Category: Cyprus News Agency

Preparations have been completed for the submission of candidacies for the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 24, with nominations to be filed on Wednesday, May 6, according to Assistant Chief Returning Officer Menelaos Vasileiou.

Speaking to CNA, Vasileiou said there are no outstanding issues, adding that authorities are fully prepared for the process. Responding to questions about candidates currently under investigation, he noted that a letter submitted by leader of Democratic Party (DIKO) Nicolas Papadopoulos, is under review by the Legal Service and other competent state bodies.

Referring to a recent case involving a candidate from the Active Citizens – Movement of United Cypriot Hunters, Vasileiou outlined the constitutional provisions governing eligibility. Under Article 64 of the Constitution, any citizen of the Republic aged 21 or over may stand for election, provided they have not been convicted of a dishonourable or morally reprehensible offence, have not been deprived of the right to be elected by a court decision due to an electoral offence, and do not suffer from a mental condition rendering them incapable of performing parliamentary duties.

Nominations will be submitted to district returning officers between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on May 6. In the Nicosia District, submissions will take place at the ceremonial hall of the Archangelos Cultural Foundation of Kykkos Monastery. In Limassol District, Larnaca District, Paphos District and Famagusta District, nominations will be filed at the respective District Administration Offices, while for Kyrenia District they will be received at the multi-purpose hall of the Ministry of Finance.

Candidacies for representatives of religious groups in the House of Representatives of Cyprus will be submitted on the same day at the office of the Director General of the Ministry of Interior.

Vasileiou also reminded that each nomination must be submitted in writing and signed by four voters from the respective electoral district, two proposers and two supporters, and accompanied by a pound 500 deposit. Candidates must also sign a declaration confirming they meet the constitutional eligibility criteria.

Summer bookings are currently down by 25% compared with the same period last year, Christos Angelides, Director General of the Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA) told Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

As he explained, hotel occupancy rates for this summer are currently around 40%-50%, whereas in the same period of 2025 they were close to 75% during a record-breaking year, with occupancy reaching 95% in July.

Angelides said that the flow of cancellations has decreased to manageable levels. However, ‘the level of bookings is increasing at a very slow pace, not enough to create a sense of confidence that the cancellation trend of the past two months can be reversed for the rest of the summer. This concerns us. We are monitoring it closely,’ he said.

He added that average bookings across Cyprus for May are currently around 40%-50%. For the summer period, bookings are down by about 25%-30% compared with this time last year. This year, they are again around 40%-50%, while last year they were around 75%.

He also noted that the rise in jet fuel prices is causing concern for airlines as they assess which destinations to prioritize in order to maximize profitability. ‘Cyprus is not among those destinations,’ he estimated, explaining that an aircraft from Northern Europe or the United Kingdom can only fly to Cyprus once per day, whereas to competing destinations such as Spain, it may be able to fly up to three times a day if demand exists. ‘Of course, if the flights are available, demand will follow,’ he added.

He also noted that several airlines have already reduced their routes.

In addition, he said efforts are focused on changing travel advisories issued by the United Kingdom and the United States for Cyprus. When asked about CHA’s actions in this direction, Angelides said the association has already met with the relevant embassies.

Responding to whether hotels have introduced special offers to boost the domestic market, he said the Association has encouraged its members to do so. ‘Several of our members have already made special offers to their customers’ he said.

‘We will remain patient. We are studying the situation and continuing our actions and activities. The goal is to deliver a good result in terms of customer service,’ he said, emphasizing that under no circumstances should the destination’s good name and reputation be damaged.

The protection of the freedom of the press is not just an institutional obligation, it is a political position, a European principle and a democratic duty, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Sunday.

In a written statement on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, he said that “the Government reaffirms its absolute respect for the institutional role of journalists, the independence of the media and the right of citizens to be informed freely, in a pluralistic manner and reliably.”

Democracy, he added, “needs scrutiny, criticism, investigation, disclosure, it needs journalists who can work without fear, without pressure, without threats and without institutional obstacles.”

The Republic of Cyprus, the Government Spokesperson continued, “as a European state governed by the rule of law, protects and contributes to the maintenance and strengthening of the environment in which journalism can carry out its mission.”

“This means transparency, access to information, respect for criticism, protection of press officers and continuous strengthening of institutional guarantees that serve freedom of expression,” he noted.

The Government, Letymbiotis said, approaches criticism “as an integral part of democratic functioning”, adding that “disagreement, when done with evidence and responsibility, strengthens public debate. And a strong public debate means more informed citizens, a more mature Democracy”.

Freedom of the press, however, he stressed, “is also accompanied by a common responsibility: to protect the truth from distortion, information from manipulation, public discourse from toxicity and society from misinformation. The answer to these challenges is more light, more transparency, more accountability, more institutional maturity.”

“Today we honour all those who serve the information with professionalism, consistency and a sense of responsibility. We honour journalism that checks power, gives voice to citizens, highlights injustices, illuminates invisible aspects of public life and contributes to the quality of our Democracy,” the Spokesperson said.

Concluding, he noted that “freedom of the press is a key foundation of Democracy. And for the Republic of Cyprus, its protection is not just an institutional obligation, it is a political position, a European principle and a democratic duty.”

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

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

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1007hPa (hectopascal)

Low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be cloudy with isolated showers at times.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 20°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast Afternoon West to Northwest 5, at times locally 6 Moderate to Rough

Night Northwest to North 5, gradually 4 Moderate to Rough, gradually Moderate

Morning West to Northwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight to Moderate, at times locally Moderate

South Coast Afternoon Southwest to West 5 to 6, initially at times 6 to 7 Moderate to Rough

Night Southwest to Northwest 5, gradually 4 Moderate, gradually Slight to Moderate

Morning Southwest to West 4 to 5 Slight to Moderate

East Coast Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 5, at times locally 6 Moderate

Night Southwest to Northwest 5, gradually 4 Moderate, gradually Slight to Moderate

Morning Southwest to West 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

North Coast Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 5, at times locally 6 Moderate to Rough

Night Southwest to Northwest 5, gradually 4 Moderate to Rough, gradually Moderate

Morning West to Northwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight to Moderate

Since assuming office three years ago, the Government has demonstrated in practice its determination to move forward with substantive reforms focusing on the child, the mother and the family, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday.

In a speech at an event celebrating mothers of large families, that was delivered on his behalf by Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Hadjistefanou Papaellina, the President said that today, we honour 250 mothers and with them we honour all women who give their best every day for the family and society.

“With the aim of truly supporting large families, the family and children as a whole, we have implemented in the last three years a series of specific policies, that simultaneously respond to one of the most critical issues facing our country, the demographic problem,” he said.

He said that since the first day of assuming the administration of the country, the Government has implemented a series of measures to support families, such as increasing the child allowance by 5%, removing income and property limits for families with five or more children, thus ensuring universal support for these families.

He added that the number of Optional All-Day Schools increased and that out of 222 Primary and Secondary Education schools that operated in the 2022-2023 school year, 326 full-day schools are currently operating, while a target was set for another 60 new full-day schools in the 2026-2027 school year.

Referring to the tax reform, the President said, among other things, that the Government has provided for increased and progressive tax exemptions for children, which increase with each child, recognising the real needs of families.

For the pension reform, President Christodoulides said that within its framework, periods of childcare will be recognised as insured periods, even for women who have never worked, while periods of informal care for members of their family will be recognised in the same way.

Regarding the crisis in the region, he said that the Government had acted immediately and responsibly to address the effects of the geopolitical turmoil, saying that with full awareness of the pressures on households, they have already implemented an additional package of measures since the beginning of April.

This package includes the reduction of the consumer tax on motor fuels, the subsidy of employment in the tourism industry, as well as zero VAT on basic food items, such as meat and fish.

“These interventions, combined with the further reduction of VAT on electricity that follows, constitute a practical response to external turmoil. We are leveraging our fiscal resilience as a real shield of protection, allocating a total of more than 200 million euro to ensure that economic uncertainty will not harm the cohesion of our society,” the President concluded.

The need to strengthen the EU’s collective action against drugs was highlighted by President Nikos Christodoulides during a debate entitled ‘European Alliance against Drugs’ held in the framework of the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Yerevan, on Monday.

According to a statement by the Presidency, President Christodoulides referred to the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the fight against drugs.

In his intervention before the leaders attending the Summit, it said, President Christodoulides ‘highlighted the need for collective action aimed at combating drug trafficking, particularly through European ports, underlining the need to strengthen collective action.’

At the same time, it adds, he informed about the EU strategy on drugs adopted by the Council last March, under the Cyprus Presidency, as well as about promoting the implementation of the relevant EU action plan.

‘He added that a large part of the actions should focus on prevention, while he pointed out the commitment to protecting European citizens from drugs and their consequences, including the fight against smugglers rings,’ it said.

It is noted that specific proposals were submitted during the discussion by the President of France Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, on whose initiative the European Alliance Against Drugs (ECAD) was established at the previous EPC Summit in Copenhagen. The Republic of Cyprus, it said, co-signs a declaration in which three main axes of focus are agreed: combating trafficking (especially by sea), tackling economic crime and reducing demand. ‘Priority is given to port security and maritime surveillance, while prevention, treatment and reintegration policies are promoted, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups and new threats such as synthetic drugs,’ it added.

According to the announcement, Cyprus, within the framework of its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, ‘attaches particular importance’ to strengthening the connection between political initiatives and operational implementation, to promoting a balanced approach that combines security and public health, and to strengthening cooperation with neighbouring regions.

Parts of Cyprus, and mainly coastal areas and mountainous areas are expected to experience heavy thunderstorms and strong winds overnight on Sunday.

In a yellow warning the Department of Meteorology said that “a combination of rain, isolated heavy thunderstorms and near gale to gale southwesterly winds, of a force 7 to 8 Beaufort gusting up to 9 Beaufort are expected to affect the island at times and mainly the coastal areas and the windward mountainous areas.”

Rainfall rate is locally likely to exceed 35 mm per hour.

The warning is valid between 1900 hours on Sunday and 0800 hours on Monday local time.

‘Greece and Cyprus are the two countries closest to what is happening in the Middle East, and for this reason they have a strong interest in ensuring that this situation is resolved peacefully as soon as possible.’ This was emphasized, among other points, by the Greek Prime Minister while welcoming Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, in the Greek capital, on Monday.

During the meeting, regional developments were discussed, with emphasis on Iran, Lebanon, and the broader Middle East region. The Greek Prime Minister stressed that Europe must be present in the region following a peace agreement, adding that it should support the government and the armed forces of Lebanon.

Mitsotakis underlined the particular importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed that Greece considers it imperative that no precedent be set, not only in the region but also on a global level. ‘We are a country that maintains, I would say, constructive relations with all countries in the region, something which, in my view, makes us reliable ‘bridge-builders.’ Of course, however, in order to reach the point where we begin building bridges, we must first get past the point where we are blowing them up,’ he noted.

For his part, Wadephul stressed that, regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, it is absolutely necessary for the EU to play a role, as this serves its interests, while also underlining the importance of ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. ‘I would therefore say, in view of the Greek Presidency of the European Union next year, that we must intensify our efforts so that the European Union is able to address all the threats and challenges we face. And this must be done among friends and key partners, such as Greece and Germany’ he noted.

The Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodemos Damianou, is paying a working visit to the USA.

The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy said in a post on X that Damianou travelled to the USA on Sunday for a working visit.

It further noted that the Deputy Minister will have contacts with state officials with the aim of further strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of innovation and technology, while he will participate in a roundtable discussion organized by Invest Cyprus in collaboration with fDi Intelligence, with the aim of promoting Cyprus as a modern and reliable business and investment destination.

Annual Prize to reward outstanding journalism that promotes or defends core EU values

Winner chosen by independent jury composed of press and civil society representatives

pound 20 000 to be awarded in prize money

Award ceremony mid-October to honour the anniversary of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia

On 4 May, the European Parliament officially launched the call for submissions for entries to the sixth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism is awarded each year around 16 October, the day of the journalist’s assassination.

The Prize rewards on a yearly basis outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said:

‘Nine years since Daphne Caruana Galizia was brutally murdered, journalists around the world continue to be intimidated, threatened, and assassinated. The European Parliament stands by them in their fight for justice. The prize bearing Daphne’s name remains a powerful symbol of this unwavering commitment. It honours those courageous individuals who dare to bring the truth to light even in the darkest times. Free speech matters, and without press freedom, democracy itself cannot be safeguarded’.

The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality, who can submit in-depth pieces that have been published or broadcast by media based in one of the 27 EU countries. The aim is to support and highlight the importance of professional journalism in safeguarding human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.

An independent jury composed of representatives of the press and civil society from the 27 member states, as well as representatives of the main European Associations of Journalism, will choose the winning entry. The award ceremony takes place each year around 16 October, the date Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated.

The prize, including the pound 20 000 prize money, demonstrates the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the importance of a free press. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism.

Parliament has repeatedly denounced attempts to limit media freedom, and especially attacks against journalists, in any form and wherever they may come from, most recently in its April 2026 reports taking stock of developments in the areas of fundamental rights and the rule of law. MEPs were instrumental in the effort that culminated in the European Media Freedom Act. This landmark regulation, aimed at protecting media freedom and journalists’ safety and independence, entered into force in May 2024, and saw most of its provisions applicable in August 2025. For years, Parliament also pushed for rules to tackle malicious litigation, in view of protecting journalists and civil society from strategic lawsuits seeking to silence critical voices, and the EU’s anti-SLAPP directive, approved in February 2024, must be transposed by member states by 7 May 2026.

Journalists can submit their article(s) online at https://daphnejournalismprize.eu/ by 31 July 2026, midnight (CET).