Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus is among the five European Union member states that have adopted most of the relevant national legislation required for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, according to a European Commission report titled ‘State of Play on the Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum’, published on Friday.

Alongside Cyprus, the countries that have advanced in adopting the core legislative framework include Czechia, Germany, Ireland and Slovakia.

Based on the report’s findings, the Commission issued an implementing decision identifying member states according to levels of migratory pressure. Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain are classified as countries under migratory pressure. Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Finland are considered at risk of migratory pressure.

At the same time, according to the progress section of the report, the adoption of the necessary national legislation is advancing across member states, with the support of the Commission’s contact committees, which provide guidance and address questions arising during implementation.

In at least eleven member states, the relevant legislative proposals are currently undergoing parliamentary procedures, while most other countries are in the final stages of preparing the necessary proposals.

According to the report, the operation of the EU’s central biometric database, Eurodac, is considered crucial for the operational implementation of the Pact. By mid-April 2026, eleven member states had reported that they were fully on track to begin operating within the new system by June, including Cyprus, alongside Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The Commission’s report also notes that further action is required to ensure the Pact becomes fully operational, including in relation to border procedures, the prevention of secondary movements, rules on responsibility and transfers, as well as the implementation of fundamental rights monitoring mechanisms.

As recalled in the report, the full implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum is scheduled for 12 June 2026, following a two-year transition period.

At a time when global maritime regulation continues to evolve, Cyprus firmly believes that Europe must remain closely aligned with international frameworks and maintain a strong, coordinated voice in global maritime fora, Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis said, pointing out that constructive engagement between policy-makers and the industry are essential to achieving this balance.

Addressing the 1st Mare Forum Chios 2026, on Friday, the Deputy Minister noted that the challenges the maritime industry is faced with are global in nature and cannot be addressed in isolation, but they require our cooperation, dialogue and solutions that are realistic, balanced and internationally aligned.

”In this respect, the role of the International Maritime Organization remains fundamental, as the primary forum for developing global maritime rules that ensure a level playing field and effective implementation worldwide”, she said.

Hadjimanolis added that shipping and maritime affairs are among key priorities for Cyprus EU Presidency and through targeted initiatives, including the Lefkosia Declaration that was signed last week by all 27 member states and high-level dialogue with stakeholders, we aim to promote training, innovation and decarbonisation, while safeguarding the competitiveness of European shipping.

”At the same time, the Cyprus Presidency places particular emphasis on ensuring that the European Union remains closely aligned with international maritime frameworks and maintains a strong, coordinated voice at the IMO”, she said.

She further referred to ship owning and shipmanagement, legal and financial services, crewing and education on the island, noting that the approach is guided by a firm commitment to safety, quality, competitiveness and sustainability, always within the framework of international law and global standards.

The Cypriot Deputy Minister also spoke about Cyprus-Chios ties through a shared maritime heritage, common respect for the sea and joint commitment to passing these values on to future generations.

Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos had a farewell meeting, on Friday, with the outgoing US Ambassador, Julie Davis, noting that her tenure in Cyprus was a pivotal one.

In a post on X, Kombos said he had ‘a warm and cordial farewell meeting’ with Davis, as she concludes ‘her pivotal tenure’ as Ambassador of the United States to Cyprus.

‘I expressed my deep appreciation for her friendship, as well as for her unwavering dedication and contribution to advancing Cyprus-US cooperation and our strategic partnership,’ he noted.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 08/05/2026 UNTIL 1200 09/05/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1018hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 20°C

Warnings: NIL

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 08/05/2026 UNTIL 1800 09/05/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1018hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 20°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3, locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, later West to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4, gradually locally 4 to 5

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Night

Northwest to North 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4, locally 4

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Night

West to Northwest 3, offshore Northwest to North

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Northeast to East

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4, later Southeast to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Variable 3, gradually Northwest to Northeast

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Northwest to North 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

‘Marks and Bleeds’ Exhibition at European University Cyprus: Exploring What Remains Unseen in Design

In contemporary design, the outcome rarely reveals the full journey behind its creation. With this idea as a starting point, students of the Graphic Design programme at European University Cyprus present the exhibition ‘Marks and Bleeds’, a multidimensional exploration of both the visible and invisible aspects of the design process.

The exhibition’s title is drawn from printing terminology and operates symbolically on two levels. ‘Marks’ refer to the guiding signs that ensure the accurate production of a printed piece, reflecting the structured path each project follows toward its final form. In contrast, ‘bleeds’ extend beyond the final trim edge and, although often unseen, are an integral part of the creative process and the thinking behind the finished outcome.

The exhibition features selected student works across a broad range of disciplines, including visual communication, branding, editorial design, packaging design, digital design, and motion graphics, highlighting diverse approaches and modes of expression.

Its aim is to foreground the creative process itself and the transition from experimentation to completion, offering visitors meaningful insight into what lies behind the final design.

‘Marks and Bleeds’ is open to students, design professionals, and the wider public, fostering dialogue and the exchange of ideas around contemporary design.

WISTA Cyprus, which is part of the global Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) network, has recently organised an exclusive visit for its members to the VLPG Plant in Vassiliko, Cyprus, “offering participants a unique opportunity to gain first-hand insight into one of the country’s important and most modern energy infrastructure facilities”.

A press release says that the Vassilikos LPG Terminal is a strategically important energy infrastructure facility for Cyprus, responsible for the safe import, storage, handling, cylinder filling, and bulk loading of liquefied petroleum gas and that the plant operates under strict international safety and environmental standards and provides services to licensed energy companies supplying the Cypriot market.

The visit included a presentation by Demetris Panayiotou, General Manager of VLPG, who provided an overview of the terminal’s operations, services, and role within Cyprus’s energy sector. Members also participated in a guided tour of the facility, where they were introduced to key operational areas related to LPG handling, storage, safety procedures, and distribution infrastructure, it adds.

Through initiatives such as this, WISTA Cyprus continues to promote professional development, industry engagement, and stronger connections across the maritime, shipping, trade , logistics and energy sectors, the press release concludes.

Cyprus Minister of Interior Constantinos Ioannou and EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib discussed on Thursday strengthening EU-Mediterranean region cooperation and the significance of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Support Hub in dealing with fires and other natural disasters.

The two had a meeting on the sidelines of the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean High-Level Workshop on Fire Risks, which was organised by the Civil Defence in the framework of the Cyprus EU Presidency, an Interior Ministry press release said here today.

During the meeting they discussed issues related to the strengthening of cooperation between EU Member States and third countries in the Mediterranean region for effective crisis management and the strengthening of regional preparedness and resilience, the press release said.

“They both referred to the significance of CRAFS, Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Support Hub in substantially enhancing the prevention, preparedness and response capabilities for fires and other natural disasters,” it added.

Ioannou and the Commissioner also discussed the progress of the discussions on the Regulation on the reinforcement of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, with the aim of developing a more effective and resilient European crisis management framework.

The Minister thanked Commissioner Lahbib for her cooperation and continued support in the efforts to strengthen preparedness, resilience and cooperation between EU MS.

Economic pessimism, low trust in institutions, growing concern over developments in the Middle East and clear opposition to military support for Ukraine are reflected in the Eurobarometer survey published on Friday ahead of Europe Day. The Spring 2026 Eurobarometer survey was conducted between March 12 and April 1, 2026 and is based on 506 interviews in Cyprus, as part of an EU-wide sample of 26,415 citizens.

According to the findings on the economy, more than half of Cypriots – a 53% – assess the current state of the Cypriot economy negatively, while only 46% view it positively, compared with 60% and 38% respectively across the EU’s 27 member states. Pessimism intensifies regarding the coming year, with 51% expecting a deterioration in the country’s economic situation, an increase of 23 percentage points compared to the previous survey in autumn 2025, while only 11% foresee improvement, with this indicator falling by four percentage points compared to 2025.

Despite concerns about the overall economy, citizens appear more restrained regarding their own situation. Overall, 75% assess their household’s financial situation positively, while 60% believe their personal professional situation will remain stable over the next year.

As the most important problems facing the country, Cypriots identify rising prices and the cost of living at 36%, the conflict in the Middle East at 30%, the economic situation at 24%, migration at 23% and housing at 21% of responses. At European Union level, the situation in the Middle East is also recorded as the top concern at 35%, followed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at 27% and migration at 26%.

Trust in institutions remains particularly low. Only 31% say they trust the government and 22% parliament, while distrust towards parliament is expressed by 74% of respondents. The balance of trust towards the European Union is also negative, with 39% saying they trust the EU and 54% saying they do not, despite a slight improvement of four percentage points compared to the previous survey.

At the same time, 36% of Cypriots say they have a positive image of the EU, nine points below the average among the ’27’. In any case, the figure in Cyprus is six points more positive towards the Union compared to autumn 2025, with 57% now appearing optimistic about the future of the EU.

The findings on European identity are of particular interest. While the overwhelming majority of Cypriots declare a strong attachment to their town or village at 92% and to their country at 95%, only 52% feel attached to the EU and just 45% to ‘Europe’ as a broader concept, marking one of the lowest percentages in the Union.

Regarding citizens’ priorities for EU action, Cypriots place emphasis on ensuring peace and stability at 48%, creating jobs at 39%, access to housing at 30% – almost double the EU average of 16% – strengthening security and defence at 32%, and managing irregular migration at 29%, with the latter two figures also slightly higher than at European level.

In the field of digital security, more than half of Cypriots, at 53%, believe major online platforms are not doing enough to remove illegal or harmful content, while 45% believe platforms are not doing enough to protect users.

Strong divergences from the European average are also recorded in Cypriots’ attitudes towards Ukraine. While 77% agree with receiving refugees and 70% support economic and humanitarian aid, the majority reject sanctions against Russia and military support for Kyiv. Specifically, only 30% support economic sanctions, compared with 70% at EU level, while 62% oppose them, compared with 23% across the EU. Support for financing military equipment for Ukraine is even lower, with only 18% in favour and 78% against, compared with 56% and 39% respectively at European level. Acceptance of Ukraine joining the EU is also low, with 41% of Cypriots agreeing compared with 56% of Europeans.

Regarding the European budget, Cypriots want EU spending to focus mainly on employment, social policy and public health at 52% of responses, education and youth at 52%, housing at 51% and security and defence at 43%.

National Guard Chief, Lieutenant General, Emmanouel Theodorou, participated this week in the DEFEA Conference 2026, held in Athens. He also visited the Supreme Joint War College in Greece, where he presented to the students the mission, organisation, work, and activities of the National Guard, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence.

The National Guard Chief, the press release said, participated on May 5, in the DEFEA Conference which took place in Athens under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of National Defence.

‘During the conference, the Chief held meetings with the leadership of the Hellenic Armed Forces, during which current regional and international developments were discussed, with emphasis on their implications for security and stability in the region,’ the press release noted. At the same time, it added, he had the opportunity to exchange views with representatives of the Greek, Cypriot, and international defence industries and to receive updates on developments and emerging trends in the field of defence technology.

It is noted that among those attending the conference were Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, Greece’s Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska.

On Wednesday, May 6, Theodorou visited the Supreme Joint War College in Greece, where he presented to the students the mission, organisation, work, and activities of the National Guard, according to the press release.

‘During his address, he focused on the emerging security challenges developing in the Eastern Mediterranean as a result of recent developments in the wider Middle East region,’ it said. At the same time, ‘he stressed the need to develop strategic thinking and highlighted the importance of the continual adaptation of defence planning in order to respond effectively to the rapid geopolitical changes taking place,’ the press release concluded.