We will do our utmost to solve the Cyprus issue and reunite our country, President pledges

President of the Republi, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Sunday that despite the difficulties and challenges we will do our utmost to solve the Cyprus issue and reunite our country.

Delivering a speech at a memorial service for EOKA hero Demetris Charalambous at the village of Limnatis, the President noted that the EOKA anti-colonial struggle led to the most precious achievement, the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, an internationally recognized state, an EU member state that proudly held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union not long ago.

He spoke of the illegal Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974 pointing out that an illegal state of affairs that cannot constitute the future of our homeland and this is the reason we remain focused on our goal for the resumption of the peace talks from where they left off for a viable and functional solution.

He referred to the struggle of all the EOKA heroes and added that we all bear a great responsibility and duty to keep the historical memory alive. The President noted that especially in the times we live in, the preservation and continuity of our historical and collective memory as Cypriot Hellenism is a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the continuity of our presence in this land.

He said that today we honour Demetris Charalambous, a genuine patriot, a freedom fighter, and a hero from Limnatis, adding that his example will always remain relevant to every aspect of our lives and our history.

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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (B)

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1010hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage at times with isolated showers probable mainly over the western, northern and eastern areas from tonight. Dust in suspension at times.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Slight

Night

North to Northeast 3, offshore Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest 3, soon 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon

Southwest 3 to 4

Slight

Night

Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southeast to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Night

West to Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually East to Southeast 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Afternoon

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

West to Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Around 3,000 foot-and-mouth disease cases to be recorded now, farmers will be compensated, Veterinary Services Director tells CNA

The Veterinary Services are proceeding with the official recording of approximately 3,000 cases of foot-and-mouth disease detected during the summer at five livestock farms in Avgorou, Dromolaxia, Alethriko, Aradippou and Pentakomo, Director of the Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis, told CNA on Sunday. He noted that the animals are expected to be culled in the coming days.

Asked about the the compensation for the farmers affected, Pipis said the same measures applied in previous cases would also apply for them. ‘They will be compensated for the animals and the milk. If they resume their activities they will receive support as part of their reactivation, as well as compensation for any losses. They will be included in the group of affected livestock farmers,’ he said.

Pipis explained that the cases had been detected during summer but were not officially recorded at the time, as the Veterinary Services sought clarification from the European Commission.

‘These are not new cases,’ he said, explaining that the Veterinary Services’ reservations concerned the epidemiological circumstances, vaccination and the location of the farms in relation to the initial cases, as well as the legal requirements that must be met for a case to be officially recorded

‘We did not proceed with their official recording at the time because we wanted to discuss the matter with the European Commission and clarify whether, under the specific circumstances, they should be declared as cases,’ Pipis said.

He added that the cases would be officially recorded based on the dates on which they were detected, while the animals are expected to be culled in the coming days.

The owners of the five livestock farms will also be called to the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday to be informed about the situation and the procedure to be followed, he concluded.

Minister says targeted support to address production costs amounts to pound 2.5 million

The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Christos Senekis, highlighted on Sunday the government’s support to Cypriot products and local producers through funding and measures aiming to address the increased production costs and drought, during his address at a festival in Athienou village, in Larnaca district, on Sunday.

He stated that targeted measures of pound 2.5 million in total have been promoted to address the increase in the cost of fertilizers, agricultural supplies, and agricultural fuel. Additionally, an extra pound 4.6 million in European funding has been secured to support farmers affected by the adverse climatic conditions of 2025.

The Minister also noted that the European registration of Athienou bread and Athienou delights as Protected Geographical Indications is expected in 2027.

Senekis also said that the goal is to reduce the financial burden on producers and to enhance the capabilities for the protection and promotion of Cypriot products both within the domestic and in the international market.

He also announced that the “Cypriot Label” is in the final stages of completion, aiming to enhance the recognition of Cypriot products and highlight their connection to the Cypriot land, tradition, and local raw materials.

The Minister also spoke about the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 with resources amounting to pound 454 million.

Kombos to raise Turkey-breakaway entity gas pipeline “memorandum” at EU Foreign Affairs Council

Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, will raise the issue of the illegal ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between Turkey and the illegal secessionist entity in the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, concerning the construction of an undersea natural gas pipeline, before his European counterparts, in Luxembourg, on Monday.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, Kombos travels to Luxembourg to participate in the proceedings of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on Monday, October 12.

The Council’s agenda includes Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its escalating hybrid campaign against the EU. Foreign Ministers will also exchange views on the latest developments and the situation in the Middle East, as well as the strategic importance of EU enlargement for European security.

Within the framework of the FAC, the Foreign Minister will raise the issue of the illegal ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between Turkey and the illegal secessionist entity in the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus concerning the construction of an undersea natural gas pipeline, the press release added.

Before the Council proceedings begin, an informal working breakfast will be held to discuss countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), as well as strategic communication campaigns.

Nicosia invited to COP31 in Turkey following Cyprus’ diplomatic efforts and EU intervention, CNA learns

The Republic of Cyprus has received an invitation to participate in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), to take place in Antalya, Turkey, in November, a government source told the Cyprus News Agency, commenting on a report in Sunday’s edition of Kathimerini according to which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attempted to exclude Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, from the conference.

The same source noted that the invitation was issued following systematic and coordinated diplomatic efforts by the Republic of Cyprus, involving European institutions and EU member states. It also noted that the clear and coordinated pressure exerted by the European Union was of particular importance, playing a pivotal role in the developments.

The government source told the Cyprus News Agency that the European support was substantial and solid, based on the consistent shared position that the full and equal participation of an EU member state in international fora cannot be called into question or subjected to unilateral restrictions.

According to Kathimerini’s report Turkey’s President Erdogan sent personal letters inviting the heads of government of only 26 EU member states to the Conference leaders’ meeting scheduled for November 11-12.

Turkey, which illegally invaded the island in 1974, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004. It is the only country to recognize the Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus regime as a “legitimate state”.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (A)

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1010hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure affects the area while weak low pressure starts to affect the area from tomorrow onward. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage at times. Dust in suspension at times.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3, offshore Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southeast to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southeast to South

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3, soon Northwest to Northeast

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Rain and thunderstorms are forecast to affect Cyprus on Wednesday, Meteorological Officer tells CAN

A system expected to bring significant rainfall and storms is set to arrive in Cyprus from the west on Wednesday afternoon, according to a Meteorological Officer who spoked to CNA. These phenomena may last until Friday, while a more accurate picture of the system’s trajectory is expected to be available on Monday.

More specifically, the system will likely start forming on Monday at midnight, moving from the Ionian Sea towards mainland Greece, and is expected to subsequently be transferred to the southern Aegean, ultimately approaching Cyprus. In response to a question about the possibility of heavy rainfall and flooding, the Officer noted that the storms could cause such phenomena.

Sporadic rainfall is expected in Cyprus until Wednesday, mainly in the mountainous areas and possibly inland and in the north of the island. On Wednesday afternoon, the system bringing rain is expected to initially affect the western regions and then move to the other areas of Cyprus.

Cyprus shipping registry increased by 27% over past three years President says

Cyprus shipping registry has increased by approximately 27% over the past three years by implementing a specific strategy, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Saturday, addressing the “THALASSA 2026” festival, organized by in the coastal town of Limassol by the Municipality and the Deputy Ministry of Shipping. In his address he also said that the state revenues from ship management activities have risen by approximately 19%-20% and announced that before the end of the year the Cabinet will approve the establishment of a Coastguard Unit.

In his address, delivered in the presence of members of the Council of Ministers and other government officials, the President noted the importance the government attaches to the shipping sector and to all maritime-related activities.

He said that there are immense prospects in the sector and the government is working to capitalize on. He hailed the role of the THALASSA festival that has evolved into a major celebration of the sea, the shipping industry and its people.

President Christodoulides also spoke of the importance the government attaches to strengthening maritime education, promoting the seafaring and maritime professions and utilizing the opportunities they offer to the younger generation.

He went on to say that Cyprus has a strong and internationally recognized ship registry and has become a major maritime hub. He added that sea can serve as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and creativity, opening up pathways for our young people’s future.

Supporting communities near the buffer zone is a priority, Deputy Minister says

A total of 83 projects worth pound 3.2 million were implemented under the first call of the Rural Area Revitalisation Scheme, while other 152 projects worth pound 7 million were carried out under the second call, Deputy Tourism Minister, Kostas Koumis, said on Friday.

Addressing the 4th Pan-Cyprian Harvest Cultural Festival at the central square of Acheritou village, in Famagusta district, Koumis stressed that supporting communities which are near to the buffer zone is a government priority. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory and the UN-controlled buffer zone stretches 180 kilometers across the island from east to west.

He referred to housing incentives, the use of state-owned land and the allocation of plots to families, as well as opportunities to expand existing homes.

Koumis said that seven projects worth more than pound 476,000 had been implemented in the government-controlled Famagusta district under the revitalisation scheme. These included projects in Deryneia, Frenaros, Achna, Avgorou and Liopetri. In addition, a total of pound 124,000 was allocated to the Thematic Water Park and the renovated children’s park in the Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia.

He also said that the Acheritou Harvest Festival had been included in the Deputy Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Heartland of Legends’ thematic route and was being promoted to local and foreign visitors as an experience showcasing the Cypriot countryside.

Koumis noted that the Deputy Ministry sought to attract visitors from Protaras and Ayia Napa to inland areas through thematic routes and activities highlighting local traditions and agricultural practices.

Referring to the festival’s significance, Koumis said that the reenactment of harvesting, threshing and winnowing helped preserve Acheritou’s historical memory and agricultural heritage.