Category: Cyprus News Agency

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (D)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0000 03/01/2026 UNTIL 2400 03/01/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1025hPa (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

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning East to Southeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon East to Southeast 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Tonight Northeast to East 3, later offshore 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning North to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon East to Southeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Tonight North to Northeast 3, later 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Night Northwest to North 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Tonight Northwest to Northeast 3, later North to Northeast 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, later Slight

North Coast

Night Southeast to South 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Southeast to South 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Tonight Southeast to South 3, later Northeast to East 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, later Slight

The Republic of Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a moment of profound transformation, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said in a video message on the official website of the Cyprus EU Presidency, as the country took over the six-month rotating EU Presidency on January 1st, 2026.

“Against the backdrop of geopolitical upheaval and unpredictability, the choices we make now will shape our Union’s future. The Cyprus Presidency rises to this moment with a clear vision. A Europe that can stand strong, stable and secure. An autonomous Union open to the world,” he underlined.

Because, he added, “autonomy is a necessary next step in our evolving integration European project”.

“We will work as honest brokers with determination, strengthening Europe’s defence and security which includes water security, maritime security and addressing migration in a comprehensive way but also enhancing the Union’s crisis prepardeness,” he said.

Referring to Ukraine, President Christodoulides noted that “our support for Ukraine, for upholding international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty will remain firm and steadfast”.

Noting that an autonomous Union must also be competitive, he said that “Cyprus will advance simplification cutting red tape and ensuring that our small and medium sized businesses and our innovators can thrive”.

A strong, autonomous Europe is also an engaged Europe, a Union that is Open to the World, he said, adding that “we will work to deepen relations with our transatlantic partners and to expand and strengthen partnerships with our Southern neigborhood and the Gulf”.

Moreover, he noted that international trade agreements are key and the Cyprus Presidency will promote an open, robust and sustainable trade policy by expanding the network of trade agreements.

Pointing out that an enlarged Union, is a stronger, more stable Union, the President said that Cyprus will work diligently to advance a credible enlargement agenda.

“An autonomous Union is also a Union of values. A Union that leaves no one behind. We will work to advance social cohesion focusing on affordable housing and the protection of our children online” he said.

This overall strategic vision, President Christodoulides went on to say, must be reflected in a balanced, long term budget that can deliver a more secure and resilient Union able to lead as a global power while ensuring that we advance together.

“Europe works when we take it forward. And that is precisely what this moment demands. Together, for an Autonomous Union, Open to the World,” he concluded.

The European Union institutions have welcomed the start of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency begins at a pivotal moment for Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said in a post on X, welcoming the start of Cyprus’ six-month Presidency.

‘Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency begins at a pivotal moment for Europe. And so its focus on strengthening Europe’s autonomy couldn’t be more important’, von der Leyen said, adding that she looks forward to working together to boost Europe’s preparedness and competitiveness.

The European Council, in a post on X, welcomes Cyprus’ Presidency. ‘A new chapter starts today, and we look forward to the next six months’, it said on Thursday.

President of the European Council Antonio Costa, in his own post, wished President Nikos Christodoulides ‘a fruitful and successful presidency of the Council of the EU’.

‘I look forward to our close collaboration and to working together in the upcoming six months for a resilient and stronger Europe,’ he said.

In her own post, written in Greek, President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, expresses her ‘warmest wishes’ to President Christodoulides.

‘I am confident that, under your leadership, Europe can continue to develop as an autonomous Union, open to the world,’ she said, noting that the European Parliament stands ready to work with Cyprus, ‘as a strong and reliable partner’, over the next six months.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 02/01/2026 UNTIL 1800 03/01/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1021hPa (hectopascal)

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

Together we will work towards a financially strong Europe, German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said in a post on ‘X’, on the occasion of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by Cyprus.

“Cyprus assumes the EU Council Presidency from the 1st of January 2026. Dear Nikos Christodoulides, I look forward to our collaboration,” Merz noted.

Together, Merz added, “we will work towards a financially strong Europe, European competitiveness, and reducing bureaucracy”.

Cyprus’ Foreign Affairs Minister, Constantinos Kombos, expressed condolences to his Swiss counterpart, Ignazio Cassis, following the tragedy in Crans-Montana.

In a post on X, Kombos says he contacted his Swiss colleague ‘to express my sincere condolences following the tragedy in Crans-Montana’.

‘Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their loved ones’, he adds.

‘We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with the Swiss authorities’, Kombos concludes.

Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna reaffirmed the island’s steadfast and unwavering support for Ukraine, describing it as a top priority for EU Presidency.

Raouna held on Friday a very productive, as she described it, telephone call with Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka, in the framework of Cyprus EU Presidency.

”We discussed Ukraine’s accession negotiations and the roadmap we have set out to deliver tangible results. I reaffirmed Cyprus’ steadfast and unwavering support for Ukraine, a top priority of our Presidency”, she posted on X.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 and assumed the EU Presidency January 1st, for the second time.

Loans in November 2025 recorded a net increase of pound 71.5 million compared to the previous month, of which pound 50 million related to loans to households, according to data from the Central Bank of Cyprus, while total deposits recorded a net increase of pound 330.8 million, of which pound 258.6 million related to deposits by Cyprus residents.

The balance of total loans in November 2025 reached pound 26.8 billion and that of deposits pound 57.9 billion.

Specifically, according to deposit and loan statistics published on Friday by the CBC, total deposits in November 2025 recorded a net increase of pound 330.8 million, compared to a net increase of pound 412.3 million in October 2025.

The annual rate of change in total deposits reached 6.7%, compared to 6.3% in October 2025. The balance of total deposits in November 2025 reached pound 57.9 billion.

Deposits by Cyprus residents increased by pound 258.6 million.

It is added that deposits by households and non-financial corporations increased by pound 176.4 million and pound 26.6 million, respectively, while deposits from other domestic sectors showed a total increase of pound 55.7 million.

Furthermore, according to the CBC, total loans in November 2025 recorded a net increase of pound 71.5 million, compared to a net increase of pound 336.6 million in October 2025.

The annual rate of change in total loans reached 10.5%, compared to 10.2% in October 2025. The balance of total loans in November 2025 reached pound 26.8 billion.

Loans to Cyprus residents increased by pound 58.4 million.

More specifically, loans to households increased by pound 50.3 million, while loans to non-financial corporations recorded a decrease of pound 0.7 million. Loans to other domestic sectors showed an overall increase of pound 8.7 million.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 02/01/2026 UNTIL 0600 03/01/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1018hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be partly cloudy.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 20°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning

North to Northeast 3 to 4, later 3

Moderate, later Slight to Moderate

Afternoon

Northwest 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Slight

Night

Northeast to Southeast 3

Slight, gradually Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning

North to Northeast 3 to 4

Slight

Afternoon

Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3, locally Variable 2 to 3

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning

North to Northeast 4, gradually 3 to 4

Slight to Moderate, gradually Slight

Afternoon

Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night

Northwest to North 3

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4, soon near the coast Variable 3

Moderate, soon near the coast Slight to Moderate

Afternoon

Northwest 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Slight

Night

Southeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 0530

Date: 02/01/2026

CNA/ME/MK/2026

The occupancy rate of leisure centres during New Year’s Eve reached 100%, while the corresponding rate in hotels reached 60%, Neophytos Thrasyvoulou, President of the Pancyprian Association of Leisure Centre Owners (PASIKA), and Christos Angelides, General Manager of the Pancyprian Association of Hoteliers (PASYXE), told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Friday, expressing their satisfaction. Both noted that occupancy during Christmas was at lower levels, at least as far as the local market is concerned, because these are more family oriented holidays.

More people stayed in Cyprus for Christmas this year, N. Thrasyvoulou says

—————-

Speaking to CNA, Neophytos Thrasyvoulou, President of the Pancyprian Association of Leisure Centre Owners (PASIKA), said that the occupancy rates this year at Christmas was good but lower compared to New Year’s Eve because most people stayed at home and the weather conditions were not good. However, he added, on Boxing Day people moved to both the coast and the mountains.

Regarding New Year’s, he noted that the situation “was much better in all the cities of Cyprus”. “Nicosia took the lead with more shows and better presentations. Limassol followed due to population, but the other cities did not lag behind, since the businesses on the coast that remained open were full”, he pointed out.

The President of PASIKA noted that on Christmas Eve, occupancy ranged from 80% to 85%, on Christmas Day it was 95%-100%, while on New Year’s Day, occupancy started at 90%, reaching 100%.

Increased reservations from abroad, will increase due to Cyprus Presidency, Ch. Angelides says

—————-

In a statement to CNA, Christos Angelides, General Director of the Pancyprian Hoteliers’ Association (PASYXE), stated that on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as well as in the following days, “occupancy was very good, reaching up to 60%”. On these days, he continued, “some of the hotels were almost full”. There was also a lot of work from the local market for holiday packages, namely New Year’s Eve and daily events, he noted.

The highest occupancy was observed in the beach hotels, especially on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Angelides pointed out. Regarding Christmas, he said, “we have noticed over time that although there is occupancy at least from the local market, these are mostly family holidays, not so many people go to the hotels”. Despite this, as he said, “we had increased reservations this year from abroad due to the greater number of flights from Poland, Germany and Israel, as well as from the United Kingdom.

Asked whether the increased flow from the international market could also be attributed to the start of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union from the beginning of 2026, Angelides said that “we will be able to say this for the coming months, when we will have tangible results”. “The only thing certain is that we will have more visitors. What we do not know is whether along with this (their stay for work) the officials or others who will come for the Cyprus Presidency will also take a day or two to rest or for a tour of Cyprus,” noted.