and geostrategic significance,’ Cyprus Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, has said.

The Spokesperson noted, in a post on X, that ‘at a time when energy security has become a critical factor for the stability and resilience of states,’ the Eastern Mediterranean ‘is assuming ever greater importance.’

He said that cooperation among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States establishes ‘a stable framework for dialogue and coordination,’ aimed at ‘harnessing the region’s energy potential,’ strengthening connectivity and developing ‘common approaches to emerging challenges.’

Referring to the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center, the Spokesperson said that EMEC gives this cooperation ‘even greater substance and a more practical dimension.’ He described the Center as ‘a permanent mechanism, based in Houston, one of the world’s leading energy hubs,’ which can serve as ‘a point of reference for the exchange of expertise’ and for ‘the development of joint initiatives.’

He added that the Center can also contribute to ‘closer cooperation with the academic and business communities’ and to ‘the advancement of implementable solutions,’ noting that these efforts can deliver ‘shared benefits for the 3+1 countries and for regional partners,’ within the broader framework of ‘advancing strategic multilateralism.’

The Spokesperson underlined that the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center is linked to the implementation of a provision of the 2019 Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act. He said that this same strategic direction is now ‘gaining renewed momentum’ through the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, which promotes the Eastern Mediterranean as ‘a strategic bridge connecting Europe, the Middle East and India.’

Letymbiotis pointed out that the Act includes ‘explicit reference to the importance of Cyprus, the 3+1 framework and critical regional infrastructure.’

‘This continuity carries particular political significance,’ the Spokesperson said, adding that it demonstrates that the upgrading of relations between Cyprus and the United States is ‘part of a coherent strategy’ which is steadily acquiring ‘greater institutional depth, concrete instruments and practical substance.’

‘Our geographic position is important,’ he added, noting that its true value ‘is enhanced by our credibility, the partnerships we build and our consistent presence wherever developments are shaped.’