Cyprus News Agency – Page 31 – Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 30/07/2026

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)

Larnaka Airport

Limassol (New Port)

Pafos Airport

Frenaros

Prodromos

Polis Pafos

President seeks announcement on resumption of talks at joint meeting with UN chief and Turkish Cypriot leader

The Greek Cypriot side aims to create the conditions for an announcement on the resumption of talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana during Wednesday’s joint meeting between the two leaders and the UN Secretary-General, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said.

Speaking to reporters as he left the Presidential Palace for the UN Good Offices Mission in Nicosia, located at Nicosia airport, where he was due to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, the President said the aim was for announcements to be made towards the resumption of talks.

‘Our goal is to create the conditions and have announcements towards the resumption of talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana,’ he said.

He added that ‘step by step, we are seeing positive developments,’ noting that the outcome of the meeting should be awaited.

Asked about possible communication with Turkey as part of the Secretary-General’s efforts, President Christodoulides said that ‘there is certainly ongoing communication with Turkey.’ He noted that the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, had been in Turkey, while Guterres had held a telephone conversation on Sunday evening.

Asked whether the Secretary-General would hold another telephone conversation, he replied that he was not aware of Guterres’ telephone contacts, stressing, however, that ‘Turkey is certainly part of this effort.’

Referring to the visit of the European Union’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, the President said Fitto would arrive in Cyprus on Thursday evening and that they would meet on Friday morning.

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.

After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. 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.

CNA/HT/AGK/2026S,CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

UNSG expresses deep appreciation for CMP’s work to identify and return remains of missing

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his deep appreciation for the Committee on Missing Persons’ (CMP) bicommunal operation, which locates, identifies and returns the remains of missing persons to their families.

According to a press release by CMP, it welcomed yesterday the visit of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to its Anthropological Laboratory, located within the UN Protected Area in Nicosia.

During the visit, it adds, the UN, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Members of the CMP briefed the Secretary-General on the Committee’s humanitarian work. He subsequently toured the laboratory, where he observed the scientific processes underpinning the identification of missing persons.

“The Secretary-General expressed his deep appreciation for the CMP’s bicommunal operation, which locates, identifies and returns the remains of missing persons to their families. He commended the Committee’s efforts to help bring long-awaited answers to families who have endured decades of uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones”.

Secretary-General Guterres was accompanied by Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Jean Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, and Khassim Diagne, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

The CMP was established in April 1981 under the auspices of the United Nations through an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, following a call to establish a mechanism made in two UN General Assembly resolutions.

The CMP Project on the Exhumation, Identification and Return of Remains of Missing Persons in Cyprus became operational in 2006. The European Union remains the project’s principal financial contributor.

To date, it says, the remains of 1,075 missing persons from both Cypriot communities have been identified and returned to their families for dignified burials.

The CMP relies on donor support to implement its bi-communal project, it concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown.

A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974.

According to statistical data published on the CMP website by June 30, 2026 out of 2002 missing persons 1,719 were exhumed and 1,075 were identified. Out of 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 764 were identified and 746 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 311 were identified and 181 are still missing.

CNA/AAR/GV/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Guterres announces 5+1 meeting on Cyprus after adequate preparation, deadline not defined (1)

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, announced on Wednesday the convention of another 5+1 meeting on the Cyprus problem, after adequate preparations on confidence building, methodology and substance, taking into account the convergences already achieved.

In statements following his joint meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, at the United Nations Protected Area at Nicosia airport, Guterres said that he has the consensus of both sides and the guarantor powers to move into a five-plus-one meeting, but with an adequate preparation on confidence building, preparation on methodology, and preparation on substance, ‘because I don’t want to have more five-plus-one meetings without results’, while when asked about a deadline for the meeting, he said it was not defined.

He also noted that a solution in Cyprus is absolutely crucial, “not only to preserve the interests and the peace of the Cyprus people, but also as a factor of stability in what is becoming a dangerously instable region”.

[MORE LATER]

CNA/KCH/EAN/KA/AGK/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Commission endorses Malta’s pound 60 million Social Climate Plan to support vulnerable households and small companies in the clean transition

The European Commission has today endorsed Malta’s Social Climate Plan – the fourth national plan adopted under the Social Climate Fund using revenues from carbon pricing to ensure a fair and inclusive clean transition. Malta’s plan will mobilise pound 60.6 million until 2032, including pound 45.4 million from the European Union.

The Social Climate Fund provides significant financial support to EU Member States to finance measures and investments identified in their national Social Climate Plans, ensuring that the clean transition is fair and leaves no one behind. Running from 2026 to 2032, the Fund is expected to mobilise at least pound 86.7 billion, combining revenues from the new emissions trading system for fuel combustion in buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS2) as well as Member States’ contributions (at least 25% of the costs of their plans).

Malta’s plan will help vulnerable households improve the energy efficiency of their homes and renovate apartments in public social housing buildings. It will do so through energy-efficiency upgrades, such as roof insulation, and the installation of renewable energy systems, including heat pump water heaters and photovoltaic systems with battery storage.

More information is available in the press release.

Commission opens in-depth investigation into arbitration award ordering Romania to pay compensation to ten energy investors

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether an arbitration award ordering Romania to pay compensation to ten investors for changes to a renewable electricity support measure is in line with EU State aid rules.

Romania established a scheme to support the production of electricity from renewable sources through green certificates, which was approved under State aid rules in July 2011. Romania amended the scheme several times in 2013, 2014 and later. The Commission approved the amendments to the scheme under State aid rules in May 2015 and December 2016.

A group of ten companies that invested in five solar photovoltaic power plants that benefitted from the scheme started arbitration proceedings against Romania following the amendments, claiming compensation for the support they would have received if Romania had not modified the scheme.

An arbitral tribunal found that Romania infringed the Energy Charter Treaty and on 20 February 2024 ordered Romania to compensate the investors for losses allegedly suffered due to the modifications. The awarded compensation amounts to pound 42.2 million plus interest and additional costs. Romania notified this award to the Commission under State aid rules and informed the Commission it had made a payment under the award to an account opened in the name of the beneficiaries of the award.

At this stage, the Commission’s preliminary view is that the arbitration award and its implementation constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which is incompatible with the internal market. The Commission will further investigate the measure and its compatibility with the internal market, and in particular a possible breach of the EU Treaties by the aid measure.

A press release is available.

Workplace accidents down by 55% since 2017, Labour Inspection Department says

A significant decline in workplace accidents has been recorded in recent years in Cyprus, with the Accident Rate continuing its downward trend for an eighth consecutive year, according to an analysis of workplace accidents reported to the Labour Inspection Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance for 2025.

The Accident Rate fell by 7.2% in 2025 compared with 2024, while the overall reduction since 2017 reached 55.3%, reflecting, according to the Department, ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention and workplace safety measures.

The largest reductions in the Accident Rate in 2025 were recorded in the Hotels and Restaurants sector, where it decreased by 7.3%, followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade, with a reduction of 15.2%, and Transport and Storage, where it fell by 8.8%.

Despite the overall improvement, Construction and Manufacturing remain the sectors with the highest number of workplace accidents. Accident rates in both sectors have declined steadily since 2019, with reductions of 42.5% in Construction and 39.6% in Manufacturing by 2025.

However, compared with 2024, the Accident Rate increased by 3.9% in Construction and by 11.7% in Manufacturing.

The Construction sector remains a particular concern, with its share of all workplace accidents rising to 18% in 2025 from 15.3% the previous year.

Falls continue to be the most common cause of workplace accidents, accounting for 31.4% of all accidents across Cyprus and 38.7% in the Construction sector.

The Labour Inspection Department stressed the need for further prevention measures, particularly at construction sites, noting that a targeted awareness campaign on falls from height has been running since March 2026 through media and social media platforms.

The Ministry said Cyprus remains below the EU average in terms of the Accident Rate, according to Eurostat data, but stressed that efforts to promote a safety culture and achieve the goal of ‘Zero Workplace Accidents’ will continue.

The analysis covers workplace accidents resulting in an employee’s absence from work for more than three calendar days.

CNA/ELA/DV/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Greece ready to contribute to a successful informal meeting, Greek FM says

Greece remains ready to contribute constructively to a successful informal meeting, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that its steadfast objective remains the resolution of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the parameters set by the UN Security Council.

The Ministry welcomed the statements by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, noting that he “remains firmly committed to the Good Offices Mission entrusted to him by the United Nations Security Council to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue, in accordance with the parameters established by the United Nations.”

It also welcomed the announcement of an informal expanded meeting aimed at restarting negotiations, based on the agreed framework and under the auspices of the United Nations.

“Greece, in close coordination with the Republic of Cyprus and recognising the importance of maintaining the momentum that has developed on the Cyprus issue over the past two years and more, remains ready to contribute constructively to a successful informal meeting, encouraging every effort and initiative aimed at building confidence, as an essential prerequisite for the resumption of negotiations,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said.

The statement added that what remains as an unwavering objective is the resolution of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the parameters set by the United Nations Security Council and the reunification of the island of Cyprus.

CNA/MCH/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

UNSG’s goal is the resumption of Cyprus negotiations before the end of his term, sources say

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres wishes the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue before the end of his term and the expanded 5+1 meeting should be placed in this context, according to competent sources with knowledge of the consultations.

The same sources said that the expanded meeting will be convened solely with the aim of announcing the start of substantive negotiations and that serious preparation should be preceded by all parties involved, in order to create the conditions for real progress.

According to the same sources, the Secretary-General, who visited Cyprus for a series of contacts, secured the positive consent of all parties to convene the expanded meeting, a development that, as they stressed, was not a given until about two weeks ago.

The decisive factor was the telephone communication that Guterres had with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, from whom he received the “green light” on Sunday evening, they said.

The basis of the next phase

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The same sources described the development as positive and substantive, noting that there is now agreement among all those involved on the next step in the process, while the fact that there was no deadlock, allows, as they stressed, the transition from the preparation stage to the substantive stage.

They also pointed out that the UN Secretary-General conveyed to the Cypriot government that the process will move in the spirit of the Guterres Framework, without necessarily bearing that specific name. The effort will be built on the convergences that have already been achieved and the divergences that still exist.

They added that the UN Secretary-General remains committed to the agreed United Nations framework and that the negotiating acquis and the body of work that has been formed over all the previous years are not lost, but constitute the basis on which the next phase of the process will be based.

The same sources noted that according to what the Secretary-General conveyed, the process will move within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions, aiming at a solution that will ensure the three non-negotiable attributes of one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality (“three singles”), will be compatible with the European acquis throughout the territory of Cyprus and will address security issues, including the abolition of the system of guarantees and the withdrawal of the occupying forces.

Competent sources also note as particularly important the Secretary-General’s public references to both the convergences and Crans Montana, as well as to the guarantor powers and the role they can play. They also point out that the UNSG referred to “people” and not to “communities”, something that, according to the same sources, was absent from his previous public statements.

Proposal on crossing points

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As regards CBMs the same sources report that the UN Secretary General sought to ascertain whether there was room for progress, mainly on the issue of new crossing points. In this context, he submitted a proposal for the simultaneous opening of the Mia Milia and a crossing point in the Athienou area, with a different route.

According to the same information, the President of the Republic accepted the proposal and agreed to make it public. The UNSG described it as a ‘reasonable compromise’. However, the Turkish Cypriot leader did not accept it and no relevant announcement was made.

President put forward proposals for missing persons, good will initiatives

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The same sources said that President Christodoulides proposed to include measures for the missing persons, with the aim of facilitating the work of the Committee on Missing Persons through access to more military areas and to the archives of the Turkish army.

The Secretary General, they added, acknowledged the importance of the issue, without however making a relevant announcement.

At the same time, according to the same sources, the President of the Republic put forward to the Secretary General a proposal for goodwill initiatives or steps of mutual benefit between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey. It is estimated that Guterres may convey the relevant suggestions, utilizing the communication channel he maintains with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Moreover, the European Union Special Representative for the Cyprus problem, Raffaele Fitto, is expected to arrive in Cyprus at midnight on Thursday, to hold contacts on Friday and depart the same day.

The same sources said that his visit was decided upon following an intervention by the UNSG. Furthermore, the National Council, top advisory body to the President of Cyprus on the Cyprus issue, is expected to convene on Monday, during which the President of the Republic will inform the political parties about the results of the Secretary-General’s visit and the next steps.

CNA/TN/AAR/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Next two years decisive for Cypriot energy strategy, Energy Minister says

The Republic of Cyprus follows a consistent and multidimensional energy policy, said the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michael Damianos, on Wednesday, noting at the same time that the next two years are expected to be decisive for the future of the Cypriot energy strategy.

Damianos was addressing the World Conference of Diaspora Cypriots, which takes place in Nicosia.

‘Cyprus is today at a pivotal point in its energy journey. Developments in the Eastern Mediterranean create major challenges, but at the same time open up new prospects and entail significant responsibilities,’ the Minister of Energy pointed out, adding that ‘in an environment of increased geopolitical uncertainty, energy has emerged as a decisive factor in economic development, regional cooperation and strategic security.’

For this reason, he continued, ‘the Republic of Cyprus follows a consistent and multidimensional energy policy, which aims to reduce energy costs, strengthen security of supply and utilize domestic potential.” “It is based on cooperation, respect for international law and the building of strong regional and international partnerships,’ he noted.

In this context, he said, ‘the 3+1 cooperation scheme between the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States acquires particular importance.’ As he explained, ‘this is an initiative that in recent years has evolved into a substantial mechanism for political and technical dialogue, with the aim of promoting energy cooperation, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.’ ‘In order to effectively address common challenges, it extends beyond hydrocarbons and covers Renewable Energy Sources (RES), electrical interconnections, new technologies and energy innovation, contributing to the creation of an integrated and interconnected energy ecosystem in our region’, he stressed.

At the same time, Michael Damianos noted that ‘recent developments in the United States and especially in Houston confirm the momentum that this cooperation has gained’. ‘During the Ministerial Meeting of the 3+1 format’, he added, ‘the common will of the four countries to promote initiatives that enhance energy security and regional cooperation was reaffirmed’. To this end, he said, “it was agreed to hold regular contacts at the level of service working groups, with the aim of drawing up a Roadmap for Cooperation of the 3+1 Energy Dialogue, which is expected to be approved within this year.”

“Of particular importance was also the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Centre at the Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University, in Houston,” said the Minister of Energy, adding that “the Centre aspires to become a hub for cooperation and exchange of know-how and best practices between governments, academic institutions, research centres and the energy industry.”

‘For Cyprus, this Centre can be an important tool for addressing challenges related to the energy transition, strengthening the integration of RES in our energy mix, energy storage and strengthening the competitiveness of the electricity market’, he pointed out.

At the same time, Damianos said that the contacts he made in the United States ‘confirm the particularly positive climate that prevails in Cyprus-US relations in the energy sector, but also in general’.

He added that ‘energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean is gaining even greater importance in light of recent geopolitical developments’, stressing that ‘the need to diversify energy supply sources and routes has become more urgent than ever’.

He pointed out that ‘Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union and a reliable partner in the Southeastern Mediterranean, seeks to play a leading role in shaping this new energy landscape’.

The Minister of Energy further said that ‘over the last fifteen years or so, the hydrocarbon exploitation program of the Republic of Cyprus has recorded significant successes, with six natural gas discoveries in our country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and estimated reserves amounting to approximately 20 trillion cubic feet’. These discoveries, he noted, ‘confirm the significant energy potential of Cyprus and strengthen the role of the Eastern Mediterranean as a reliable alternative source of supply for Europe’.

‘Today, the Cypriot hydrocarbon program is entering a new, particularly critical phase, during which the discoveries are gradually turning into development and production projects’, he pointed out.

‘The ‘Kronos’ field, in Block 6, is the most mature project in our programme, with the licensed consortium of Eni and TotalEnergies officially announcing, just yesterday, the adoption of the Final Investment Decision’, stressed Damianos, adding that this was preceded by the approval of the Development and Production Plan of the field by the Council of Ministers in May 2026, as well as the granting of the Hydrocarbon Exploitation License to the consortium in June 2026.

Based on the current plan, the start of production is expected in 2028, which will make ‘Kronos’ the first field in the Republic of Cyprus to be exploited commercially, explained the Minister of Energy, noting that the natural gas will be transported via subsea pipelines to the infrastructure of the ‘Zohr’ field in Egypt and, subsequently, will be liquefied at the LNG facilities in Damietta with the European markets being the main destination.

At the same time, he added that the Final Investment Decision of Chevron, NewMed Energy and BG Cyprus for the ‘Aphrodite’ field, in Block 12, is expected in 2027. ‘Its development foresees the installation of a floating production unit in the Cypriot EEZ and the transportation of natural gas to Egypt for domestic consumption and liquefaction, with the start of production scheduled for early 2030’, he said.

Referring to Block 10, Damianos said that ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy are currently in the process of evaluating the development options of the ‘Glafkos’ and ‘Pegasus’ fields and are expected to submit a Development and Production Plan in early 2027. At the same time, he noted that the consortium has expressed interest in new research opportunities in Blocks 4 and 10A of the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus, ‘an event that constitutes another strong vote of confidence in the prospects of our country in the energy sector.’

‘The next two years are expected to be decisive for the future of the Cypriot energy strategy. The critical developments underway in the context of the development of natural gas fields create the conditions for Cyprus’ transition from the discovery phase to the production phase, strengthening its geostrategic role and its contribution to European efforts for secure and diversified energy supply’, he indicated.

However, the Minister of Energy stressed that the energy policy of the Republic of Cyprus is not limited to the development of hydrocarbons, noting that ‘our country consistently promotes the transition towards a more sustainable, competitive and resilient energy model’.

At the same time, Damianos pointed out that ‘the Cypriot diaspora are valuable allies and the best ambassadors in the effort to promote our country as a reliable energy and investment partner on the international stage’.

‘Cyprus today has all the characteristics that allow it to play an important role in the energy future of the Eastern Mediterranean: stable institutions, a clear strategic vision, strong international partnerships and an increasingly mature energy ecosystem’, he said.

CNA/PH/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

UNSG’s statement leaves no room for interpretations, President says

The statement made by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres leaves no room for any other interpretations, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Wednesday evening, addressing the Central Councils of Overseas Cypriot Organisations whom he briefed on the Cyprus problem.

The President informed delegates about the developments in the Cyprus issue during a meeting at the Presidential Palace that was held behind closed doors.

Welcoming the delegation, President Christodoulides told them ‘you are my favorite group’ due to the close relations he has with the expatriates in the US, Britain and Greece from his previous positions as Government Spokesman and as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Furthermore, he stressed that ‘you are in Cyprus at a critical juncture”.

The President said that on his agenda there are seven issues that he would like to brief them on and that a discussion would follow.

Last night, he added, he was unable to attend the conference, but that happened ‘for a good cause.’

He added that today and yesterday he held important meetings.

Regarding political parties’ announcements he stressed that “the statement of the UN Secretary General can not at all be interpreted differently from what he stated.”

A briefing and discussion followed without the presence of the media.

CNA/RP/AAR/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY