Category: Cyprus News Agency

The right of every European to remain and build their future in the place they call home took centre stage at a high-level event held today at the European Parliament in Brussels, marking the launch of preparations for the EU’s “Right to Stay” strategy. Cyprus’ Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, speaking on behalf of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, stressed that freedom of movement remains one of the EU’s great achievements, but underlined that “mobility must remain a choice and not a necessity.”

Also addressing the event were European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, President of the European Committee of the Regions Kata Ttto, and former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, author of the report on the future of the Single Market.

Drawing on findings from the High-Level Group report on the future of cohesion policy, Keravnos noted that more than 60 million EU citizens live in regions where GDP per capita remains below its 2000 level, while a further 75 million live in regions with near-zero growth. “This is not simply an economic statistic. It is a signal of structural divergence, territorial imbalance, and growing inequality of opportunity,” he said, warning that if left unaddressed, these trends risk creating a “new geography of discontent”, a Europe where entire regions feel excluded from progress and citizens lose trust in the European project.

The Finance Minister recalled that when the Single Market was established in 1988, cohesion policy was introduced as its essential counterpart, to ensure that integration would benefit all regions. “Today, this balance must be reaffirmed and remains more relevant than ever,” he added.

Turning to the chronic challenges facing island, sparsely populated, cross-border and mountainous regions, such as economic stagnation, demographic decline, brain drain, and gaps in services and infrastructure, Keravnos argued that “when opportunities are unevenly distributed, people feel pressed to leave their homeland for more attractive areas and therefore lose their right to stay.” He also highlighted the growing affordable housing crisis in urban centres, which is increasingly pushing young people and middle-income households out of their communities.

Keravnos defended cohesion policy as the instrument that transforms the right to stay from a principle into a tangible reality, through investment in jobs, education, innovation, infrastructure and essential services. He warned that “without targeted, place-based support, these transitions risk widening regional disparities rather than reducing them,” and cited the Draghi report in arguing that “a fragmented Europe cannot be a competitive Europe.”

On the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency, Keravnos announced that Cyprus will host an Informal Ministerial Meeting on cohesion policy on 4 and 5 June 2026, focusing on the right to stay and the specific challenges of island regions. A high-level event dedicated to the new EU strategies for islands and coastal communities is also planned for later that month. Closing his remarks, the Minister stressed that “the success of European integration should not be measured only by how easily people can move, but also by how confidently they can choose to stay.”

At the same event, Executive Vice-President Fitto presented the Commission’s framework for the strategy under preparation, noting that “one in three Europeans, 149 million people, lives in a region that has lost population over the past two decades.” He announced the launch of a public consultation open until early June, inviting citizens, regions and member states to contribute to shaping the strategy, and revealed that the Commission had conducted a Eurobarometer survey of 50,000 Europeans on the factors influencing their decision to remain in or leave their region, with results expected shortly.

Returning Officer Antonis Economides said that candidacies were submitted from 17 party combinations. Twenty-nine candidates or 70.7% are male and 12 or 29.3% are female.

Of the 56 seats at the Cyprus Parliament, three will be occupied from candidates running in Keryneia.

Economides moreover said that eleven combinations are running in the elections with three candidates,while two combinations consist of two candidates, each. Four combinations consist of only one candidate, each.

Objections can be made within 24 hours and will be examined promptly so that ballot papers could be printed in the next days.

The Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Jordan have been tasked with sustaining the momentum of the trilateral cooperation and accelerating its pace, Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos said during a joint press conference with his other two counterparts in Amman, following the Trilateral Summit held there on Wednesday.

‘We are tasked with sustaining this momentum and accelerating its pace, affirming that the trilateral partnership gains increasing importance amid current challenges’, he said, adding that this format ‘can serve as a positive regional platform with a clear European dimension, with tangible results, related, among other things, to the Pact for the Mediterranean, in relation to which both of our countries, Cyprus and Greece, support the effective inclusion of Jordan’.

Kombos noted that the three countries discussed cooperation in crises management, thanking Greece and Jordan for their invaluable support last year, in dealing with wildfires.

‘Our partnership works because it is built on a solid and clear foundation, with historical depth, and is not opportunistic,’ he said, adding that the steppings tone of the cooperation is the full commitment and respect for international law and the use of meaningful dialogue as a means towards sustained de-escalation.

‘The security of our region is closely interconnected with the security of the states that make up this region and share the values of the UN chart,’ Kombos stated, expressing Cyprus’ solidarity with Jordan and the Gulf states in confronting the unjustified attacks that targeted them.

As regards the Strait of Hormuz, Kombos said that ‘we all agree on the importance of insuring the freedom of maritime navigation, the repercussions of that not being the case are going to be enormous and extremely negative. The only answer is safe passage, and this is part of the core principles of international law.’

On Gaza and the West Bank, he noted that the situation remains extremely fragile, and stressed the need to move quickly to the second phase of the stabilization efforts. He reiterated Cyprus’ full endorsement of the two-state solution, in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions. ‘This is the only path towards a political horizon. The Republic of Cyprus has been supportive of the self-determination of the Palestinian people and has recognized the Palestinian State since 1988,’ he said.

As regards the situation in Lebanon, he noted that the three countries are in full agreement. ‘We need to fully support the independence, sovereignty and total integrity of Lebanon. This is a critical time for Lebanon and has consequences for the whole region.’

On Syria, Kombos said that they all underscore the importance of predictable, good neighbourly relations that are grounded in international law, including the law of the Sea. ‘The rights and security of all Syrians, irrespectively of religious or ethnic background must be safe-guarded,’ he said.

Cyprus’ Foreign Minister also mentioned that the latest developments as regards the Cyprus issue were discussed. ‘I want to publicly reaffirm, once again, our full commitment to a solution to the problem in accordance exclusively with the relevant UNSC Resolutions, providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation,’ he noted.

On his part, the Foreign Minister of Greece, George Gerapetritis, said that the fifth trilateral meeting takes place at a critical juncture for the neighbourhood and the world, and demonstrates the enduring strength of the partnership as an anchor of peace, stability, and prosperity in the broader region.

‘This partnership rests on our shared understanding of the challenges facing our region and our shared vision for a region free from war, aggression, rivalry, and dispute. At the same time, we are guided by common values and principles, by unwavering respect for international law, and full commitment to the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,’ he noted.

He added that the three Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues, focusing on developments in the broader Middle East, particularly the war in Iran, the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.

‘We will continue to work closely together in pursuit of a shared vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous neighborhood, proving that meaningful cooperation is not only possible, but necessary amid the current international volatility,’ he said, adding that he looks forward to the next meeting in Athens.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Al-Safadi, stated in the joint press conference that the trilateral mechanism embodies the shared political will to enhance cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the Kingdom, Cyprus, and Greece, and contributes to bolstering security and stability in the region.

Al-Safadi explained that the summit featured extensive deliberations on ways to enhance trilateral cooperation in numerous fields, including water, energy, culture, education, tourism, and other vital sectors.

He added that the summit extensively discussed regional issues, foremost among them support to efforts aimed at ending the dangerous escalation the region is witnessing, and reaching a solution between the United States and Iran that ensures security and stability on foundations that address all causes of tension over the past decades. He affirmed that the summit condemned the attacks that targeted Jordan and the Gulf Arab states.

Finally, he said that the summit discussed efforts to stabilize Lebanon, the Palestinian issue, support for stability in Syria, and the Cyprus issue, in addition to regional and international topics of shared interest.

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

The trilateral cooperation among Cyprus, Greece and Jordan is acquiring an upgraded political importance, while confirming that the three countries share the common goal of creating conditions that will lead to lasting peace, security and stability in the region, the Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, said in a written statement on Wednesday, following a Trilateral Summit in Amman.

He noted that ‘with the conclusion of the Trilateral Summit, a Joint Declaration was adopted which reaffirms and refers to the principles and priorities set during the meeting.’

‘The Summit took place at a time when the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are at the centre of geopolitical realignments with a direct impact on regional security, energy, migration, sea routes, economic resilience and the overall stability of the region,’ he pointed out.

‘At this juncture, the Cyprus, Greece and Jordan Trilateral is acquiring an upgraded political importance. It confirms that stability requires deepening multilateralism, stable relations of trust, continuous coordination and practical cooperation between countries that share a common understanding of security, peace and international legitimacy,’ the Government Spokesperson noted.

‘During the meeting, a review was made of the implementation of trilateral cooperation to date and ways of further deepening it in practice were discussed with the aim of achieving more tangible results,’ he added.

‘Particular emphasis was also placed on relations between the European Union and Jordan, following the Informal Summit of the European Council recently hosted in Cyprus, with the participation of regional leaders, including Jordan,’ he noted.

Letymbiotis also said that ‘Cyprus, as the closest member state of the European Union to Jordan and the region, will continue to work to strengthen cooperation with the friendly country at bilateral, trilateral and European levels’. ‘The Republic of Cyprus consistently supports the upgrading of EU-Jordan relations, as well as the substantial use of the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership’, he added.

‘The leaders also exchanged views on current regional developments, focusing on Iran, Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The need for de-escalation, avoiding further spread of the crisis and creating conditions for lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond was underlined’, the Government Spokesperson pointed out.

‘In the context of the meeting, the importance of civil protection and regional preparedness was also highlighted. Within this context, reference was also made to the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS) as a tangible example of cooperation with real regional value,’ he emphasized, speaking of ‘a significant development that has as its starting point the implementation of a joint Cyprus-Jordanian initiative, as the creation of a Regional Firefighting Center was a point of discussion at the highest political level during the first bilateral visit of the President of the Republic to Jordan, in August 2023, following which a joint letter was sent by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries to the EU.’

At the same time, Konstantinos Letymbiotis noted that the prospect of strengthening strategic connectivity in the region, including IMEC, was discussed, as well as the promotion of the idea of including the issue in the context of the trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Jordan. ‘The three countries form a natural geopolitical and geographical axis that connects the Middle East with Europe, through the Eastern Mediterranean, with multiple benefits for the implementation and strategic integration of the corridor,’ he added.

‘The Summit also confirmed that Cyprus, Greece and Jordan share the common goal of creating conditions that will lead to lasting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. It also confirmed that trilateral cooperation can function as an axis of understanding, European interconnection and practical action at a time when the region needs more credibility, more preparedness and more cooperation,’ the Government Spokesperson said.

A total of 67 candidacies were submitted on Wednesday by 16 party lists and two independent candidates in the Paphos electoral district, ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held on May 24th, according to Efphrosyne Georgiou, Returning Officer for the Paphos electoral district.

She said that 10 party lists will participate in the elections with a full ballot of five candidates. Two party lists consist of four candidates each. One party list consists of three candidates, one other consists of two candidates, and two consist of one candidate each.

She added that 50 candidacies or 74.60% are men and 17 candidacies or 25.40% are women. Moreover, she also announced that the names of the candidates have been posted on the nominations site, for the information of any interested person, while a relevant announcement will be issued by the Office of the Chief Returning Officer.

Any objections to candidacies, she continued, may be submitted by any voter, within 24 hours of the expiry of the deadline for the submission of candidacies, that is, from 12:30 p.m. today, until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026, stating the reasons of the objection.

Any objections submitted will be examined as soon as possible, so that the candidacies can be finalized and preparations for printing the ballots can proceed.

It is noted that no candidacy was submitted by Democratic Change and Far-Left Resistance Communism in the Paphos electoral district.

After the conclusion of the Trilateral Summit Meeting of Cyprus, Greece, and Jordan in Amman, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, is traveling to Abu Dhabi.

According to a written statement by Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the President is expected to hold a meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Government Spokesperson noted that the visit is a tangible expression of the Republic of Cyprus’ solidarity with the UAE after ‘the unjustified attacks it has faced,’ and reaffirms Cyprus’ support to the security, stability, and sovereignty of a strategic partner.

During the meeting, discussions are expected to focus on broader regional developments at a particularly critical time for security and stability in the country and across the wider Gulf region, he said.

Letymbiotis emphasized that the worsening crisis has highlighted the need for closer coordination between the Republic of Cyprus and countries in the region, with the aim of de-escalation and safeguarding regional security.

‘The visit of President Christodoulides to the UAE confirms that the strategic partnership between Cyprus and the UAE remains strong, substantial, and unaffected by regional developments. At a time of heightened instability, Cyprus is maintaining open channels of communication, strengthening coordination with countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, and making efforts to prevent wider escalation and promote de-escalation,’ he underlined.

According to the Spokesperson, since the beginning of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus has made the deepening of cooperation between the EU and countries in the wider region a key priority. In this context, Cyprus consistently highlights that Europe’s security and the Gulf’s stability are interconnected, with direct implications for energy, trade, shipping, and overall regional security.

President Christodoulides is accompanied by Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, the Government Spokesperson, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, and other officials.

The President of the Republic is expected to return to Cyprus on Thursday morning.

A record number of candidates and political parties have submitted their nomination on Wednesday for the 2026 Parliamentary Elections, according to Chief Returning Officer Elikkos Elia. Specifically, 753 candidacies and 19 parties have submitted their nominations.

‘Today, candidacies for the Parliamentary Elections, which will be held on May 24, 2026, were submitted to the Returning Officers for Members of the House of Representatives. A total of 753 candidacies were submitted, approximately 100 more than in the previous parliamentary elections. Of these, 744 are from party lists, while 9 are independent candidates,’ he said.

Elia confirmed that this is a record number both in terms of candidacies and parties. ‘The previous highest number we had was recorded in the 2021 Parliamentary Elections. At that time there were 15 parties, now we have 19, and there are 102 more candidates than in 2021.”

According to the Chief Returning Officer, 529 candidacies (70.3%) are men, while 224 candidacies (29.7%) are women.

A number of parties are running with full lists, meaning a number of candidates equal to the parliamentary seats available in each electoral district, while others are running with less candidates or only in specific districts.

Elia also said that candidacies were submitted for representatives of the religious groups, namely the Maronites, Armenians, and Latins. Specifically, two candidacies were submitted for the Maronite religious group, meaning elections will most likely be held. For the Armenian and the Latin religious groups just one candidacy was submitted for each of them. According to the Returning Officer, if no objections are filed within the next 24 hours, or after any objections are reviewed, the Armenian and Latin representatives will be officially declared elected unopposed.

All the candidacies will be finalized after any objections are submitted and decisions are made on them.

Ballot printing to begin on May 9

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The Returning Officer said the goal is for ballot printing to begin within 2-3 days. ‘We are in communication with the Director of the Government Printing Office, and the plan is to begin printing the ballots on May 9,’ he said.

When asked about the ballot format, Elia said several options are being discussed with the Government Printing Office. He noted that Nicosia, due to the large number of candidates and party lists, will likely use a double-sided ballot.

Regarding staffing of polling stations, he said ‘we are in the final stage of appointing presiding officers. The remaining staff for the polling stations will also be assigned. I estimate that within a few days this process will be finalized and we will have the exact polling station arrangements.’

He also reminded the public that polling stations will operate in Athens, Thessaloniki, London and Brussels.

‘On today’s occasion, which is a celebration of democracy, and as we enter the final stretch toward the Parliamentary Elections of May 24, I would like to assure you of the interest shown by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Interior in ensuring fair and transparent elections, so that the Cypriot people may decide freely and democratically who will represent them in the House of Representatives for the next five years,’ he said.

A total of 141 candidacies from 18 party combinations were submitted on Wednesday to the Famagusta District Administration for the parliamentary elections set to take place on May 24. Of the 141 candidacies, 100 were submitted by men and 41 by women.

In her statements after the end of the procedure, Florentia Georgiou, Superintendent of Elections of Members of the House of Representatives of the Famagusta electoral district, said that no candidacies were submitted by individual independent candidates.

She also said that eleven combinations are running in the elections with full ballots of eleven candidates, one combination consists of 8 candidates, one combination of six candidates, one of two candidates while four combinations consist of one candidate each.

Georgiou pointed out that ‘100 candidacies or 70.09% concern men and 41 candidacies or 29.1% concern women’.

Press Service

European Parliament

Invitation to the Media

Nicosia, 6 May 2026

Europe Day Celebrations

The 9th of May has been designated as Europe Day and is celebrated every year throughout the European Union. It is a special occasion for strengthening European identity and cooperation among member states. Cyprus, like other countries of the EU, actively participates in events organised in different locations with the aim of strengthening European awareness and promoting European principles and values.

The European Parliament’s Offices in all member states are opening their doors, inviting the public to participate in activities that promote democracy, human rights and European solidarity.

Friday, 8 May

Where: EU House, Nicosia (30 Vyronos Av.)

Time: 12:30

On the 8th of May, the European Parliament Office and the European Commission Representation in Cyprus are hosting a reception for the Diplomatic Corps, government officials and partner organisations at the EU House in Nicosia. During the event, opening remarks will be delivered by Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, and the heads of the European Parliament Office and the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Thea Pieridou and Panicos Pourgourides, respectively. Finally, the GC School of Careers that participates in the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme (EPAS) will present a musical piece.

Saturday, 9 May

Where: Courtyard of the old City Hall, (Davila Bastion, Eleftheria Square), Nicosia

Time: 09.00

On Saturday morning at 09.00, the European Union flag will be raised in the courtyard of the old Nicosia City Hall (Davila Bastion in Eleftheria Square) at the initiative of the Municipality of Nicosia. Speeches will be delivered by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, European Commissioner, Costas Kadis, and the Head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, Thea Pieridou.

Saturday, 9 May

Where: Finikoudes, Larnaca

Time: 17:00

On the same day, the European Parliament Office and the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, in collaboration with the Municipality of Larnaca and the European Information Centre in Larnaca, are co-organising an event in Larnaca open to the general public. The event will feature information booths showcasing EU projects, civil society organisations, schools and EU embassies. The event will begin at 17:00, followed by a performance of the Larnaca Municipality Children’s Philharmonic Orchestra at 18:00 and the opening of the photo exhibition entitled ‘Beneath the Surface: CMMI’s Dive into Marine Sciences’ by representatives from Cyprus and the EU at 19.00. At around 19.30, a video recorded message from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will be shown. At 19:30, there will be a musical programme by the Larnaca Municipality Children’s Choir, as well as a concert inspired by Mediterranean and European music. Please find enclosed the relevant poster and programme. The event will be held under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

A total of 167 individuals submitted candidacies in the Limassol electoral district for the parliamentary elections on May 24, with 164 belonging to 17 party lists, while three individuals are running as independent candidates.

The candidate submission process concluded without any significant incident at 12:30 p.m. at the Limassol District Administration offices, with the Returning Officer for the Limassol constituency, Deputy District Administrator Emily Dionysiou, stating that ‘we had a smooth process for receiving nominations, without any difficulties.’

Dionysiou said that ‘acting today, May 6, in my capacity as Returning Officer for the election of members of the House of Representatives, I have received a total of 167 nominations from 17 party lists and three individual independent candidates.’

Of the 17 party lists, she continued, 11 are running in the election with a full list of candidates, one has 11 candidates, one coalition has 8 candidates, one coalition has 7 candidates, one coalition has 3 candidates, one coalition has 2 candidates, and one coalition consists of a single candidate.

She also noted that 120 candidacies are men (71.9%) while 47 candidacies are women (28.1%).

‘Based on the provisions of current electoral law and the number of registered voters, the number of parliamentary seats allocated to the Limassol electoral district is 12,’ she added.

The names of the candidates, Dionysiou noted, will be posted at the candidate submission site for the information of all interested parties, while an objection to a candidacy may be filed within 24 hours of the deadline for submitting candidacies, that is, by 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Any objections submitted will be reviewed as soon as possible so that the candidate lists can be finalised and the printing of the ballots can proceed, concluded the Limassol Returning Officer.