Category: Cyprus News Agency

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell expressed her gratitude to the Republic of Cyprus for its contribution to UNICEF’s Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund, which supports the humanitarian response following the earthquake in Venezuela, in a post on X that was reposted by Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday afternoon.

In her post, Russell wrote: ‘Grateful to Cyprus for its first flexible contribution to UNICEF’s Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund, supporting the Venezuela earthquake response.’

She added that flexible funding enables UNICEF to ‘act quickly, adapt as needs evolve, and reach children and families when they need us most.’

In its own post, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked UNICEF for its ‘critical role in offering relief support to affected populations across the globe,’ noting that Cyprus considers UNICEF ‘a vital partner’ in providing humanitarian assistance to people in need, including children, through the CyprusAid mechanism.

It is recalled that on July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Republic of Cyprus would contribute pound 300,000 to UNICEF’s Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund through CyprusAid, in response to the urgent humanitarian needs arising from the earthquake in Venezuela.

Consumer satisfaction about the quality of “Roaming Like at Home” in mobile telecommunications services within the European Economic Area (EEA) was better in 2025 (77%) compared to 2024 (75%), the second consumer survey carried out by the Office of the Commissioner for Communications (OCEPR) showed.

In a press release on Friday, OCEPR said that the survey was conducted in December 2025 by Pulse Market Research through a structured questionnaire prepared by CERA’s Market Observatory team, with a sample of 2,014 individuals who traveled to countries in the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway in the last 12 months, with the total number of trips amounting to 3,869.

According to the survey, consumers made an average of 1.9 trips in the last 12 months, with the most popular destinations being Greece (75%), Italy (17%), Austria (12%), France (10%), and Germany (10%).

The majority of respondents (83%, 81% in 2024) did not experience any connectivity issues upon arrival in the travel country. A percentage (16%, 19% in 2024) encountered some problems, which were either resolved on their own (11%, 13% in 2024) or after contacting their provider in Cyprus (3%, 4% in 2024). A small percentage (2%, the same as in 2024) faced issues that were not resolved and did not connect to the local network at all.

In 21% (24% in 2024) of trips, consumers noticed lower mobile broadband internet speeds (e.g., speed while downloading content) compared to the mobile internet speed they had in Cyprus.

In 19% (25% in 2024) of trips, consumers observed that their connection was with an older generation network compared to what they had in Cyprus (e.g., downgrading from 5G in Cyprus to 4G during the trip). Variation in the percentage of network downgrading phenomenon is observed depending on the type of device (Android or iPhone).

In a relatively small percentage of trips, consumers reported experiencing poor line quality (8%, the same as in 2024), call drop (5%, 6% in 2024), inability to complete calls (6%, the same as in 2024), inability to send SMS (5%, 6% in 2024), inability to access the internet using data (13%, 16% in 2024), or complete loss of service (4%, 5% in 2024) during the trip. These percentages vary slightly depending on the type of device.

In response to the question “How do you compare the quality of mobile telecommunications services you received during your trip […] to your local service in Cyprus?”, 77% (75% in 2024) of respondents rated the service quality during their trip as the same as their local service in Cyprus, 5% (6% in 2024) rated it as better, while 16% (18% in 2024) found it worse.

The results of the survey show improvement compared to 2024, OCEPR said, adding that one in six respondents encountered some issue during their trip and therefore there is room for improvement both in terms of performance and in reducing the occurrence of connectivity problems. OCEPR also noted that it will continue to monitor the quality of “Roaming Like at Home” and will consider making relevant recommendations to providers within its regulatory capabilities.

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices rose by 4.1% in June 2026 compared to June 2025 and increased by 0.9% between May and June 2026, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus.

Compared with June 2025, the categories Recreation, Sports and Culture (9.7%) and Restaurants and Accommodation Services (8.9%), showed the largest positive changes.

The largest negative changes were observed in the categories Clothing and Footwear (-8.0%) and Information and Communication (-2.9%).

Meanwhile, compared with May 2026, the largest changes were recorded in the categories Restaurants and Accommodation Services (3.4%), Recreation, Sports and Culture (1.9%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels (1.6%).

The largest change among the economic categories, compared with June 2025, was observed in the category Energy (13.0%), while compared with May 2026, was observed in the category Services (1.8%).

Ministers of Interior Konstantinos Ioannou and Labour Marinos Moushouttas reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to reach a Cyprus solution and enhance the Republic’s international role, in speeches on Thursday marking the 52nd anniversary of the coup of 15 July 1974.

Interior Minister Ioannou, who was addressing a commemorative event at the Kykkos Monastery Cultural Foundation in Archangelos on behalf of the President on Thursday evening, stressed that resolving the Cyprus issue remains the top priority of the President and the Greek Cypriot side. He said the aim is “the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus into a modern, reunited European state, member of the European Union and the United Nations.”

“With a sense of responsibility towards the people of Cyprus and with full awareness of our historic mission, we are consistently working to create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed United Nations framework, the negotiating acquis and the principles, values and law of the European Union,” he said.

Ioannou also highlighted efforts to bolster foreign policy, strategic partnerships and Cyprus’s role in the EU, noting a recent significant diplomatic push “recognized by the international community and reinforced by our country’s upgraded role as a reliable partner in the European Union and the wider region”.

He underlined that the coup of 15 July 1974, organised by the Athens junta and executed by local collaborators, targeted democracy and weakened the island’s defences, creating conditions exploited by Turkey’s illegal invasion. He called for unity and continued condemnation of both the coup and the occupation and praised the work of the Committee for the Registry of Resistance Fighters as vital to preserving collective memory and transmitting the lesson that democracy is never guaranteed.

Separately, Labour and Social Insurance Minister Marinos Moushouttas, speaking at Agia Marina Kythreas church service in Kaimakli, Nicosia, conveyed President Nikos Christodoulides’ assurance that resolving the Cyprus problem is the Government’s top priority. “Having as our mandate from the sovereign people the liberation and reunification of our homeland, we are working to create the conditions for the resumption of direct negotiations for a comprehensive settlement,” he said.

Moushouttas added that Cyprus “is not alone” in its efforts, citing EU partners, member states and other countries, and praised the Republic’s role during its successful EU Council Presidency in strengthening the Union’s strategic autonomy. He reiterated the shared goal of a modern European state where all lawful residents live in security and prosperity.

The coup staged by the Athens’ junta against the elected government of President Makarios on July 15, 1974, served Turkey as a pretext to impose its divisive plans against Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, violating all rules of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. The illegal Turkish invasion was carried out in two phases. During the second phase, Turkey took the city of Famagusta, under its control and illegally occupies over 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus ever since.

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.

A yellow warning issued by the Department of Meteorology for extreme high temperature inland will be in effect on Friday from 14.00 until 16.30 (local time).

According to the warning, inland maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 40 degrees Celsius.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 17/07/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS = 1000

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE 575.818,49

INDEX

VALUE

%DIFF.

VALUE

FTSE/CySE 20

180,800

-0,290

566.953,360

MAIN MARKET INDEX

243,780

-0,510

534.988,050

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

2.984,130

-0,320

42.028,830

CSE GENERAL INDEX

307,620

-0,260

568.768,730

HOTELS INDEX

1.934,070

2,030

6.078,000

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

2.058,820

0,100

35.501,960

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting.

Cyprus’ tourism sector has returned to a stable trajectory, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said on Friday, following the publication of June tourist arrivals data by the Statistical Service of Cyprus.

In a written statement, Koumis said the June figures confirm that “the country’s tourism sector has returned to a stable path,” describing the month’s overall performance as satisfactory under the circumstances.

Tourist arrivals in June were down 1.7% compared with the same month last year. According to Koumis, the limited decline demonstrates that the weaker performances recorded in March and April, which were affected by the conflict in the Middle East, “now belong to the past.”

He also said the results confirm that the measures implemented by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, together with the wider tourism industry, to manage the extraordinary situation that emerged from March 1 onwards have produced “clearly improved results.”

Commenting on the first half of 2026, Koumis said the overall performance, which showed a 10.1% decline compared with the first six months of 2025 but a 0.2% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2024, should also be considered satisfactory.

“If we take into account the very significant losses recorded in March and April, which have a major impact on any analysis, the first-half performance is satisfactory,” he said, adding that the latest figures also create “a window of hope” for further narrowing the overall decline by the end of the year.

Koumis stressed that the government and the Deputy Ministry are not focusing solely on headline figures.

“A thorough analysis shows that a number of source markets have been affected and continue to require targeted support to ensure their successful and uninterrupted development in the coming years,” he said.

The Deputy Minister added that work is continuing on planning for the coming years, with particular emphasis on 2027, in cooperation with the country’s tourism industry.

“Our ultimate objective remains the continuation of our collective effort to transform Cyprus into a sustainable, digitally smart and accessible destination for all,” he concluded.

Annual inflation in Cyprus rose to 4.1% in June 2026, based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, according to data published on Friday by Eurostat.

According to Eurostat, inflation in Cyprus increased from 3.5% in May to 4.1% in June. On a monthly basis, inflation in Cyprus stood at 0.9% in June.

The data show that annual inflation in Cyprus stood at 1.2% in January 2026, 0.9% in February, 1.5% in March, 3.0% in April, 3.5% in May and 4.1% in June.

At European Union level, annual inflation stood at 2.9% in June 2026, down from 3.3% in May. A year earlier, in June 2025, the rate was 2.3%.

In the euro area, annual inflation stood at 2.8% in June, down from 3.2% in May. In June 2025, inflation in the euro area was 2.0%.

The President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides will convene a meeting of political leaders ahead of the scheduled visit of the UNSG to Cyprus.

Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis told CAN that the ‘President will convene a meeting of the political leaders before the UNSG’s visit to inform them’.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Cyprus from 27 to 29 July, Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the UN chief announced on Thursday, during a press briefing at the UN headquarters, in New York.

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.

After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. 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.

The successful conclusion of negotiations on the revision of EU rules governing the coordination of social security systems was the most significant achievement of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Labour and Social Insurance Minister Marinos Moushouttas said on Friday, describing it as the closure of a legislative file that had remained unresolved for nearly a decade.

Presenting the Ministry’s achievements during Cyprus’ EU Presidency at a press conference, Moushouttas said the agreement on the revision of Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 modernises the European social security framework, strengthens the protection of mobile workers and citizens exercising their right to free movement, and demonstrates that “through dialogue and trust-building, even the most complex legislative files can be brought to a successful conclusion.”

He said the Cypriot Presidency had delivered significant results in employment, social policy, occupational health and safety, and the coordination of social security systems, confirming Cyprus’ ability to play an active and substantive role in shaping European policies.

According to the Minister, the Presidency also showed that competitiveness and social justice are complementary rather than conflicting objectives.

“A competitive Europe requires quality jobs, the protection of workers and investment in human capital. This is the legacy the Republic of Cyprus leaves behind,” he said.

The Minister said Cyprus also placed the impact of climate change on occupational safety and health on the Council agenda for the first time, noting that increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are already significantly affecting working conditions, particularly in the Mediterranean countries.

He further highlighted progress on the Chemicals Omnibus VI package, which simplifies the regulatory framework for chemicals while maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment, as well as the completion of the revision of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund Regulation to provide more effective support for workers affected by major economic changes and restructuring.

Moushouttas said the Cypriot Presidency also helped shape the European agenda on the future of work beyond its legislative achievements.

He also referred to the contribution of Nobel laureate economist Professor Christopher Pissarides to the debate and to Cyprus’ initiative securing an opinion from the European Economic and Social Committee on job quality, artificial intelligence, social dialogue and collective bargaining.

The Presidency also placed strong emphasis on the social dimension of European competitiveness through a high-level conference on social justice in Nicosia and concluded key European Semester policy documents, including the Recommendation on Human Capital and the Joint Employment Report, helping shape the EU’s priorities for the coming years.

Finally, Moushouttas said the Cypriot Presidency represented the EU and its member states at the 114th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization and the 64th session of the UN Commission for Social Development, promoting common European positions on decent work, gender equality, social dialogue and social cohesion.