Category: Cyprus News Agency

Relations between the Cypriot Government and the Greek Government are stronger than ever before, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, stressed on Monday.

The President was replying to questions of reporters on his arrival to the International Conference “Maritime Cyprus 2025” that is taking place in Limassol.

Asked if there is a crisis in the relations between Cyprus and Greece over the Greek Independent Power Transmission Operator, IPTO, the President of the Republic said that “relations between Athens and Nicosia, relations between the Cypriot Government and the Greek Government, my relationship with the Greek Prime Minister are stronger than ever before.”

The President also sent the message to “those who invest in a rupture in the relations of the Greek Government with the Cypriot Government, of my relations with the Greek Prime Minister” pointing out that they “will be disappointed”.

Asked if he had spoken with the Greek Prime Minister, following the meeting that took place yesterday in Athens on the issue, President Christodoulides referred journalists to his replies above saying that they give answers to all questions.

Cyprus Forum 2025, one of the most important public policy conferences in the region, held on October 1 – 3, concluded with the participation in its deliberations of leading international and local speakers. The Forum brought together political leaders, EU technocrats, academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives to discuss the major challenges facing Cyprus, Europe, and the broader region – seeking solutions and innovative approaches.

According to press release issued here today by the organizers, the Forum kicked off at the Old Nicosia Town Hall, with a welcome address by Nicolas Kyriakides, Executive President and Founding Member of the Cyprus Forum, with President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stressing the need for bold and ongoing reforms to strengthen the rule of law and combat corruption, while reiterating his cautious optimism for the resumption of Cyprus talks.

It is added that key European officials, such as Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries Costas Kadis and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, presented the EU’s strategic priorities for shipping, oceans, and enlargement.

The first day concluded with the Peace and Democracy Award, presented posthumously to Xenophon Kallis and Trkan Aziz, in recognition of their contributions to democracy and reconciliation.

The second day featured several panels and discussions on topics including digital policy, artificial intelligence, wildfire prevention, migration, long-term care, and the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the EU in 2026, the statement continues.

As noted, Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, and Flavio Arzerello from Meta discussed the role of tech giants in democracies, Minister of Labour Yiannis Panayiotou outlined the prospects of the labour market and social welfare, while Finance Minister Makis Keravnos addressed the challenges and outlook of the new tax policy. Other key sessions focused on energy transition, gender equality, institutional independence, and press freedom.

The day closed with the Forum’s official dinner, where Mario Nava, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, delivered remarks.

The third day focused on strengthening the parliamentary system, transparency, civic engagement, and the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean. Key speakers included President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, EU officials, and diplomats from the United Kingdom, India, and Israel.

Important discussions focused on education, women’s leadership, democratic processes, and sustainable energy and technological transition. Other key topics included the resolution of the Cyprus problem, cooperation between the two communities, and the use of solar energy for peaceful development.

Key discussions also addressed education, women’s leadership, democratic processes, and the sustainable energy and technological transition, with central topics including the Cyprus issue, intercommunal cooperation, and leveraging solar energy for peaceful development.

The Forum concluded with presentations on urban development in Cyprus, strengthening citizen participation, and promoting peace and stability in the region, the statement concludes.

Early 2026 will be a big moment for Cyprus and a big moment for European transport, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said Monday, in his keynote speech at the Maritime Cyprus 2025 Conference that is taking place in Limassol.

Referring to the Cyprus EU Presidency that will begin in January, he noted that it will be a defining moment for Europe, and for the transport policy.

“As a great maritime nation, Cyprus will play a leading role in shaping the Maritime Industrial Strategy, the Ports Strategy, and the Military Mobility Package. And it will also play a key role in the first ever European Strategy for Tourism, Which we aim to heave it ready by Easter next year” he said.

The Commissioner noted that Cyprus will also help steer discussions on the EU’s next long-term budget, for 2028-2034.

“This will be decisive in setting the level of ambition for our transport and maritime sectors. I trust Cyprus will be a strong ally in ensuring ambitious funding for a competitive, resilient, and secure European transport system” he said, adding that funding that will set transport, including maritime transport, on track for a competitive, resilient and secure future.

“So, I am counting on your support. So yes, early 2026 will be a big moment for Cyprus. And it will also be a big moment for European transport. Together, we can make it a moment that defines our maritime future,” he stressed.

Commissioner Tzitzikostas said that Cyprus is more than just a maritime country, it is a global maritime force and a hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a proud history of seafaring a modern fleet that ranks among the largest in the European Union.

“Your flag is a symbol of quality and trust. Your shipping industry is not only a cornerstone of the Cypriot economy, but also a pillar of Europe’s maritime strength. And your voice carries weight, not just in Europe, but across the global shipping community” he went on to say.

Referring to Europe, the Commissioner said that we can make Europe’s maritime sector not only more resilient, but also more competitive, more sustainable, and more secure.

He recalled that the Draghi report highlights the EU’s declining share of the global maritime fleet.

“Our fleet keeps growing in absolute terms, but others are expanding faster. Our market share in gross tonnage fell from 38.5% in 2018, to 33.6% in 2024. This is a challenge we must face together, the European Commission, the Member States, and the industry. And we are acting,” he stressed.

He also said that Europe’s shipbuilding industry faces unfair competition with subsidies in other regions allowing competitors to sell ships 30% or even 40% cheaper than European models.

“China is not alone in this. This is why we are preparing an Industrial Maritime Strategy aiming to reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of our shipbuilding and shipping sectors,” Tzitzikostas said.

Referring to ports, he noted that they are the backbone of our supply chains, our energy system and military mobility. “So, the upcoming European Ports Strategy will both strengthen and protect these assets” he concluded.

A new protocol to renew their 40-year cooperation in the fisheries sector was signed by the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe. Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis stated that the signing of the new protocol marks a significant milestone, which «strengthens our shared commitment to responsible and sustainable fisheries and demonstrates the power of cooperation in protecting the ocean».

The Commissioner Kadis added that the signing of the new implementing protocol of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe «secures the future of our shared resources, supporting local communities and ecosystems. Our cooperation sets a model for sustainable fishing that benefits all and fosters long-term ecological and economic resilience».

The new four-year protocol allows EU vessels to fish up to 6,500 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species annually in the waters of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Beyond access to fishing resources, the EU is boosting its financial support to the country, aiming for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, with its total contribution over the next four years amounting to pound 3.3 million (or pound 825,000 on an annual basis). Of this, pound 500,000 will be allocated to strengthen fisheries management, control, and surveillance capacities, as well as to support artisanal fishing and local fishing communities.

Additionally, EU fishers are expected to pay São Tomé and Príncipe a licensing and catch fee of pound 85 per tonne for their activities in its national waters. The new protocol also includes provisions to improve working conditions for fishers on EU vessels, ensuring safer and fairer employment practices.

The new protocol applies provisionally as of 6 October 2025 and will enter into full force upon completion of the ratification process by both parties. On the EU side, this requires the consent of the European Parliament.

Professor Despo Fatta-Kassinos awarded Prince Sultan Water Specialist Event Participation Grant for EMEC 2025 Plenary.

This marks her second PSIPW Specialist Grant underscoring her sustained global leadership in water research.

The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) has approved a Prince Sultan Water Specialist Event Participation Grant to support Professor Despo Fatta-Kassinos (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) as a plenary speaker at EMEC 2025 (25th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, Crete, Greece). This marks the second time Professor Fatta-Kassinos has been selected for this prestigious specialist grant, underscoring her sustained global leadership in water research.

Administered by PSIPW, the Specialist Grant enables scientific event organisers to feature world-leading water scientists to the stage as plenary speakers. Grant recipients are chosen based on criteria that include the innovative nature of the recipient’s water-related work.

Professor Fatta-Kassinos, a Chemical and Environmental Engineer at the University of Cyprus, is internationally recognised for pioneering research on wastewater-borne micropollutants, antimicrobial resistance in engineered and natural systems, and advanced analytical and engineering approaches that explore system-level water-quality outcomes. Her EMEC 2025 plenary will address frontier strategies for mitigating chemical and biological risks across the water cycle, translating cutting-edge science into actionable engineering and policy.

‘I am honoured by EMEC’s selection and PSIPW’s approval,’ said Professor Fatta-Kassinos. ‘This Specialist Grant accelerates vital exchanges between disciplines, chemistry, microbiology, analytics, and systems engineering, so we can deliver water solutions that are both innovative and implementable.’

About the Prince Sultan Water Specialist Event Participation Grant

Named in memory of HRH Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, founder of PSIPW, the Specialist Grant extends PSIPW’s vision of encouraging water-related research. By supporting event organisers directly, the programme enables the participation of world-leading scientists as plenary/keynote speakers and instructors at high-impact scientific events.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos concluded his visit to Kuwait, during which he participated in the work of the 29th Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union.

MFA issued a statement according to which the Minister met with the EU Special Representative for the Gulf, Luigi Di Maio, with whom he exchanged views on further deepening relations and strategic partnership between EU and GCC.

Issues related to the upcoming Cyprus EU Presidency and current regional developments were also discussed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with the Secretary General of the GCC, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, with whom he signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Consultations on Issues of Common Interest between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the General Secretariat of the GCC.

The Memorandum covers, inter alia, cooperation in various fields, including political, regional and international issues of mutual interest, trade, investment, industry, education, culture, tourism, environment and agriculture.

Kombos also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, with whom he discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between Cyprus and Kuwait, as well as the strengthening of ties between the EU and the GCC.

The discussion also focused on regional developments in the Middle East and the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, within the framework of the Amalthea corridor.

The Minister also participated in the meeting of the 29th GCC-EU Joint Council, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs, Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, represented the Republic of Cyprus at the UNGA80 3rd Committee in NY and underlined, inter alia, the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Cypriots, as a result of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation.

He also reaffirmed Cyprus’ commitment to promoting multilateralism for a peaceful and prosperous world.

In his intervention Kakouris raised, once again, the issue of human rights and violations of fundamental freedoms of Greek Cypriots resulting from the invasion and continuing occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkey.

He recalled that a large proportion of Greek Cypriots remain displaced and deprived of their right to return and to peacefully enjoy their properties. He also denounced the illegal exploitation and use of Greek Cypriot properties by the occupying regime.

He made special reference to the transfer of settlers from Turkey to Cyprus as part of a systematic plan to alter the island’s demographic character. He further emphasized that the decrease in the number of enclaved Greek Cypriots in the occupied areas is the result of persistent harassment, intimidation, and discriminatory treatment on the basis of national origin, race, and religion by the occupying regime.

Kakouris also referred to the major humanitarian issue of missing persons, calling on Turkey to provide information from its military archives on their fate and to allow unrestricted access to military areas for excavations and exhumations.

He raised the issue of violence against women and girls, noting that discrimination and economic marginalization persist. He underlined, however, that the Government of Cyprus has taken concrete measures within the international institutional framework to promote gender equality.

On trafficking in persons, he described it as a heinous crime and a serious global problem affecting millions of people. Combating trafficking, protecting victims, prosecuting perpetrators, and enhancing coordination and cooperation to eradicate the phenomenon are among the top priorities of the Cypriot Government, he said.

Ambassador Kakouris reaffirmed Cyprus’ strong commitment to the rights of the child and youth. Cyprus, he noted, firmly supports the full, effective, and meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes at all levels-local, national, regional, and international-including within the United Nations.

Regarding the human rights of older persons, he highlighted that Cyprus has adopted its first National Strategy and Action Plan for Active Ageing.

He also referred to the looting and vandalism of the rich cultural heritage in the occupied part of Cyprus and stressed the importance of the Nicosia Convention-a protection mechanism for cultural heritage-which remains the only international treaty providing for the criminalization of offences related to the destruction, illicit trafficking, and illegal trade of cultural property.

In conclusion Kakouris reiterated that Cyprus stands ready to cooperate constructively with all UN member states to strengthen multilateralism and ensure a just, peaceful, and prosperous world for present and future generations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna held a meeting on Sunday with European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, with whom she discussed issues that Cyprus will have to address during its Presidency of the Council of the EU that will begin in January.

According to an official press release, Raouna informed the Greek Commissioner about the preparation of the Cyprus Presidency and the importance that Cyprus attaches to the issues of Connectivity and Tourism.

The European Commissioner pointed out that during the Cyprus EU Presidency, the Commission will promote three important strategies, for ports, for the maritime industry and for tourism.

The press release says that during the meeting, they exchanged views on promoting an agreement with the European Parliament on passenger rights in air transport, as well as on the use of the Connecting Europe Facility and the Multiannual Financial Framework, for infrastructure and military mobility in regional EU Member States.

Finally, regarding tourism, the Deputy Minister conveyed to the Commissioner the intention of the Cyprus Presidency to actively contribute to the promotion of the EU tourism agenda.

REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

SHIPPING DEPUTY MINISTRY

Shipping Deputy Minister’s Office

Address by the Shipping Deputy Minister, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis

Joint Event with Arab Academy, for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Cocktail Reception onboard AIDA IV

4 October 2025, 18:00 DP World, Limassol

(Honorable Minister of Bahrain),

Dear Professor,

Distinguished guests, dear colleagues,

Good evening and welcome!

It is a great pleasure to welcome you this evening onboard the AIDA IV, here at Limassol Port. This remarkable training vessel, operated by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, stands as a proud symbol of maritime excellence, innovation, and cooperation across our region.

Allow me to extend a particularly warm welcome to the Honourable Minister of Transport of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Your presence with us here tonight is a true honour and underlines the importance of the strong and enduring ties between Cyprus and the Arab region.

I would also like to express my deep appreciation to Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy, for his leadership and vision, as well as for bringing the AIDA IV to Cyprus.

This joint event marks another important step in our collaboration with the Arab Academy, following the Memorandum of Understanding we signed last October in Alexandria during my official visit to Egypt. The arrival of AIDA IV here in Cyprus is a tangible reflection of the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to advancing maritime education and cooperation.

We are confident that this partnership will open the way to many more concrete initiatives in maritime education, training, and sustainability.

Tonight’s reception is an opportunity not only to celebrate this partnership, but also to strengthen the ties between Cyprus, Egypt, and the wider Arab world. The presence of so many distinguished leaders from the shipping community highlights the importance of working together to build a sustainable and innovative future for global shipping.

On behalf of the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus, I warmly thank the Arab Academy for their partnership and look forward to the fruitful cooperation that lies ahead.

Thank you, and I wish you all a most pleasant evening.

Cyprus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, met in Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, with the Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee at the UAE Federal National Council, Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi.

In a post on X, Kombos stressed that they reaffirmed the strong friendship between Cyprus and the UAE, and “our shared commitment to tolerance, coexistence, and promoting peace and sustainable development”.