Category: Cyprus News Agency

The newly constituted Plenary of the House of Representatives, which emerged from the parliamentary elections of May 24, convenes on Thursday afternoon, to elect the House President.

The sitting has been scheduled for 1600 and will begin with the swearing-in of the 56 members of parliament and the representatives of the religious groups. This will be followed by the election of the new House President, a process being conducted for the first time under the revised framework approved by the outgoing members of Parliament.

The most significant change concerns the second round of voting. In the first round, a candidate must secure at least 29 votes, representing an absolute majority of the total number of MPs, to be elected. If no candidate obtains the required majority, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will proceed to a second round, during which the candidate who secures the most votes will be elected.

In the event of a tie between candidates competing for a place in the second round, a repeat ballot will be held. Should the tie persist in the final round, the new Speaker will be determined by a public draw conducted under the responsibility of the presiding officer of the sitting.

Until a Speaker is elected, the sitting will be chaired by the oldest MP, unless that person is a candidate for the office, in which case the role will pass to the next oldest member. In the present case, the oldest MP is Democratic Party (DIKO) MP, Zacharias Koulias.

Interest for candidacy has been expressed so far by the leaders of DISY, Annita Demetriou, AKEL, Stephanos Stephanou, and ELAM. DIKO is expected to decide before the plenary session on whether its President, Nikolas Papadopoulos, will be a candidate.

A second round is considered the most likely outcome, as none of the candidates is expected to secure the 29 votes required for election on the first ballot. The outcome is expected to be shaped by the decisions of the smaller parties and the choices made following the conclusion of the first round.

The European Commission will soon present its evaluation report on Cyprus’ bid to join the Schengen area, European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said, following the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday evening. However, Brunner stressed that ‘the decision of when and how Cyprus joins the Schengen area lies within the Council, not within the Commission.’

Responding to a question by CNA, the Commissioner said that Cyprus’ accession would be an important development for the European Union. ‘The Cyprus accession to the Schengen area would be a significant step, of course, forward for the European Union as a whole. And our primary focus as the Commission is on ensuring that Cyprus meets the higher Schengen standards,’ Brunner said. ‘So therefore, we evaluated the situation in Cyprus and we will present the report soon,’ he added.

The Commissioner underlined, however, that the final decision rests with EU member states. ‘But to make that clear. The decision of when and how Cyprus joins the Schengen area lies within the Council, not within the Commission. So, there’s been a lot of progress and, thanks very much for the good progress and for the good cooperation. It would be a significant step, and we will see when the report comes out, it comes out soon, and then it’s the Council to decide.’

Brunner was speaking alongside Cyprus Justice Minister Costas Fytiris and Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides, who co-chaired the Council meeting during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The EU Commission presented to Ministers its annual State of Schengen Report, which includes an assessment of developments across the Schengen area and was expected to contain references to Cyprus’ progress towards its first formal Schengen evaluation.

Commenting on Cyprus’ preparations, Fytiris said the country has been making sustained efforts since joining the EU in 2004. ‘Since 2004, Cyprus has been making special efforts,’ he said, noting that the country had implemented the core elements of the Schengen acquis with the support of the European Commission and EU services. ‘We had 120 recommendations and, with their help, we undertook a tremendous effort,’ he added.

Fytiris said that he believes that Cyprus will be ready by the end of 2026. ‘We believe that by the end of 2026 we will be ready. The evaluation report, which we are eagerly awaiting, will vindicate our efforts and we will become a full member of the Schengen area,’ he stressed. He added that Cyprus’ accession would strengthen the EU as a whole. ‘A united Europe means the free movement of European citizens throughout Europe, and particularly for Cyprus, which is located in a very sensitive but very important region. Cyprus’ accession to the Schengen area as a full member will add value to the European Union as a whole,’ he said.

Regarding the broader agenda of the Council, Fytiris referred to the presentation of the 2026 State of Schengen Report, which reviews the implementation of the Schengen acquis over the past year. ‘During our discussion, it became clear that three main priorities identified last year remain valid also for our work during the next Schengen Council cycle,’ he said. The priorities include accelerating the digitalisation of procedures and systems, strengthening the resilience of external borders and the effectiveness of returns, and enhancing internal security.

Fytiris also highlighted progress in the deployment of large-scale EU information systems in the field of justice and home affairs, particularly the Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational on 10 April 2026. ‘For it to contribute to the EU’s internal security and border management as we intended, we all need to use this system in full compliance with our legal obligations,’ he said.

On geopolitical developments, the Minister noted that Ministers exchanged views on the impact of the situation in the Middle East, including the conflict involving Iran.’Currently, there are no signs of increased migratory flows stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. Nonetheless, having this useful exchange was a good opportunity to ensure coordination,’ he said.

The Council also approved the implementation framework of the EU Drugs Strategy and endorsed a new EU Action Plan against drug trafficking. Fytiris described the discussion as particularly timely, noting that illicit drugs will also be discussed by EU leaders later this month.

Deputy Minister Ioannides, for his part, thanked both Fytiris and Commissioner Brunner for their cooperation during the Cypriot Presidency and focused on migration issues discussed during the meeting. Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, more than two years after its adoption. ‘The discussion revealed that there is significant progress in the implementation of the Pact. I am confident that we are ready to address the remaining challenges and deliver on our commitments,’ Ioannides said.

He also recalled that Cyprus will host an informal ministerial conference on 12 June to mark the Pact’s entry into application.

A substantial part of the discussion focused on the external dimension of migration, particularly cooperation with Somalia. ‘When it comes to the external dimension of migration, we have adopted a whole-of-route approach and we aim at promoting sincere cooperation and mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with third countries,’ he said.

According to Ioannides, irregular arrivals of Somali nationals to the EU more than doubled between 2024 and 2025. He stressed that Ministers agreed on the need to use all available tools. ‘We need to make use of all the tools at our disposal, including restrictive visa measures, when a third country insists on not being responsive regarding return and readmission,’ he said.

Referring to Ukraine, Ioannides reiterated the EU’s continued support. ‘Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. There are more than four million Ukrainian refugees benefitting from temporary protection,’ he said.

He explained that Ministers discussed the future legal status of displaced Ukrainians in order to provide clarity and allow member states to prepare the necessary administrative procedures. ‘We now expect the Commission to come up with a legislative proposal soon, so that we can proceed with the necessary work to ensure the continuation of our support to Ukraine and its people,’ he said.

Ministers were also briefed on the migratory situation in the English Channel and the North Sea. While irregular arrivals to the EU have decreased compared to 2025, a significant number of irregular crossings from the EU towards the United Kingdom continue to be recorded.

Concluding his remarks, Ioannides welcomed the successful completion of negotiations with the European Parliament on the Return Regulation. ‘I am referring to the successful conclusion of negotiations with the European Parliament on the Return Regulation, following two months of intensive interinstitutional negotiations,’ he said.

Animal culling measures linked to foot-and-mouth disease are continuing as planned in Cyprus, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Thursday, while stressing that the government remains in constant dialogue with all stakeholders over halloumi production and PDO protection.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Panayiotou said culling operations were proceeding normally, including in the village of Pachna, and noted that authorities had not reported any resistance so far.

‘According to the information I have from Veterinary Services in Limassol, the procedures are continuing normally with police escort,’ she said.

On halloumi, the Minister said the government was maintaining continuous consultations through the Halloumi Monitoring Committee, aiming to safeguard halloumi as Cyprus’ main agri-food export product, preserve its Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status and ensure the viability of all parties involved.

She noted that since October 2024 the government has been recording available goat and sheep milk quantities, adding that a temporary reduction in the milk quota ratio had become necessary due to a significant decline in supply.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved stricter penalties under the Animal Health Law.

Under the revised framework, penalties for violations of animal health provisions increase from up to six months imprisonment or a pound 3,323 fine to up to five years imprisonment or a pound 250,000 fine.

For illegal movement of animals or animal products from areas outside the effective control of the Republic, penalties rise to up to 10 years imprisonment or a pound 250,000 fine.

Administrative fines imposed by the Veterinary Services Director for non-compliance with EU and national legislation will also increase from pound 5,000 to pound 100,000.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and the Cyprus Game Makers Association (CYGMA) lays the foundation for joint initiatives in education, research, innovation, and professional training within the rapidly growing video games and virtual worlds sector.

The MoU was signed on 26 May 2026 at CUT by the University’s Rector, Professor Panayiotis Zaphiris, and CYGMA’s General Manager, Andrey Ivashentsev.

The collaboration aims to establish a framework that connects academia with the video game industry, fostering knowledge and expertise exchange, skills development, and innovation. As the founding academic institution of CYGMA’s Academic Partnership Programme, CUT will play a pivotal role in building a bridge between universities and the industry.

Commenting on the agreement, CUT Rector Professor Panayiotis Zaphiris stated: “Our collaboration with CYGMA strengthens the University’s strategy of meaningfully connecting education and research with the needs of society and the economy. The video games and interactive media sector is a dynamic field with significant growth and innovation potential. Through this partnership, we are creating new opportunities for our students, enhancing the transfer of knowledge and expertise, and contributing to the development of a modern ecosystem of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship in Cyprus.”

CYGMA General Manager Andrey Ivashentsev said: “Cyprus already has a substantial video game development industry; what it needs now is a talent pipeline built by studios and universities together. CUT is the founding institution of CYGMA’s Academic Partnership Programme, helping to build a bridge of cooperation between academia and industry. This agreement is where that work begins.”

The agreement provides, among other things, for the implementation of joint research programmes and applied research projects, the organisation of seminars and workshops, the participation of industry professionals in educational activities, and the creation of internship and work-placement opportunities for CUT students.

Particular emphasis will be placed on cutting-edge fields such as game design, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies, artificial intelligence applications for gaming, and other related areas linked to the modern interactive media ecosystem.

The collaboration also includes the co-organisation of events, conferences, and talent-development initiatives, contributing to the further strengthening of Cyprus’ video game ecosystem and enhancing its international reach.

On behalf of CUT, the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, coordinated by Professor Despina Michael-Grigoriou, will play a central role in implementing the partnership’s activities, drawing on its academic expertise and research capabilities for the benefit of students, industry, and society.

The agreement reaffirms the commitment of both organisations to promoting innovation, research, and human capital development in one of the most dynamic sectors of the digital economy.

The European Commission has sent an additional reasoned opinion to Cyprus, urging the country to complete the transposition into national law of EU rules aimed at accelerating and simplifying permit procedures for renewable energy projects.

The Commission announced that it had decided to issue a supplementary reasoned opinion to Nicosia after concluding that Cyprus has not yet fully incorporated into its national legislation the provisions of the revised Renewable Energy Directive, which entered into force in November 2023.

The relevant provisions were required to be transposed by all Member States by 1 July 2024. They include measures designed to streamline and speed up permitting procedures for both renewable energy generation projects and the energy infrastructure needed to connect additional capacity to the electricity grid.

Among other measures, the Directive introduces clear deadlines for permit-granting procedures, strengthens the role of single contact points for applications, and establishes a presumption that renewable energy projects and related grid infrastructure are of overriding public interest.

The Commission had already launched infringement proceedings against Cyprus in September 2024 by sending a letter of formal notice. In February 2025, it followed up with a reasoned opinion after the country failed to notify any measures transposing the Directive.

Although the Cypriot authorities subsequently notified a number of measures and provided explanations to the Commission, Brussels concluded that significant gaps remain in the full implementation of the legislation.

Cyprus now has two months to respond to the Commission’s concerns and complete the transposition of the outstanding provisions. Failure to do so could lead the Commission to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union and request the imposition of financial penalties.

Cyprus Minister of Health, Neophytos Charalambides, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Medical Sciences on Thursday in Riga with his Latvian counterpart, Hosams Abu Meri.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health, the agreement establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation between the two countries across a broad range of areas, including the organization and delivery of healthcare services, the digitalization of healthcare systems, the training of health professionals, and the exchange of best practices concerning pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

The cooperation will also extend to public health research, health economics, and the coordination of actions aimed at the prevention and management of communicable diseases.

Charalambides was in Riga to participate in the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Small Countries Initiative of the World Health Organization’s European Region. The meeting was held under the theme: ‘From Shortages to Sustainability: Can Small States Lead Innovations in the Health Workforce?’

During his stay in Riga, the Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Olivér Várhelyi. Discussions focused on matters related to the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of health, ahead of the upcoming EU Health Ministers’ Council meeting scheduled for 16 June 2026.

The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against Cyprus and 12 other European Union member states for failing to adopt national penalty regimes required under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, a key piece of EU legislation aimed at promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

According to a Commission announcement, Cyprus is among 13 member states alongside Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Latvia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia, that have yet to establish and notify the Commission of national rules on penalties for breaches of the regulation.

The EU executive has, therefore, sent letters of formal notice to the countries concerned, as a first step in the EU infringement procedure and calling on them to comply with their legal obligations.

The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation is a central pillar of the EU’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions from air transport. It seeks to gradually increase the production and uptake of sustainable aviation fuels across airports throughout the European Union while providing long-term regulatory certainty for the aviation sector.

Under the regulation, member states were required by 31 December 2024 to adopt rules establishing penalties applicable to aviation fuel suppliers, aircraft operators and airport managing bodies in cases of non-compliance with the new requirements. However, the 13 member states failed to notify the Commission of the necessary measures by the deadline, despite repeated reminders from EU authorities.

Cyprus now has two months to respond to the Commission’s concerns and take the measures necessary to ensure compliance. Should the response prove unsatisfactory, the Commission may proceed to the next stage of the infringement procedure by issuing a reasoned opinion against the Republic of Cyprus.

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, said he is proud of the strengthening of the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus.

In a post on X, accompanied by a video featuring highlights from his visit to Kazakhstan, the President stated that ‘we are proud because, by all accounts, the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus is being enhanced, thanks to our multidimensional foreign policy with a clear European and Western orientation, far from any ambivalence.’

He added that Cyprus is now recognized as a stable and secure hub for cooperation, as well as a responsible and reliable partner in a region of particular geostrategic importance.

‘Undoubtedly, our actions at the international level are directly linked to the major effort underway domestically to attract high-quality investments, create more jobs, and further strengthen our economy. This enables us, among many other things, to pursue targeted social policies and invest in sectors such as education, healthcare, housing, and the welfare state,’ he concluded.

Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Athena Michaelidou departs on Thursday for Egypt where she will attend the 1st Mediterranean TechSkills Forum, an important regional initiative focusing on skills development in the field of technology and vocational education.

A press release by the Ministry of Education says that the forum is a joint initiative of the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Training and the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit, bringing together representatives of governments, international organisations, academic institutions and the labor market from the wider Mediterranean region.

Cyprus will participate in the forum with two male students, four female students and one teacher, actively contributing to the work and activities of the organisation.

In the framework of the conference, the Minister will participate in high-level discussions and exchanges of views with her counterparts and representatives of international organisations.

The aim of those contacts will be to further strengthen cooperation between Mediterranean countries on issues of education, innovation and digital skills.

Democratic Rally (DISY) President Annita Demetriou was re-elected on Thursday President of the House of Representatives.

Demetriou secured 29 votes at the second round of voting in the plenary (17 votes from DISY, 8 from Democratic Party (DIKO) and 4 from Direct Democracy).

Her opponent, AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou received 19 votes (AKEL’s 15 votes and Alma’s 4 votes). ELAM MPs abstained in this round.

Earlier, in the first round of voting, Demetriou secured 21 votes (17 from DISY and 4 from Direct Democracy), while Stefanou received 19 votes, AKEL’s 15 and the 4 votes from the MPs of the “Alma-Citizens for Cyprus” movement.

DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos, who received his party’s 8 votes, and ELAM President Christos Christou, who also received the 8 votes from his party, did not qualify for the second round.

The session took place under the Chairmanship of the oldest MP, Zacharias Koulias. It began with the confirmation of the 56 MPs and representatives of the three religious groups.