Category: Cyprus News Agency

The United States has decided to restore Cyprus to the normal Travel Advisory level, Level 1, advising travelers to exercise normal precautions.

According to an announcement by the U.S. Department of State, Cyprus is generally a safe destination for travelers.

It warns, however, about the United Nations Buffer Zone, noting that crossings should not be attempted anywhere other than at designated crossing points.

The U.S. Department of State states that following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there were significant disruptions to commercial flights, and notes that on March 2, 2026, a drone struck a building on the British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

The advisory states that increased caution is required ‘in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots due to unrest,’ noting that the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in that area. It also states that human rights reports indicate that central prison and police detention facilities do not meet international standards.

The advisory states that the United States does not recognize the ‘trnc’.

Regarding U.S. citizens traveling to Cyprus, the U.S. Department of State advises them to enter and exit Cyprus only through Larnaca and Paphos airports or through the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos. It notes that U.S. citizens who travel through the illegal airport in the occupied area may face difficulties returning to the Republic of Cyprus in the future.

It is also noted that residence permits are not issued by the Republic of Cyprus for areas not under its control, and that the Republic of Cyprus does not recognize residence permits issued by the Turkish Cypriot ‘authorities.’

The Cyprus Presidency has called for an extraordinary video conference of EU Health Ministers on June 5, in response to the escalating Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, according to a spokesperson who briefed the press in Brussels.

A Presidency spokesperson stated that “the Cyprus Presidency has been closely monitoring the Ebola situation from the outset and planning accordingly.” The spokesperson added that the decision was made to convene an emergency video conference of Health Ministers on Friday, June 5, at 15:00 Brussels time “to address the recent Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and discuss further preparedness and coordination measures among Member States.” An additional exchange of views is also expected during the upcoming EPSCO Council on June 16.

Also, the Cyprus Presidency decided to activate the Integrated Political Crisis Response Mechanism (IPCR) in “monitoring mode” as a preventive measure to facilitate the exchange of information about the outbreak, solely as a means to support information flow between the EU Member States.

This decision follows a letter sent last Friday by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (as the rotating President of the EU Council). The letter called for enhanced coordination on border surveillance and common rules for managing arrivals from affected regions. According to CNA reports, Antonio Costahas already confirmed that the issue will be included on the agenda of the European Council summit on June 18-19.

The Ebola outbreak affects the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with the Italian Prime Minister raising the discussion on border management.

Losses in the tourism sector have reached 20% to date due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, Christos Angelides, President of the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association (CyHMA), told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), while expressing optimism that the remaining months of the year could see a recovery through last-minute bookings.

‘Unfortunately, the losses for the entire year so far appear to be around 20%, a huge figure that cannot be easily recovered. Hotels that remain open and operate year-round have already lost the months of March, April, and May, resulting in lost income instead of profits,’ he noted.

Asked whether financial support has been requested from the European Union, Angelides replied that ‘this is something we have requested and continue to request, and we hope that it will eventually materialize,’ noting that Cyprus was directly affected by the war in Iran.

He added that CyHMA’s effort, along with that of the entire hotel industry, is ‘to maintain high standards of quality and service despite all the difficulties, while at the same time preserving our good reputation as a tourist destination. We have all made tremendous efforts to build Cyprus’s reputation as a safe destination that offers quality and excellent service, and we must protect that reputation at all costs.’

When asked about tourism activity during the ongoing long weekend, Angelides said that ‘there was some movement, but it was temporary. Immediately afterward, we will continue our efforts to fill the gap created by the cancellations in March and April for the remainder of the season.’

He further stated that ‘hotel bookings are still at low levels and are not sufficient to offset the cancellations or the difference in tourism performance compared with previous years. There is still uncertainty regarding how the summer season will develop, and we hope that the ongoing peace efforts in the region will help.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 01/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 02/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1013hPa (hectopascal)

The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 21°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning Variable 3, soon Southeast to Southwest Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning Variable 3, soon South to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night Northwest to North 3, locally Variable Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, later Southeast to South Smooth to Slight

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight

Night West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning Variable 3, later West to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Southeast to Southwest 3, offshore Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 0530

Date: 01/06/2026

CNA/EA/AGK/2026

Nicosia considers the official visit of President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides to Kazakhstan to be of exceptional importance, as beyond purely political contacts at the highest level, it will mark the launch of direct air service between the two countries and the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Astana.

It should be noted that Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country by area and the largest landlocked country in the world, with a population of over 20 million and the Turkic-speaking Kazakh people as the dominant ethnic group.

Government sources indicate that President Christodoulides’ visit, the first by a Cypriot President to the country, is an opportunity to highlight the importance the Republic of Cyprus attaches to substantially strengthening bilateral relations and takes on particular significance, given Kazakhstan’s relations with Turkey.

According to a Presidency briefing, on the morning of Wednesday, June 3, the President of the Republic will hold a one-on-one meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, followed by expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries. Subsequently, the President of Kazakhstan will award the President of the Republic the state decoration ‘Order of Friendship,’ a sign of the importance that the Kazakh side also attaches to the Cypriot President’s visit and to the deepening of relations between the two countries.

The strategic decision by both countries to upgrade their relations is also reflected in the decision to establish embassies in Astana and Nicosia, it is added. The President of the Republic will officiate at the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Astana. ‘The opening of an embassy in the capital of Kazakhstan strengthens Cyprus’s presence in the broader Central Asian region, an area of strategic importance for the interests of the Republic of Cyprus,’ it is noted.

The Cypriot delegation led by the President of the Republic, as well as the trade/business mission, will travel to Kazakhstan on Tuesday on Air Astana’s first direct flight. The launch of the direct Cyprus-Kazakhstan air link is of particular significance, as Larnaca is among the few European cities (London, Frankfurt, Milan, Podgorica) that have air links with Kazakhstan, it is noted.

Furthermore, it is stated that in the presence of the two Presidents, Memoranda of Understanding will be signed between the two countries in the fields of Higher Education, research, culture, sports, information and communication technologies, cybersecurity, and e-governance.

The delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry Michael Damianos, Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy Nikodimos Damianou, and Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou.

The President of the Republic is accompanied by a trade/business delegation. A Memorandum of Understanding will also be signed between the Cyprus and Kazakhstan Chambers of Commerce. The President of the Republic will attend and address the Cyprus-Kazakhstan Business Forum at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), and subsequently, the Alem A.I. International Artificial Intelligence Center

The delegation led by President Christodoulides to Kazakhstan follows the President of the Republic’s recent official visit to India, a development that adds value to Nicosia’s strategic pursuit of synergies in the wider region, as noted.

Focus on investments

According to the same briefing, the visit also offers an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the investment sector, which constitutes the most important pillar of bilateral economic relations.

Specifically, it is noted that since 2005, Cypriot investments in Kazakhstan have exceeded $4 billion, while investments by Kazakh entities in Cyprus amount to approximately $1.8 billion. At the same time, more than 320 companies with Cypriot interests operate in Kazakhstan, while Kazakh companies also have a presence in the Republic of Cyprus.

In this context, Cyprus is promoted as a safe business environment fully aligned with the European acquis and as a reliable gateway to the EU single market, while Kazakhstan is strengthening its role as a regional economic hub in Central Asia.

Nicosia is also placing emphasis on strengthening cooperation in the areas of investment funds, renewable energy, and infrastructure, as well as on collaboration with the Astana International Financial Centre, which the President of the Republic will visit.

The process for electing the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is entering its final stretch, with the vote scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York, with the candidate of Cyprus among the contenders.

Under the established system of regional rotation, the presidency of the 81st session falls to the Asia-Pacific Group, to which the Republic of Cyprus belongs within the framework of the UN regional groups. The two candidacies submitted to Member States are those of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Cypriot Ambassador Andreas Kakouris.

The Cypriot candidacy was presented by Nicosia at the UN as one in favour of practical multilateralism, restoring trust in the United Nations, and strengthening the role of the General Assembly at a time of acute international crises and institutional pressures.

In the official presentation of his candidacy, Kakouris stressed that the presidency is called upon to guide collective efforts ‘at a time when trust in multilateralism is being tested.’

During the informal interactive dialogue with Member States at UN Headquarters, convened by the President of the 80th session of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, Andreas Kakouris stressed that the next session would be ‘critical,’ as it will coincide with the process of selecting a new United Nations Secretary-General and the implementation of the ‘Pact for the Future.’ As he said, ‘the United Nations is our collective home’ and there is a responsibility to safeguard it ‘through practical multilateralism, by rebuilding trust, strengthening effectiveness and ensuring that it works for the benefit of all.’

The contest between Cyprus and Bangladesh is taking place at a time when the General Assembly is called upon to address issues of institutional revitalization, financial pressures, reform implementation, and heightened geopolitical divisions. The President of the 80th session, Annalena Baerbock, has noted that the next session will be ‘particularly critical,’ due to overlapping global challenges and efforts toward institutional reform.

Unemployment in Cyprus stood at 3.2% in April 2026, according to the latest Eurostat data released on Monday, showing a slight decrease compared to March (3.3%). Youth unemployment (under 25) data for April is not available, but in January 2026, it was 12.7%.

At an EU level, unemployment remained stable in April 2026, with the euro area recording a rate of 6.3%(unchanged compared to March 2026 and April 2025), and the EU as a whole at 6.0%. According to estimates, 13.238 million people were unemployed in the EU, of whom 11.075 million in the euro area.

The implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (12 June), the progress achieved by Member States during the two-year preparatory period, and the need to maintain a balance between responsibility and solidarity were discussed on Monday in the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in Brussels.

On behalf of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council, the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, described the launch of the Pact as a significant milestone for European migration policy, stressing that the new framework aims to replace fragmented approaches of the past with a coherent system of common rules, procedures, and obligations.

In his address, stated that the coming week marks a particularly important moment for the European Union, as after years of negotiations and two years of intensive preparation, the Pact on Migration and Asylum will enter into application.

He added that the entry into force of the Pact is not merely the activation of a legislative package, but the culmination of a long-standing effort to address the shortcomings revealed by the 2015 migration crisis and to move from a fragmented system to a more integrated European framework.

The Deputy Minister noted that for many years migration management in Europe was based mainly on ad hoc solutions, which led to gaps, structural weaknesses, and unequal distribution of responsibilities among Member States. He observed that the Pact seeks to change this situation, as for the first time all Member States are required to operate within a unified system based on common rules and procedures, as well as shared responsibilities.

He said that the implementation of the Pact was one of the key priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. Throughout the Presidency, he said, there had been close cooperation with the Commission, relevant EU agencies, and Member States to coordinate the necessary preparations.

In this context, he underlined that Cyprus will host a ministerial conference next week, on the day the Pact becomes fully operational, in order to highlight the political significance of the new framework.

Referring to the broader framework of EU migration policy, he underlined that the Pact is not limited to the management of irregular migration, but operates alongside initiatives on legal migration pathways, such as the EU Talent Pool, the EU Resettlement Framework, and the EU Visa Strategy.

He stressed that the relationship between legal and irregular migration is complex and cannot be interpreted as a simple cause and effect relationship. Nevertheless, he added, the ability of Member States to develop effective legal migration schemes is often linked to the overall effectiveness of their migration management systems and their capacity to manage migration flows.

The Deputy Minister stated that strengthening migration governance, contributing to the reduction of irregular arrivals and preventing abuse of the system, can create the conditions for better-organised and more effectively managed legal migration pathways.

The Pact, he said, seeks to address this weakness through a more predictable and structured system of solidarity among member states, stressing that solidarity must operate in practice in a fair, credible, and tangible manner.

At the same time, he emphasised that despite the safeguards and mechanisms provided by the new framework, no common system can succeed in the long term unless all Member States assume their fair share of collective responsibility.

In conclusion, the Deputy Minister underlined that the entry into application of the Pact is not the end but the beginning of a new phase. The new framework, he said, will ultimately be judged by its results in practice rather than by its legislative content alone.

Some 65% of Cypriot small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) describe the process of hiring workers from third countries – non-EU countries – as difficult, according to the results of Flash Eurobarometer 571 published by the European Commission on Monday. With the corresponding EU-wide figure, also referring to SMEs that have attempted to hire third-country nationals, standing at 54%, the survey highlights barriers rooted primarily in complex and lengthy administrative procedures.

In detail, the main obstacle identified by Cypriot SMEs is the complexity or length of recruitment and immigration procedures, cited by 47% of respondents who have attempted to hire third-country nationals, compared to 31% across the EU. This is followed by difficulty finding suitable candidates, reported by 38% of Cypriot SMEs versus 25% at EU level, while a notable share also points to insufficient information on immigration procedures, with similarly low figures both in Cyprus (18%) and across the 27 member states (16%).

As regards the occupations for which Cypriot SMEs turned to workers from third countries, cleaning and support service workers rank first at 42%, followed by skilled construction workers at 29% and food preparation and processing staff at 26%. In all three sectors, Cypriot figures significantly exceed the EU average, which stands at 12%, 17% and 14% respectively.

On the support services considered most useful, Cypriot SMEs rank immigration and relocation assistance first, at 38% compared to 18% at EU level, followed by information and guidance on recruiting third-country nationals, with comparable figures of 28% and 25%. Workplace integration support is also considered important (27% versus 20%). Notably, at EU-27 level, financial support through grants, subsidies and tax incentives ranks first at 31%, while Cyprus places it fourth, with 26% of businesses rating it as significant.

Regarding the integration and retention of third-country workers following recruitment, 25% of Cypriot SMEs reported difficulties integrating them into their company, compared to 30% at EU level, while 27% – both in Cyprus and across the EU – encountered difficulties in retaining them.

Finally, despite the higher rate of attempts to hire from third countries, familiarity with available support services remains limited: only 17% of Cypriot SMEs said they were familiar with such services, a figure marginally above the EU average of 15%, while a substantial 71% declared no familiarity, compared to 79% at EU level.

The survey, examining the barriers faced by European SMEs in recruiting workers from outside the EU, was conducted in December 2025 across 12,900 businesses at EU-27 level and 260 in Cyprus, where 21% of companies reported having attempted to hire workers from third countries to address skills shortages – a figure that exceeds the EU average of 14%.

Cyprus has become the sixth European Union member state to sign a loan agreement under the SAFE programme, following the formal signature of a pound 1.18 billion financing agreement between Cyprus and the European Commission.

The announcement was made on Monday by European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, who signed the agreement on behalf of the European Commission together with Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin.

On behalf of Cyprus, the agreement was signed by the Cypriot Finance Minister, Makis Keravnos and the Head of the Public Debt Management Office, Chrysavgi Chrysostomou-Lapathioti.

In a social media post, Commissioner Kubilius described the agreement as ‘another member state firmly on track to strengthening European defence readiness.’

‘Cyprus is already the sixth country to sign a SAFE agreement,’ he noted. ‘Very soon, EU support will begin reaching Cyprus’ armed forces and defence industry.’

The SAFE programme’s first phase will provide an overall pound 150 billion in competitively priced, long-maturity loans, and is part of the EU Commission’s broader efforts to strengthen the Union’s defence capabilities and support investments in defence procurement and industrial capacity across member states.