Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus hosts conference on work safety-health in framework of EU Presidency

Department of Labour Inspection of the Cyprus Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance with the support of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), is organising a Conference on occupational safety and health titled ‘Positive Safety Culture towards Vision Zero’.

The Conference takes place June 11 at the Filoxenia Conference Center, a press release by the Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Council Presidency said here on Tuesday.

Minister Marinos Moushouttas, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Dr. Mario Nava and the Executive Director of EU-OSHA William Cockburn will deliver opening remarks.

The Conference will host representatives of reputable European organizations as well as experts in the field of work safety and health.

Distinguished scientists and academics will develop topics such as a positive safety and health culture, climate change, mental health, occupational accidents and occupational diseases and will highlight the research work, as well as the good practices that are implemented.

The ultimate goal of the Conference, the press release reads, is the exchange of views with the main goal of strengthening work safety and health throughout the European Union and the vision of Zero Occupational Accidents (Vision Zero).

Regional cooperation necessary, Damianos tells EMGF Washington meeting

Current geopolitical developments require deeper regional cooperation, diversification of supply sources and routes and strengthening energy infrastructure, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michalis Damianos, said at the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), held in Washington, at the headquarters of the US Chamber of Commerce.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Energy, the meeting was attended by the Energy Ministers of the Forum’s member states, while observers included the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, as well as representatives of the European Union and the World Bank.

Damianos, in his intervention, it said, underlined the strategic role of the EMGF as a pillar of regional cooperation and energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean. ‘He reiterated the support of the Republic of Cyprus in the further development of the Organisation and its Long-Term Strategy, emphasising that natural gas must remain at the core of its activities, alongside the development of collaborations in sectors such as hydrogen, electricity interconnections, power systems and renewable energy’, it adds.

The Minister, it said, pointed out that current geopolitical developments require deeper regional cooperation, diversification of supply sources and routes and strengthening energy infrastructure ‘He also stressed that the Eastern Mediterranean can significantly contribute to Europe’s energy security as a reliable alternative source of supply, while noting that the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union creates additional opportunities to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the EU and the region’, it adds.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Damianos held a bilateral meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi. During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed progress on joint Cyprus-Egypt energy projects, particularly regarding the development of the ‘Cronos’ and ‘Aphrodite’ natural gas fields, as well as prospects for further strengthening cooperation between the two countries, it said.

The Minister also held a meeting at the White House with Jarrod P. Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council, during which they discussed energy policy and security issues, as well as opportunities to further deepen energy cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States, it adds.

On Tuesday, Damianos is to participate in the Atlantic Council’s Eastern Mediterranean Energy Business Forum and deliver remarks at the 41st Annual PSEKA Conference.

On Wednesday, he is to take part in a high-level discussion at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum on ‘Europe’s Path from Energy Crisis to Lasting Resilience’.

On Thursday, he will travel to Houston to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the 3+1 cooperation framework and the official inauguration ceremony of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center at the Baker Institute of Rice University.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (?)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 09/06/2026 UNTIL 1200 10/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1011hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine, but local mist and low cloud are expected, overnight and in the morning, with risk of fog.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 09/06/2026 UNTIL 1800 10/06/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1008hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine, but local mist and low cloud are expected, overnight and in the morning, with risk of fog.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

Government’s housing policy yielding results, says President

Housing policy is high on the government’s priorities and is based on a comprehensive plan that is yielding results, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday in Polemidia, Limassol district, laying the foundation stone of the “ADONIS III” housing project, of the Land Development Organization.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou. The President noted that housing is a challenge that affects not only Cyprus, but all the EU member states.

He went on to say that affordable housing has now become a topic of discussion at European level, under the Cyprus EU Presidency, adding that the issue was discussed during the Informal Council of EU Interior Ministers held in Nicosia.

The President said that as regards the national housing policy, the Cyprus Land Development Organisation plays a role in an effort to find effective solutions. The Organisation, he added, now has upgraded responsibilities.

He also said that the decision to link the Organisation’s affordable housing fund with the urban incentives scheme and the compensatory benefits from various other schemes, has brought tangible results.

President Christodoulides said that emphasis was placed on increasing the available housing and especially affordable housing, following a thorough study with clear targets. He also recalled that decisions were taken for faster licensing procedures, the use of state land, cooperation with the private sector and interventions that offer real solutions.

He said that through the fast-track licensing, almost 3,000 residential units and some 900 apartment buildings were licensed within 40 and 80 working days, respectively. He added that with an investment of pound 75 million the government is moving forward with the implementation of the Plan for the Construction of 500 Affordable Homes, for housing young couples across the island.

The President also said that Urban Incentive and Build to Rent Plans are being implemented, which will yield over 2,500 residential units in the next two years, of which 400 will be placed on the affordable housing market.

Furthermore, he indicated that, through these Plans, an amount exceeding pound 12.5 million will be paid to the Special Affordable Housing Fund of Land Development Organization for the implementation of more affordable housing projects.

Referring to the inauguration of the ADONIS III plan in Polemidia, the President described it as an another example of what can be achieved when there is proper planning and clear political will.

He said that this project will be a modern and vibrant community, offering security, stability and perspective to its residents.

Land Development Organisation Head of Board Thiseas Ioannou said that the project consists of 29 three-bedroom semi-detached houses and its design was the result of an architectural competition.

With sale prices starting from pound 263,500, he noted, the project’s homes are offered at levels that are more than 20% lower than the current market prices in the Limassol district.

Cyprus President expects expanded conference to announce resumption of talks

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed optimism on Tuesday that ongoing efforts on the Cyprus issue will lead to an expanded conference at which the resumption of reunification talks will be officially announced.

In statements at Polemidia, inn Limassol district, on the sidelines of the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the “ADONIS III” housing complex, President Christodoulides was asked to comment on recent remarks by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, regarding the Cyprus issue. ‘I will not comment on what the Turkish Cypriot leader has said,’ the President noted, adding that recent developments confirm the momentum of the initiative currently underway.

The President noted that ‘this major effort continues in order to create the conditions necessary for an expanded conference, during which the resumption of negotiations will be announced.’

He added that the initiative is being actively supported by the UN Secretary – General António Guterres, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin, and the European Union, which he said is playing an enhanced role in the renewed diplomatic effort.

According to President Christodoulides, the initiative began following a meeting between the UN Secretary-General and Recep Tayyip Erdogan last March, followed by his own meeting with Guterres in Brussels.

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.

Cypriot antiquity from around 1900 BC repatriated from Canada

An ancient, 3,926 years old Cypriot ceramic vessel, has been repatriated after being identified for sale in an online auction, the Department of Antiquities announced.

The object is a hemispherical black-polished ware bowl with incised decoration, dating to the Early Cypriot III / Middle Cypriot I period, around 1900 BC.

According to the Department of Antiquities, following a year of coordinated efforts involving the Department, the Cyprus Police, Interpol, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus and the Department of Justice of Canada, the holder of the antiquity agreed to its return to the country of origin.

Registrations of motor vehicles show annual increase in first five months, up by 13%

Total registrations of motor vehicles increased by 13.0% to 23,743 in January-May 2026, from 21,012 in January-May 2025, the Statistical Service of Cyprus has announced.

The Statistical Service, which issued on Tuesday the publication of the report entitled “Registration of Motor Vehicles” for the period January-May 2026, said that in May 2026, the total registrations of motor vehicles numbered 5,173, recording an increase of 6.0% compared to 4,879 in May 2025.

Passenger saloon cars registered a rise of 7.7% to 4,000, from 3,715 in May 2025.

Referring to the main developments during the period January-May 2026 compared to the corresponding period of 2025, the Statistical Service said that the total registrations of motor vehicles increased by 13.0% to 23,743 in January-May 2026, from 21,012 in January-May 2025.

Passenger saloon cars increased to 18,259 from 16,224 in January-May 2025, recording a rise of 12.5%. Of the total passenger saloon cars, 6,112 or 33.5% were new and 12,147 or 66.5% were used cars. Rental cars in particular recorded a fall of 14.2% (from 2,197 to 1,884).

The share of petrol powered passengers’ cars to the total of this category of vehicles decreased in January-May 2026 to 35.4% (from 43.7% in the corresponding period of the preceding year) and of diesel- powered cars to 8.3% in 2026 from 8.8% in 2025. On the other hand, the share of electric cars increased to 5.0% (from 4.7%) and the share of hybrid cars rose from 42.9% to 51.3%.

In addition, motor coaches and buses registered in January-May 2026 increased to 102, from 63 in the same period of 2025, while goods conveyance vehicles increased by 15.4% to 2,854 in January-May 2026, compared to 2,474 in January-May 2025. In particular, light goods vehicles increased by 11.5% to 2,253, road tractors (units of trailers) by 16.8% to 111, heavy goods vehicles by 32.1% to 358 and rental vehicles by 51.7% to 132.

Finally, mopeds 50cc increased by 15.3% to 2,149 in January-May 2026, compared to 1,864 in the same period of 2025.

Limassol Court hands down double life sentence for murders to 25-year-old

A 25-year-old man was handed two consecutive life sentences by the Limassol Assize Court after pleading guilty to the premeditated murders of 39-year-old Andrea Kouzoupis and 38-year-old Slovak national David Chmelar, which occurred on the Parekklisia-Kellakiou road on July 30, 2024.

The 25-year-old is expected to act as a prosecution witness in the ongoing judicial proceedings against his 21-year-old co-defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The post mortem showed that the two victims had been shot in the head before they were found in a burnt vehicle. During their interrogations, the defendants provided conflicting claims regarding the circumstances under which the crime was committed.

According to facts presented in court regarding the 25-year-old, he had gone with a second person to the area near the water tank of the village of Arakapas in the Limassol district and met the two victims, who were killed with a shotgun.

It was noted in court that the 25-year-old was not the person who pulled the trigger. The victims’ vehicle was later taken to the Listovounou area, pushed onto a side road and left immobilized against a tree. Afterwards, the 25-year-old and his companion went to a petrol station, bought gasoline, returned and set the vehicle alight with the victims inside.

In the subsequent court proceedings before the Criminal Court, the 25-year-old initially denied the charges but later admitted to the premeditated murder of the two victims.