Category: Cyprus News Agency

Today, the European Commission adopted a set of legislative proposals to secure continuous financial support to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. This marks a significant milestone in the EU’s strong support for the country’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression.

The legislative package consists of:

A new proposal establishing a support loan for Ukraine (based on art. 212 TFEU) for an amount of pound 90 billion.

A new proposal to amend the Ukraine Facility (based on art. 212 TFEU), as one of the means to implement budgetary assistance for Ukraine.

A new proposal to amend the Multiannual Financial Framework Regulation (based on art. 312 TFEU) to allow the coverage of the loan to Ukraine from the EU budget ‘headroom’.

In December, the European Council agreed to provide pound 90 billion in decisive support for Ukraine’s budgetary and military needs over the next two years. That agreement reaffirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine.

Further details can be found in our press release.

Global and European temperatures in 2025 ranked as the third-highest on record, Copernicus report finds

Global temperatures in 2025 ranked as the third-highest on record, according to data from EU’s Copernicus Global Climate Highlights report published today. This year sat just 0.01°C below the levels seen in 2023, and while 2024 remains the warmest year ever documented, 2025 followed closely behind with temperatures significantly higher than historical averages. Last year was also the third-warmest year on record for Europe.

The Copernicus report, coordinated with the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation and other national climate monitoring organisations, highlights that air temperatures over land were the second highest ever recorded. Both poles experienced extreme conditions: Antarctica saw its warmest annual temperature on record, while the Arctic recorded its second warmest.

Current warming trends suggests the Paris Agreement goal to limit global temperatures rises to 1.5°C could be reached by the end of this decade – more than ten years earlier than what was projected when the agreement was first signed.

The intense heat of the 2023-2025 period is linked to two primary factors. First, greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere as emissions rise and natural carbon sinks, such as forests, struggle to absorb CO2. Second, sea-surface temperatures reached unprecedented levels, fuelled by strong and warmer weather patterns and long-term ocean warming caused by climate change. These record annual temperatures came along a series of extreme weather events across the globe from record-breaking heatwaves, severe storms to devastating wildfires.

The EU continues its efforts to reach the Paris agreement objectives and is fully committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. This year, it will present a new European Framework for climate resilience and risk management to better prepare the EU for climate risks and build climate resilience.

(For more information: Thomas Regnier +32 2 299 10 99, Marine Strauss +32 298 91 03)

European Commission issues pound 11 billion in its 1st syndicated transaction of 2026

Yesterday, the European Commission raised pound 11 billion of EU-Bonds in its 1st syndicated transaction for 2026.

The dual-tranche transaction concerned a new pound 6 billion EU-Bond maturing on 12 July 2029 and a pound 5 billion tap of the EU-Bond maturing on 12 October 2055. The 3-year bond was priced 99.839% with a re-offer yield of 2.426% and the 30-year bond was priced 98.934% with a re-offer yield of 4.061%. Bids received were in excess of pound 65 billion on the new 3-year bond and in excess of pound 97 billion on the 30-year bond. This equals oversubscription rates of approximately 11-times and 19-times, respectively.

The Commission has now issued pound 11 billion of its pound 90 billion funding target for the first half of 2026. A full overview of all EU transactions executed to date is available online. A detailed overview of the EU’s planned transactions for the first half of 2026 is also available in the EU funding plan. The next transaction in the EU’s indicative issuance calendar is an EU-Bill auction on 21 January 2026.

More information is available in a press release online.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commission and Cypriot Presidency of the Council host Holocaust Remembrance Conference

This evening, the European Commission and the Cypriot Presidency of the Council will host the ‘Holocaust Remembrance Conference: Remembering the Past. Shaping the future.’. This event will honour the victims of the Shoah to perpetuate the memory of the atrocities committed in Europe during the Second World War.

Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, will open the Conference together with the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno. As part of the programme, Katharina von Schnurbein, the Commission’s Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, will also engage in a conversation with Alfred Garwood, a Holocaust survivor.

Commissioner Brunner said: ‘Our future – and the future of our democracy – depends on our collective ability to remember and learn from the past. With time, the last living witnesses to the atrocities of the Holocaust are passing away. To ensure that we never forget, we are developing new ways to remember.’

The EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life includes 90 actions to prevent all forms of antisemitism, protect and foster Jewish life, and promote Holocaust remembrance. This includes, for example, protecting public spaces, spaces of worship and cemeteries. As part of this strategy, the Commission launched the European Network of Sites of Holocaust Memory, to enhance and strengthen Holocaust remembrance in a time of rising antisemitism.

More information on the conference and the livestreaming link can be found online.

(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel: +32 2 296 75 33; Antoine Lomba – Tel: +32 2 299 32 33)

PwC Cyprus as part of the Cyprus-India AI Impact Pre-Summit, hosted on Wednesday an event titled ‘Driving Innovation and Growth’, under the auspices of the High Commission of India in Nicosia.

The event gathered over 100 leaders from the public sector, business, and academia to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform industries, stimulate growth, foster innovation and strengthen bilateral collaboration, a press release says.

In his opening remarks Philippos Soseilos, CEO and Chairman of PwC Cyprus, Manish Manish, High Commissioner of India in Nicosia and Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus.

In his welcoming speech,Soseilos noted that PwC Cyprus sees AI as a transformative force that fosters sustainable growth and enhances human potential.

”Together, we can leverage AI’s potential to drive economic growth, enhance efficiency, and create new opportunities across Banking and Finance, Shipping and Maritime, Retail and Distribution and manufacturing sectors”, he said.

Indian High Commissioner highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping global economies and highlighted how India is leveraging AI to accelerate innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen governance, while ensuring ethical deployment and inclusivity.

He underscored India’s commitment to international collaboration, inviting Cypriot institutions, businesses, and startups to participate in joint AI ventures, knowledge exchanges, and innovation partnerships.

Demetris Skourides discussed and highlighted AI first strategy for the economic growth of Cyprus and stressed the need to leverage AI solutions for business productivity and efficiency.

A keynote presentation by Subhash Jangla, First Secretary at the High Commission of India, followed, offering insights into the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 and India’s national strategy for AI-led development.

Two high-level panel discussions sparked engaging dialogue around the practical application and strategic potential of AI.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Cypriot citizens to avoid all travel to Iran due to the current internal security situation and the increased risk of regional escalation. Moreover, those Cypriot citizens who are there are encouraged to leave immediately while commercial flights are still operating.

The travel advice is valid as of January 13, 2026.

Furthermore, citizens are advised to avoid gatherings and demonstrations, to remain vigilant and to follow closely the developments and information from international and local media, and apply maximum security measures.

In case of emergency Cypriot citizens are requested to contact the Embassy of Cyprus in Tehran (Address: No. 9, Mahmoud Razi St., Reza Ali Hosseini St., Zaferanieh, 1988934611 – Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran).

Tel: (+)98 212 217 99 13

?-mail: ~tehranembassy@mfa.gov.cy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Consular Affairs Directorate:

Tel: +357 22 651113

Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Crisis Management Directorate

Tel: +357 22 801000

Mobile No.: +357 97 775998 (outside working hours / in case of emergencies)

Cypriot citizens are also advised to register on the online registration platform for Cypriots abroad Connect2CY.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola spoke of a “true loss for Cyprus and Europe”, referring to the death of former President of the Republic George Vassiliou.

In a post on X on Wednesday Metsola said she was informed with sorrow of the Vassiliou’s loss.

“A political leader who paved the way for Cyprus’ accession to the European Union and worked tirelessly for peace and modernisation. A true loss for Cyprus and Europe,” she noted.

Metsola also expressed her sincere condolences to his family and the people of Cyprus.

Cyprus lost a citizen of the world who expanded Cyprus’ international footprint, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday on the passing of former President George Vassiliou.

Vassiliou, who was elected President in 1988, passed away late on Tuesday at the age of 94.

In a written statement President Christodoulides said that he was saddened to hear the news, pointing out that Vassiliou associated his name with the effort for Cyprus’ economic development, social progress and modernization of the state.

He furthermore said that George Vassiliou’s contribution was decisive in achieving the top strategic goal of Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, adding that until the end of his life he was dedicated to the effort for solution and reunification.

President Christodoulides also said that during Vassiliou’s term in office, policies were promoted that contributed to the extroversion of the Cyprus economy and businesses and to the establishment of Cyprus as a center of professional and administrative services.

He also said that the foundation of the University of Cyprus is one of the milestones of his tenure.

“On behalf of the state and our people, I bid him farewell with feelings of appreciation, respect and gratitude. I extend my sincere condolences to the wife, children and grandchildren of George Vassiliou,” the President said.

French archaeologists Alain Le Brun and Odile Daune-Le Brun have been awarded the prize for the Preservation and Promotion of the Archaeological Heritage of Cyprus for 2025.

Speaking at the award ceremony on Monday evening, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said that Cyprus owes the two French archaeologists a lot and that the prize is awarded as a token of gratitude for their long-standing and valuable contribution to the country.

He also noted that the award underlines the very close and long-standing relationship between Cyprus and France, a country that has supported and promoted the cultural heritage of Cyprus for many decades.

‘It is precisely for this reason that within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU we decided that an important exhibition will be held in Paris,’ he pointed out.

The President said that the tragic events of the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the ongoing occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkish troops were devastating for the cultural heritage of the country, as many archaeological sites, museums and religious monuments were looted and destroyed, resulting in thousands of unique archaeological objects, unfortunately, being sent to international markets and becoming the subject of illegal trafficking.

He also said that the foreign archaeological missions that have been active in Cyprus since the beginning of the 20th century have played a decisive role in expanding our knowledge of ancient Cyprus and in its international promotion, through scientific research and publication.

Chair of the Selection Committee, Professor Maria Iakovou, referred to the rationale for the award, saying that the two archaeologists’s scientific work and their continuous active presence in the archaeological field of Cyprus exceed half a century and dates back to before the Turkish invasion of 1974.

‘The Committee unanimously recognized that Alain Le Brun and Odile Daune-Le Brun, not only did not abandon Cyprus when they were also displaced from their research field in the remote land of the Karpasia (now occupied by Turkish troops since 1974) but they also rescued, studied and published archaeological data of primary importance from the occupied and currently inaccessible Neolithic site of Kastros on Apostolos Andreas, which has in the meantime been destroyed by the Turkish occupation army,’ she stressed.

Iakovou that the Selection Committee underlines that they are models of scientific and ethical conduct because all these years – despite the scientific cost – they have remained strictly committed to UNESCO’s clauses calling for the avoidance of conducting research in occupied territories.

Presidential Commissioner, Marios Hartsiotis, will visit on Wednesday, for the first time since taking office, the Turkish-occupied villages of Agia Triada, Agios Andronikos and Rizokarpaso in Karpasia, in the north-eastern tip of Cyprus, to discuss with the enclaved people their needs and problems, according to an announcement by the Commissioner’s Office.

‘The purpose of his visit will be to record and discuss with our enclaved people their needs and problems’, it said, noting that such meetings will be scheduled on a regular basis. It adds that the main goal of each visit is ‘the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the problems of our enclaved people and their resolution, as well as the practical support and presence of the State.’

For the same purpose, a visit to the occupied village of Kormakitis will follow soon, the announcement concludes.

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.

Shortly after the invasion, some 20,000 Greek Cypriot remained in their home, in the areas Turkey had occupied. The number of these ‘enclaved’ persons has dwindled over the years due to the appalling living conditions and restrictions imposed on them and their daily life. Educational and religious freedoms, in addition to individual freedoms are curtailed by the occupation regime.

Department of Meteorology

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

Date 13/01/2026

Station

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

Highest

Lowest

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Nicosia (Athalassa)

12 (12.1)

5 (4.9)

60

Larnaka Airport

15 (14.6)

8 (7.9)

69

Limassol (New Port)

15 (14.7)

8 (8)

62

Limassol Garden

13,6

6,8

Pafos Airport

14 (13.8)

9 (8.8)

69

Frenaros

14 (13.6)

7 (6.8)

62

Prodromos

-1 (-1)

-2 (-2.1)

100

Polis Pafos

13 (13.4)

8 (8.2)

56

Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU will focus on enhancing European cooperation in maritime security, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and implementing the European Maritime Security Strategy in close collaboration with EU member states, European institutions, and international partners, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Tuesday.

Addressing accredited European and international media correspondents, at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Larnaca, Palmas highlighted the upgrade of Limassol Port – Mari Naval Base as a project of strategic importance. He emphasised that the Naval Base at Mari is one of the key pillars of the Republic of Cyprus’ defence infrastructure.

Referring to Cyprus’ role in a complex and demanding security environment, the Minister noted that the Republic of Cyprus has assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during a period of intense geopolitical realignments.

“Europe faces simultaneous, multi-level challenges,” the Defence Minister remarked, adding that “in this context, security and defence are not merely regional policy issues but key pillars of European cohesion and credibility.”

Regarding the Naval Base at Mari, Palmas stressed that it is a fundamental pillar of the Republic of Cyprus’ defence infrastructure. “The upgrade projects implemented in recent years are part of a holistic and long-term plan aimed at gradually enhancing the operational capability of the National Guard, improving maritime security, and strengthening Cyprus’ ability to contribute substantially within the framework of cooperation with EU member states and international partners,” he explained.

The Defence Minister described the upgrade of the Mari Naval Base as strategically significant, “as it enhances berthing capabilities, logistical, and operational support for European allied forces.” As the Republic of Cyprus, he added, “we are investing in our capabilities, which strengthen collective European security in the Eastern Mediterranean.” The infrastructure being developed, he continued, “can support both military needs and humanitarian missions and civil protection operations, always in full alignment with Cyprus’ European and international commitments.”

He further stressed that Cyprus’ geographical position gives it particular strategic importance. “Therefore, investing in our naval infrastructure is an investment in stability and international legitimacy,” he said. Palmas noted that Cyprus, as the easternmost point of the EU and a crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, holds a unique position in the European military mobility architecture. “Our ports, airports, and infrastructure have repeatedly supported humanitarian operations and the evacuation of citizens from conflict zones, contributing to the EU’s ability to manage crises and project stability in its neighbourhood,” he added.

He described securing adequate European funding as “critical” to enable Cyprus to further contribute to the EU’s goals in military mobility and crisis management within a modern, evolving environment. Referring to the enhancement of military mobility within the European transport network, he stressed that it is crucial for ensuring rapid, coordinated, and reliable movement of military personnel, equipment, and resources.

In this context, Palmas pointed out that the Cypriot Presidency aims to maintain momentum at the political and legislative levels, strengthening cooperation among member states and ensuring the continuity of this strategic dossier.

“The successful implementation of these goals requires adequate European funding so that member states can address critical gaps,” he stated. He noted that “the EU is called upon to strengthen its strategic autonomy, particularly in the areas of security and defense, without deviating from the principles of multilateralism and international law. A more autonomous EU, with greater capacity for prevention, deterrence, and effective crisis management,” he added.

In this framework, he noted, maritime security takes on particular significance. “The Republic of Cyprus will work to strengthen European cooperation, protect critical maritime infrastructure, and implement the European maritime security strategy in close collaboration with member states, European institutions, and partners,” he highlighted.

In conclusion, Palmas stressed that the Republic of Cyprus approaches defence through the lens of cooperation and prevention with EU member states and regional and international partners, based on transparency, mutual respect, and international law. “These efforts are not directed against third parties but aim to achieve stability and security in a region of particular strategic importance,” he said.

Defence and security are not abstract concepts; they are directly linked to peace, stability, and the prosperity of our societies, the Defence Minister stated.

“As the Republic of Cyprus, assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are ready to contribute responsibly, seriously, and with a clear orientation to shaping a Europe that is safer, more resilient, and more united,” he concluded.

Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michalis Damianos, has presented the actions implemented by Cyprus to further promote Renewable Energy Sources in his interventions at the 16th Session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which took place in Abu Dhabi on 11 and 12 January 2026.

Following a personal invitation from the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates and CEO of ADNOC Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the Cypriot Minister also attended, on Tuesday, the official opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he had the opportunity to exchange views with Ministers of other countries, as well as with senior executives of international organisations and businesses, a Ministry press release said here today.

In his interventions during the IRENA Assembly, Damianos “presented the policies, measures and actions implemented by Cyprus to further promote Renewable Energy Sources, highlighting also the particular challenges that the country faces as an isolated electricity system in the context of the energy transition.”

Moreover, the press release adds, he referred to the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in the energy sector, emphasising the strengthening of the competitiveness and resilience of the energy system, the upgrading and digitalization of energy networks, as well as ensuring the provision of clean and affordable energy to citizens and businesses.

The Minister also participated in discussions concerning the decarbonization of industry, as well as the prospects and challenges arising from the use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector, in particular in matters of energy planning and network development.

On the sidelines of the 16th Session of the IRENA Assembly, the Minister had a series of bilateral contacts, including with the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates and CEO of ADNOC Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the Minister of Energy of Malta Miriam Dalli, the General Secretary of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) Osama Mobarez, as well as the President of the World Energy Council and former Director General of IRENA Adnan Z. Amin.