Category: Cyprus News Agency

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 15/10/2025 UNTIL 1800 16/10/2025

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1014hPa (hectopascal)

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

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually South to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Night

West to Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

West to Northwest 3, gradually East to Southeast

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3, offshore Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Cyprus will be the guest of honour at the 68th Belgrade International Book Fair, which will take place from October 25 to November 2, 2025, at the Belgrade Fair.

According to a press release by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Cyprus’ participation in this year’s event is part of its efforts to enhance the presence of Cypriot literature abroad and to promote Cypriot authors and publishers on the international stage. At the Cyprus pavilion, works by Cypriot authors will be showcased by both writers and translators of Cypriot literature, along with readings of excerpts and discussions on contemporary Cypriot literature and publishing.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture, who will inaugurate the Cyprus exhibition space, and Kyriakos Charalambides, poet and writer, who will deliver the opening address titled ‘The Power of the Word.’

‘Cyprus’ presence at the Belgrade International Book Fair reaffirms the ongoing commitment of the Deputy Ministry of Culture to extroversion and the support of cultural diplomacy,’ the Ministry stated.

More children in Europe, including in Cyprus, are classified as overweight or obese, Health Minister Michalis Damianos said on Wednesday, announcing the approval by the Council of Ministers of the National Strategy for Improving the Quality of Life of the Population through Healthy Diet and Physical Activity, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. He also said that there is evidence that shows that Cyprus is at a higher level than other European countries as regards childhood obesity.

In his statements after a Council of Ministers meeting, Damianos said that modern lifestyle, the evolution of family structure and the subsequent adoption of new eating habits ‘constitute one of the most serious challenges for public health.’ ‘Data show that in Europe, including in the Republic of Cyprus, more and more children are classified as overweight or obese,’ he added.

In addition, he said, ‘there are many and significant risk factors responsible for premature deaths, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other conditions, which are linked to diet and level of physical activity/exercise.’

Therefore, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the country’s population, he said, the Ministry of Health has drawn up a National Strategy, which provides, among other things, for the recording of relevant global and European strategies and action plans on improving the quality of life and the recording of demographic data, health indicators and other relevant data to capture the current situation in Cyprus.

It also provides for raising awareness on healthy eating and physical exercise and the establishment of a National Committee, which will have an advisory role to the Minister of Health, with the goal of preparing an Action Plan for the promotion of healthy eating and exercise.

Asked if there was data on obesity, the Minister said that there is data, especially on childhood obesity, ‘that shows that we are at a higher level than other European countries and it is something that we obviously need to work on.’

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 15/10/2025 UNTIL 0600 16/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1015hPa (hectopascal)

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

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 3, locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 3 Slight

Night Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 Slight

Night West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Night Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

industrial production increased by 1.1% in the Eurozone and the EU and by 2.4% in Cyprus in August this year on an annual basis, the latest Eurostat data show. At the same time, industrial production fell in August on a monthly basis, while Cyprus had a relatively stable performance compared to other member states.

Specifically, industrial production decreased by 1.2% in the Eurozone and by 1.0% in the EU.

In terms of monthly changes in the Eurozone, production declined in all major industrial sectors, except for non-durable consumer goods, which saw a 0.1% increase. At the EU27 level, production remained stable for intermediate goods but decreased in all other sectors.

The largest monthly decreases were recorded in Germany (-5.2%), Greece (-4.5%), and Austria (-3.1%), while the highest increases were observed in Ireland (+9.8%), Luxembourg (+4.8%), and Sweden (+3.6%). In Cyprus, monthly production remained unchanged.

On an annual basis, production decreased for intermediate goods, energy, capital goods, and durable consumer goods but increased for non-durable consumer goods (+8.2%). In the EU, production fell for intermediate goods, energy, and durable consumer goods but rose for capital goods (+0.5%) and non-durable consumer goods (+6.5%).

The largest annual increases were recorded in Ireland (+28.6%), Luxembourg (+9.5%), and Sweden (+8.3%), while the biggest declines were observed in Bulgaria (-8.6%), Slovakia (-6.3%), and Denmark (-5.0%). Cyprus’ industrial production increased by 2.4%, one of the few Member States to record a positive annual change.

Through its participation in the network of AI Factories, Cyprus strengthens its position on the European map of innovation and Artificial Intelligence, reaffirming its commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies, data, and human talent, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, said on Wednesday about the country’s inclusion in Europe’s AI Factories network.

In a press release, the Deputy Ministry notes that these are innovative structures that will work closely with corresponding AI Factories strengthening national ecosystems and providing access to advanced computing resources for research, innovation, and industrial applications, adding that in Cyprus’ case it will be the Greek AI Factory ‘Pharos’.

‘Pharos-CY aims to accelerate the development and adoption of trustworthy and high value-added innovative Artificial Intelligence solutions in critical sectors such as health, sustainability, culture, and language,’ the Deputy Ministry noted.

Specifically in the field of language, Cyprus and Greece will collaborate on training and optimising large language models (LLMs) for the Greek language and Greek-related data, as well as in areas of common strategic interest, such as health and energy (clean tech).

At the same time, the Cypriot ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups gains, through Pharos-CY, access to the ‘DAEDALOS’ supercomputing infrastructure, advanced AI tools and services, as well as specialised support for integrating innovative AI technologies into their business operations.

According to the Deputy Ministry, the success of the Cypriot proposal Pharos-CY “marks an important milestone in creating a strong Artificial Intelligence ecosystem in Cyprus and represents another strategic step in the Government’s plan to leverage and integrate this revolutionary technology into the economy.”

‘With its participation in the network of AI Factories, Cyprus strengthens its position on the European map of innovation and Artificial Intelligence, reaffirming its commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies, data, and human talent,’ the press release concludes.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 15/10/2025 UNTIL 1200 16/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1017hPa (hectopascal)

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

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon Southwest to West 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually South to Southwest Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Night West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning West to Northwest 3, gradually East to Southeast Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Night Southeast to Southwest 3, offshore Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Morning Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Larnaca Biennale enhances Cyprus’ international cultural footprint, Deputy Minister of Culture Vassiliki Kassianidou said on Wednesday. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Larnaca Biennale at the Larnaca Municipal Art Gallery, Kassianidou noted that the Deputy Ministry actively supports the event.

She said the 2025 edition features 115 works from 42 countries, the largest number in the Biennale’s history. The open call attracted 526 submissions, said the Deputy Minister, referring to ‘a growing international interest in Cyprus’ vibrant contemporary art scene.’

Kassianidou said the Biennale ‘has now become a reference point for the contemporary international and local visual arts scene.’ It serves, she added, as ‘a meeting ground where artists, curators, art historians and the public exchange experiences and open new channels for dialogue about art.’

She noted that the Biennale functions both as a platform for emerging artists and as an institution shaping contemporary art trends.

‘Year after year, it evolves into a fertile field of exchange for works and ideas, weaving an ever-expanding network of creative agents,’ she said.

Referring to this year’s theme, Following Traces and Lines, curated by Sana López Abellán, she said it invites people to reflect on ‘how visual and symbolic motifs reveal the complexity of human existence-the lines and traces of our paths serving as testimonies of our interactions with others and our environment.’

The Council of Ministers approved Wednesday a bill on the integration of the gender dimension in the preparation of legislative initiatives and other actions. In statements to the Press after the Cabinet’s meeting, Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou said that the approval was ‘an important step towards substantive equality between women and men’.

Christodoulou noted that the bill aims to include the obligation to integrate the gender perspective in the preparation of legislative initiatives, the preparation of the state budget, the public procurement process and the implementation of actions included in the National Strategy for Gender Equality. She added that the bill provides that each Ministry, Deputy Ministry, service, authority and the broader public sector should, when planning policies and actions, consider the different needs and realities of men and women.

‘Such a legislative regulation ensures that public policies will now respond more fully and effectively to the needs and demands of society, while accelerating progress towards substantive gender equality,’ she said.

Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis referred to continued efforts for a Cyprus settlement, to the country’s role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as to the strategic importance of shipping to the Cypriot economy, while addressing an event, in a London hotel, on Tuesday, to mark the 65th anniversary of the independence and establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

Hadjimanolis represented the Cyprus government at the event, while the UK government was represented by the Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds.

The celebration was attended by British MPs, government officials, representatives of the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), diplomats, members of the Church, the business and academic communities, and Cypriots from the diaspora. His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain honored the event with his presence.

High Commissioner Dr. Kyriacos P. Kouros and his wife, Vasiliki Kinani Kourou, together with members of the Cypriot diplomatic mission, welcomed the guests. The event began with the national anthems of Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

In his welcome address, the High Commissioner referred to the international challenges and conflicts affecting Cyprus and the wider region, as well as the ongoing occupation and the need to restart meaningful negotiations for reunification. At the same time, he highlighted the progress and resilience of the Republic of Cyprus and emphasized the importance of Cyprus-UK relations on political, economic, and defence levels. He also underlined the contribution of shipping to the Cypriot economy, dedicating this year’s anniversary to Cyprus’s candidacy for re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

In her remarks, Hadjimanolis praised the close and enduring ties between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, making special reference to the Cypriot community in the UK for its contribution to maintaining the bonds between the two countries. She also highlighted the development, challenges, and achievements of the Cypriot state, focusing on the Republic’s steady progress and resilience ‘despite the challenges,’ as she noted. Ms. Hadjimanolis reiterated Cyprus’s continued efforts toward reunification and its role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Finally, she spoke of the strategic importance of shipping to the Cypriot economy and of Cyprus’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council, stressing the country’s role as a reliable and active partner in the international maritime community.

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds, in his address, congratulated the Republic of Cyprus and its people on 65 years of independence, emphasizing the deep and multifaceted relationship that unites the two countries. He also expressed the UK government’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Cyprus at political, economic, and social levels. Moreover, he reaffirmed the UK’s long-standing support for a solution to the Cyprus issue based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. He announced that he would visit the island in the coming weeks, as Cyprus prepares to assume the presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2026.

The evening concluded with a cultural and musical program that showcased the richness, hospitality, and vibrancy of Cypriot culture.