Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyta partners with Google and Italian Sparkle, connecting continents through the BlueMed project

A new chapter for Cyprus’ international connectivity

Cyta lands BlueMed submarine cable at its landing station in Yeroskipos, marking another decisive step in strengthening the country’s international connectivity.

BlueMed, a project developed by Italian provider Sparkle in collaboration with Google and other global partners, is part of a wider submarine cable system that connects Italy with the Mediterranean, the Near East, and India. It offers high speeds, low latency, and seamless connectivity between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The landing of BlueMed in Cyprus, led by Cyta, reinforces the country’s position as a strategic telecommunications hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, providing direct connections with Greece, Italy, and other Mediterranean countries, while expanding the potential for the development of Cyprus’ digital ecosystem.

Mr. George Metzakis, Chief Commercial Officer of Cyta, stated: ‘The arrival of BlueMed in Cyprus is a decisive step in our mission to strengthen the island’s international connectivity, attracting new investments and development opportunities’.

On his part, Mr. George Malikides, Chief Technology Officer of Cyta, noted: ‘Cyta’s connection to BlueMed further enhances the island’s digital ecosystem and consolidates Cyprus’ role as a key connectivity hub in the Eastern Mediterranean’.

Cyta’s press releases are available at: www.cyta.com.cy/pr/pressreleases

EU agri-food exports increased in July 2025

The latest agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that EU agri-food exports increased in July 2025 compared to the previous month, reaching pound 20.7 billion. The EU agri-food trade surplus increased by 19% in July and amounted to pound 4.6 billion.

EU agri-food exports reached pound 20.7 billion in July 2025, an increase of 8% on the previous month, but a similar level compared to July 2024. Since January, cumulative EU exports reached pound 139.4 billion, an increase of 2% (+ pound 2.7 billion) compared to the same period in 2024, mainly due to higher prices. The UK remained the first destination (23%).

EU agri-food imports increased by 5% month-on-month in July, reaching pound 16.1 billion. They were 10% higher than in July 2024. Since January, cumulative EU imports reached pound 113 billion. This represents an increase of pound 14.9 billion (+15%) compared to 2024, mainly explained by high prices for several EU imports, such as cocoa and coffee. Imports from Côte d’Ivoire (+ pound 2.2 billion, +59%) and Canada (+pound 1.3 billion, +93%) experienced the largest increase. Imports from Russia further decreased by 70% (- pound 561 million), continuing the downward trend.

More insights as well as detailed tables are available in the latest edition of the monthly EU agri-food trade report.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Emma Maréchal – Tel.: +32 2 299 48 18)

Commission adopts plan to complete Madrid-Lisbon high-speed connection by 2034

The European Commission has adopted an implementing decision setting out key milestones and deadlines to complete the high-speed rail connection between Madrid and Lisbon.

This flagship cross-border infrastructure project will significantly enhance connectivity within the European Union. Unanimously supported by Member States, the decision advances the full integration of Portugal and Spain into the European high-speed rail network. By 2030, passengers will be able to travel between the two capitals in about five hours, and by 2034, in just three hours.

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said: ‘Covering slightly more than 600 kilometers from Lisbon to Madrid in just three hours is a remarkable example of the high-speed rail connections we aim to achieve across Europe. Such links make train travel a genuinely attractive and sustainable alternative for city-to-city journeys.’

The Commission has already supported establishing this railway connection. In Portugal, the new high-speed line ‘Evora-Elvas’ received pound 235 million from the Connecting Europe Facility. On the Spanish side, different EU investment funds, such as ERDF and RFF, have provided around pound 750 million support for the high-speed line connecting Extremadura-Madrid since 2014.

Today’s decision is part of a broader effort to accelerate the implementation of cross-border projects under the revised trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Regulation, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to seamless, sustainable, and secure transport. It also represents an important step forward in the EU’s vision to connect Europe through high-speed rail. In early November, the Commission will present its plan for a European high-speed network.

More information is available online.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola – Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86)

DiscoverEU celebrates 40 years of Schengen with 40,000 tickets for young travellers

The European Commission is offering 40,000 young people a unique opportunity to explore Europe through DiscoverEU, an action of the Erasmus+ programme, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Schengen area.

To apply for a travel pass, young people born between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007 must complete a short quiz about the EU on the European Youth Portal. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to travel for free for up to 30 days between 1 March 2026 and 31 May 2027, and will receive a discount card for public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports, and other services in 36 European countries.

Ticket holders can plan their own routes or be inspired by existing ones, such as the New European Bauhaus Route which includes stops in beautiful, sustainable and inclusive cities, in line with the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Another is the DiscoverEU Green Route, which takes young travellers to some of the most sustainable and nature-friendly destinations across the continent, such as the winning cities of the European Green Capitals and Green Lead Award or the cities leading the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. DiscoverEU’s top green tips to travel help participants with the planning of their green routes.

The DiscoverEU call opens today at 12:00 CET and will run until 13 November 2025 at 12:00 CET. It is open to applicants from the European Union and third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme. Participants with disabilities or health issues will receive support on their journeys, in line with the values of the Erasmus+ programme and the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action. This will include the possibility to travel with accompanying persons.

More information is available in a press release online.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460 76 57 13)

Commission strengthens security cooperation with Western Balkans with new Joint Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

Today, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner will sign a new ‘Joint Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism’ between the EU and its Western Balkan partners, in the margins of the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Commissioner Brunner said: ‘The Western Balkans are not only our neighbours, they are destined to become Members of the European Union. By signing the Joint Action Plan today, we take another step in deepening our cooperation on security.’

The security of the Western Balkans is closely linked to the EU’s internal security. With this new Action Plan, the EU and the Western Balkans will be better equipped to address new and emerging threats, including online radicalisation, as well as the impact of new technologies on terrorist threats such as risks associated to the misuse of drones, or the use of cryptocurrencies for terrorism financing.

The new joint action plan will strengthen cooperation and capacity-building in five main areas: alignment with EU counterterrorism legislation, preventing extremism, strengthening cooperation with Europol, including on counter-terrorism investigations, reinforcing the capacity to investigate terrorism financing, and strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and public spaces.

The Action Plan was announced in the EU’s Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU in April 2025 and builds on the cooperation already taking place since October 2018 under the current Joint Action Plan on Counter Terrorism for the Western Balkans. This includes the participation of Western Balkans partners in the Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and in Europol led operational projects. The action plan also plays a key role in the gradual integration of candidate countries in the EU’s security architecture, as well as in the context of the enlargement process.

The Joint Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism will be available online later this afternoon.

(For more information: Guillaume Mercier- Tel.: +32 229-80564; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)

Commission proposes 2026 fishing opportunities for EU-managed stocks in the Atlantic and Skagerrak-Kattegat waters

Yesterday, the European Commission unveiled its 2026 proposals for 15 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in EU waters of the Atlantic and the Skagerrak-Kattegat waters. Some are extending into 2027 and 2028.

These proposals are based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and aim to ensure the long-term economic sustainability of EU fisheries.

For 11 of the 15 proposed TACs, ICES recommended aligning with the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) – a target ensuring fish populations remain healthy while supporting long-term economic benefits. The Commission proposes to follow this advice in most cases, with limited exceptions for certain mixed fisheries where strictly following the MSY could lead to early closures of fisheries. For the remaining 4 TACs, ICES’s recommendations are in line with the precautionary approach – which is the approach used when available data is more limited.

Fisheries Ministers will discuss the Commission’s proposal during the AGRIFISH Council on 11 and 12 December in view of reaching a political agreement on the EU-managed TACs for 2026, and in some cases also for 2027 and 2028. The Council regulation should apply as of 1 January 2026.

You can find more information on the Commission’s 2026 fishing opportunities proposal in our press release online. Questions and answers are also available online.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)

Commission adopts equivalence decision for New Zealand’s financial benchmarks

The Commission has determined that New Zealand’s legal and supervisory framework for financial benchmarks aligns with EU standards under the Benchmark Regulation (BMR).

This equivalence decision ensures that from January 1, 2026, when new rules under BMR for third-country benchmarks take effect, EU banks and investment funds can continue using New Zealand regulated benchmarks, especially those that are widely used in the EU.

Benchmarks are key reference points for financial instruments like derivatives, funds, loans, and mortgages, used by both financial and non-financial companies and investors. New Zealand developed its benchmark system specifically to allow administrators who opt-in to access the EU market through equivalence with EU standards.

Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque, responsible for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union said: ‘Today’s decision benefits EU benchmark users and New Zealand benchmark administrators. It proves that the revised BMR continues to be a worldwide reference for the regulation of financial benchmarks. This equivalence decision acknowledges New Zealand’s high regulatory standards and fosters closer cooperation between our jurisdictions.’

The equivalence decision was prepared in cooperation with the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Financial Markets Authority. New Zealand authorities will now finalise arrangements with ESMA to facilitate the exchange of supervisory information on New Zealand benchmarks used in the EU.

More information is available online.

(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Saul Goulding – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)

Commission releases pound 8.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support 5,800 dismissed workers in Sweden

The European Commission has proposed to mobilise pound 8.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to help 5,800 workers dismissed after the bankruptcy of Northvolt in Sweden.

Founded in 2016, Northvolt faced major production challenges and global oversupply in the battery market. Its bankruptcy in March 2025 led to nearly 6,500 job losses. Sweden applied for EGF support in June 2025.

The EGF-funded measures aim to help these workers quickly rejoin the labour market and match their skills with emerging industries in northern Sweden.

In addition, the funding will finance measures such as career counselling and guidance, education and training, including support for dismissed workers to launch their own start-up companies.

More information is available in a press release online.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460 76 57 13)

Commission approves updated pound 50 billion Dutch State aid scheme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation of and amendments to the Dutch SDE++ (‘Stimulering Duurzame Energieproductie’) scheme. The scheme supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions via a range of technologies including renewable electricity and heat, hydrogen and transport fuels.

The SDE++ was approved by the Commission in December 2020 and amended in December 2021 and July 2023. The prolonged and modified scheme will run until 31 December 2029 and has a budget of pound 50 billion. The changes concern the introduction of support to existing e-boilers and a measure to address the increasing number of hours with negative electricity prices.

The Commission found that the prolonged and amended scheme meets the compatibility criteria in the 2022 Guidelines for Climate, Environmental Protection and Energy. On that basis, the measure is compatible with the internal market and the Commission approved the Dutch scheme under EU State aid rules.

More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.118519 once confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)

Commissioner Albuquerque in Moldova for high-level talks on accession process and financial sector reform

Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, is visiting Chisinau from 30 to 31 October. During her visit, the Commissioner will engage with Moldova’s senior leadership, key stakeholders, and representatives of civil society.

The visit will feature high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, as well as with Moldova’s wider political and economic leadership, focusing on financial stability, market integration, and EU accession priorities. Commissioner Albuquerque will also deliver a keynote address at the conference ‘Finance and Growth: Accession Lessons for Moldova’.

In addition to these high-level discussions, the Commissioner will meet with representatives from the financial sector, students and academics, and a group of female professionals in finance.

A central focus of the visit will be Moldova’s EU accession process, which the European Commission remains fully committed to advancing as swiftly as possible. Discussions will also explore how deeper integration of financial services, stronger supervision, and continued structural reforms can help deliver more growth opportunities for Moldovan businesses and citizens alike.

(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Saul Goulding – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)

The House of Representatives has called on Turkey to finally contribute in a substantive manner to resolving the humanitarian issue of the missing persons of Cyprus, President of the House, Annita Demetriou has said.

Referring on Thursday during the plenary session of the Parliament to the Day of the Missing Persons for Cyprus, which has been established by the House of Representatives on October 29, Demetriou said that the issue of the missing persons constitutes one of the most tragic aspects of the Cyprus problem.

“Unfortunately, 51 years later, despite the persistent efforts of the Republic of Cyprus and the Committee on Missing Persons the fate of hundreds of our compatriots still remains unknown,” she said.

The House of Representatives, Demetriou added, reiterates its firm commitment to the full determination of the fate of every missing person and expresses its unwavering solidarity and support to the families of the missing persons.

“We call on Turkey to finally contribute in a substantive manner to the solution of this primarily humanitarian issue, by providing all available information to the CMP and fully respect the relevant UN resolutions, the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as its commitments within the framework of the Council of Europe and other international organisations” Demetriou stressed.

She said that the fate of the missing persons remains an open wound for the country and noted “we will not stop demanding truth and justice for the missing persons of the Cyprus tragedy, as well as for their families”.

It is noted that on October 28, 1974, was the last time when Greek Cypriot prisoners held captive by the Turkish invaders were released.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown.

A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974.

According to statistical data published on the CMP website by September 30, 2025 out of 2002 missing persons 1,707 were exhumed and 1,057 were identified. Out of 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 761 were identified and 749 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 296 were identified and 196 are still missing.

AMLA Chair visits Cyprus aiming to strengthen strategic cooperation with National Authorities

Ms. Bruna Szego, Chair of the EU’s Anti-money Laundering Authority (AMLA) visited Cyprus on October 30. The visit took place in the context of Mr Szego’s visits to all Member-States of the European Union with the aim of building an EU AML Community, by strengthening the coordination between ALMA and National Competent Authorities.

During Ms. Szego’s the visit, held at the premises of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), Ms. Szego met Cyprus’ joint representative to AMLA’s General Board Mr. Kleanthis Ioannides as well as the CBC’s senior leadership, namely Mr. George Karatzias Executive Board Member and Ms. Pany Karamanou, Head of the Directorate General for Financial Stability and Resolution.

Ms. Szego chaired two round-table discussions. The first with the attendance of representatives of all National Competent Authorities of the financial and non-financial sector, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the second with the participation of representatives of associations of obliged entities licensed in Cyprus.

During the meetings, Ms. Szego looked towards the participants to share their perspectives on opportunities and challenges that the new AML approach would bring. Ms. Szego also outlined the short-term and long-term priorities of AMLA, while the meeting covered issues concerning the harmonization of supervision, as well the challenges facing national supervisory authorities.

In a statement, Ms. Szego underscored the importance of direct meetings with representatives of the National Competent Authorities of the Member States and the representatives of the associations of obliged entities. “Cooperation and coordination will be crucial for us as a community to succeed in our mission,” Ms. Szego said.

On his part, Mr. Kleanthis Ioannides, Cyprus’ representative to AMLA’s General Board, assured Ms. Szego of the commitment of all competent authorities of Cyprus and of the FIU to contribute to the achievement of the objectives set by AMLA.

AMLA was officially established following the adoption of the legislative package on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing in May 2024, and began its operation on July 1, 2025, based in Frankfurt. Upon becoming fully operational on January 1, 2028, AMLA will assume direct supervision of 40 financial obliged entities, which will be selected in 2027. This selection will be based on objective criteria focused on large cross-border activity and risk categorisation using a methodology AMLA is currently developing. At the same time, it will exercise indirect supervision over the remaining entities in both the financial and non-financial sectors and will strengthen cooperation with national financial intelligence units.

Real GDP growth in Cyprus is projected to slow from 3.9% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025, and to hold steady at 3.5% in 2026, the Economics Research Centre of the University of Cyprus says in its Economic Outlook issue for October 2025

The forecasts for 2025 and 2026, it notes, are higher by 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively, compared with those in the July issue, reflecting the upward revisions in the national accounts data published in October.

Moreover, it adds that the outlook benefits from positive developments in both Cyprus and the external economic environment, especially in the third quarter of 2025.

“On the domestic front, these developments include further declines in inflation, strong economic confidence, and credit expansion supported by reductions in interest rates. On the international front, the decrease in trade policy uncertainty and market volatility during the third quarter of 2025 (from the high levels recorded in the first half of the year) suggests an improved outlook relative to the July issue” it says.

The ERC points out that the growth forecasts are accompanied by substantial downside risks.

“These risks mainly arise from the external environment, particularly the possibility of slower-than-expected growth in trading partner economies, as economic sentiment and other leading indicators have remained subdued. In addition, fiscal pressures, climate-related events, and geopolitical tensions continue to pose downside risks to the growth outlook for Cyprus”.

Regarding inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is forecast to fall from 1.8% in 2024 to 0.3% in 2025, and to pick up to 2.0% in 2026.

The forecast for 2025, it says, has been revised down by 0.7 percentage points compared with that in the July issue, as a result of lower-than-expected inflation in the third quarter and new declines in international oil prices.

The upward revision in the 2026 inflation forecast, by 0.5 percentage points, was driven by the strong economic performance in Cyprus during the first three quarters of 2025, as reflected in quarterly and monthly data, it concludes.

Cyprus underlined on Wednesday, before the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the importance of fully respecting the UN Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).

Addressing in her capacity as Head of the Department of International Law at the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus, the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, during the debate on agenda item 80, ‘Report of the International Law Commission”, Mary-Ann Stavrinides stressed that ‘Cyprus cannot emphasize enough the indispensability of fully respecting UNCLOS, which constitutes the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.’

Stavrinides welcomed the inclusion of two new topics in the Commission’s programme (‘compensation for the damage caused by internationally wrongful acts’ and ‘due diligence in international law’), noting that Cyprus looks forward to ‘a study firmly rooted in the Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, and in particular, Article 36.’

Turning to Chapter IV, she emphasized that sea-level rise is of ‘fundamental importance’, especially for low-lying coastal States, archipelagic States, small island States and small island developing States. As an island state itself, she noted, Cyprus ‘directly experiences the effects of climate-induced sea-level rise’ and recognizes its ‘severe consequences’ for territory and sovereignty. She also mentioned that the ICJ has acknowledged that ‘the consequences of climate change are severe and far-reaching,’ posing ‘an urgent and existential threat.’

Cyprus, she said, follows ‘a contemporary interpretation that takes into account the fundamental principles of international law, including the preservation of existing rights and the maintenance of legal stability, certainty and predictability’.

Moreover, Cyprus maintains that there is ‘no rule that prevents States from preserving existing and lawfully established baselines,’ and that ‘the principle of fundamental change of circumstances in Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties is not applicable to maritime delimitation agreements.’

Furthermore, Stavrinides recalled that the ICJ confirmed that States are not obliged to update charts or lists of geographical co-ordinates. In view of this ‘overwhelming consensus,’ Cyprus saw ‘no necessity of either an interpretative statement or a subsequent agreement’ on the matter, as the ICJ opinion ‘achieves the desired outcome concerning the interpretation of UNCLOS.’

On the issue of statehood, she underlined the importance of ‘legal stability, security, certainty and predictability’, as well as of ‘the application of the principles of territorial integrity, sovereign equality of States and permanent sovereignty over natural resources, when ascertaining the legal basis for the continuity of statehood’.

In this respect, she also noted the ICJ’s finding that ‘once a State is established, the disappearance of one of its constituent elements would not necessarily entail the loss of its statehood.’ Cyprus welcomed the Study Group’s conclusion that States may ‘take all necessary measures in order to preserve their statehood, sovereignty and maritime entitlements.’

On the right of self-determination, she emphasized that the Commission should ‘preserve the special historical and legal context of the right of self-determination,’ which ‘has always been applied to situations of colonial rule or foreign occupation.’

Addressing Chapter VI, Stavrinides reaffirmed the respect for Article 38(1) of the ICJ Statute, which ‘recognizes the general principles of law as an autonomous source of international law, and establishes no hierarchy among the principal sources.’ Cyprus supported the view that norms can ‘coexist in different sources of law,’ though ‘such parallel existence should not blur the conceptual distinction’ between general principles and customary law. Furthermore, she firmly rejected extending the ‘persistent objector’ rule to general principles, stating that it ‘has no basis in state practice or in the jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals’ and that ‘its inclusion. would offer no practical benefit.’ Cyprus therefore agreed with the Special Rapporteur ‘that it should be avoided.’

Concluding, she congratulated the International Law Commission and the Special Rapporteur ‘for their excellent work so far’ and expressed hope for ‘continued constructive dialogue on this topic.’

Cyprus ranked second from last in the European Union, in breast cancer screening programs with only a 29.8% participation rate for women aged 50-69 according to 2023 data. The latest available data on cancer screening programs in Europe, were published by Eurostat, highlighting significant differences among EU member states in both participation rates and the effectiveness of prevention programs.

The substantial gaps observed are primarily attributed to a lack of public awareness, limited access to specialized healthcare facilities, and organizational weaknesses in national prevention systems.

For breast cancer, the EU average participation rate for women aged 50-69 is approximately 65%. In 2023, the countries with the highest participation rates were Denmark at 83.3%, Sweden at 83.0%, and Finland at 81.5%. On the other hand, the countries with the lowest rates were Greece at just 14.5%, Cyprus at 29.8%, and Latvia at 36.1%. Cyprus is significantly below the EU average and far behind the leading countries in this area, according to the 2023 data.

Regarding cervical cancer screening, the EU average participation rate for women aged 20-64 is around 55%. Cyprus, with a participation rate of approximately 48%, remains below the EU average, underscoring the need for further awareness campaigns and improved access to screenings. The countries with the highest participation rates in this screening are Denmark and Slovenia, both exceeding 65%, while Poland and Slovakia do not exceed 40%.

For colorectal cancer, the EU average participation rate for individuals aged 50-74 is about 45%. Cyprus records a participation rate of around 40%, a level that, although lower than the EU average, shows gradual improvement in recent years. The countries with the highest participation rates are Finland and Ireland, both exceeding 60%, while Romania and Bulgaria remain below 30%.

Eurostat releases breast cancer prevention data in October, aligning with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Tourism revenue in August 2025 achieved a historic high of pound 581.8 million, reaching a record level of pound 2.47 billion in the period January – August 2025.

According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, based on the results of the Passengers Survey carried out by the Statistical Service, revenue from tourism reached pound 581,8 mn in August 2025, recording an increase of 13,8% as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year (pound 511,4 mn).

For the period of January – August 2025, revenue from tourism is estimated at pound 2.472,9 mn compared to pound 2.121,8 mn in the corresponding period of 2024, recording an increase of 16,5%.

It is noted that in August this year, tourist arrivals had risen to 602,026, compared to 554,923 in August last year.

Expenditure Analysis

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The average expenditure per person was pound 966,41 in August 2025 compared to pound 921,59 in August 2024, recording an increase of 4,9%.

Tourists from the United Kingdom (the largest tourist market with 32,1% of the total tourists in August 2025) spent on average pound 112,74 per day, while tourists from Israel (the second largest market during the specific month with 17,5% of the total tourists) spent on average pound 152,44.

Tourists from Poland (the third largest market with 7,0%), spent on average pound 96,15 per day.

Eurostat places Cyprus among the countries with the best performance for 2025, as it records one of the lowest unemployment rates. According to the most recent data, Cyprus recorded an unemployment rate of 4.9% in September 2025, significantly lower than the EU average of 6% and the euro area average of 6.3%. This places Cyprus among the five countries with the lowest unemployment rates in the EU.

Across the euro area, a slight increase in unemployment was observed in September 2025, reaching 6.3%, while the overall EU unemployment rate remained stable at 6%.

According to data published on Thursday, Cyprus has recorded a steady decline in unemployment over the past year, with the rate falling from 5.1% in August 2025 to 4.9% in September. The number of unemployed persons in Cyprus stands at around 26,000, a figure significantly lower compared to countries such as Spain (10.5%), Finland (9.8%), and Greece (8.2%).

However, youth unemployment in Cyprus stands at 17.2% in September 2025, higher than the EU average of 14.8%.

Across the EU, unemployment trends among member states vary considerably. While some countries, such as Spain and Greece, continue to face high unemployment rates, others, such as the Czech Republic (3%), Poland (3.2%), and Malta (3%), have managed to achieve exceptionally low levels. The rate in Cyprus stands at 4.9%.

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, described the upcoming Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU as a “collective national mission” that will strengthen Cyprus’ position within the European structure, highlight its role as the southeastern border of the Union, and make a decisive contribution to shaping policies that affect citizens’ daily lives. He made these remarks during a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU, Thérèse Blanchet, and the Director-General for Institutional and General Policy, Didier Seeuws, at the Presidential Palace, on Thursday morning.

In his remarks before the Cabinet, in the presence of Blanchet, President Christodoulides said that the upcoming Presidency is a top priority for the government. “As we embark on this very important assignment, we are preparing methodically, intensively, to deliver an ambitious, pragmatic and results-oriented Presidency, as honest brokers, in the spirit of sincere cooperation, in an inclusive and transparent manner, well aware of the high stakes for our Union, of the need to deliver, fostering consensus to secure tangible results.

He said that Cyprus approaches the Presidency as a collective national mission that will strengthen the country’s position within the European structure, highlight its role as the southeastern border of the Union, and make a decisive contribution to shaping policies that affect citizens’ daily lives.

In this context, he added, the General Secretariat of the Council has been a very important, very valuable partner, a key institutional source of support throughout all preparations, providing continuity, valuable logistical support and policy expertise.

“We are navigating complex, and in some respect, unprecedented geopolitical dynamics, that challenge us, but also push us into action and the EU can navigate these, standing as a stable, predictable, responsible actor, committed to its core values and protecting and securing its interest and working on autonomy in all fronts, for more independence, more integration”, the President said. He noted that security and defence, continuing and stepping up the support for Ukraine, bolstering EU competitiveness, doing things in a simpler, faster, smarter way through simplification, leading in innovation, are all points of reference for the Cyprus Presidency. “At the same time, our Presidency will lead the Union at a moment when we need to decisively progress negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)”, he said.

For her part, Blanchet confirmed that the Cyprus’ Presidency comes at a turning point point, with the MFF and given the geopolitical situation.

Talking to the press afterwards, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, said that “an open discussion was held with the entire Council of Ministers on crucial dossiers that we will be negotiating, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework, the simplification package to enhance the EU’s competitiveness, enlargement issues, matters concerning the strengthening of the EU’s security and defense, and the continued support for Ukraine.”

She added that the discussion focused on how the geopolitical landscape affects the Presidency’s role in negotiating the various dossiers, as well as on identifying measurable objectives for each legislative file.

The Presidency’s calendar includes 263 meetings, including an Informal European Council meeting.