Cyprus News Agency – Page 21 – Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

President announces partial Cabinet reshuffle

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides announced on Tuesday a partial Cabinet reshuffle, introducing changes to the composition of the Council of Ministers, as well as new appointments to the positions of Commissioners and of the Director of the President’s Office.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic, the President, exercising the powers vested in him by the Constitution, decided to appoint Evanthia Tsolaki as Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Christos Senekis as Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Tina Pavlou as Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and Clea Papaellina as Deputy Minister of Culture.

The President also decided to appoint Elias Myrianthous as Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, Eirini Poyiatzi as Commissioner for Citizens’ Rights, and Panayiotis Palates as Director of the President’s Office.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new members of the Government and the appointment ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Presidential Palace.

Hungarian Ambassador describes CNA visit as step towards strengthening bilateral relations

The visit of Hungary’s Ambassador Krisztina Lakos to the premises of the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) in Nicosia, on Tuesday, marks a step towards strengthening cooperation between Cyprus and Hungary, the Ambassador told CNA.

The Ambassador met with CNA’s President of the Board of Directors, Andreas Frangos, and Director Dinos Phinikarides.

In a statement, Frangos said he had the privilege and pleasure of welcoming the Ambassador of Hungary to CNA premises, where he presented the Agency’s work and the undertaking of providing authoritative news coverage in an era of misinformation.

“I have requested from the Ambassador to contribute to the revival of our cooperation with the corresponding historic news agency of Hungary, MTI (Magyar Távirati Iroda),” he said, noting that although the two agencies are members of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), “I believe that with her assistance, we will revive our cooperation and exchange news in both countries, about Cyprus and Hungary.” He added that he looks forward to further strengthening their cooperation.

For her part, Ambassador Krisztina Lakos thanked CNA for hosting her. She said that this was an issue that had been pending for some time, in order for her to make this visit personally and to strengthen cooperation, not only between the Embassy and CNA, but also as another step “in strengthening the cooperation between the two countries as well.”

“We will be more than happy to assist with the renewing of the agreement between CNA and MTI in Hungary and we will be working on it and hopefully it will be very fast, in order to exchange more news and may be some photographs,” she said.

She also expressed the hope that in the future CNA would provide news coverage when the Embassy organises events that are of journalistic interest to the Agency. ‘We are a small Embassy, but with very interesting ideas,’ she said.

Asked about upcoming events organised by the Embassy of Hungary, the Ambassador said that, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, a dance performance will take place on 21 October at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre.

She also said that the Embassy is organising a bicommunal chess event for children, which will take place in November.

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

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 04/08/2026 UNTIL 1800 05/08/2026

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

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine, but overnight and during dawn, locally increased low cloud coverage will be present and possibly local mist and/or fog patches over the western and eastern areas.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 28°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

West to Northwest 3 to 4, gradually Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

South to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to West 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Slight

South Coast

Night

Southwest to West 3 to 4, locally Variable 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4 to 5, at times locally 5

Slight

East Coast

Night

Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to South 3, gradually South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Slight

North Coast

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest 3 to 4, locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 1700

Date: 04/08/2026

Justice Minister convenes meeting on congestion at Larnaca Airport

Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris on Tuesday convened a meeting at Larnaca Airport to address congestion problems observed both inside the airport and in the access, drop-off and passenger pick-up areas, particularly during periods of increased passenger traffic.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the meeting was attended by the competent authorities and services, which reviewed the current situation and discussed ways to alleviate the problem.

The statement said the aim is to reduce inconvenience for travellers and drivers, improve services for the travelling public and strengthen coordination among all relevant stakeholders.

According to the Ministry, Fytiris stressed the need for continuous evaluation of procedures and close cooperation among all competent services to ensure that problems are addressed promptly and that the smooth operation of Larnaca Airport is safeguarded to the greatest extent possible.

House President expresses solidarity with Greece over wildfires

President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou expressed the House’s full support and solidarity with Greece over the devastating wildfires raging in various parts of the country, in a letter sent on Monday to President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis.

According to a House announcement, Demetriou expressed profound sorrow and shock at the scale of the destruction and the deaths of people in the line of duty during the ongoing efforts to bring the fires under control.

“At these difficult times for Greece and the Greek people, I would like to express our full support and solidarity, as well as our readiness to assist in every possible way in tackling the fires and their devastating and wide-ranging consequences,” she said in the letter.

The House President also noted that the emergency facing Europe and the entire Mediterranean as a result of climate change is costing human lives and causing severe economic, social and environmental consequences.

She stressed that it is everyone’s duty to demonstrate genuine solidarity and develop the necessary cooperation and synergies at European and regional level, in order to jointly address both the root causes and the consequences of rising temperatures, including frequent and destructive wildfires.

Concluding, Demetriou expressed, on behalf of all members of the House of Representatives, sincere condolences to the victims’ families and the House’s full solidarity with and support for those affected and the Greek people as a whole.

Cyprus spends pound 23.2 mln by June 30 to support Limassol wildfire victims

The Republic of Cyprus had spent pound 23.2 million by June 30, 2026, to support those affected by the July 2025 wildfire in the mountainous Limassol region, according to figures released on Monday by the Treasury of the Republic.

The expenditure represents 41% of the pound 56.1 million Comprehensive Support Plan approved by the Council of Ministers. The Treasury said all spending has been financed exclusively through the state budget, while public donations remain in a separate bank account and have not been used.

Public donations total pound 1.7 million, of which pound 800,000 has been allocated for the purchase of 17 fire engines for communities in Limassol district, while the remaining pound 900,000 will fund development projects selected by the fire-affected communities.

According to the Treasury, pound 7.9 million has been spent on measures supporting businesses and workers, pound 5.4 million on assistance to affected communities and pound 9.9 million on support for households.

The Treasury also noted that part of the expenditure will be co-financed through the EU Solidarity Fund. The European Commission has proposed pound 9.2 million in assistance, including a pound 2.3 million advance already disbursed, with the remaining pound 6.9 million expected to be released following the European Parliament’s approval of the proposal.

The Treasury said it will continue to publish regular updates on the implementation of the support plan as part of its commitment to transparency and public accountability.

European principles key to a Cyprus settlement, says Hellenic Parliament Vice-President

The importance of the European Union’s involvement in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and of achieving a comprehensive settlement based on European principles and the acquis communautaire has been highlighted by Second Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament Georgios Georgantas, who represented the Greek Parliament at the annual anti-occupation events organised by Famagusta Municipality.

According to a press release issued by the Hellenic Parliament, the programme for the Municipality’s guests began on Friday, July 31, with visits to the Presidential Palace and the House of Representatives.

During the meeting with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, emphasis was placed on the current critical juncture in the Cyprus issue. According to the press release, President Christodoulides expressed hope that the UN Secretary-General’s determination to make progress, combined with the EU’s involvement, could open a window of opportunity for a Cyprus settlement.

During the discussion that followed, Georgantas stressed the importance of the EU’s involvement in the process and of achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem based on European principles and the acquis communautaire.

He also referred to the tangible support shown to Cyprus, initially by Greece and subsequently by other European countries, following the attack on Akrotiri British Bases.

During the meeting at the House of Representatives, House President Annita Demetriou stressed that the only acceptable solution to the Cyprus issue would be one providing for the evolution, rather than the abolition, of the Republic of Cyprus, it is noted.

Georgantas also described the designation of European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as the Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus as a positive development.

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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

Last March, a Shahed-type drone struck military facilities in the British Bases, hosted in Akrotiri, in the southern tip of Cyprus, amid regional turmoil following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. After the attack by the Iranian-made ?unmanned aerial vehicle, believed to be linked to Hezbollah operating in Lebanon, Greece and France deployed warships, aircraft and other air defence assets to shield Cyprus. Events also triggered a discussion at EU level on the need to set rules for triggering the mutual defence clause. The Cyprus government says the Greek F16s stationed on the island following the attack on the British Bases are not permanent. In June, Cyprus and France signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) deepening their military cooperation.

”Guterres mentions the parties involved in Cyprus when it serves the process”, UN Dep. Spokesperson says

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq referred to the relevant Security Council resolutions and meetings held at the United Nations in the 1970s, responding to a question from i24NEWS Israeli journalist Mike Wagenheim regarding the different language used by Secretary-General António Guterres in relation to Syria and Cyprus.

The journalist compared two posts by the Secretary-General, noting that, regarding Syria, he had stated that “Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity must be fully respected” and that ”violations by Israel of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are unacceptable and must stop”.

By contrast, Wagenheim observed that upon arriving in Cyprus, Antonio Guterres said: “I have just landed in Cyprus to express my commitment to support for Cypriot communities in the search for a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue,” adding that “the UN cannot impose peace” and that “only Cypriots, through their leaders, can build it”.

The i24NEWS journalist questioned why, in the case of Cyprus, part of its has been under Turkish occupation since 1974, no reference was made to Turkey, asking the spokesperson whether “Turkey is off-limits?”.

“Mike, it would take hours, possibly days, for me to explain to you fully the differences between the situation in Cyprus and the situation in the Golan Heights,” Farhan Haq replied.

The UN Deputy Spokesperson referred the journalist to “the relevant Security Council resolutions” and the relevant meetings held at the United Nations in the 1970s during each of the two crises.

“Each one has its own dynamic, and the Secretary-General’s positions that he articulated are consistent with the policies that the UN has had, basically, for the past 50 years in each of those cases,” he said.

Responding specifically to the question about the absence of any reference to Turkey, Haq said that “the Secretary-General has frequently mentioned all the various parties involved in Cyprus”.

“He does that when it’s helpful to do those,” he added, explaining that, in this case, the Secretary-General was visiting Cyprus in an effort “to move forwards with the efforts with both the Greek Cypriot community and the Turkish Cypriot community”.

National Council convenes following UNSG’s and EU Representative’s visits to Cyprus

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, will preside over on Monday a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus issue, to brief its members on the latest developments following UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ and EU Special Representative for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto’s, recent visits to the island.

The meeting of the National Council will scheduled to begin at 1030.

President Christodoulides said Saturday that preparatory work has already begun with the United Nations at a technocratic level to create the conditions for a successful expanded conference on the Cyprus issue.

He noted that the preparatory work will continue throughout August.

It is recalled that last week UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres held contacts in Cyprus. It was his first visit to the island. The same week, newly appointed EU Special Representative for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, also held a series of meetings in Nicosia.

Cyprus acquires its first nationwide tree-level biomass and carbon inventory

Cyprus acquires for the first time a nationwide inventory of the biomass and carbon stored by its trees.

Developed by researchers at The Cyprus Institute, the new study provides the first tree-level inventory of biomass and carbon stocks across the island, creating a new tool for monitoring forests and supporting climate adaptation.

A press release issued by the Institute said that the inventory was developed using a new artificial intelligence-based methodology, combined with field measurements collected by the Cyprus Department of Forests.

Unlike previous approaches, it enables the systematic and repeatable monitoring of changes in tree biomass and carbon stocks over time, providing valuable scientific evidence to support forest management, post-fire restoration and climate adaptation, it adds.

“For the first time, we can monitor Cyprus’s trees with a level of detail that was not previously possible,” said Anna Zenonos, Graduate Research Fellow at the Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute and first author of the study.

“In the Eastern Mediterranean, one of the regions most affected by climate change, increasing pressure from drought and wildfires makes reliable data more important than ever. This new capability helps us better understand how our trees and ecosystems are changing and provides a strong scientific basis for planning measures to protect and manage our natural resources,” she continued.

The press release said that trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in their biomass, helping mitigate climate change and they also provide important ecosystem services, including cooling cities, improving air quality and supporting biodiversity.

The study found that nearly one-third of Cyprus’s tree cover lies outside forests. A representative example is Athalassa National Forest Park in Aglantzia, where the inventory identified a high density of large trees within an urban environment, highlighting the important contribution of urban green spaces and trees outside traditional forest areas.

The inventory also reveals that, during the past seven years, gains in forest carbon storage have been offset by recurrent wildfires and drought-related tree mortality.

The study estimates that since 2014, more than 360,000 trees have been affected by wildfires, resulting in losses exceeding 300,000 tonnes of biomass and 140,000 tonnes of stored carbon.

These estimates were made possible through the new inventory, which captures losses that could not be quantified with the same accuracy using previous approaches, particularly those associated with smaller and isolated wildfires.

Beyond its scientific findings, the new inventory provides Cyprus with a framework for the systematic monitoring of its forest and tree resources. It establishes a stronger scientific basis for assessing the impacts of wildfires and drought, evaluating restoration efforts, and supporting evidence-based forest management and climate adaptation, the Institute concludes.