Category: Cyprus News Agency

A Fire Service Officer who was ‘arrested’ by the Turkish occupying “authorities” at the edge of the Buffer Zone in Pyla near the government-controlled areas on Thursday morning has been released, according to Fire Service Spokesperson, Andreas Kettis. UNFICYP Spokesperson Aleem Siddique told CNA UNPOL officers secured ‘his prompt release’.

In a post on X, Kettis said that the during an inspection concerning vegetation clearance at the boundaries of the Buffer Zone close to the government-controlled areas, a Fire Service Officer was ‘arrested’ by the occupying “authorities”.

He noted that the officer has since been released and that the circumstances under which the incident occurred are being investigated by the Police.

Siddique, who was replying to a CNA question about the incident, said that this morning United Nations Police officers (UNPOL) entered ‘a sensitive area’ of the Pyla plateau while escorting a firefighter from the Larnaca Fire Department.

‘The firefighter was briefly detained by Turkish Cypriot police. UNPOL officers on the ground immediately engaged with the Turkish Cypriot side and secured his prompt release,’ he added.

‘The safety and security of civilians inside the UN buffer zone remains our highest priority,’ Siddique noted.

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.

Executive chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Aram Hamparian, called for justice for Cyprus and said now is the time for the US administration to act.

Hamparian was addressing the 41st Annual PSEKA Conference in Washington, DC on Wednesday.

In his speech, he reminded that “there is no community closer to the Armenian heart than the Hellenic community” and “there is no cause dearer to the Armenian soul than the cause of Cyprus”. He called for justice, freedom and reunification and an end to the Turkish occupation.

He said the Hellenic community is stronger than ever while he sees a Greece and Cyprus better positioned geo-politically than ever. “I see a Turkish state more isolated – even reviled – than ever”, said Hamparian adding “the time is now. To hit – and hit hard. History has always been on our side” and called on the US administration “this and all future Administrations – must stand on our side”, not as a ‘neutral’ observer but as “an ‘honest broker.’

He said now is the time to “strike the right balance – between being at the table, and – in equal measure -at their throats. For the fate of a free people is at stake. Imposing concrete costs and political consequences on those in and around our government – who, through action or inaction – cross your community’s red-lines”.

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.

Tomorrow, 12 June 2026, the Pact on Migration and Asylum will start to apply in all EU Member States. Adopted in May 2024, the Pact has overhauled the EU’s migration and asylum framework and now forms the centrepiece of the EU’s new approach on migration. For the first time, the EU has a comprehensive migration and asylum framework in place, with strong external border protection, fair and firm asylum rules, and a balance between solidarity and responsibility.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: ‘Migration is a European challenge which must be met with a European solution. One that is effective, fair and firm. This is what the Pact on Migration and Asylum delivers – more secure external borders, solidarity between Member States and more efficient procedures for asylum and return. And to address the root causes of migration together, we continue to strengthen our relationships with global partners.’

The EU has opened a new chapter on migration and asylum of which the Pact on Migration and Asylum is a core element. It comes together with an assertive migration diplomacy, technologically advanced border protection (with the Entry-Exit System rolled out and fully applied), and new rules to make returns swifter and more effective, as outlined in the European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy. The new approach is already showing strong results, with a 55% decrease in illegal border crossings compared to two years ago.

Core elements of the Pact on Migration and Asylum include:

Secure external borders, with new mandatory registration and thorough security checks of all irregular migrants crossing the EU’s borders illegally, fast-track border procedures in border areas for those unlikely to be in need of protection, present a security risk or mislead the authorities, and swift returns -without the person being authorised to enter the territory of the EU.

Firm and fair asylum procedures, including shorter time limits for asylum procedures, stricter rules for abusive and subsequent applications, and rules to better prevent secondary movements.

EU-wide standards for reception conditions, ensuring dignified reception standards throughout the EU, reducing incentives for secondary movements and facilitating faster access to the labour market (already after 6 months).

A fair balance between solidarity and responsibility, with a permanent mandatory solidarity mechanism and a possibility for Member States to contribute to solidarity in a flexible way, addressing the specific situation of each Member State. It also includes clearer rules on which Member State is responsible for processing an asylum application, as well as faster processes on transferring applicants back to the Member State in charge.

Strong safeguards, to ensure compliance with fundamental rights including an independent monitoring mechanism in during the screening and the asylum border procedure.

As of tomorrow (12 June), the new rules will be fully applicable, and Member States will be able to apply the rules in practice.

To mark this milestone, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner participates tomorrow in an informal Ministerial Conference hosted by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council in Nicosia. A press conference will take place tomorrow at approximately 12:45 CEST and will be livestreamed on EBS.

Next steps

The key pillars of the new system are in place. Looking ahead, implementing this complex set of reforms requires significant legal and operational work. Member States will continue to adapt and finetune the new procedures in the coming months, with continuous support from the Commission and EU Agencies.

In parallel, the Commission, together with Member States, will continue strengthening its migration diplomacy tools and working with international partners, including countries of origin and transit, while ensuring the EU has the rules and processes in place to attract the skills it needs to boost the competitiveness of our economies.

For More Information

Pact on Migration and Asylum

Q and A

Factsheet

European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy

Regulation establishing a new Common European System for Returns

Entry-Exit System

Quote(s)

Migration is a European challenge which must be met with a European solution. One that is effective, fair and firm. This is what the Pact on Migration and Asylum delivers – more secure external borders, solidarity between Member States and more efficient procedures for asylum and return. And to address the root causes of migration together, we continue to strengthen our relationships with global partners.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

After years of intense work, we now have a robust, balanced framework to manage migration in the EU. The Pact on Migration and Asylum strengthens the protection of our external borders, it makes asylum procedures faster and more efficient and ensures the right balance between solidarity and responsibility.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

The Pact on Migration and Asylum is an important element of the reform of our migration management system. We are putting our European house in order. This creates the conditions for us to decide who can come to Europe, who can stay, and who must leave. It strengthens trust between Member States and gives Europe more control.

Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration

EU agrees to accelerate defence industrial base ramp-up and simplify defence procurement

The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to simplify security and defence procurement, facilitate defence investments and support the defence industry.

The Commission proposed the defence omnibus a year ago, as part of the EU’s simplification agenda to boost Europe’s competitiveness. These measures directly address industry calls for faster, more flexible, and less burdensome defence industrial policies, strengthening Europe’s security and industrial resilience.

Today’s agreement will facilitate the transfer of defence products within the EU. New EU-wide licences and broader exemptions from prior authorisation will make it simpler to transfer defence products across borders and help reduce delays.

The agreement also intends to streamline defence procurement procedures for contracting authorities and industry. This will reduce administrative burden and help accelerate defence procurement.

The provisional deal introduces faster permitting for defence projects, introducing a 42-working-day deadline for permit decisions and making approval automatic if authorities do not respond in time. This will help critical defence projects move forward more quickly.

Finally, the agreement simplifies access to the European Defence Fund to improve implementation and simplify administrative requirements for applicants, in line with industry feedback. It also reduces legal uncertainty by clarifying how EU chemicals legislation applies to the defence sector.

Next steps

The Regulations will enter into the formal adoption process by the European Parliament and the Council over the coming weeks, to ensure their rapid entry into force.

Background

In June 2025, the Commission proposed the Defence Readiness Omnibus, a landmark package aligned with the White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030. Designed to foster a defence-readiness mindset across the EU, the package strengthens defence investments, enabling Member States and industry to respond rapidly and effectively to escalating security threats. The package includes three key legislative files:

A proposal for Regulation to accelerate permit-granting for defence-readiness projects.

An amending Regulation covering the European Defence Fund (EDF) and REACH chemical regulations, ensuring greater alignment with defence needs.

An amending Directive to streamline intra-EU transfers of defence products and defence procurement procedures.

For more information

Defence Readiness Omnibus – Defence Industry and Space

Quote(s)

Europe’s security depends on our ability to act decisively, and that means removing barriers to innovation, speeding up defence production, and ensuring our industries can deliver when it matters most. This agreement is a critical step toward a more sovereign, resilient Europe. By simplifying rules for the European Defence Fund, cutting delays in permit approvals, and fostering cross-border collaboration, we are not only strengthening our defence capabilities but also safeguarding our technological edge. In an era of growing threats, this is how we turn policy into action, and ensure Europe remains a leader in security and democracy.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

Today’s agreement on Defence Readiness Omnibus brings big change: Maximum 100 days to wait for defence industry permits instead of up to four years. Simpler procurement rules, smaller burdens. Small steps in rules, big steps in Defence Readiness. We will continue to defragment defence market.

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

EU-wide cyber exercise tests response to attacks on rail and maritime networks

Some 5,000 experts took part in an EU-wide cyber exercise on 10 and 11 June to test how Europe would respond to attacks on critical transport infrastructure. Cyber Europe 2026 was also the first EU-wide test of the 2025 EU Cyber Blueprint, which clarifies roles and responsibilities in a crisis.

Organised by the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the exercise simulated a cyber attack on Europe’s rail and maritime networks. The scenario caused severe operational disruptions and escalated into a full-blown cybersecurity crisis. Participants included cybersecurity specialists from the public and private sectors, policymakers, EU institutions, industry and partner countries (the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine).

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, said: ‘Transport is essential to our economy and daily lives, but it is also a target for cyber threats. When ports or railways are hit, effects can reach far beyond transport, disrupting trade, military mobility and crisis response. As hybrid threats blur the line between civilian and military infrastructure, preparedness is not optional. Cyber threats cross borders in seconds. Europe must be able to act just as fast, together with its closest partners.’

The exercise also tested the Cybersecurity Reserve, created under the Cyber Solidarity Act to support responses to cybersecurity incidents. The lessons from Cyber Europe 2026 will help consolidate the EU Cyber Blueprint and embed cyber crisis management into the Union’s broader emergency preparedness and response frameworks.

(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)

EU now protects over 3,700 European food and drinks with geographical indications

The European Commission has reached an important milestone with regard to the protection of European food and drinks heritage. With 13 new products joining the register today, the EU officially protects over 3,700 geographical indications (GIs) and continues to lead globally in protecting tradition, promoting sustainability, and rewarding excellence. The new GIs include products from Finland, France, Italy, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

GIs preserve Europe’s food and drink heritage and promote quality products across the EU and beyond. They protect the names of products deeply rooted in their regions, ensuring consumers can trust their origin, quality, and traditional production methods. They apply to a wide range of agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines and spirits produced in various regions.

The EU’s geographical indications include protected designation of origin, protected geographical indication and geographical indications. Well-known examples include Bayerisches Bier, Champagne, Irish Whiskey, Kalamata olives, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Polish Vodka, Queso Manchego and Roquefort cheeses. Today’s additions further strengthen a system that generates over pound 75 billion in annual sales and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in rural communities. GIs account for around 15% of EU agri-food exports.

The updated EU GI Regulation, which entered into force in May 2024, has made registration faster and more accessible, while strengthening protections against misuse. A new step-by-step guide to GIs now helps producers navigate the application process.

You can find more information online.

(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Katerina Horáková – Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)

Commission welcomes agreement on key safeguards for the new emissions trading system for buildings and road transport

The European Parliament and Council have today reached a provisional agreement to strengthen the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) for the new emissions trading system covering buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS2), helping to ensure a smooth and predictable start when the system launches in 2028. It supports the implementation of the EU’s 2040 climate objectives while enhancing resilience to volatility in fossil fuel imports.

Following the Commission’s proposal, this agreement strengthens the ETS2 safeguards by enabling stronger intervention to support market price stability and reinforcing the reserve’s capacity to operate in the longer term, while preserving the environmental integrity of the system. It sends a clear signal that the EU is committed to a predictable and reliable carbon market, providing greater certainty for citizens, businesses and those investing in the transition.

Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, said: ‘Climate action must not only be effective, but also fair and predictable. Today’s agreement strengthens the safeguards around the new emissions trading system for buildings and road transport, further enhancing stability and affordability for citizens and businesses, while setting us on a more predictable path toward a low-carbon future.’

The agreement on the targeted MSR changes completes a set of measures announced by the Commissioner at the October 2025 Environment Council to secure ETS2 market stability and accelerate early investments. Together with the Social Climate Fund, these measures will contribute to a fair and orderly transition towards climate neutrality. Now, this provisional agreement needs to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

More information on the ETS2 Market Stability Reserve agreement is online.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)

Executive Vice-President Mînzatu hosts Implementation Dialogue on supporting and empowering teachers in the EU

Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, is hosting an Implementation Dialogue on supporting the teaching profession, today in Brussels.

This Dialogue aims to deepen the European Commission’s understanding of the sector in preparation for the EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda, a key component of the Union of Skills’ Education Package, which will be released later this autumn. It highlights the crucial role of education stakeholders in developing young people’s skills, critical thinking, and civic participation.

The Executive Vice-President will welcome over 20 representatives of organisations related to the teaching profession, including teachers, parents, and school leaders, as well as representatives of national and local authorities, international organisations, and sectoral social partners. Together, they will suggest priorities for EU action and initiatives supporting teachers.

The discussion will be informed by data from the first five years of the European Education Area (EEA) framework and the current Erasmus+ programming period 2021-2027. Through Erasmus+ opportunities and related initiatives, the Commission helps enhance the attractiveness of the teaching profession, promote professional developments, as well as strengthen evidence-based education policies.

Implementation Dialogues are part of the Commission’s commitment to seek feedback from society for the implementation and simplification of EU policies.

More information on the Commission’s Implementation Dialogues is available online.

(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)

Commissioner Serafin to visit Latvia for his ‘Tour d’Europe’

As part of his ‘Tour d’Europe’ to consult Member States on the next European long-term budget (MFF), Commissioner for Budget and Administration Piotr Serafin is in Latvia this week. He will meet public authorities and beneficiaries of EU funding to witness firsthand how EU-supported initiatives are improving lives and contributing to regional development in the country.

Today, the Commissioner will visit the headquarters of Aerones Engineering, in Riga. He will observe directly the impact of EU funding on the development of robotic innovation in wind turbine maintenance.

On Friday, Commissioner Serafin will meet members of the European Affairs Committee, and of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Latvian Parliament, for an exchange of views on the next MFF. He will then meet Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister of Transport. The Commissioner will finish his visit with a meeting with Andris Kulbergs, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, to notably discuss the foreseen impact of the next MFF for the country.

More information on Commissioner Serafin’s Tour d’Europe is available in its dedicated website.

As thousands of workers in the EU lose their life every year in work-related incidents, European and Cypriot officials highlighted on Thursday morning, at a conference, in Nicosia, efforts to enhance occupational safety and health across the bloc. Mario Nava, Director-General of the Commission’s DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, stressed the need for evidence-based actions, awareness, and for the law to keep apace with change, while William Cockburn, the Executive Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, noted the very high human cost, as well as the “substantial economic cost” estimated at around 3% of GDP. Stelios Himonas, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance noted that non-fatal accidents fell almost 40% in a decade in Cyprus.

Nava, speaking at the Occupational Safety and Health Conference, titled ‘Positive Safety Culture towards Vision Zero’, held at the Filoxenia Conference Centre, in the context of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, congratulated the Cyprus Presidency on delivering results and commented on Cyprus’ good examples on health and safety at work.

He stressed the phenomenal progress made over the last 20 years in the EU labour market, with the increase of employment. ‘Because of that, we really need to seize the momentum for quality jobs’ he said, noting that no job can truly be called quality job if it harms the health or endangers the life of the workers. ‘When workers are protected, businesses thrive, health is preserved, and productivity rises. And when life is safeguarded, families and communities flourish,’ he said.

Nava argued that the legal obligation of occupational safety is actually the bedrock of competitive, inclusive and sustainable labour markets. ‘We are in a world where labour has become a scarce resource’, he said, noting the need for an estimated 90 million more workers worldwide. ‘That means we need to compete for workers. And if we need to compete for workers, having good health and safety conditions is the bare minimum.’

Quoting data, he said that the fatal accident since 1994 have fallen by 70% in the EU and 70% in Cyprus since 2005.

Nevertheless, he noted that every year in the EU, 3,300 workers lose their life, amounting to 1.6 for every 1,000 employed people. ‘It’s still a lot. That’s the area where we want to work, because behind each statistic there is a human tragedy,’ he said.

He noted that challenges are changing, referring to the climate change that affects more EU countries now than 30 years ago, but also digitalization, AI, psychosocial risks, stress, burnout, harassment.

‘Vision Zero is the way to respond,’ he said, arguing that we need evidence-based actions, awareness, and for the law to keep pace with change.

Nava also mentioned the importance of Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive (CMRD6) to be discussed on June 23 in a trilogue, noting that it can prevent about 1,700 lung cancers, and about 20,000 other incidents, asking for Cyprus Presidency’s contribution to bring it home.

He also mentioned the Quality Jobs Act, expected to come out at the end of this year.

Additionally, Nava said that there are a lot of good examples to take from Cyprus on the subject, mentioning the focus on fall prevention, the Safepass scheme, the collaboration with trade unions.

Particular mention was also made to Cyprus Presidency’s success on Regulation 883, regarding workers’ mobility in the EU. Nava said that ‘for us in Brussels, it was an incredible thing’, noting that an agreement ‘escaped’ from the hands of many Presidencies. ‘Probably the Cypriots didn’t know it was impossible, and that’s why they did it’, he said.

Concluding, he said that we need to make sure that we achieve an ecosystem which at the same time is a culture of prevention, where safety comes first and not afterwards, with big data guiding action, and with a very strong and bold enforcement to ensure compliance.

On his part, William Cockburn, Executive Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, said that no loss of life or serious injury is acceptable as a price and that life and health can never be exchanged for other benefits within society.

‘Accidents and illnesses are not something that we should accept as a cost of work. Everybody has the right to return home safe and healthy after a day’s work,’ he said.

Noting that in Europe there still is a very high human cost, he added that there is also ‘a substantial economic cost,’ with estimates putting it at around 3% of GDP.

‘We need to communicate the issue more effectively to those who are not in our world. We need to explain that it’s an entirely avoidable burden,’ he said, adding that we know what measures are successful, mentioning safety culture, leadership commitment, worker engagement, communication, risk assessment and a continuous cycle of learning and making that part of the identity of the organization.

Cockburn said that the Agency’s research is delivering insights for policy and regulation. He noted that significant proportion of mainly very small enterprises don’t think about occupational safety and health at all, with the Agency calling them ‘the avoiders’. There is also another group where they act in response to a trigger, for example, an accident, a visit from the labour inspectorate, and then there’s a group of good performers, who are happy to take the tools and guidance and are on the active lookout for best practices.

‘But Vision Zero means reaching out to the avoiders. Vision Zero means engaging with all of those small enterprises, not only the good performers,’ he said.

In the absence of the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Moushouttas, Stelios Himonas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry delivered an address. As he said, despite the progress achieved, occupational accidents and diseases continue to have an unacceptable human and economic cost.

‘A shared ambition that unites us is the pursuit of Vision Zero,’ he said, referring to a future in which occupational accidents and diseases are prevented, and where mental health, well-being, and dignity at work are fully safeguarded and promoted.

Himonas said that the Cyprus Presidency has attached particular importance to strengthening the cultural dimension of occupational safety and health.

Referring to practices in Cyprus on the subject, he said that we promote preventive strategies based on risk assessment and early intervention, we combine effective enforcement with guidance and support for enterprises, we take targeted action in high risk sectors such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, and we invest in continuous education and training, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Quoting the data for Cyprus, he said that the progress has been particularly encouraging, with non-fatal accidents falling almost 40% in a decade.

He mentioned that ‘Vision Zero’ is not merely an abstract aspiration, but a tangible and achievable objective, ‘provided that we act with unity, determination, and shared responsibility.’

He also noted that these efforts align closely with the broader priorities of the Cyprus Presidency in advancing the rights and protection of all workers. ‘Strong enforcement of occupational safety and health standards is not an isolated objective, but an integral part of a wider commitment to a more resilient and equitable European labour market,’ he said, referring to the successful conclusion by the Presidency of Regulation 883 on the coordination of social security systems, that marks an important step forward in facilitating fair and well-regulated mobility across the Union, while safeguarding equal treatment and legal certainty for mobile workers.

‘Let us seize the opportunity of the Cyprus Presidency to reaffirm our common commitment deepen our cooperation and accelerate progress towards this shared Vision Zero, transforming this objective from an aspiration into a tangible reality for every worker across Europe,’ he concluded.

The Conference continues on Thursday afternoon with an exchange of national initiatives and experiences on health and safety issues, aimed to lead at a Vision Zero environment, with discussions between representatives from Cyprus, the Netherlands, Latvia, Denmark, Finland, and field experts.

The Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Moushiouttas, addressed on Wednesday the Plenary Session of the 114th Annual Session of the International Labour Organization in Geneva, representing the Republic of Cyprus as head of a three-member delegation.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Labour, in his remarks during the discussion on the future of work and the role of Artificial Intelligence in promoting decent work, the Minister emphasized that Artificial Intelligence is already transforming labour markets and societies, stressing that technological progress must serve humanity and contribute to fair, inclusive, and sustainable development, and noted that the future of work is not predetermined but depends on policy choices, regulatory frameworks, and meaningful social dialogue.

It is added that, referring to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Moushiouttas noted that Cyprus has placed the future of work, quality employment, and skills, placing particular emphasis on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on labour rights and the quality of work. In this context, he referred to the discussion held, at the initiative of the Cyprus Presidency, at the European Union Employment Ministers’ Council on March 9, 2026.

It is added that the Minister of Labour also highlighted the positive performance of the Cypriot economy and labour market, noting that the employment rate reached a historic high of 81.3% in 2025, while unemployment fell to 4.4%, the lowest level since 2008. At the same time, he referred to policies aimed at boosting incomes and social protection through the implementation of the national minimum wage, the renewal of collective agreements, and targeted skills upgrading programs.

In closing, Moushiouttas underscored the importance of social dialogue and tripartite cooperation in managing the transformations brought about by Artificial Intelligence, stressing that the decisions made today will determine not only the future of work but also the future of our societies, the statement concludes.

Mosquito-borne diseases once considered distant are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s public health reality, Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said on Wednesday, opening a conference in Nicosia on diseases transmitted by mosquito vectors.

Addressing the conference at the Filoxenia Conference Centre, organised in the framework of the Cyprus EU Council Presidency, Charalambides said rising temperatures, environmental pressures, changing ecosystems, intensified travel and demographic shifts were altering the behaviour and geographical distribution of vector-borne diseases.

Diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika and West Nile virus, he said, are no longer ‘theoretical concerns confined to other regions, but signals of a changing climate and epidemiological environment that requires vigilance, preparedness and cooperation.’

The Minister said mosquito-borne diseases are one of the clearest examples of how climate change is affecting human health, adding that public health in the 21st century requires a broader approach based on prevention, sustainability and the One Health principle, linking human, animal and environmental health.

He noted that Cyprus, due to its geographical position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and its climatic conditions, is at the frontline of several climate-sensitive public health challenges. This, he said, strengthens the country’s commitment to preparedness, regional cooperation and a more resilient European Health Union.

Preparedness, Charalambides said, cannot begin when an outbreak occurs, but must be built in advance through surveillance systems, research networks, public health infrastructure and policy making.

He referred to the need for investment in early warning systems, laboratory and diagnostic capacity, vector surveillance, predictive modelling and environmentally responsible mosquito-control strategies based on scientific evidence.

The Minister of Health also said that mosquito-borne diseases are a strategic European challenge, affecting not only health security but also economic resilience, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and social well-being. Since such threats do not respect borders, he added, no member state can address them in isolation.

He said the discussions at the conference were ultimately about protecting lives, safeguarding vulnerable groups and ensuring that health systems remain resilient in the face of emerging threats.

Ole Heuer, representing the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), said Europe is facing ‘a new reality’ in the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, with the challenge moving at a pace that requires early action.

He said the current burden of mosquito-borne disease in Europe remains manageable, but warned that the potential scale of the crisis is enormous.

‘Geography is no longer a protective factor,’ he said, noting that northern Europe is not immune and that the burden in southern Europe is rising quickly as temperatures continue to increase.

Heuer said the main drivers are climate change, globalisation and ecological shifts, adding that large parts of the EU are already affected by the further spread of vectors, including Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

He also pointed to structural and operational challenges, including the limited number of approved biocides, increasing insecticide resistance, evidence gaps on the effectiveness of control measures and differences between European countries in their capacity to respond.

Heuer said accurate, high-quality surveillance is essential, as public health action ‘starts and ends with surveillance’. He added that stronger vector-control knowledge, better tools, predictive modelling and science-based communication are also needed.

Communication, he noted, is important because much of the response depends on behavioural change, which requires public awareness, community participation and evidence-based messages.

He stressed that the issue cannot be addressed by individual countries alone and called for a coordinated European approach, more investment in innovation and evidence, and stronger cooperation between the human health, veterinary and environmental sectors.

The conference will discuss epidemiology, surveillance, mosquito-control methods, preparedness, modelling and communication, with the participation of experts and representatives from EU institutions and member states.

The European Commission’s first-ever dedicated strategies for island and coastal communities, bringing together existing and future Commission actions, were presented on Wednesday by Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis and Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto in Brussels, following the conclusion of the College of Commissioners meeting. Both strategies will be officially presented on 26 June in Paphos, in cooperation with the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

On the coastal communities strategy, Commissioner Kadis noted that coastal areas are characterised by “high diversity – from small fishing villages to major port cities”, requiring “tailored, place-based solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.” He also noted that the strategy was announced under the European Ocean Pact and covers 95 million people along 70,000 kilometres of coastline across 22 coastal Member States.

According to Kadis, coastal areas generate around pound 265 billion in gross value added annually, while facing mounting pressures from climate change, pollution, unbalanced tourism and demographic decline. “They are essential for maritime trade, tourism, fisheries, renewable energy, cultural heritage and security, as many represent EU maritime borders. At the same time, they are increasingly exposed to major pressures: climate change, pollution, unbalanced tourism and demographic decline,” he stated.

The strategy’s three pillars – Prosperity, Resilience and Liveability – are underpinned by 13 flagship actions. Under Prosperity, the strategy aims to diversify the sustainable blue economy, including the dual use of fishing vessels for pescatourism, the development of a blue carbon credit certification methodology, and blue bioeconomy innovations such as algae-based fertilisers.

On the Resilience pillar, Kadis stressed the importance of leveraging “advanced digital capabilities for situational awareness, simulations and scenario planning”, and promoting the involvement of coastal stakeholders – fishers, port authorities and local maritime actors – in maritime surveillance through voluntary reporting of suspicious activities at sea.

On the Liveability pillar, the Commissioner acknowledged in response to a CNA question that the problem caused by “asymmetric” tourism in coastal and island areas is complex. “This is a more complex problem, and if we had done enough, we would not need a strategy, nor measures to address and balance the tourism burden. So it is indeed a challenge, and the strategy includes measures to address it” Kadis said. In this regard, the strategy puts forward the forthcoming Pan-European Investment Platform for Affordable and Sustainable Housing, in partnership with the EIB, alongside the future Affordable Housing Act as key tools.

Asked how Cyprus would benefit from the new strategies, Commissioner Kadis said that “all the measures that I presented can be utilised also by Cyprus.” As a prime example, he cited the dual use of fishing vessels for pescatourism – a proposal that, he noted, originated from Cyprus itself. This, he said “is an idea that we received from Cyprus, from Greek islands, and other areas of Europe.” He noted that the current regulatory framework makes it “difficult or impossible” for fishers to use their vessels for tourist activities, which would provide them with “additional income and economic viability.”

On the Prosperity pillar, Kadis underlined that sectors such as innovation, digitalisation and offshore renewable energy are “areas where Cyprus and modern Cyprus has developed a lot of activities, and these activities will be boosted for the benefit of the island community and will attract new people in the blue economy sectors.”

On the climate dimension, the Commissioner noted that Cyprus has already developed a national climate adaptation plan, adding that the strategy “explores ways to support the implementation of the measures that are included in the adaptation plans of the Member States.” He concluded that “every measure under the three pillars that we announced can be adopted and can be utilised to the conditions of the different coastal communities and different Member States, including Cyprus.”

The islands strategy, presented by Executive Vice President Fitto, covers all EU islands across 16 Member States, with a total population of around 17 million, including the three island Member States – Cyprus, Ireland and Malta – home to 6.6 million inhabitants. It is structured around four pillars: economic development, connectivity, competitiveness and innovation – under which the cost of insularity is analysed for the first time; energy security, environmental protection and climate resilience; communities, demography and quality of life; and security and crisis preparedness, with governance as a horizontal enabler.

On Cyprus specifically, the strategy acknowledges that while GDP per capita is broadly in line with the EU average, stakeholders from the island emphasised the structural economic constraints stemming from insularity and, in particular, the small size of its market. Cyprus is explicitly named as a “remote region” for the purposes of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), enabling it to benefit from State aid for air and maritime transport services for its residents, with higher aid intensities for airports and ports.

Of particular relevance are the explicit references to ETS exemptions covering Greek islands: Member States may exempt shipping companies from the obligation to surrender allowances for emissions released until 31 December 2030, for voyages between ports of islands with no road or rail link and fewer than 200,000 permanent residents and ports under the jurisdiction of the same Member State. An equivalent exemption is provided under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. On this point, Commissioner Kadis, responding supplementarily, said that “the Commission will give due attention to the situation of the European islands, and consider the potential issues that may affect their competitiveness, connectivity and cost of living as part of the upcoming ETS review, which is planned for July, as well as the reviews of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation and FuelEU Maritime.” He added that “at this moment, we cannot say more – this is something that will be discussed in the context of the reviews that are upcoming.”

Presenting the islands strategy, Executive Vice President Fitto underlined its significance as a political commitment at the highest level. “This is the first time that we present this strategy for islands, and this is a clear commitment of the European Commission” he said, noting that it had been preceded by intensive work with stakeholders and local authorities, and that he had personally visited many island areas across Europe where the problem “is very crucial and important.”

On funding, Fitto noted that pound 12.5 billion is available for islands in the current 2021-2027 programming period, with resources redirected through the cohesion policy mid-term review towards key priorities including competitiveness, housing, energy and water. Looking ahead to the next MFF, he described the strategy as a tool for Member States within the new budget structure built around national and regional partnership plans, which will integrate results from cohesion, agriculture and fisheries. “The approach is integrated,” he stressed, noting that he coordinates three additional Commissioners with the aim of “creating the conditions for an integrated approach to these different matters.”

A central finding of the islands strategy is the concept of the “cost of insularity”, analysed in a new OECD report published alongside it. Transport costs can exceed mainland benchmarks by over 300%, local government spending per capita can be 30-50% higher, and housing prices in some island municipalities may be 75-130% higher than on the mainland. In Sardinia, the economic cost of insularity can amount to as much as 36% of GDP per capita. The Commission announced it will carry out an in-depth analysis of the cost of insularity and best practice mitigation measures, with a particular focus on the transport sector.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday congratulated India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming ‘the longest-serving Prime Minister in India’s history’.

In a post on X, President Christodoulides congratulated Modi on becoming ‘the longest-serving Prime Minister in India’s history’, noting that ‘this remarkable milestone reflects years of dedicated service and leadership’.

Cyprus, he said, values its strategic partnership with India and is committed to further deepening cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

An exhibition titled ‘Crafting Nature’ opened on Tuesday in Copenhagen, by Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou. The exhibition is organized in the framework of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 and is included in the international 3daysofdesign 2026 event, introducing Cyprus as a place with rich history. The exhibition is hosted at Gyldne Sal in the historical Moltkes Palace.

‘Crafting Nature’ – curated by the art historian Thalea Stefanidou – is a production of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Cyprus Handicraft Service and is supported by the Embassy of Cyprus in Denmark.

A Deputy Ministry of Culture press release said that through handcrafted art works, Cyprus is introduced as a place with rich history, as well as a vibrant component of contemporary creation. In the exhibition, 17 Cypriot artists present their work inspired by the natural environment of their island, making use of materials such as clay, stone, glass, wood, metals, and threads, transferring in this way contemporary artistic thought and activity into the European creative present, while at the same time they reinterpret and extend tradition into new visual and meaningful elements.

In her address, the Deputy Minister pointed out that the participant artists become ambassadors of contemporary artistic thought and practice of Cyprus while being in an active discourse with other European designers and trends of the European design field.

Their combined work and this exhibition, she said, “reflect the rationale of the Cyprus Presidency: that Europe’s cultural fabric is not static; it is woven through continuous exchanges, reinterpretations, and creative transformations”.

The exhibition will remain open until 25 June 2026.

The Informal Ministerial Meeting on the European Pact on Migration and Asylum will be held on Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12, in Nicosia, as part of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, chaired by Deputy Minister of Migration, Nicholas Ioannides.

According to a statement by the Cyprus EU Presidency Secretariat, the Summit marks the milestone of the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of implementing the Pact, as well as its role in shaping a common, effective, and comprehensive European approach to managing migration and asylum.

As noted, on Thursday, June 11, at 6:45 p.m., participants in the Informal Ministerial Meeting will visit areas of Old Nicosia and the buffer zone (starting at the Freedom Monument in the Archdiocese area), while the meeting’s proceedings will take place on Friday, June 12, at the Conference Center in Nicosia.

It is noted that the Informal Ministerial Meeting on the European Pact on Migration and Asylum will focus on the launch of the Pact and the next steps for its effective implementation across the EU.

In particular, the first working session, titled ‘From Negotiation to Implementation,’ will provide ministers with an opportunity to examine the transition from political agreement to operational implementation. Discussions will focus on preparations at the national level, legislative adaptation, new procedures, Information Technology (IT) systems, staff training, border procedures and screening procedures, as well as the main lessons learned by Member States during the implementation phase.

It is added that during the working lunch, EU and international organizations will present their views on the implementation of the Pact, highlighting in their remarks the support provided to Member States, including technical guidance, operational assistance, training, capacity building, coordination, and expertise on legal, IT, and fundamental rights issues.

It is further noted that the second working session, titled ‘Beyond Implementation: The Way Forward,’ will examine the future of European migration and asylum policy, during which ministers will discuss ways to ensure that the Pact remains effective, credible, and sustainable, while addressing future challenges such as migratory pressure, returns of migrants, border management, solidarity, cooperation with third countries, efforts to combat migrant smuggling, and legal migration routes.

Ministers’ arrivals and statements at the conference center will begin at 9:00 a.m., while a press conference will be held at 1:45 p.m., the statement concludes.