Category: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed on Sunday hope that US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza will be implemented, noting that the Republic of Cyprus is doing its utmost towards this direction.

In statements to the press upon his arrival at the inauguration ceremony of a Health Center in Akaki village, in Nicosia district, the President said that this plan ‘has the support of the international community, the support of the EU, and the support of the Arab world, and we hope that it will soon be accepted by all sides so that we can move forward with its implementation.’

He added that ‘we have repeatedly noted the need to end the current situation in Gaza. In this regard, the Republic of Cyprus, both as a country of the region and as an EU member state, is doing its utmost during this direction,’ he noted.

The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades, will meet with the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain, Dr. Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, on Sunday at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Larnaca.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Transport, the aim of the meeting is to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, explore cooperation in areas such as air connectivity and the construction sector, and enhance collaboration in the field of search and rescue.

Following the meeting, the Bahraini Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications will be briefed by the Commander and staff of the JRCC on its operations and on the training program offered to Bahraini officers at the JRCC’s modern training facility.

Vessel “Siren”, which participated in the flotilla that attempted to breaktthe naval blockade of Gaza, sailing under the Italian flag, is expected to depart from Kato Paphos port on Saturday at around 1700 local time, according to General Manager of the Cyprus Ports Authority, Anthimos Christodoulides.

The vessel had docked in Paphos at around 1700 on Friday. Meanwhile, a second vessel, “Summertime Jong”, that participated in the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which had docked in Larnaca port on Thursday night, is now docked in Ayia Napa marina.

In statements on Saturday to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Christodoulides said that all documents and certificates of the vessel were checked and their validity was confirmed

He went on to say that on Saturday, after the vessel was provided fuel and water, it requested permission to set sail in the afternoon, around 1700, and that was approved by all relevant authorities.

Earlier an office of the Port Authority told CNA that eight people were on board the vessel, five citizens from European countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, and three citizens from third countries. Some repairs were carried out at the vessel by a Canadian engineer who was among the passengers, while some of those on board expressed a desire to disembark and leave, he added.

As a result, the crew of the vessel was expected to change, since some individuals were to leave Cyprus by air, while others were expected to arrive and board the vessel.

Food, water, electricity, and fuel were supplied to the boat, the officer said. In addition, two crew members received first aid from an ambulance team but did not require hospitalization.

Second vessel docks in Ayia Napa marina

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A second vessel that participated in the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which had docked in Larnaca port on Thursday night, is now at Ayia Napa marina.

According to information provided to CNA by the management of the Ayia Napa Marina, the vessel left Larnaca port on the afternoon of Friday, October 3, and is now at the Ayia Napa marina, where it will remain for an unspecified period of time.

According to CNA sources, the vessel Summertime Jong docked in Ayia Napa marina due to the expected arrival of large commercial ships at Larnaca port.

The vessel had requested permission to dock at Larnaca port while in Cyprus’ territorial waters, as there were two people on board suffering from chronic health problems.

The two individuals received medical assistance from ambulance personnel who went to Larnaca port. However, their hospitalization was not deemed necessary.

In addition, food and water were provided to those on board.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, is paying a working visit to the United Arab Emirates

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister will hold meetings with UAE officials, including the UAE Minister of State for Europe, Lana Nusseibeh.

Following the completion of his working visit to the UAE, the Foreign Minister will travel to Kuwait on Sunday, October 5, where he will participate in the Ministerial Meeting of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Council.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 04/10/2025 UNTIL 1200 05/10/2025

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

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon

West to Northwest 4, locally 4 to 5

Slight

Night

Northwest 3 to 4

Slight

Morning

Northwest 3 to 4, later locally 4 to 5

Slight, later locally Slight to Moderate

South Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4, locally 4 to 5

Slight

Night

West to Northwest 3 to 4, locally 3

Slight, locally Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest 3 to 4, later locally Southwest 4

Slight

East Coast

Afternoon

Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest 3 to 4, later Southwest

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Afternoon

West to Northwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Slight

Night

Northwest 3 to 4

Slight

Morning

Northwest 3 to 4, later 4

Slight, later Slight to Moderate

Time of issue: 1130

Date: 04/10/2025

The declaration on illegal immigration adopted in Copenhagen at the level of heads of European states, including Cyprus, is a reaffirmation of the goals promoted by the EU, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Dr. Nicholas Ioannides has told CNA, noting that it concerns issues that the Republic of Cyprus is already promoting.

Asked by CNA about the adoption by 17 European states, including Cyprus, of a series of measures to address the ‘challenges of illegal immigration’ during the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, Ioannides noted that it is a declaration that reaffirms the goals of the EU member states on migration.

‘These are issues that are already being promoted and will continue to be promoted by the member states and the European Commission,’ the Deputy Minister said, noting that these constitute ‘priorities’ for Cyprus.

‘We are already working on several of these,’ he said, referring to the decline in migrant flows to Cyprus, while at the same time noting the country’s returns record. These are issues that are also a priority for Cyprus and on which the country emphasises, he added.

In a joint statement earlier this week, in the framework of the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, the leaders of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in the presence of the Presidents of the European Commission and of the European Parliament, adopted a number of steps to be taken collectively to help manage ‘the complex challenges of illegal migration’.

They agreed, among other things, to strengthen the fight against people smugglers through coordinated operations and sanctions, to improve asylum and return systems and to work with third countries to tackle irregular migration. At the same time, they committed to innovative solutions, such as new legal frameworks and pilot projects aimed at weakening criminal networks and more effective border management.

Climate change, extreme weather events, renewables and the energy transition were among the topics covered by the 17th International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology, and Atmospheric Physics (COMECAP 2025) that took place in Nicosia from September 29 to October 1, 2025.

The conference was organized by the Hellenic Meteorological Society, hosted by the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence at Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK), in collaboration with the Cyprus Department of Meteorology, and was held under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

According to a press release issued by the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, the reach of COMECAP 2025 was reflected in its outcomes: 83 scientific papers were submitted and published in the Environmental and Earth Sciences Proceedings journal, while 80 oral presentations, 65 online talks, and 65 poster presentations were held, showcasing the wealth of scientific knowledge shared.

Since its first edition in 1992, COMECAP has established itself as a leading forum in the geosciences, promoting scientific dialogue and innovation. This year’s edition was of particular significance, as it marked 20 years since Cyprus last hosted the conference, reaffirming the country’s role as a hub for scientific collaboration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

At the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, highlighted that Cyprus and the Mediterranean are internationally recognized as among the most vulnerable ‘hotspots’ of the climate crisis. She emphasized that Cyprus is responding decisively by investing in agrometeorological services, new technologies, and collaborations with the academic and research community, aiming to ensure the sustainability of agriculture, biodiversity, and water resources.

According to the press release, the conference’s scientific program covered a wide range of topics: climate change and socio-economic impacts, extreme weather events and natural disasters, air quality, public health, renewable energy and energy transition, and impact on agriculture, ecosystems, and cultural heritage.

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has said that the full implementation of President Trump’s proposal for Gaza is critical, following Hamas’ response.

In a post on X, the President reaffirmed “Cyprus’ support to President Trump’s proposal for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza”.

He added that, following Hamas’ response, “full implementation is critical. I commend continued mediation efforts and Cyprus strongly supports all diplomatic efforts, for the benefit of our region,” he underlined

The 65th anniversary of the independence and establishment of the Republic of Cyprus was marked, on Thursday, during a ceremony at the historic Westminster Abbey, in London. The ceremony, which is held every year in honor of the member states of the Commonwealth, included prayers for the prosperity of the Cypriot people and for peace in the wider region.

As is traditionally the case, the flag of the Republic of Cyprus flew on the mast of the emblematic church, symbolizing the historic ties of Cyprus with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

On behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Kyriacos Kouros, was present and read a passage from the Holy Bible.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, members of the Cypriot diplomatic mission, as well as Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis.

Members of the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom and the Youth of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK UK), participated at the event reaffirming the unbreakable bonds of the Cypriot diaspora with their homeland.

Representatives of Cypriot community organizations in the UK also attended it, highlighting the enduring and vibrant connection of the diaspora with Cyprus.

Cyprus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, met on Saturday in Abu Dhabi with United Arab Emirates (UAE) State Minister for Europe Lana Nusseibeh, with whom he discussed, among others, about Cyprus – UAE strategic bilateral relations, the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and regional developments in the Middle East

In a post on X, the Minister expressed pleasure for his meeting with UAE State Minister for Europe Lana Nusseibeh.

He added that their agenda included Cyprus – UAE strategic bilateral relations, EU-UAE relations, the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, regional developments in the Middle East, and the UAE-Cyprus partnership on the “Amalthea” maritime corridor, enabling the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.