Category: Cyprus News Agency

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.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 04/06/2026 UNTIL 1200 05/06/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1014hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine in general, but locally increased low cloud will be present tonight and tomorrow morning.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 23°C

Warnings: NIL

Head of the Special Scientific Committee for the Reconstruction and Upgrading of the Livestock Sector, Stavros Malas and member of the Epidemiological Team Demetris Tsaltas, told CNA Thursday that vaccinations and deterrent penalties are important for containing the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Malas told CNA that at Tuesday’s expanded meeting at the Presidential Palace on FMD it was decided to impose very strict penalties for illegal animal trafficking.

“There is already legislation, which provides for an administrative fine of around pound 3,500 and this will now be increased to pound 100,000 and, when someone is convicted in court, it will rise to pound 250,000,” he stressed.

Malas expressed hope that this increase will act as a deterrent to illegal animal trafficking.

“The source of the entry of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease is the illegal activity that was taking place along the ceasefire line. This illegal activity obviously must stop. If it does not stop, the risk of reintroduction of the virus will not stop either, because now the virus has entered the government controlled areas,” he explained.

Stressing the importance of paying compensations as quickly as possible, Malas referred to President of the Republic’s statement regarding the possibility of reviewing the amount of compensations.

As regards vaccinations, Malas noted that they have protected many units, adding that thanks to the vaccinations FMD has subsided in the areas where it initially started.

In his statements, Tsaltas told CNA that the number of affected units remains at 120, noting that the laboratory receives new samples constantly.

“But I have not been informed that another positive case has been found,’ he added, saying that the process runs continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Referring to Tuesday’s meeting at the Presidential Palace, he said that it was decided to tighten the measures to contain the foot-and-mouth disease.

‘Nothing changes. The same things apply, but we also asked for the contribution of the President of the Republic and primarily the Police and the National Guard to support the Veterinary Services so that they can do their job” he concluded.

The tourism sector is moving towards recovery, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said in a written statement issued on Thursday, expressing cautious optimism that the second half of 2026 will bring positive results.

The Deputy Minister attributed the slowdown recorded in the tourism sector during March and April to geopolitical developments in the Middle East region, following the publication of Statistical Service data on tourism revenues for March.

Koumis noted that 2026 started with positive prospects for Cypriot tourism, pointing out that tourist arrivals increased by 8.5% in January and by 9.5% in February compared with the same period last year.

He said the performance of the first two months of the year indicated that ‘Cypriot tourism was heading towards a third consecutive record year.’

However, he added that the figures for March and April were significantly affected by developments in the wider region. According to the Deputy Minister, the escalation in the Middle East in March led to a substantial reduction in flight schedules to and from Cyprus for about one week.

He also said that the temporary closure of airports in neighbouring countries, such as Israel and Jordan, had a negative impact on Cyprus.

Concluding, he said the government is working in coordination with all stakeholders to ensure that ‘Cypriot tourism achieves the best possible results in 2026.’

‘It is with satisfaction that we see the tourism sector moving towards recovery’, he said. ‘We remain cautiously optimistic that the second half of 2026 will bring positive results’, he added.