Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Deputy Minister of Shipping to the President Marina Hadjimanoli will travel to London for a working visit from January 18 to 21, 2026, focusing on maritime cooperation and priorities linked to Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

According to a press release by the Deputy Ministry, during the visit, Hadjimanoli is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with her UK counterpart, Keir Mather, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation), aimed at strengthening Cyprus-United Kingdom ties and exchanging views on current challenges facing global shipping.

She will also meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, where she is expected to outline, among other issues, Cyprus’s priorities for its EU Council Presidency.

In addition, the Deputy Minister will host a reception at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in London to mark Cyprus’s re-election to the IMO Council, also in the context of the EU Council Presidency.

Hadjimanoli is further expected to give a wide-ranging interview to London Greek Radio (LGR) promoting Cypriot shipping and to hold a series of meetings with shipping company representatives to enhance cooperation and further promote the Cyprus ship registry.

Through the invitation for the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the Peace Council for Gaza, Cyprus’ role in the wider Middle East is being acknowledged, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, stressing that this is particularly important, especially when it comes from the United States.

Speaking to journalists at Episkopeio, a village in the Nicosia District, the President confirmed receipt of a letter from the President of the United States, dated January 16, inviting the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the Peace Council.

‘I consider this a great honour for our country, because through this invitation its role in the wider Middle East is being recognized,’ he stated. He also recalled Cyprus’ participation in the conference on Gaza held in Egypt, during which ‘we put forward specific aspects in which the Republic of Cyprus can contribute to the implementation of the 20-point plan of the US President.’

According to President Christodoulides, they started pondering on the US President’s proposal and ‘based on our analysis, we will proceed with our response.” “It is particularly important for our country that its role in the region is being recognized, especially by the United States,’ he reiterated.

Nicosia is focusing its diplomatic efforts on convening an expanded summit on the Cyprus problem, hoping that the imminent arrival of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, will provide the necessary momentum.

President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking on Sunday, in Episkopeio, a village in the Nicosia district, outlined the government’s strategy, describing it as one of “assertive realism” with a full awareness of the difficulties involved. The ultimate objective, he noted, is to pave the way “towards the resumption of negotiations from where they were interrupted in 2017.”

Addressing a memorial service, President Christodoulides emphasized that despite the current challenges and provocations, his administration remains persistent. The government aims to leverage the commitment of the UN Secretary-General and the support of the European Union to trigger developments that will eventually “liberate our homeland from occupation and reunify it.”

While the speech was delivered during the annual memorial for EOKA hero Pantelis Katelaris, the President used the platform to draw parallels between historical struggles and modern diplomatic necessities. He noted that while the EOKA struggle’s original objective of union with Greece was not achieved, it succeeded in ending colonial rule. He stressed that the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus remains “the most significant conquest of our people,” highlighting the obligation to draw lessons from history to continue the current struggle for reunification.

The President briefly paid tribute to Katelaris, who died in an explosion in 1958, describing him as a devoted patriot whose memory is passed down through generations.

The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, is expected to visit Cyprus before the end of the month, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, noting that a joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader should take place during her visit.

Responding to a journalist at Episkopeio, a village in Nicosia district, where he delivered the memorial address at a national memorial service, the President said that ‘Holguín will be in Cyprus before the end of January. We are in contact with her.’

He added that prior to her visit to Cyprus, Holguín will also travel to several other countries, particularly in the context of preparatory work being carried out, in a bid to convene ‘an informal conference in broader format, as agreed, at which the resumption of talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana will be announced.’

According to President Christodoulides, there is ‘no inactivity whatsoever, developments are moving forward,’ noting that Holguín herself will announce her programme and the specific dates.

‘She will be in Cyprus before the end of the month. As part of her visit, a joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader should also take place,’ he underlined.

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.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced.

María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties, while former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, designated by the Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, is also expected to contribute to the settlement process, in cooperation with Holguín.

In 2025, a total of 11,742 migrants who were residing illegally in Cyprus were repatriated through voluntary and forced return procedures, the Police said in a statement.

By comparison, 10,092 persons were repatriated in 2024.

‘The strategy followed over the past three years appears to be yielding positive results in addressing migration flows,’ the Police said.

At the same time, according to data released by the Police, 2,444 irregular migrants arrived in Cyprus in 2025, compared to 6,109 arrivals in 2024. By comparison, in 2022, a total of 17,434 irregular migrants arrived in the country.

‘The Police’s efforts to identify and repatriate persons residing illegally in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus continue on a daily basis,’ the statement reads.

Cyprus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, had the first bilateral meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on Sunday, in Cairo. Among other things, the two Ministers discussed energy cooperation and EU-Egypt relations.

On a post on X, Kombos noted that this was the first bilateral visit in Cairo in 2026.

“Thank you my dear colleague Dr Badr Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of Egypt for the warm welcome and hospitality”, he wrote.

As he pointed out, the main points of their bilateral consultations included ways to further strengthen bilateral strategic relations and cooperation, energy cooperation, EU-Egypt relations.

He also said that they discussed Cyprus’ 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, latest developments with regard to the Cyprus issue and regional developments.

The liberation and reunification of Cyprus remain the paramount objective for the Greek Cypriot side, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou reaffirmed on Sunday. Speaking on Sunday, in Nicosia, during a memorial service for EOKA hero Markos Drakos, the Minister underscored the government’s steadfast commitment to ending the island’s division.

Addressing the ceremony hosted by the St. Dometios 2nd Primary School, Ioannou paid tribute to Drakos’ legacy of “courage and self-sacrifice.” He noted that Drakos was among the first to answer the call for liberty with “unshakable faith,” describing his role as “decisive” in the inception and progression of the national struggle for independence.

Reflecting on the broader struggle, Ioannou reminded the audience that freedom and national dignity are not granted but earned through persistence. He characterized the Cyprus problem as an “open wound” that continues to afflict the nation more than five decades after the 1974 invasion.

The Minister detailed that the President of the Republic is actively pursuing a settlement based on United Nations resolutions and European Union principles. The administration’s primary goal is the resumption of stalled negotiations, specifically aiming to pick up from the progress made during the 2017 Crans-Montana talks.

According to Ioannou, recent diplomatic maneuvers by the Greek Cypriot side have successfully “invigorated” the engagement of both the international community and the European Union. He cited the appointment of personal envoys by both the UN Secretary-General and the President of the European Commission as concrete evidence of this renewed momentum.

In his concluding remarks, the Interior Minister stated that despite persistent obstacles and regional challenges, the government will continue to advocate for a “functional and sustainable solution.” He emphasized that any final agreement must guarantee the rights and freedoms of all Cypriots-both Greek and Turkish-while establishing long-term conditions for peace, security, and regional stability.

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 streets of the Cypriot capital came alive this weekend as the Bank of Cyprus Nicosia Marathon took place under the slogan “The Capital Race.” Setting a new participation record, the event was held under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, while the marathon attracted massive crowds, celebrating fitness, community, and international camaraderie.

According to a statement from the Bank of Cyprus, participation surpassed 8,000 runners, reflecting an overwhelming public response. The event boasted a truly global field, with athletes traveling from the United States, Colombia, Japan, Malaysia, and across Europe to compete. The Cablenet Corporate 5km Race proved particularly popular, drawing teams from more than 100 companies. Adding a crucial philanthropic dimension to the day, the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society served as the event’s official charity.

Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos commended the participants and the new organizing committee, emphasizing that the capital has successfully demonstrated its capacity to host major international sporting events.

In the flagship Bank of Cyprus Marathon (42km), Sotiris Psycharakis claimed victory in the men’s category with a time of 02:45:20, followed by Alexander Eduard Julian and Chrysovalantis Tsavalos. In the women’s division, Karem Williamson took gold at 03:02:33, finishing ahead of Karolina Wasniewska and Snezhana Beliaeva.

The Stoiximan Half Marathon (21km) was won by Giorgos Tofi (01:11:09) for the men and Christina Kourri (01:32:27) for the women. In the Petrolina 10km Energy Run, Neophytos Lemonaris and Elia Ioannou triumphed in their respective categories. Notably, Giorgos Tofi secured a double victory by also winning the individual 5km Road Race. In the Cablenet Corporate 5km, The English School Running Team took top honors, followed by Ice Power and The G C School of Careers.

The marathon was co-organized by the Nicosia Municipality, with the Bank of Cyprus serving as the title sponsor. The event enjoyed support from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and major sponsors including Stoiximan, Petrolina, Cablenet, and the Joey app, with media partnership provided by ANT1 and Digital Tree.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday that the investigation into a controversial video recently circulated on social media remains ongoing, with authorities receiving assistance from foreign states.

Speaking from Episkopio, a village in Nicosia district, the President responded to questions regarding the fallout from the footage – alleging access to the Government, financing and investments – and whether public reaction had settled. He emphasized that the inquiry is being actively pursued by the Republic’s competent authorities in close cooperation with international partners.

“It is critical that we await the results of this investigation,” President Christodoulides stated.

Department of Meteorology

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

Date 18/01/2026

Station

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