Category: Cyprus News Agency

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Paphos FC secured a valuable point against Monaco on Wednesday at the ‘Alphamega’ Stadium in Limassol, in a match for the 5th round of the League Phase of Champions League.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Paphos reaching 6 points, the same tally as Monaco.

Tonight, for the 4th round of the League Phase of Conference League, AEK Larnaca will face Croatian champions HNK Rijeka away at 22:00, seeking a positive result that would bring them one step closer to qualifying for the next stage of the competition.

Earlier tonight, at 19:45, Omonia hosts Dynamo Kyiv at GSP Stadium and will look for a victory that would strengthen its prospects of reaching the last 24.

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, called on the Turkish government to sit down with the Republic of Cyprus at the same table, to agree on maritime borders.

The President was asked on Thursday by the press, on the sidelines of an event organized by the Cyprus Children’s Parliament, that took place at the Presidential Palace, to comment on statements made by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman, following the signing on Wednesday of an EEZ delimitation agreement with Lebanon.

He stressed that the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the United Nations and the European Union and, on the basis of international law and good neighbourly relations, as well as on the basis of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, is proceeding with agreements with neighbouring states.

President Christodoulides said that his response to what is said by Ankara is to publicly state the readiness of the Republic of Cyprus to sit down at the same table with Turkey, to agree on maritime borders, on the basis of the Law of the Sea.

He stressed that if the Turkish side is so certain and confident about its positions, it could just sit down with the Republic of Cyprus to discuss and determine maritime borders, “as we did with neighbouring states and as we will continue to do”.

When asked about the messages sent by Turkish Cypriot leader, in view of the new effort to resume peace talks on the Cyprus issue, the President replied that he would not comment on Erhurman’s approach and that his stance will not determine the Republic’s planning.

He repeated what he had told the Turkish Cypriot leader when he first met him recently, namely the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side “even tomorrow to resume the talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana in order to reach a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue”.

He said that he told the T/c leader that even during Cyprus’ EU Presidency which begins January 1st, he is ready and fully prepared without looking for any excuse, to sit down and resume the dialogue, building on the acquis of the negotiations and on the basis of the agreed framework.

He continued by saying that his message to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader is that if there is political will, which on our part is there, “we are ready, we are fully prepared, yes, we can in a short time get to a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework.”

The President was also asked about the visit to Germany on Friday by Turkish Foreign Minister and whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz will convey a message, within the framework of the initiative he discussed with him.

The President reiterated that during his presence in Berlin mid November, they discussed EU-Turkey relations among other issues.

He reiterated that he expressed some very specific suggestions, ideas, opinions with him.

“And taking into account the very good relations between Germany and Turkey – let me remind you that the German Chancellor was recently in Ankara – we asked him to help in this direction”, President Christodoulides said.

He recalled that there was a positive response on behalf of the Chancellor and added that we should await for Turkish FM’s visit, expressing certainty that they will be briefed accordingly.

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.

A Cypriot project for drug prevention earned top honours along with two Portuguese projects for this year’s Drug Prevention Prize, which recognises outstanding drug and addiction prevention projects that involve young people.

According to information by the Council of Europe, since its launch in 2004, the Pompidou Group Prevention Prize has been awarded every two years to such innovative projects.

The winning project is called Sistema Cyprus and it was selected out of 27 applications from 12 countries – and only one applicant from Cyprus, which won.

Each of the three winning projects will receive a trophy, a diploma and pound 6,000 to support further development of their projects.

The two other winning projects come from Portugal and are Crisscross and Gabinete de Apoio Psocossocial.

The Deputy Ministry of Tourism is implementing the European Tourism Agenda 2030, which was established in 2022, through a series of actions and incentive plans, Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis said on Thursday at the conference of the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises.

Moreover, he said that the Government has prioritised the transition of the sector to the new era, taking into account the new data as they have developed in recent years, always with respect for business and local communities.

In his address during the event, that was attended also by Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Yiannis Panayiotou, Koumis said that the five priority pillars of the European Tourism Agenda 2030, which concern the green transition, the digital transition, building resilience, the inclusion of all social groups, the support of education based on skilling – upskilling and reskilling, and the adoption of new legislative regulations, are being implemented in practice by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that the government is closely monitoring developments in the European Union, but mainly everything that affects or may affect positively or negatively the present and future of tourism in Cyprus.

Sustainable tourism development is the only way forward, he stressed.

Koumis also said that the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, has and continues to make use of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, having already initiated the allocation of funds to tourism businesses and local communities, an amount that is expected to exceed pound 20 million once the measure is finished.

The government, he added, has invested and continues to invest in the qualitative characteristics of Cyprus as a tourist destination.

He gave as examples that support the countryside, the mountainous and remote areas of Cyprus, hotel businesses operating in those areas, investments in the authenticity of Cyprus, ie in local products, through incentive plans with a strong green and digital dimension.

But most importantly, he concluded, ‘we invested in local communities, in visitors, in people, but also in businesses, whose strong and timeless contribution we certainly recognise.’

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, will be in Malta to participate in the MED5 Ministerial Conference on Friday and during the weekend, along with the Ministers from the five Mediterranean Member States: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain.

According to the EU Commission, Brunner and the Ministers will focus on common migration priorities, including the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, returns, and initiatives to strengthen the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration towards third countries.

During his visit in Malta, Brunner will meet the Maltese Prime Minister, Robert Abela, and Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, to exchange views on key issues of common interest. Commissioner Brunner will also visit the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) headquarters.

He will meet its Executive Director, to exchange views on the work of the Agency, as well as discuss the support to the Member States in implementing the new asylum and migration rules.

Today, the Commission adopted a proposal to amend the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) Decision as regards the reserve for the new emissions trading system for road transport and buildings (ETS 2). This is a key step to deliver swiftly on the package of measures announced to ensure a gradual and smooth launch of the ETS2, on top of the strong safeguards already in place, and also to help accelerate early investments. The MSR is a long-term solution to the surplus of allowances on the EU carbon market aiming at rebalancing supply and demand as well as at making the carbon market more resilient to future shocks.

This proposal responds to the concerns raised by Member States and Members of the European Parliament on future carbon price levels and volatility in the new ETS2 carbon market. It introduces targeted adjustments to the MSR that would guarantee stronger intervention if the price should go above a certain level, reinforce the capacity of the MSR to operate in the longer term, and ensure earlier and smoother action to stabilise the supply of ETS2 allowances.

Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, who outlined the set of proposals in past Environment Councils, said: ‘Today, we are delivering on the commitments we announced in October. These measures further strengthen stability and affordability within ETS2 and set us on a more predictable path toward a low-carbon future. We are setting the right conditions to keep prices in check and intervene swiftly if they go too high.’

The proposed measure can be implemented without amending the ETS Directive. Following today’s adoption, EU Member States and the European Parliament will need to agree on it before it can enter into force.

In addition, the Commission will keep working to rapidly deliver as well on the other measures on the ETS2 implementation framework. Regarding the start of the system, colegislators have introduced a postponement of ETS2 by 1 year as part of the 2040 Climate target negotiations, which now has to agreed and adopted before its application.

You can find more information on the amended market reserve rules online. Today, the European Commission has launched a new scheme – the Skills Guarantee – to support workers and businesses and tackle labour shortages in strategic and growing sectors. A flagship initiative under the Union of Skills, the Skills Guarantee will reinforce strategic sectors in line with the future European Competitiveness Fund. ?t will enable workers to transition into strategic industries, secure new jobs, and develop additional skills.

As a first step, today the Commission has launched a Skills Guarantee Pilot – with a budget of pound 14.5 million. It will focus on workers from the automotive industry and its supply chain, who are at risk of unemployment. This pilot will test how to accelerate and improve the transition of workers from these strategic sectors to jobs in companies in growing or emerging strategic sectors, providing targeted upskilling and reskilling programmes. The pilot will support workers with on-the-job training and support to learn new skills, while companies in sectors with increased demand will be able to recruit the talent they need more quickly, helping them be competitive.

Through a call for proposals launched today, this initiative will test different job-to-job transition schemes. The pilot is a first step in shaping a future fully-fledged Skills Guarantee scheme, which is set to be implemented under the EU’s future long-term budget (2028-2034).

Next Steps

The call for proposals launched today will remain open until 29 January 2026. An online training session for applicants will take place in mid-December 2025. Grant agreements under the pilot will be signed in June 2026 and projects will run for up to 24 months, until summer 2028.The results of the pilot will inform the design of the future Skills Guarantee scheme.

Member States are invited to scale up the use of Skills Guarantee as early as possible, including through the available funding for the remaining years of the current multiannual financial framework (2021-2027).

Background

The pilot will be implemented together with the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, which helps to speed up the adoption and the scaling-up of innovative solutions in employment, education, and social inclusion. It is financed under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the main EU fund to invest in people. The projects will bring together companies, public employment services, social partners, and education and training providers from at least two Member States. Interested parties in this pilot can apply for funding via a call for proposals.

For More Information

Skills Guarantee pilot – call for proposals

Questions and answers

Factsheet

Union of Skills

An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034

Quote(s)

The Skills Guarantee is Europe’s promise to stand by people in times of change. It will help workers gain the skills they need to move into new jobs in growing and strategic sectors, tackling labour shortages and increasing competitiveness. The Skills Guarantee will have a direct impact and bring real benefit for workers, the labour market, companies and European competitiveness. This pilot in the automotive industry, which is undergoing a major transformation, shows how we translate our strategies, like the Union of Skills, to reality on the ground. We must turn challenges into opportunities for our people.

Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness

Commissioner Brunner in Malta for MED5 Ministerial Conference and to visit the EU Asylum Agency

Tomorrow and Saturday, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, will be in Malta to participate in the MED5 Ministerial Conference, together with the ministers from the five Mediterranean Member States: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain. Commissioner Brunner and the ministers will focus on common migration priorities, including the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, returns, and initiatives to strengthen the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration towards third countries.

During his visit in Malta, Commissioner Brunner will meet the Maltese Prime Minister, Robert Abela, and Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, to exchange views on key issues of common interest. Commissioner Brunner will also visit the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) headquarters. He will meet its Executive Director, to exchange views on the work of the Agency, as well as discuss the support to the Member States in implementing the new asylum and migration rules. Commission presents new Bioeconomy Strategy to drive green growth, competitiveness and resilience across Europe

Today, the Commission adopted a new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, charting a way forward to build a clean, competitive and resilient European economy. By using renewable biological resources from land and sea and providing alternatives to critical raw materials, the EU will move forward towards a more circular and decarbonised economy and can decrease dependence on fossil imports.

The bioeconomy offers Europe a chance to strengthen its resilience, replace fossil-based materials and products, create jobs and lead the global shift to clean industries. With this new Strategy, the EU will support activities that provide sustainable practical solutions using our biological resources in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, biomass processing, biomanufacturing and biotechnologies. It will harness the vast potential of these resources, scientific excellence and industrial base, and encourages innovations that benefit the climate, nature and society.

With a value of up to pound 2.7 trillion in 2023 and employing 17.1 million people (around 8% of EU jobs), the EU bioeconomy already contributes significantly to job creation and economic growth in Europe. Every job in the bioeconomy creates three indirect jobs in the EU. Examples of products are bio-based chemicals made from algae that are used to produce pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial applications. Bio-based plastics are increasingly used in packaging and automotive parts. Also bio-based construction productions, textile fibres and fertilisers are increasingly in demand. However, it still has a huge untapped potential.

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy aims to unlock this potential by scaling up innovation and investments, developing lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies, ensuring a sustainable supply of biomass, and harnessing global opportunities.

Making bio-based innovations a reality on the ground

To lead the bio-tech revolution, innovation and investment need to be scaled up, so that research does not remain in the labs. Scaling up bio-based innovations requires a combination of public and private investments, as well as a streamlined regulatory environment.

The Commission will work to create a coherent and simplified regulatory framework that rewards circular and sustainable business models, while safeguarding EU safety standards. Faster, clearer and simpler approvals for innovative solutions will support companies to develop and grow in Europe, especially for SMEs.

The Commission will also ensure that existing and future EU funding goes into bio-based technologies. And to stimulate private investment, the Commission proposes to convene a Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group to create a pipeline of bankable projects, share risk more effectively, and crowd in private capital.

Developing lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies

To unlock investment and enable scale-up, the Commission identified innovative markets for bio-based materials and technologies. These include bio-based sectors, such as plastics, fibres, textiles, chemicals, fertilisers, plant protection products, construction materials, biorefineries, advanced fermentation and permanent storage of biogenic carbon, which have high potential for both economic growth and environmental benefits. The Commission will boost demand for bio-based content in products, for example by setting targets in relevant legislation.

The Strategy proposes to set up a Bio-based Europe Alliance, which will be gathering EU companies to collectively purchase bio-based solutions worth pound 10 billion by 2030.

Securing a sustainable use of biomass

While boosting today’s competitiveness we need to build tomorrow’s resilience. Europe is largely self-sufficient in biomass, but we must make sure it stays that way.

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy therefore stresses the need for sourcing biomass responsibly, ensuring that forests, soils, water, and ecosystems are managed within their ecological limits. Promoting circularity and enhancing the value of secondary biomass – such as agricultural residues, by-products, and organic waste – is key. The Commission will set up initiatives rewarding farmers and foresters who protect soils, enhance carbon sinks and support sustainable biomass use.

Harnessing global opportunities

With its strong research base and innovative industries, Europe is well positioned to become a global leader in sustainable bio-based technologies, materials, products and expertise.

With this Strategy, the EU will support European industry in accessing global markets by securing partnerships that reduce vulnerability and ensuring that Europe is not dependent on a single region or a single resource. In the current fragile geopolitical climate, resource security enhances EU’s competitiveness and resilience.

Background

The bioeconomy covers activities that use biological resources to create added value. It includes products, services, science and technologies benefitting a number of sectors ranging from agriculture and forestry to fisheries and aquaculture. Using biomass processing, biomanufacturing and biotechnologies, the bioeconomy supports food, health, energy, industry and ecosystem services.

The new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy builds on the 2012 Bioeconomy Strategy and the reviews carried out in 2018 and 2022, shifting the focus towards industrial deployment, market scale-up, competitiveness and resilience.

For more information

Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy

Questions and Answers

Factsheet

Bioeconomy Strategy – Environment – European Commission

The facts about the bioeconomy – European Commission

5 things you need to know about the bioeconomy – Environment

The 2023 Council Conclusions

The European Parliament’s resolution on the future of the EU biotechnology and biomanufacturing sector

The Committee of the Regions opinion on the bioeconomy

European Economic and Social Committee opinion on the bioeconomy

Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy

Quote(s)

The bioeconomy holds the answer to combining prosperity with environmental protection. It restores ecosystems while leading on biotechnologies. It is our responsibility to citizens to build a competitive and thriving economy. The future is not fossil. The future is living, circular, and regenerative. The future is bioeconomy.

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition

The bioeconomy offers huge potential to scale up – from the products we use every day, to the homes we live in, to large industrial applications. This is a growth strategy that will increase our resilience and competitiveness, and at the same time ensure that nature and healthy ecosystems remain the backbone of our economy. It will create local jobs, replace fossil resources, and protect the nature we all rely on. Our vision is clear: a future where Europe runs on nature, innovation and circular solutions rooted in a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy.

The new book of Professor Andreas Theophanous entitled “WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN CYPRUS – A critical assessment since independence and the way forward» consists of a Preface, an Introduction, 8 Chapters, a Bibliography, 2 Indexes of Names and Terms, and also has 15 Appendices.

The author comprehensively assesses developments regarding the Cyprus problem from 1960 to the present day and makes suggestions for the future. Professor Andreas Theophanous examines how the dynamics of the Cyprus problem have evolved and evaluates the policies of all the Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus in relation to it.

The author points out that there are not many countries where the divergence between the best and worst possible outcomes is so great. Evidently, the Cyprus problem is an existential issue. He also considers it essential to have historical self-awareness and a good understanding of the current situation. Theophanous also makes specific policy recommendations; he suggests some fundamental guidelines for the revision of the 1960 constitution as well as CBM’s and other actions involving the two major Cypriot communities, the guarantor countries and other powers. He also adopts an evolutionary approach for addressing the Cyprus problem.

Andreas Theophanous underlines that the long-term ideological framing of the Cyprus problem has been harmful. There was bigotry, intolerance, emotional reactions, populism and a lack of pragmatism, which inevitably led to disastrous results. Even today there are still similar attitudes albeit to a lesser extent. The author also underlines that the insufficient utilization of scientific expertise by various decision-making centers in Cyprus and Greece has led to problematic outcomes. Unfortunately, this is still the case today.

After 1974, there has been no solution to the Cyprus problem because of Turkish maximalism and not because of the ‘long-term struggle’, which in reality has never been carried out. The Republic of Cyprus and Cypriot Hellenism are facing existential threats. Hence, there is an imperative necessity for a survival strategy that should be based on a concrete narrative. There have been several proposals and plans since 1974, however, the majority of Greek Cypriots believe that their implementation would have worsened the status quo. In addition, Turkey would only accept a plan that would satisfy its major objective – the strategic control of Cyprus.

The author also analyzes the current situation in Cyprus in light of wider geopolitical developments. Within this framework, he assesses the similarities and differences between the cases of Cyprus and Ukraine, as well as the differences in the approaches of the EU, the UN and other powers. The author evaluates the importance of International Law and Realpolitik in International Relations and critically examines the responsibilities of the guarantor countries as well as the role of other actors.

Taking into account all aspects of the current situation, Andreas Theophanous briefly describes the implications of several scenarios for the solution of the Cyprus conflict. He concludes that in today’s circumstances it will be difficult to find a viable solution which improves the status quo. However, if the goal is to restore the unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, it is necessary to have a comprehensive strategy.

Cyprus should become a model state for the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region. Such a development will strengthen a network of interests which will have as its center the Republic of Cyprus. Andreas Theophanous emphasizes the need to adopt a new approach to the Cyprus problem based on pragmatism, as well as the correct evaluation of geopolitical dynamics and scientific analysis of the events.

This book fills a gap in the English literature. Beyond the historical and political evaluation, Andreas Theophanous presents specific suggestions for the future. They include, among others, major proposals for the revision of the 1960 constitution in order to create a modern and well-functioning federal state, as well as significant confidence-building measures and other forms of cooperation aimed at overcoming mutual distrust between the two communities. The author’s proposal also highlights the role of the guarantor countries, the EU and of other powers. These should be undertaken through an evolutionary process. Last but not least, the methodology Theophanous adopts allows for the further enrichment of propositions for the future.

Industrial production in September was up by 4.7% compared to the same month last year.

According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, in September 2025, the Industrial Production Index reached 119.1 units (base 2021=100), recording an increase of 4.7% compared to September 2024.

For the period January – September 2025, the index recorded an increase of 3.0% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the manufacturing sector, the most significant positive changes compared to September 2024 were observed in the manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products (+23.7%), the manufacturing of rubber and plastic products (+8.7%) and the manufacturing of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture (+8.6%).

The most important negative changes were observed in the manufacturing of textiles, wearing apparel and leather products (-11.0%) and the manufacturing of refined petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products and pharmaceutical products and preparations (-6.8%).

Comparing the rates of change for the period January – September 2025 against the corresponding period of the previous year, the most significant positive changes were observed in the manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products (+9.9%), the manufacturing of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture (+8.0%), the manufacturing of basic metals and fabricated metal products (+7,3%) and water collection, treatment and supply (+7.1%).

The activities where the most significant negative changes in production were registered compared to the period January – September 2024 were -2- -3- those relating to the manufacturing of paper and paper products and printing (-11.9%) and the manufacturing of textiles, wearing apparel and leather products (-6.3%).

The upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union will provide an important platform for Cyprus which intends to contribute to a stronger and more resilient Energy Union by promoting improved infrastructure, enhanced digitalisation, lower energy costs, and reduced energy poverty through renewable deployment and efficiency measures, Permanent Secretary of Energy Ministry Marios Panayides said on Thursday.

He was addressing, on behalf of the Minister of Energy a conference entitled ‘Towards a Greener Future, European Innovation for Sustainable Cyprus’ in Nicosia, with the participation among other, of the Embassies of the Netherlands and France.

He said that “Cyprus’ aim is clear, to support a European Union that advances the energy transition while ensuring that no household, enterprise, or citizen is left behind.”

Panayides noted that Cyprus remains “fully committed to its European obligations, including the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050, adding that progress to date is encouraging as the biennial progress report for 2022 and 2023 shows positive movement across our obligations, and preliminary data for 2024 indicates that renewable energy has exceeded 21% in final energy consumption and reached 24% in electricity generation.”

He also said that a critical challenge for Cyprus is the integration of higher shares of renewables into an isolated electricity system, referring to significant developments which are underway such as additional storage projects.

Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary also noted that electricity interconnection with neighbouring states remains a strategic priority as ending energy isolation will increase security of supply, support deeper renewable integration, and strengthen Cyprus in the wider regional energy framework.

In parallel, he added, natural gas will continue to serve as a transitional fuel over the next 15 to 20 years. Cyprus’ reserves have the potential to contribute to the quantities required in the European market during this period.

Panayides concluded by saying that a secure and sustainable energy system requires coordinated action.