Category: Cyprus News Agency

Nicosia on Friday condemned the Houthi attacks against the international airports of Riyadh and Abha, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

The Foreign Ministry, in a post on X said Cyprus ‘strongly condemns the Houthi attacks against the international airports of Riyadh and Abha, targeting civilians and critical infrastructure’.

‘We convey our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with Saudi Arabia’, it said.

Negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side Menelaos Menelaou and Mehmet Dana, representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader met Friday in preparation for next week’s meeting of the two leaders, the UN offices in Cyprus said.

In a post on X, the UN said that earlier today, the representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Menelaos Menelaou and Mehmet Dana, respectively, and their teams met under the auspices of the UN Good Offices Mission, and at the direction of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus.

The discussion was held in preparation for the upcoming meeting of the leaders next week, it said.

The two leaders are to meet on Tuesday.

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.

Brussels, 09 October 2026

Joint Statement at the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations

On 8-9 October 2026, Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China, and Maroš Šefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, of the European Commission, held the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC) in Beijing. The two sides had pragmatic and productive discussions, and reached a list of deliverables and understandings (see annex).

As key trading partners, the two sides reaffirmed to properly handling differences under the framework of WTO rules and commit to continue working with the view to stabilise and make the bilateral relationship more balanced. With this objective in mind, the two sides agreed to hold the third TIC ministerial meeting in March 2027. Prior to that, the two sides will maintain close communication, including holding a ministerial video-conference in January.

Annex

Trade and investment balancing

Both sides will continue, within the framework of WTO rules, to explore the possibility of tariff reductions or elimination for certain goods.

The two sides will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation under the trade monitoring mechanism, and actively utilise the function of the dialogue mechanism in enhancing mutual understanding.

Following intensive consultations, both sides have reached an understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles in a WTO compliant manner.

The two sides recalled the guidance document on the price undertakings of the BEVs anti-subsidy case, and will continue the procedures relating to corporate price undertakings and reviews.

The two sides will continue to engage in dialogue on the market access of medical devices. The EU welcomes China’s effort to increase import of medical devices from the EU, including through a match-making event during the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

China will accelerate recognition of the regionalisation principle for eligible EU Member States on the basis of risk assessment. The two sides agreed to carry out exchanges on the methodologies and technologies for disease control, with a view to jointly exploring ways to lift the restrictions on relevant animal products affected by the bluetongue disease from relevant Member States.

The two sides also agreed to continue technical-level exchanges on computer reservation systems and to follow-up on consultations on their respective cosmetics and pharmaceutical related regulatory frameworks, with the view to further addressing the existing and emerging market access barriers.

The two sides agreed to engage on a technical dialogue on FSR.

On the EU guidance on the use of EU funds for clean energy projects involving certain inverters, the EU clarified that its official guidance is country neutral and the two sides will engage in further discussions on this issue.

The two sides agreed to explore how investment can bring more benefits to their economies and to discuss future-oriented cooperation.

Export controls

The two sides reaffirmed the need to further strengthen the EU-China Export Control Dialogue, and welcomed increased exchanges and communication on respective export control policies, including through guidance, outreach and trainings.

The two sides agreed on the importance of improving predictability and stability for global industrial supply chains. China is willing to continue facilitating export licenses for the supply of rare earths and permanent magnets to the EU through the fast-track mechanism. The EU side will continue to work with Member State authorities to facilitate specific priority licences to China among dual-use sectors.

The two sides reaffirmed their objective to work toward addressing issues of concern in the field of export controls and discussed the possibility to investigate structural facilitation measures for compliant dual-use exports between the EU and China.

The two sides reached an understanding in the context of the Export Control Dialogue to provide advance warning and to improve the transparency of listing and delisting procedures, and supported steps to delist entities, consistently with their applicable legislation.

IPR

The EU and China have engaged in resolving systemic intellectual property related concerns with some progress. The two sides agreed on the need to continue the collaboration to address the concerns with some milestones, focusing on efficient and fair intellectual property protection and enforcement, as well as greater transparency and predictability. The two sides agreed to monitor progress through the EU-China Intellectual Property Working Group.

WTO

The two sides agree to further strengthen bilateral communication and cooperation on WTO reform in an open and constructive manner. The two sides commit to engaging in WTO reform and agree to discuss all related issues, with a view to advancing substantive progress.

Statement by Commissioner Várhelyi ahead of World Mental Health Day

Ahead of the World Mental Health Day, Commissioner for Health and Animal Safety, Olivér Várhelyi, issued the following statement:

“More than 84 million people in the EU are estimated to struggle with their mental health.

To address the mental health challenges we face today, we must first listen to people, their experiences, their voice, and to turn what we hear into action. This is precisely the message behind this year’s World Mental Health Day theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.

This is particularly important for children and young people. Many mental health conditions emerge during childhood or adolescence and can have life-long consequences.

Increasingly, the mental health and wellbeing of our young people are being shaped by the technologies and trends around them. While the digital world offers valuable opportunities for children to learn, connect and grow, it can also bring new risks and pressures at a particularly formative stage of their lives.

We are placing special emphasis on understanding the impact of excessive screen time and social media on mental health and wellbeing, especially for children and young people.

Our Eurobarometer survey on excessive screen time, social media and youth mental health gave us an important opportunity to hear directly from adolescents aged 13-18 and their parents.

The results are striking: around 89% of young Europeans report using social media every day and the earlier children go online, the more time they are likely to spend in front of a screen. Most concerningly, nearly one in three adolescents report feeling stressed, sad or socially excluded because of social media.

We have listened to these experiences. And we are turning them into action.

Together with the recommendations of the Special Panel on Child Safety Online, the Eurobarometer findings have already informed the development of our proposal for the EU Kids Act, which aims to better protect children online. The proposal places responsibility on online services to demonstrate that they are safe for children and gives parents the tools to safeguard their children’s online experience.

The voices of children and young people will continue to guide our work.

This week, together with UNICEF, we launched the Children’s Prevention Toolkit. It provides policymakers with practical, evidence-based guidance to strengthen children’s health, including a dedicated section on improving mental health.

This is part of our broader commitment to put prevention and mental wellbeing higher on Europe’s health agenda.

In parallel, we are continuing our work under the EU’s comprehensive approach to mental health through a range of projects and investments. With almost pound 1.3 billion in funding opportunities, we are committed to promoting mental health, equal access to high quality and affordable treatment and care, as well as supporting people in their recovery.

This includes pound 9 million for the European Programme for Mental Health Exchanges, Networking and Skills, which is focussed on supporting health professionals. To date, the programme has involved around 3,600 participants across the 27 EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine. We are also investing pound 11 million in our partnership with the World Health Organisation/Europe to build capacity across mental health systems in Europe.

On World Mental Health Day, our message is clear: we will listen to people with lived experiences, learn from their voices and turn their perspectives into action – shaping better policies, strengthening support and improving mental health outcomes for everyone. ”

Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects to bolster the EU’s supply of critical raw materials

To strengthen EU supply chains and diversify sources of critical raw materials, the European Commission today announced that it has selected 46 new Strategic Projects across 16 Member States. The projects will contribute to the benchmarks set in the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) that by 2030 EU capacity meets at least 10% of the EU’s annual consumption for extraction, 40% for processing, and 25% for recycling of strategic raw materials to enhance competitiveness, develop greater resilience and be less dependent on any single supplier.

The new Strategic Projects are located in Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. They were selected from 102 applications received in the call for applications that concluded earlier this year.

The projects cover different stages of the raw materials value chain: eight are on extraction, 11 on processing, and 19 are recycling projects. In addition, there are eight integrated projects: three that combine extraction and processing, and five that combine processing and recycling, supporting the EU’s integrated value chain approach. The projects cover 15 of the 17 strategic raw materials under the CRMA.

The projects will strengthen European value chains in batteries, defence and aerospace, and permanent magnets. They include seven projects on lithium, 12 on nickel, 10 on cobalt, five on manganese, and four on graphite, all of which support the EU battery value chain. The two projects on magnesium and three on tungsten will contribute to defence and aerospace, while the four projects on rare earth elements will support the permanent magnet value chain.

The 46 projects – combined with the 47 Strategic Projects in the EU and the 13 Strategic Projects in third countries that were selected in March and June last year respectively -are expected to make a significant contribution to achieving the EU’s CRM derisking and diversification targets. They could fully meet the extraction benchmarks for lithium, nickel, rare earth elements, magnesium and tungsten, and the processing benchmarks for lithium and rare earth elements. They could also cover 89% of the processing benchmark for cobalt and 57% and 51% for tungsten and magnesium respectively, while fully meeting the recycling benchmarks for lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements.

Progress in relation to the first list of strategic projects

The Strategic Projects selected in 2025 are already progressing toward becoming operational. To date, 25 Strategic Projects have completed their environmental impact assessment and 17 have obtained a construction permit, thanks to the Single Points of Contact in Member States that help accelerate permitting procedures.

With the RESourceEU communication from December last year, the EU is accelerating and amplifying its efforts. Since the launch of RESourceEU, Team Europe has mobilised more than pound 2 billion in financial support that has been committed through the Innovation Fund, State aid, and the European Investment Bank. Several projects have made significant progress towards securing offtake agreements. In addition, the Raw Materials Mechanism, established to aggregate demand and supply and identify potential offtakers, has generated more than 30 matches for 10 materials.

Background

The CRMA entered into force on 23 May 2024. It establishes measures to strengthen the EU’s capacity along the critical raw materials value chains and diversify its sources of supply. The Commission launched two calls for applications for Strategic Projects. The first application call closed on 22 August 2024, and the second round closed on 15 January 2026.

For this second call, the Commission received 102 applications located in the EU across 18 Member States. Of these, the Commission and external experts assessed 92 applications against the criteria set by the CRMA, such as security of supply, technical feasibility, environmental, social and governance standards, and cross-border benefits for the EU. Based on this assessment, the Commission consulted with the Critical Raw Materials Board, composed of representatives of the Member States, with the European Parliament participating as an observer.

The Commission will soon announce a new call for Strategic Project applications towards the end of 2026.

For more information

Questions and answers

Factsheet

Selected Strategic Projects

Critical Raw Materials Act

RESourceEU Action Plan

Quote(s)

With this second wave of strategic projects, Europe is stepping up its efforts like never before to reclaim its sovereignty over critical raw materials. Since the adoption of RESourceEU, we have been using every means at our disposal to open mines, develop our processing and recycling capacities, and secure our supply chains. Our approach is simple: reduce dependency, increase production in Europe. We have the resources, the projects and the funding: now we are picking up the pace.

Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy

Commission to grant temporary trade preferences to support Armenian exports to the EU

The European Union is granting temporary trade preferences to Armenia to support its producers and exporters following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia.

The measures, which will enter into force tomorrow for a period of two years, temporarily liberalise almost 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, including almost all exports of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers affected by the Russian measures, as well as over 91% of exports of beverages and spirits.

The temporary trade preferences will help alleviate the difficult situation faced by Armenian producers and exporters and support the resilience of Armenia’s economy by facilitating access to the EU market.

The preferential arrangement is subject to conditions and includes safeguard measures to protect the EU market should imports adversely affect EU producers.

These trade preferences are part of a broader support package for Armenia announced by President von der Leyen, in solidarity with the country which has suffered from Russia’s trade restrictions.

More information on EU trade with Armenia is available here.

(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero – Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)

Zaragoza, Benidorm and Estarreja win 2028 European Green Cities Awards

The winners of the European Green Cities 2028 Awards were announced yesterday evening in Guimarães, Portugal, the current European Green Capital. Zaragoza (Spain) will be the European Green Capital in 2028. The European Green Leaf, the award for smaller cities, went to Benidorm (Spain) and Estarreja (Portugal).

The expert jury crowned Zaragoza as the 2028 European Green Capital winner for strong governance and long-term commitment, helping the city respond successfully to growing climate challenges. The jury was also impressed by the city’s approach that demonstrates how ambitious environmental action can go hand in hand with social resilience and community.

Both Green Leaf winners, Benidorm and Estarreja, impressed the jury with their strong commitment to creating greener, healthier and more sustainable places to live. Benidorm was praised for successfully managing mass tourism pressures while also maintaining environmental protections and sustainable development. The jury recognised Estarreja as a compelling example of green transformation, successfully moving beyond its industrial legacy through collaborative action.

The winners will receive a grant for further support in their green efforts: a prize of pound 600,000 for the Green Capital Zaragoza, and pound 200,000 each for the Green Leaf cities Benidorm and Estarreja.

This year, a total of 27 cities competed for the awards. An international expert panel of independent urban sustainability experts evaluated each application and shortlisted eight finalist cities.

More information on 2028 European Green City awards is available online. A website on the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards is also available.

You can find more information on this year’s Green Cities Award online.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)

EU updates its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes

Today, the EU updated its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The list is intended to tackle tax fraud, evasion, and avoidance worldwide. It is based on a process of screening, assessment, and monitoring according to objective, clear and internationally accepted tax good governance criteria.

EU finance and economy ministers, gathering for today’s Council of the EU, decided to remove Panama and Viet Nam from Annex I (list of non-cooperative jurisdictions) after both jurisdictions took significant steps to address outstanding issues. Both were moved to Annex II pending an in-depth review by the Global Forum of their exchange-of-information frameworks. The update also reflects progress by Vanuatu on tax transparency, although the jurisdiction remains in Annex I due to outstanding concerns in fair taxation.

The Council also decided to record a new deficiency for Anguilla in Annex I due to its failure to address issues related to its exchange of information framework. The Council regrets this development and has invited the jurisdiction to engage with the EU’s Code of Conduct Group and the Global Forum to resolve the identified issues. Following these changes, Annex I comprises 8 jurisdictions: American Samoa, Anguilla, Guam, Palau, the Russian Federation, Turks and Caicos, US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.

Additionally, changes were made to Annex II (list of cooperative jurisdictions), which reflects the ongoing EU cooperation with its international partners and lists pending commitments. Belize is being removed from Annex II after taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the international standard on exchange of information on request. Montenegro fulfilled its commitment to go through an in-depth review by the Global Forum. Still, it will remain under monitoring pending publication of the outcome. In view of the steps already taken, Brunei Darussalam has been granted additional time to bring its tax framework in line with the principles of fair taxation. As a result, Annex II currently includes 10 jurisdictions: British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Eswatini, Greenland, Jordan, Montenegro, Morocco, Panama, Trkiye and Viet Nam. The EU will closely monitor relevant developments in each jurisdiction. The EU list is updated twice a year, to reflect changes in jurisdictions’ tax policies and cooperation levels. This ensures that it remains relevant and accurate over time.

(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 460 76 33 03)

The EU announces a Team Europe investment in health of almost pound 170 million in Africa

The European Commission and Member States announced pound 169 million in investments to support stronger and more resilient health systems in Africa ahead of the World Health Summit in Berlin this weekend. These investments aim to support health sovereignty, health security and equitable access to health products and services on the continent. The announcements contribute to the African Union – EU Health Partnership and are an important component of putting into practice the EU Global Health Resilience Initiative.

The planned investments include pound 6.5 million from the European Commission to expand sustainable pathogen genomics capacity across Members of the African Union and more than pound 30 million for research supporting areas including clinical research and pandemic preparedness. The European Commission also confirms its investment of pound 7.5 million to strengthen health resilience in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

EU Member States are also stepping up their investments. France extends its support to epidemic threat surveillance with pound 2.5 million. Germany is providing pound 20 million to catalyse investment in African small medium enterprises active in the health sector and value chains, including local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. Sweden is providing pound 3.4 million to support continued access to sexual and reproductive health products, while the Netherlands is investing pound 99 million in an HIV/AIDS programme covering six Southern African countries and neighbouring areas.

Since 2021, Africa and Europe have accelerated their partnership on health through five interconnected thematic areas: manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies (MAV+), sexual and reproductive health and rights, sustainable health security, digital health, and support for public health institutes

(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Bridget Moylan – Tel.: +32 2 298 28 44)

Commission approves pound 40.5 million French State aid to support agricultural, fishery and transport companies facing increased fuel prices

The European Commission has approved two French State aid schemes to support companies affected by increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. pound 23.3 million will be allocated to support transport companies, and pound 17.2 million to support agricultural, fishery and aquaculture companies, for a total maximum budget of pound 40.5 million. The schemes were approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.

The two schemes aim to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices and will be open to companies whose expenditure on fuel represents at least 5% of their annual turnover. The aid will take the form of soft loans, with a fixed rate of 3.8% and backed by a state guarantee. The amount that eligible beneficiaries will be able to borrow at favourable conditions is set between pound 5,000 and pound 50,000, for a maximum duration of 3 years, including a 12-month deferral of principal repayments.

The Commission assessed the two schemes under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1, 2.1 and 2.2 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the two schemes are in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on schemes with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in the agricultural, fishery, aquaculture and transport sectors. The Commission concluded that the schemes are necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of economic activities and do not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the two French schemes under EU State aid rules.

More information on the METSAF can be found online. The non-confidential versions of the decisions will be made available under case numbers SA.124159 (for agricultural, fishery and aquaculture) and SA.124290 (for transport) in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

Commission clears creation of joint venture by Posco Flow and LX Pantos

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Posco Flow Europe D.o.o. (‘Posco Flow’) of Slovenia and LX Pantos Poland Sp. z o.o. (‘LX Pantos’) of Poland.

The transaction relates primarily to logistics and supply-chain management services in Poland and the wider central European region.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12537.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

Commission clears acquisition of Eaton’s mobility business by Dana

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Eaton Corporation plc’s mobility business (‘Eaton’s mobility business’) by Dana Incorporated (‘Dana’), both of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to the automotive parts sector.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies’ limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12550.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

Commission holds special meeting of Scientific panel on frontier AI safety and risks

Today, the Commission holds a special meeting of the Scientific Panel on artificial intelligence (AI). The panel has been investigating recent loss-of-control incidents, and together with the Commission’s AI Office, has worked on a set of questions for the companies that developed the models involved. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, will attend the meeting.

The Scientific Panel brings together 60 world-leading independent experts who advise the EU AI Office and national authorities on systemic risks, model classification, evaluation methodologies, and cross-border market surveillance. During the meeting, the panel will present recommendations to the Commission on frontier AI safety and security risks.

Executive-Vice President Henna Virkkunen said: ‘The EU has the first law in the world that addresses systemic risk from AI, and we need state-of-the-art scientific input. AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, but with a strong legal framework, decisive enforcement and the best scientific minds supporting this work, Europe can lead in ensuring safe and secure AI.’

(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

Calendar items of the President and Commissioners

Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners

Opening remarks by the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, Mr. Panicos Pourgourides at

Italy-Cyprus Maritime Business Forum Limassol, 9 October 2026

“Check against delivery”

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

Please allow me to adopt the protocol and recognise all the distinguished guests joining us today.

It is a particular pleasure to address you here in my hometown of Limassol. This city, home to Cyprus’ largest port and a major business and cosmopolitan hub, is a fitting place to celebrate the close ties between Cyprus and Italy.

Those ties are rooted in a common history stretching back millennia. Italian heritage can be found across Cyprus, including here in Limassol and its castle. Cyprus and Italy share deep traditions in culture, food and the arts – and importantly, a common identity as Mediterranean EU Member States.

I would like to warmly congratulate my dear friend, Ambassador Cavallari and Deputy Minister Ms Hadjimanoli for this excellent initiative.

Today’s event recognises that the maritime sector is much more than shipping. It is a strategic ecosystem bringing together trade, industry, energy, technology, security, innovation, the environment and employment.

It also highlights the contribution that closer cooperation between Cyprus and Italy can make in achieving our common European objectives.

As President von der Leyen underlined in her State of the Union speech last month, Europe must forge its own path in the face of today’s challenges.

Our objective at European level is clear: a stronger, more competitive and resilient Europe. One that secures its prosperity, strengthens its strategic autonomy in energy, diversifies trade and supply chains, and transforms its industrial base, while upholding our unique European social model.

The maritime sector has a central role to play in this ambition.

And the Mediterranean can be a strategic engine of European competitiveness, connectivity, sustainability and security benefiting citizens, businesses and our partners.

As Commissioner Kadis has already highlighted, in his video message just now, the European Ocean Pact provides the overarching framework for EU action on the ocean.

Within this framework, the Commission presented the Industrial Maritime and Ports Strategies last March.

The Industrial Maritime Strategy aims to reinforce Europe’s shipping, shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing capabilities, strengthen European value chains, accelerate innovation and the green and digital transitions, and mobilise investment.

The Ports Strategy seeks to reinforce European ports as industrial, energy and digital hubs, promoting connectivity, modernisation, electrification and alternative fuels, digitalisation and automation, while strengthening the security and resilience of critical infrastructure.

Crucially, these strategies must translate into investment.

A range of EU instruments can help mobilise public and private capital for port infrastructure, maritime innovation, cleaner vessels, alternative fuels, digitalisation and connectivity. Member States must make full use of these opportunities.

Cyprus and Italy have distinct maritime profiles but complementary strengths.

Closer cooperation between them can contribute to a maritime Europe that is more sustainable, decarbonised, digitalised and interconnected – creating opportunities across the value chain.

Cleaner vessels, digital port systems, automation and artificial intelligence, and low- and zero-emission maritime fuels will be central to this transformation.

This European ambition is both inward- and outward-looking.

Through initiatives such as the Trans-European Transport Network, European Maritime Space, Global Gateway and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the EU is investing in sustainable transport, energy and digital connectivity, both within Europe and with partners in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia.

Here, geography matters.

Cyprus, as the EU’s easternmost Member State, holds a particularly important position at the crossroads of Europe and the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Its ports, shipping industry and logistics expertise services can contribute to strengthening Europe’s connections with the region. Italy, with its own major maritime and industrial capacity, is a natural partner in developing these links.

Beyond competitiveness, EU strategy also focuses on security and sustainability.

In today’s uncertain environment, ports are critical infrastructure and strategic gateways for trade, energy and supply chains. Strengthening their resilience also means addressing organised crime and drug trafficking, cyber threats and foreign interference.

At the same time, environmental protection and economic opportunity must go hand in hand. Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine renewable energy, coastal tourism, maritime innovation and ecosystem restoration are all part of Europe’s future.

A healthy Mediterranean is not only an environmental objective – it is also an economic asset and a prerequisite for the long-term competitiveness of our maritime industries.

Ultimately, these efforts must serve European citizens and communities.

Europe’s coastline extends across 22 Member States and is home to around 95 million people, while some 17 million Europeans live on more than 4,000 islands. The Commission’s dedicated strategies for island and coastal communities, adopted last June during the Cyprus Presidency, reflect our commitment to turning their particular challenges into opportunities.

At the heart of this vision is an industrial transition. Europe needs skilled workers, competitive European companies and sustained investment in innovation.

And this is precisely where a Forum such as today’s can make a difference.

The objective should be practical:

New business partnerships, port-to-port cooperation, investment in infrastructure and technology, joint innovation projects and stronger maritime connections across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Closer cooperation between Cyprus and Italy can therefore contribute not only to the prosperity of both countries, but also to a more competitive, connected, sustainable, secure and resilient maritime Europe.

I am confident that today’s Forum will provide fertile ground for such cooperation to blossom, and I look forward to our discussions.

Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki stressed the significant potential for cooperation and synergies between Cyprus and Greece in an address at the Fortune Greece and Cyprus Roundtable.

“The digital transition, the green transition, artificial intelligence, security of supply and the competitiveness of Europe are now at the core of European policies. These developments create significant potential for cooperation and synergies between Cyprus and Greece,” the Deputy Minister noted.

In the last three years, Piki said, important work has been done, adding that the Intergovernmental Summit of Cyprus and Greece created a permanent framework for cooperation that allows the two countries to move from general declarations to the implementation of specific policies that improve the everyday lives of citizens.

At the same time, she added, new synergies are being developed in the fields of research, innovation and technology. Piki noted that Cyprus’ participation in the European AI Factories ecosystem, investments in high-performance computing infrastructure and the cooperation developed with Greek and European bodies are creating new prospects for researchers, universities, start-ups and investors.

The next phase of cooperation between the two countries, she said will concern the establishment of a more interconnected economic and technological space, joint investments in technology, research and innovation, the connection of universities, research centers and businesses and the creation of opportunities that exploit the comparative advantages of both countries.

Noting that Greece is one of Cyprus’s most important economic partners, Piki said that Cyprus is increasingly functioning as a business and investment gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and the wider region. Greek and Cypriot businesses are cooperating in the sectors of technology, energy, shipping, services and tourism, creating an increasingly dense network of economic relations, she said.

Concluding, she referred to the 4th Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit that will take place in Nicosia next month, saying that there will be an opportunity to advance this cooperation even further, with particular emphasis on practical applications of artificial intelligence, innovation and coordination between the two countries on European issues following the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of this year and in view of the Greek Presidency in the second half of 2027.

Construction output in Cyprus rose by 1.1% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, while producer prices in the sector increased by 4.9%, according to figures released by the Statistical Service on Friday.

The Index of Production in Construction reached 130.28 points in the second quarter of 2026, with 2021 as the base year (100 points), recording an annual increase of 1.1%.

Meanwhile, the Output Prices Index in Construction stood at 132.48 points, marking an increase of 2.5% compared with the first quarter of 2026 and 4.9% compared with the second quarter of 2025.

During the first six months of 2026, the Index of Production in Construction increased by 1.4%, while the Output Prices Index in Construction rose by 4.7%, compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

Health diplomacy as a means of promoting peace and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, alongside the demographic challenges facing Cyprus and Greece, were the main topics of a conference held at European University Cyprus as part of Hippocratic Week – Hippocratic School 2026.

Addressing the conference, ‘Challenges of the Era’, Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides, representing President Nikos Christodoulides, said protecting public health was a national responsibility that required increasing international cooperation.

He said countries’ preparedness for health crises, access to scientific knowledge and the adequacy of health services depended partly on their ability to work together. Timely information-sharing, joint research, training of healthcare professionals and coordinated emergency preparedness could strengthen security and improve the use of scientific knowledge.

For Cyprus, as an EU member state in the Eastern Mediterranean, European and international mechanisms, together with university partnerships, offered opportunities to build closer ties with countries in the region.

Charalambides said health could provide common ground even where political differences existed, helping build trust and maintain the protection of human life as a shared priority, although health cooperation alone could not resolve conflicts.

He also highlighted the implications of population ageing and declining birth rates for health services. He said longer life expectancy should be accompanied by good health and independence, stressing the need to connect prevention, chronic disease management, rehabilitation and long-term care.

Support for families, reproductive health services and maternal and child care should also be linked to broader policies on housing, employment and childcare, he said. Demographic changes also required long-term planning for healthcare staffing, training and the retention of professionals.

Demographic challenges

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In an address by Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios, read on his behalf by Michalis Spyrou, the Head of the Church of Cyprus linked the island’s low birth rate to the 1974 Turkish invasion and continuing occupation.

‘The failure to at least replace the population poses enormous dangers,’ he said, warning that Greek Cypriots could become a minority in their homeland. He called for greater support for families, particularly those with many children, and incentives to encourage young people to start families. He also referred to the Church of Cyprus’ support programme for families with three or more children.

Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos proposed greater medical cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, including better use of medical infrastructure and improved access to specialist services.

He said Cyprus’ population had increased by 30.4% over the past 20 years, with migration accounting for almost all the growth amid negative natural population change. This had placed pressure on health infrastructure and staffing, while increasing the need for communication across different cultural backgrounds.

Prountzos added that a life expectancy of around 84 years should be accompanied by dignified living conditions, appropriate care and physical and psychological wellbeing in old age.

George Patoulis, president of the Athens Medical Association and the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, described the demographic issue as a national and European challenge requiring cooperation between Cyprus and Greece. He also pointed out the countries’ longstanding medical ties and said Hippocratic Week honoured medical students and graduates from 40 universities internationally.

Petros Agathangelou, president of the Cyprus Medical Association, stressed that international cooperation was essential to protecting human life, including amid conflict and mistrust. In the Eastern Mediterranean, he said, scientific collaboration should be guided by medical ethics and patients’ needs. He also called for evidence-based demographic policies that support family life while respecting reproductive autonomy.

Konstantinos Pantos, vice-president of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, called for fertility education to become part of preventive medicine. He said social and economic factors had delayed family formation, while biological constraints remained, adding that assisted reproduction could not overcome all age-related limitations. He highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, fertility preservation and addressing male as well as female fertility, without placing pressure on individuals.

International cooperation in healthcare

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Khassim Diagne, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and head of UNFICYP, said health could bring people and countries together, creating opportunities for dialogue, trust and collective action. He stressed the UN’s role in promoting solidarity, cooperation and equal access to healthcare.

Elizabeth Johnson, senior strategic adviser for medical, health and life sciences at European University Cyprus, announced that the university and Cyprus would host the international conference ‘All Together for Better Health’ in Nicosia in 2027. The event will focus on interprofessional education and collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Stefanos Geroulanos, vice-president of the International Hippocratic Foundation in Kos, highlighted medicine’s dual role as a scientific profession and a humanitarian vocation grounded in ethics, responsibility and respect for human life. He said the foundation’s Hippocratic Botanical Garden contained 240 plants mentioned in the Hippocratic Collection and used in ancient Greek medicine.

Hippocratic Week will conclude in Kos with a ceremony of the Hippocratic Oath at the ancient Asclepieion.

The gap between interest rates offered by banks in Cyprus and those in the eurozone persisted in August, both for loans and deposits, according to detailed data for each banking institution published by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) on Friday.

Deposits

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The average interest rate on new household deposits with an agreed maturity of up to one year stood at 1.35%, up from 1.27% in the previous month, but well below the eurozone average of 2.13%. The highest rate was offered by the National Bank of Greece at 1.69%, while the lowest was offered by the Housing Finance Corporation at 0.83%.

For outstanding household deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years, the average interest rate stood at 0.87%, marginally higher than the 0.84% recorded in July, but still well below the eurozone average of 1.86%. The highest rate was offered by Jordan Kuwait Bank at 1.68%, while the lowest was offered by Bank of Cyprus at 0.61%.

For new deposits by non-financial corporations with an agreed maturity of up to one year, the average interest rate stood at 1.56%, unchanged from the previous month, while the corresponding eurozone average was 2.24%. The highest rate was offered by Ancoria Bank at 2.20%, while the lowest was offered by the Housing Finance Corporation at just 0.21%.

For outstanding deposits by non-financial corporations with an agreed maturity of up to two years, the average interest rate stood at 1.26% in August, down from 1.34% in July, compared with 2.28% in the eurozone. The highest rate was offered by the National Bank of Greece (1.57%), while the lowest was offered by Societe Generale (0.93%).

Loans

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For new housing loans, irrespective of the initial rate fixation period, the average interest rate stood at 3.31% in August, according to the CBC, up from 3.24% in July, compared with 3.62% in the eurozone. The lowest rate was offered by Alpha Bank at 2.78%, while the highest was offered by Bank of Cyprus at 3.54%.

For outstanding housing loans, the average interest rate stood at 3.56%, compared with 2.53% in the eurozone. The lowest rate was recorded at the Housing Finance Corporation at 2.91%, while the highest was recorded at Bank of Cyprus at 3.78%.

Similarly, new loans of up to pound 1 million to non-financial corporations, irrespective of the initial rate fixation period, carried an average interest rate of 4.39%, down from 4.51% in July. The lowest rate was offered by the National Bank of Greece at 3.68%, while the highest was offered by Banque SBA at 7.16%.

New loans of more than pound 1 million to non-financial corporations, irrespective of the initial rate fixation period, carried an average interest rate of 4.51%. The lowest rate was offered by Alpha Bank at 3.95%, while the highest was offered by Bank of Cyprus at 5.15%.

For outstanding loans to non-financial corporations, the average interest rate stood at 4.22%, compared with 3.22% in the eurozone. The lowest rate was offered by Eurobank at 4.01%, while the highest was offered by Societe Generale at 5.15%.

The strategic importance of space for the economy, security and technological development, as well as Cyprus’ growing role in the European space sector, were highlighted by Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Dr. Nicodemos Damianou at the 3rd Space Symposium organised by Hellas Sat in Athens on 8 October 2026.

Dr. Damianou stressed that space is no longer a standalone policy area, but a strategic sector closely linked to national security, economic growth and technological innovation. Citing estimates by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, he noted that the global space economy could reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

Highlighting Cyprus’ progress, he referred to the adoption of the National Space Strategy 2025-2030, the introduction of legislation governing space activities and the establishment of the Cyprus Space Office. A major milestone was Cyprus’s accession as an Associate Member of the European Space Agency (ESA) in March 2026. For the 2026-2028 period, Cyprus has committed pound 13.5 million to ESA optional programmes to support local expertise and strengthen Cypriot companies’ participation in European value chains.

Cyprus is also promoting space entrepreneurship through the creation of its first specialised space business incubation centre at the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence. Its existing infrastructure includes four European-interest satellites in orbit, major ground stations operated through CYTA and Hellas Sat, a Galileo Search and Rescue receiving station, and two EGNOS ground stations.

Dr. Damianou also highlighted the development of optical ground stations to strengthen Cyprus’ contribution to the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) and the EU’s secure connectivity programme, IRIS². He underlined the importance of strategic cooperation with Greece, particularly in Earth observation, satellite applications, quantum communications and infrastructure, including joint participation in the SEEWQCI project.

Congratulating Hellas Sat on its 25th anniversary, he acknowledged the company’s contribution to satellite communications and the strengthening of the international presence of both countries.

He finally noted the potential of Greek-Cypriot cooperation, stating that, through a shared vision and coordinated efforts, Cyprus and Greece can play an active and reliable role in Europe’s new space era.

Cyprus’ Composite Leading Economic Index (CCLEI) strengthened further in September, pointing to an improvement in the country’s short-term economic outlook, according to the Economics Research Centre (CypERC) of the University of Cyprus.

The CCLEI recorded a year-on-year increase of 0.28% in September 2026, up from a marginal 0.01% increase in August, marking the second consecutive month of positive year-on-year growth after a decline of 0.29% in July.

The further strengthening of the index was mainly driven by the positive performance of several domestic components. Property sales contracts, credit card transactions by Cypriots and the retail sales turnover volume index contributed positively to the CCLEI’s annual growth rate.

The year-on-year change in the weighted Economic Sentiment Indicator was also positive, although limited.

At the same time, the increase in the CCLEI was constrained by a significant rise in Brent crude oil prices compared with September 2025, as well as year-on-year declines in tourist arrivals and in the temperature-adjusted volume of electricity production.

According to CypERC, the positive performance of components related to the real estate market, retail trade and economic sentiment indicates resilience in Cypriot economic activity despite continuing pressures from the external environment.

However, the Centre noted that the sharp rise in oil prices, together with broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty, continued to pose significant downside risks to Cyprus’s economic growth.

The CCLEI is designed to provide early warning signals of turning points in the business cycle, with its components tending to precede changes in overall economic activity.

The index includes the Brent crude oil price, the Economic Sentiment Indicator in Cyprus and the euro area, property sales contracts, tourist arrivals, the value of Cypriot credit card transactions, the retail trade sales turnover volume index and the temperature-adjusted volume of electricity production.

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry participated in The London Food and Drink Festival 2026, with the aim of promoting Cypriot food and beverages in the United Kingdom market. The participation, through the Trade Center of the Republic of Cyprus in London, included an the operation of a pavilion which served as an information point, on September 16 and 17, 2026, at the ExCeL London exhibition center.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry, the pavilion featured a wide variety of traditional and contemporary Cypriot products, including Halloumi and other dairy products, cured meats, baked goods, loukoumia, honey, wines, Zivania and other alcoholic beverages, juices, trahanas, nuts, spoon sweets, carob syrup and rose products.

According to the Ministry, visitors to the Cypriot pavilion tasted Cypriot food and beverages and experienced the richness and diversity of the island’s cuisine through dishes prepared by the pavilion’s chef.

Leaflets featuring details on the products, recipes and a Cyprus Gastronomy Map were also distributed during the exhibition.

The London Food and Drink Festival was held for the first time bringing together five separate exhibitions to create one of the United Kingdom’s largest food and beverage industry events. The festival featured around 600 exhibitors and attracted more than 15,000 industry professionals from the UK and abroad.