Category: Cyprus News Agency

The government is working consistently, diligently, and responsibly to find a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the principles of European and international law, which will ensure the liberation of our homeland, peace, the rights of all lawful inhabitants of the island, and the return to their ancestral homes, will rid the island of occupation troops and anachronistic guarantees, and will strengthen Cyprus’s role as a pillar of stability and security in the unstable region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, said Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou on Saturday.

In a speech at an event organized by the “Digenis Akritas Morphou” Athletic Music and Literature Association to celebrate Epiphany, the Minister of Interior, after noting that the Cyprus problem remains, 51 years later, an open wound for the country, said that the Ministry of the Interior, fully aware of the burden borne by refugees after the Turkish invasion, continues to consistently implement policies to support them, strengthening and relieving the refugee community until their rights are fully restored, with programs to improve housing and living conditions.

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.

Amid heightened international turmoil following reports on the removal of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela with the involvement of the United States, a development later confirmed by U.S., President Donald Trump, the European Union has issued an official statement through its High Representative, Kaja Kallas, stressing the need to respect international law and prioritise the safety of European citizens in the country.

Kallas said that she has spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU Ambassador in Caracas. ‘The European Union is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,’ she underlined.

‘The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition,’ she added. ‘Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected,’ Kallas stressed, calling for ‘restraint’.

She concluded by noting that the safety of EU citizens in the country ‘is our top priority.’

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 03/01/2026

Station

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

Humidity at

1200 UTC

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 03/01/2026 UNTIL 0600 04/01/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1027hPa (hectopascal)

High pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but at times increased cloud will be present.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 20°C

Warnings: NIL

Cyprus will have favourable weather conditions on Epiphany day, January 6, with sunshine and higher than normal temperatures, according to the forecast of the Meteorological Service.

In statements to CNA, Meteorological Officer Andreas Chrysanthou said that the weather until Wednesday will be mainly clear, but there will be temporary increased cloud cover with a rise in temperature from Sunday until Epiphany, which will be slightly higher than the average for the season.

He added that there will be no rain or storms, as high pressure conditions will prevail on the island, which do not allow for such phenomena.

The weather will be mainly clear with clouds as seen on Saturday until Wednesday, with temperatures gradually rising both during the day and at night, he continued.

He further stated that swimmers on Epiphany will enjoy higher temperatures and increased sunshine with local cloud cover, with the sea breeze being more favourable in Paphos. On the rest of the coast, winds will be stronger especially in the east, north, and south, which are not expected to cause any problems, as they will be light to moderate, with occasional moderate winds on the coast, he said.

He added that the weather may change after Wednesday.

In its weather forecast issued on Saturday noon the Meteorological Service notesd that the area is affected by high pressure and predicts that on Saturday afternoon, the weather will be mainly cloudy. Winds will be variable, weak, 3 Beaufort, and the sea will be calm to slightly rough. Frost is likely in sheltered mountainous areas.

On Saturday evening, the weather will be partly cloudy and at times mainly cloudy. Winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly and on the northern coast southeasterly, light, 3 Beaufort, and later moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. The sea will be calm to slightly rough. The temperature will drop to around 3 degrees inland, around 8 degrees on the coast, and around minus 1 degree in the higher mountains. In the mountains, semi-mountainous areas, and possibly locally in the plains, frost is expected.

On Sunday, the weather will be partly cloudy and at times mainly cloudy. Winds will blow mainly from the northeast to the southeast, weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, and gradually moderate to strong and locally strong on the coast, 4 to 5 Beaufort. The sea in the west will be slightly rough, but in the north, east, and south, it will be slightly rough and temporarily rough. The temperature will rise to around 15 degrees inland, around 17 degrees on the coast, and around 7 degrees in the higher mountains. Frost is likely in sheltered mountainous areas.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the weather will be mainly clear, with occasional increased cloud cover in some areas. Temperatures are expected to rise gradually until Wednesday, surpassing average seasonal values.

Representatives from 14 European institutions, organizations, and states are expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU on Wednesday, January 7, in Nicosia, the Spokesperson of the Cyprus Presidency, Stella Michael, told CNA on Saturday, noting that one of the messages sent by their presence in Cyprus has to do with the way the country can act as a bridge between the European Union and the countries in the region.

According to Michael, several foreign delegations will attend the opening ceremony, as representatives from 14 European institutions, organizations, and states are expected to attend. She also said that bilateral meetings will be held in Nicosia with the delegations that will be in the capital for the opening ceremony.

“Accreditations from foreign delegations are continuing. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of Ukraine, the President of Moldova, the President of Lebanon, and the President of Iraq will attend. The Secretaries-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League will also be present, as well as delegations from other neighboring countries,” she said.

“January 7 is an emblematic event for the Cyprus Presidency with the opening ceremony. It will be a big day in terms of contacts, in the sense that there will also be several bilateral meetings in Nicosia with all the delegations that will be in the capital for the opening ceremony. There is an intensive program of bilateral contacts, which are currently being finalized, and after the ceremony, the President of the Republic will host an official dinner for the heads of the delegations,” Michael noted.

She added that “one of the messages we are sending with their presence in Cyprus has to do with the way Cyprus can also act as a bridge between the European Union and the countries of the region.”

“With this ceremony we want to highlight how the history of Cyprus has evolved from antiquity up until now, through its culture and history, and the strong ties that exist with the European Union, how this journey culminated in Cyprus’ accession to the European Union in 2004 and how it is essentially moving forward within the united European family based on European principles and values, with the aim of peace and stability, and how, through synergies under the auspices of the EU, there can be mutual benefit for all,” she stressed.

According to Michael, rehearsals for the ceremony are being held daily by all those involved, including the artists, the organizers, the police in relation to the arrangements, and the public TV (CyBC) for the televised broadcast of the event. As she mentioned, rehearsals were held on Saturday and in the coming days to ensure that everything was ready.

The Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations and President of the UN Security Council during January 2026, Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, expressed the view that the process of renewing the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) will proceed smoothly.

Responding to a question by CNA, Osman said that ‘I do not think there is going to be any problem,’ stressing that the Security Council ‘continues to support the Secretary-General’s Good Offices’ and remains committed to an approach based on dialogue and de-escalation. As he noted, the Council ‘calls always for dialogue, restraint and a peaceful, negotiated settlement within the United Nations framework.’

The President of the Security Council underlined the importance of maintaining stability on the ground, pointing out that ‘it is important to respect its status quo in the buffer zone,’ while also referring to the role of UNFICYP, which he described as ‘stabilizing’. In this context, he highlighted the need to advance de-escalatory initiatives, such as ‘confidence-building measures that reduce tensions’.

Referring to the procedure to be followed within the Council, Ambassador Osman noted that members would carefully consider the next steps, explaining that ‘the Secretary-General’s reports are going to be listened to’ in order to determine ‘how we can move forward and how we can contribute’ to the continuation of the process.

As he said, the Security Council’s objective remains the strengthening of the conditions for progress on the Cyprus issue, through ‘contributing to a peaceful dialogue’ and the ‘creation of an environment that is acceptable to all parties’.

The statements by the President of the Security Council to the Cyprus News Agency were made in the context of the presentation of the Council’s Programme of Work for the month of January 2026, during which Somalia holds the Presidency.

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.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 03/01/2026 UNTIL 1200 04/01/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1028hPa (hectopascal)

High pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly cloudy.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 20°C

Warnings: NIL

European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have stressed the need for de-escalation and respect for international law as regards developments in Venezuela.

In their social media posts, they note that they are following the situation in Venezuela with great concern, adding that ‘the European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.’

President Costa underlined that ‘the European Union will continue to support a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution in Venezuela.’

Von der Leyen and Costa said that the EU ‘supports the efforts of the High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kalas, in coordination with the Member States, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.’

The Republic of Cyprus calls for de-escalation, restraint and a resolution that respects international law as regards developments in Venezuela.

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos wrote on ‘X’ that “we are closely monitoring the developments in Venezuela, in coordination with EU and other partners. I remain in close contact with the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas”.

“We call for de-escalation, restraint and a resolution that respects international law” he added.

Furthermore, he said that Cyprus’ long standing travel advice to avoid all travels to Venezuela remains in force.

“We are ready to provide consular assistance to Cypriot citizens if needed in coordination with our EU partners” he concluded.