Category: Cyprus News Agency

The upcoming November visit to Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguín, will be used to accelerate initiatives promoted by the bicommunal Technical Committees, Greek Cypriot Co-Chair of the Technical Committee on the Environment Michalis Loizides told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

Loizides said members of the Technical Committees had already been informed of Holguín’s intention to meet with them during her visit to the island, which will also include a trilateral meeting with the President of the Republic and the Turkish Cypriot leader. A date for the meeting with the committees has not yet been set.

He described preparations by the Environment Committee ahead of Holguín’s visit as being in full swing, with the aim of presenting progress on a series of initiatives discussed at their previous meeting in July.

Loizides said the United Nations’ positive response to the work of the Technical Committees reflected a belief that their activities were producing practical results in bringing the two communities closer together at civil society level.

The Environment Technical Committee is working on around 20 initiatives, including improving communication with civil society in both communities, coordinating efforts to record, monitor and address air pollution and microplastic pollution in water, and developing measures to manage diseases affecting plants and animals.

Describing the agenda as ‘very positive’, Loizides said it was encouraging that mechanisms for cooperation and a communication channel had been established and their effectiveness tested. These arrangements, he added, were helping advance initiatives and scientific cooperation to address emerging challenges.

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.

Cyprus placed 24th among 42 national teams at the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) 2026, held in Bochum, Germany, where teams from European Union member states and other countries competed.

According to Cyprus Computer Society, team Cyprus competed in two categories, demonstrating its technical skills in cybersecurity. The competition is an initiative of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and provides a platform for identifying emerging talent, assessing capabilities in mitigating cyber threats and promoting cooperation among participating countries.

The ten members of the national team were selected through the Cyprus Cyber Security Challenge (CCSC), held online from August 2 to 9, 2026. Aged between 14 and 25, the participants included high school and university students, researchers, self-taught security specialists and young professionals.

The team comprised Marios Kailis, team leader, Christos Falas, Joseph Modestou, Christodoulos Sotiriou, Stylianos Anastasiou, Alexandros Poullas, George Voutouris, George Mavronicolas, Stylianos Stylianou and Evangelos Lioudakis.

The team’s preparation was jointly led by the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) and volunteer mentors from the CyberMouflons cybersecurity group. Training included specialised practice environments, real-time attack-and-defence simulations and methodologies used in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions.

Cyprus’ participation was supported by the government and involved the Office of the Commissioner of Communications, through the Digital Security Authority (DSA), the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, and the Cyprus Police.

The national team also received support from Deloitte, European University Cyprus, Frederick University, Grant Thornton, Odyssey Cybersecurity, Qsecure and XM.

Cooperation and the exchange of expertise on operational coordination and maritime security was agreed during visits by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, on Wednesday, 20 October, to the National Command Centre (NCC) and the General Directorate of Coastal and Border Security in Qatar.

According to a Ministry statement, the Minister was briefed on the organisation and operation of the Centre, which utilises advanced technological systems and specialised expertise to coordinate security services and manage incidents and emergency situations, with particular emphasis on staff training and operational readiness.

It is added that, as part of the cooperation, the Qatari side expressed its willingness to host and train in Qatar members of the Cypriot services who will staff the Command, Command, Control and Communications (C3) Centre, which is planned to be established in Cyprus, whilst a similar willingness to cooperate, exchange expertise and train personnel was also expressed during the visit to the Directorate-General for Coastal and Border Security.

It is also noted that the Minister was briefed on the operational organisation of the Service, the technological resources and the practices applied in the surveillance and protection of maritime borders.

According to the Ministry, on both visits, the reception was particularly warm and friendly, with the Qatari side expressing a genuine interest in developing cooperation and transferring know-how to the Cypriot services.

Fytiris also held a courtesy meeting with the President of the Qatar Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, during which issues relating to transparency, accountability and good governance, as well as the importance of the effective functioning of oversight mechanisms in strengthening citizens’ trust in public institutions, the statement concludes.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology

Date 22/10/2026

Station

TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Highest

Lowest

Nicosia (Athalassa)

30

19

33

Larnaka Airport

27

20

56

Limassol (New Port)

30

17

43

Pafos Airport

30

19

64

Frenaros

28

18

53

Prodromos

21

11

58

Polis Pafos

26

17

69

The exchange of expertise and the strengthening of operational cooperation were the focus of today’s visit by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, to the facilities of the Qatar Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and the International Search and Rescue Team.

According to a Ministry of Justice press release, during the visit, which took place in a particularly friendly atmosphere, with open dialogue and a mutual willingness to develop substantive cooperation between the relevant agencies of the two countries, opportunities were identified for utilising Lekhwiya’s expertise and training infrastructure in various areas of security and emergency response.

As noted, the Minister was briefed on the Force’s organisation, equipment and operational capabilities, with an emphasis on crisis management, responding to serious security incidents and the coordination of the agencies involved.

It is added that a key part of the visit was a presentation of the capabilities of the International Search and Rescue Team, which holds INSARAG’s ‘Heavy’ certification in urban search and rescue and has participated in natural disaster response missions abroad, combining specialist personnel, technical equipment and medical support.

According to the press release, Lekhwiya’s expertise and training capabilities offer prospects for practical cooperation with the Fire Service, particularly the Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), on matters relating to urban search and rescue and disaster response, while, at the same time, areas of cooperation can be developed with the Mobile Immediate Action Unit (MMAD), including the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit, through specialised training, the exchange of operational experience and joint exercises on counter-terrorism, special operations and crisis management.

The visit comes after Fytiris’ meetings with Qatar’s Minister of the Interior and his visits to the National Command Centre and the General Directorate of Coastal and Border Security, as part of his official visit to the country, the press release concludes.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 22/10/2026 UNTIL 1800 23/10/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1017hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but at times increased cloud will be present.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

Northwest to North 3 to 4, near the coast Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, later Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4, locally 4

Smooth to Slight, locally Slight

South Coast

Night

Northwest to North 3, locally Variable to 4

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Northeast to East 3 to 4, locally Southwest to West

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3, at times offshore North to Northeast 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually North to Northeast 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

North to Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4

Smooth to Slight, locally Slight

North Coast

Night

North to Northeast 3, gradually near the coast Northeast to Southeast

Smooth to Slight

Morning

North to Northeast 3, gradually 3 to 4

Slight

Afternoon

Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and Turkish Cypriot leader’s representative Mehmet Dana will meet on Monday afternoon ahead of a new meeting between the two leaders, which is likely to take place next Tuesday. An official announcement is expected in the coming days.

President Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhurman met on two consecutive Tuesdays, October 13 and 20.

The two leaders decided to hold meetings with the Technical Committees on Youth and Cultural Heritage, as well as with the Civil Society Advisory Body. According to information obtained by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), dates for these meetings have not yet been set.

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.

Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday reaffirmed, in a telephone conversation, the two countries’ commitment to regional security and stability.

Kombos said on X that in a phone call today with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, he reiterated Cyprus’ full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and support to its sovereignty and territorial integrity after the Houthi attacks. ‘All attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and should cease immediately’, Kombos said.

Cyprus, he notes, is a firm advocate of keeping the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping, ensuring freedom of navigation and safe passage according to international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. ‘We reaffirmed our commitment to regional security and stability’, he said.

Cyprus may introduce further measures to support households and businesses if necessary, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday, stressing that fiscal discipline would be maintained while the government pursues tax and pension reforms and increases investment in public services.

Speaking in Nicosia, the President said the country’s public surplus, which he attributed to responsible fiscal management, had enabled a surplus budget for a third consecutive year and created room for reforms.

He cited a tax reform, the first in 23 years, aimed at boosting household disposable income and supporting businesses, as well as pension reform intended to increase benefits, particularly for low-income pensioners.

The government, he added, had also raised the minimum wage twice, restored the Cost-of-Living Allowance (CoLA) to 100% and increased investment in healthcare, education, housing and social welfare, he said.

‘If the need arises, we will look at further measures,’ he said, adding that spending on the welfare state had increased by 6% or more in almost every year.

However, he ruled out being drawn into a cycle of pre-election spending pledges.

‘We will not be carried away, as we were not during the parliamentary elections, by a policy of handouts or make statements to satisfy audiences or please people,’ he said.

The President reiterated that fiscal responsibility was essential to sustaining reforms and social support measures.

He stressed that fiscal policy must take account of regional and international developments and safeguard the country’s long-term financial stability.

The Turkish-Libyan maritime boundary agreement undermines the rights and interests of several countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said during a telephone conversation with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, on Thursday.

In a post on X, Sa’ar described the conversation with his ‘friend’, the Cypriot Foreign Minister, as a good call.

‘We discussed the Turkish-Libyan maritime boundary agreement, which undermines the rights and interests of several countries in the Eastern Mediterranean,’ he wrote.

The two Ministers also discussed bilateral relations between Israel and Cyprus, as well as Israel’s relations with the European Union.

‘I will continue working to strengthen the close ties between Israel and Cyprus,’ Sa’ar added.