Category: Cyprus News Agency

The role of the Republic of Cyprus in regional and international energy developments has been strengthened, Cypriot Minister of Energy, Michael Damianos, told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), referring to his participation in the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, in Washington, which he described as ‘one of the most important international platforms for dialogue on the future of energy.’ As he said, it ‘highlighted the strengthened role of the Republic of Cyprus in regional and international energy developments.’

During the meetings held in Washington with government officials, companies and stakeholders from the energy sector, the Minister said that the priorities of the Republic of Cyprus were presented and that ‘specific ways to strengthen cooperation’ were discussed in the fields of energy, investment and energy security.

Damianos pointed out that the Eastern Mediterranean ‘has significant prospects’ and can contribute to the ‘diversification of energy sources and routes,’ as well as to economic growth and the stability of the wider region.

In this context, he placed particular emphasis on the importance of the ‘3+1” format between Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States, which, as he noted, creates the conditions for ‘joint initiatives with tangible results’ and strengthens strategic cooperation in the region.

At the same time, he said that on Thursday he will travel to Houston for the Ministerial Meeting of the 3+1 format, with the aim of ‘further deepening our cooperation’ and shaping ‘specific next steps.’ On this occasion, the four countries will inaugurate the ‘Energy Centre for the Eastern Mediterranean,’ which will provide ‘significant technocratic support’ on issues concerning energy projects and infrastructure.

According to the Cypriot Minister of Energy, the Centre is expected to operate for the benefit of the countries of the 3+1 format, but also more broadly, for the promotion of energy security, stability and regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Climate neutrality involves a long-term transformation of the city that requires institutional continuity, broad political support and active societal participation, said Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis at the 5th annual Cities Mission Conference (the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities) that took place in Turin, Italy, from May 27 to 29, 2026

A relevant press release said a delegation from Limassol municipality attended the leading European forum for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which focused on moving from planning to implementation and highlighted the challenges and opportunities cities face when applying City Climate Contracts and pursuing climate neutrality by 2030.

The Limassol Mayor took part in the plenary session on cooperation among cities, regions and national governments to implement the European Cities Mission, and in thematic sessions on scaling successful solutions and financing the green transition.

In his remarks, Armeftis underlined that climate neutrality should not be treated as an isolated project or a short-term political initiative but as a long-term city transformation that requires institutional continuity, wide political backing and active public engagement.

He noted that Limassol is integrating the Climate City Contract into the municipality’s strategic planning and operations, linking it to investments, urban planning, sustainable mobility, the energy transition and improvements in citizens’ quality of life.

The statement further noted the need to strengthen financial and technical support for cities. In this regard, Armeftis pointed out that key current challenges include maturing investment projects, access to appropriate financing instruments, boosting administrative capacity and better alignment among European, national and local policies.

On the sidelines of the conference the Mayor joined a closed meeting of mayors with Patrick Child, Mission Manager for the European Cities Mission, to discuss the initiative’s next phases and cities’ needs during City Climate Contract implementation.

The Limassol delegation also held exchanges with representatives of European cities and organizations, including the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation ClimaNet Greece-Cyprus.

Cyprus took part in the deliberations of the Leaders’ Summit of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) that took place in Finland, as part of the events marking the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Organisation.

According to a press release by the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, participants discussed the most important challenges facing European cities and regions, focusing on strengthening the resilience of local societies against the climate crisis and modern hybrid threats, through preparedness and strategic planning policies.

Cyprus was represented by Mayor of Morphou Victoras Hadjiavraam, Municipal Councilor of Strovolos Renos Constantinou and Director of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities Michalis Sokratous.

It is added that in the context of the discussions on the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union for the period 2028-2034, they stressed the need for substantial participation of Local Authorities in the shaping of the European political and financial tools, so that the available resources effectively respond to the needs of local societies.

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, on Monday called on the parliament to approve the bill on university clinics by the end of the year, stressing that the reform is essential if Cyprus is to become a regional hub for education, research and innovation in the healthcare sector.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new facilities of the ‘Nikos K. Shiacolas’ School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Cyprus, the President said the country could not achieve its strategic ambitions in healthcare without the establishment of a legal framework for university clinics.

‘There is absolutely no excuse,’ Christodoulides said, noting that the issue had been under discussion for many years, that the government had already approved the legislation, and that the bill is currently before the parliament. He called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure its approval before the end of 2026.

The President described the new medical school facilities as far more than ‘just another building project,’ calling them an investment in knowledge, scientific excellence, research and, above all, people.

He noted that the project began in 2022 thanks to a pound 9 million donation from the Nikos and Elpida Shiacolas Foundation, combined with funding provided by the Republic of Cyprus through loans from the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank.

He also said that healthcare and education remain the sectors receiving the largest share of government investment, describing them as investments in the country’s future and younger generations.

According to the President, the new facilities strengthen the vision of a more outward-looking, competitive and innovative Cyprus that attracts talent, scientists and investment while establishing itself as a regional center for knowledge, research and technological advancement.

The President noted that the School of Medicine currently admits 35 students annually, while applications exceed 600 each year, reflecting the quality and reputation of its academic programs.

He also revealed that more than pound 16 million has been allocated in the 2026 state budget for the development of university infrastructure.

In addition, the government is promoting the establishment of Centers of Excellence and specialized research units, the introduction of study programs in international languages, the development of inter-university programs, the strengthening of innovation and participation in European university networks, he said.

University of Cyprus Council Chairman, Tasos Anastasiou, described the new facility as ‘a true jewel’ that will further strengthen the School of Medicine. He added that resolving the issue of university clinics remains the final key step in providing the school with another essential tool for its development.

University of Cyprus Rector, Professor Tasos Christofides, said the occasion marked not merely the opening of a new building but the creation of a space where future doctors will be educated, research ideas will emerge and collaboration and service to society will flourish.

The new building has a total area of 8,825 square meters, extends across five levels and has received LEED Platinum certification, the highest international distinction for sustainable building development, Christofides said.

He also announced that one of the first undergraduate programs the University of Cyprus plans to offer in English will be a medical degree program, with preparations expected to be completed by September 2027.

Speaking on behalf of the Nikos and Elpida Shiacolas Foundation, Marina N. Shiacolas said her parents viewed education and healthcare as the most valuable pillars for a country’s progress.

National security remains a top priority, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday, asked to comment on reports and information concerning terrorism-related issues and potential threats to the security of the Republic of Cyprus.

In statements in Limassol district, the President said that ‘there will be absolutely no public statement regarding matters of public security.’

He stressed that all relevant state services work daily to protect citizens and emphasized that national security remains a top priority.

‘Our responsibility and obligation is to ensure the safety of our citizens, and we work toward that goal every day,’ he said, adding that authorities handle various security-related matters on an almost daily basis without public disclosure.

The President also noted that he receives updates on the issue from the relevant Ministers and state agencies whenever deemed necessary.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

The University of Cyprus will host an International Conference on Nikos Kazantzakis from 19-21 June 2026, bringing together leading scholars from Europe, North America, and beyond to explore the life, work, and enduring legacy of one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century.

Organized by the Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Cyprus in collaboration with the Cambridge Centre for Greek Studies, the Centre for Hellenic Studies at King’s College London, Baylor University, the Modern Greek Studies Program at Rutgers University, and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, the conference will examine the many dimensions of Kazantzakis’s thought and literary production.

Best known internationally for works such as Zorba the Greek, The Last Temptation of Christ, and The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel, Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) continues to inspire readers across cultures and disciplines. His writings engage profound questions of faith, freedom, identity, spirituality, politics, and human responsibility, while his travels and intellectual encounters connect Greek culture to global conversations.

The conference programme reflects the contemporary scholarship on Kazantzakis. Presentations will address themes including theology and mysticism, politics and ideology, classical reception, travel writing, gender and subjectivity, literary intertextuality, textual scholarship, adaptation, and cultural reception. Scholars will explore Kazantzakis’s engagement with Christianity, philosophy, communism, ecology, Homeric tradition, modernism, and global intellectual networks.

By bringing together established academics and emerging researchers, the conference seeks not only to reassess Kazantzakis’s contribution to world literature but also to examine the continuing relevance of his ideas in the twenty-first century. At a time marked by political uncertainty, cultural transformation, and renewed debates about faith, identity, and human freedom, Kazantzakis’s work remains remarkably timely.

The conference will take place at the University of Cyprus Main Campus in Aglantzia, Nicosia (Amphitheater B108) and will be conducted in English.

Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Mousiouttas, departed for Geneva on Tuesday to participate as head of the Cypriot delegation in the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, taking place from June 9 to 11, according to a Ministry announcement.

As the Ministry noted, at the Conference Mousiouttas will deliver an address to the plenary on harnessing artificial intelligence to advance decent work.

During his stay in Geneva, the Minister will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo.

The Ministry added that the Conference, among other matters, is expected to adopt an International Convention on Decent Work in Digital Labour Platforms.

Cyprus is committed to integrating the European age verification mechanism into its national digital wallet by early 2027, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nikodemos Damianou announced on Tuesday on the sidelines of the final Telecommunications Council under the Cyprus EU Presidency in Luxembourg.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the start of proceedings, Damianou stressed that the protection of minors online has been a top priority for the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council. “Our Presidency has focused on promoting a coordinated European approach on strengthening the safety online for children, but also achieving an effective age verification mechanism across the Union,” he said.

Asked about the European Commission’s blueprint for age verification, the Deputy Minister came out in favour of its adoption at national level. “Cyprus is committed to using the blueprint nationally, first of all, and we’re hoping to be able to integrate it into our national wallet by the beginning of 2027,” he said.

Brushing aside reservations about the effectiveness of the mechanism including on the question of VPNs, Damianou pointed to broad consensus among member states. “We believe, and I think that’s a broad consensus among member states, that this is a very solid, very important solution that can be the foundation for what we want to do,” he stressed. He acknowledged, however, that no solution could be 100% foolproof.

At the centre of today’s Council are three files which, as the Deputy Minister put it, represent “key building blocks of Europe’s digital future” within the framework of the One Europe, One Market strategy: a general approach on the European Business Wallet, progress reports on the Digital Networks Act, and the revision of the Cybersecurity Act.

The European Business Wallet was described by the Deputy Minister as “a flagship deliverable of the digital package” and a key enabler of the 28th Regime roadmap, as it will provide businesses with a secure, trusted and harmonised digital identity solution across all member states.

As regards the Digital Networks Act Damianou acknowledged that the most contentious articles, including those on spectrum governance and access regulation, remain open. “There’s no way other than pushing forward with hard work,” he noted, indicating that the Presidency had followed a two-track approach: article-by-article discussion alongside technical workshops to allow member states to better understand the Commission’s proposals. He expressed hope of handing the incoming Irish Presidency “a very solid foundation” to build on.

Asked about the technology sovereignty package recently presented by the European Commission, Damianou described it as a move in the right direction, while reserving any definitive assessment for a later stage. “We need to deep dive into it”, he said, since it very early days, since the package was presented by the EU executive.

The Deputy Minister was at pains to clarify that the Cyprus Presidency’s motto of “an autonomous union, open to the world” does not stand in contradiction to building Europe’s own capabilities. “Open to the world doesn’t mean that we should not keep focusing on building our capabilities. It means that we should still be open in parallel to be able to use the best global technology that is out there,” he argued, adding that cloud, data and chips constitute the three key pillars of that capability.

On satellite communications and the contentious question of frequency reservation for EDIS, Damianou declined to pre-empt the discussion. “We’re having an informal discussion on that today, so I cannot preempt anything in that respect,” he said.

Damianou expressed hope that the digital simplification omnibus could still be completed despite the limited time remaining. “We’re still hopeful to be able to complete that package despite the short period of time that is left,” he noted.

Today’s Council agenda, he said, “reflects the work that we have done during these five months” and speaks to the Presidency’s overarching motto of “an autonomous union, open to the world.” He wished the incoming Irish Presidency every success in taking the work forward.

Cyprus recorded an apparent cost of general government gross debt of 2% in 2025, marking a slight increase from 1.9% recorded in 2024, according to data published by Eurostat on Monday.

According to the Statistical Service, at EU level public debt data show that the structure of general government gross debt varies significantly across member states, mainly in terms of maturity, debt instruments, and debt holders. However, its currency denomination presents a more uniform picture.

At the end of 2025, for almost all euro area member states over 99.5% of general government gross debt was denominated in euro. In Czechia and Sweden, more than 90% of debt was denominated in their national currencies.

Regarding the apparent cost of public debt, in most EU countries for which data are available, it increased slightly or remained stable between 2024 and 2025. The highest costs were recorded in Romania at 5.2%, Poland at 4.5%, Czechia at 3.1%, and Italy at 3.0%.

At the lower end of the scale are Ireland at 1.4%, Luxembourg at 1.5%, the Netherlands at 1.7%, Germany at 1.8%, as well as France, Finland, and Sweden at 1.9%.

According to Eurostat, the cost of debt decreased in 2025 in seven EU countries, with the largest declines recorded in Estonia (-0.8%), Sweden (-0.3%), and Croatia (-0.2%).

By signing the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement), Cyprus and France are making a decisive contribution to achieving our common European goal of the strategic autonomy of the European Union, President Nikos Christodoulides posted on X, on Monday.

He noted that the signing of the agreement further strengthens the strategic relationship and cooperation between Cyprus and France.

The President recalls that when French President Emmanuel Macron visited Cyprus on April 23, public reference was made to the multi-level strategic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of defense and security.

He also recalls that he had then mentioned that by June the two countries would go ahead with the signing of a Bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which would set the necessary institutional framework for hosting French forces in the Republic of Cyprus for humanitarian operations in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

”I am delighted that today the Ministers of Defence of Cyprus and France signed the said Agreement in Nicosia, further strengthening the strategic relationship and cooperation between Cyprus and France”, the President noted.