Category: Cyprus News Agency

With a dual message to the United Kingdom and Turkey ahead of the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK has called on both countries to contribute to the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue by supporting the new United Nations initiative.

As part of the commemorations marking the anniversary of 20 July, the Federation presented a memorandum to the outgoing UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, thanking him for strengthening relations between London and Nicosia during his time in office. The memorandum highlights his meetings with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, as well as his historic visit to Cyprus in December 2024, the first by a serving British Prime Minister in more than 50 years.

The Federation also calls on the new British government to maintain an active role as a Guarantor Power in efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue by continuing ministerial-level participation in the enlarged meetings and supporting a settlement based on the agreed UN framework, international law and the EU acquis. It also reiterates its support for a reunited Cyprus, free of occupying troops and the system of guarantees.

In a separate letter to Turkey’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Osman Koray Ertas, the Federation’s President, Christos Karaolis, describes Turkey’s presence in Cyprus as an “illegal invasion and ongoing occupation” lasting 52 years. He also urges Ankara to seize the opportunity presented by the new initiative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, by demonstrating, as he states, good faith in the negotiations.

The letter also highlights the Republic of Cyprus’ efforts to safeguard the rights of Turkish Cypriots through the issuance of Cypriot passports and identity cards, while criticising Turkey for its military actions in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. The Federation concludes that ending the occupation, withdrawing Turkish troops and abolishing the system of guarantees could create the conditions for a reunited Cyprus and a new relationship between Turkey and the international community.

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.

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday that there have been developments in the case of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, who were killed during demonstrations against Turkish occupation of Cyprus near Deryneia in August 1996.The Government is taking all necessary steps to pursue those responsible for their killing, he stressed.

The President was speaking at the Presidential Palace, where he received a group of motorcyclists participating in the Isaac-Solomou Memorial Initiative, along with members of the families of the two men, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of their deaths. Addressing the motorcyclists, President Christodoulides said that, for the Government, what happened in August 1996 remains an unresolved issue.

“These were murders, nothing less. We must call things by their name. We all witnessed what happened. It is neither an opinion nor an impression-it was two acts of murder,” he said. The President added that “there have been developments, but it would not be appropriate for me to discuss them publicly,” noting that he was prepared to brief the families privately, away from the public spotlight.

He assured them that the Government is doing everything required regarding those responsible. Addressing members of the two families directly, President Christodoulides said: “We know very well the obligation we have towards you, towards the families of our heroes, and I want to state publicly that we will not stop for a single moment until we fulfil our duty towards you and towards the Cypriot people.”

Welcoming the members of the Initiative back from their multi-day journey through Greece to mark the 30 years since the death of Isaac and Solomou, President Christodoulides said he had followed their trip closely. He remarked that their route reminded him of the educational trip to Greece made decades earlier by EOKA hero Evagoras Pallikarides and his classmates, noting that his own father had been one of Pallikarides’ classmates and had often spoken to him about that experience.

The President also congratulated the Initiative for what he described as its “very carefully chosen” itinerary. He praised the motorcyclists’ efforts to raise awareness of the Cyprus issue, stressing that such efforts should always begin in Greece. “What you achieved during these ten days would normally require years of diplomatic work or government efforts to produce the same results,” he said. Travelling under the slogan “Guided by Memory, Driven by Freedom,” the bikers covered hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of kilometres by motorcycle, as well as significant distances by sea.

Referring to the sacrifice of Isaac and Solomou, President Christodoulides said the greatest tribute to their memory is the continuation of the struggle for which they gave their lives. “What they were demanding was nothing more than the right to move freely throughout their own country, as every citizen of a European state should be able to do. They fought for the liberation of this country and for the termination of the occupation,” he said. He also announced that he intends to attend the annual memorial events set to take place on 8 August.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the events of August 1996, when Tasos Isaac was beaten and stoned to death on 11 August, and three days later, on 14 August, Solomos Solomou was shot dead by Turkish forces as he attempted to remove the Turkish occupation flag in Deryneia village.

Cyprus has Blue Flags on 46 beaches and two marinas this year, the Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA) has said in a press release.

CYMEPA, the National Operator of the international Blue Flag Program in Cyprus, said Friday in a statement that by July 17, 2026, Cyprus has 46 awarded beaches and two marinas that carry the Blue Flag, “one of the most important international distinctions in the field of environmental quality and sustainable coastal management”.

The Blue Flag, it notes, is the most recognized international ecological symbol of quality for organized beaches, marinas and tourist boats.

Of the 46 awarded beaches in Cyprus, 27 are located in the government- controlled Famagusta District, three in the Larnaca District, three in the Limassol District and 13 in the Paphos District.

Moreover, both of the country’s marinas participating in the program were awarded the Blue Flag, namely, Limassol Marina and Ayia Napa Marina.

Furthermore, it notes that by July 14, 2026, 25 of the 46 awarded beaches have special facilities and infrastructure that allow people with mobility difficulties to have safe and dignified access to the sea. Of these, 16 beaches are located in the Famagusta District, three in the Larnaca District, two in the Limassol District and four in the Paphos District

Eight of the above beaches have the SEATRAC system, which allows autonomous access to the sea.

The message conveyed by the UN Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus is that the international community is investing in the prospect of a solution, not in the perpetuation of the status quo, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis told the CNA.

Invited to comment on the significance of the Secretary-General’s visit – the first in 16 years – Letymbiotis said it will be an important opportunity to assess the progress of the Secretary-General’s initiative to date. He added that our side ‘looks forward with interest to the directions he will outline regarding the continuation of the process and the next steps’.

He stressed that the momentum now building creates the conditions for progress, but also highlights the responsibility of all involved to respond to this prospect.

In his statement the Spokesman said that “the visit of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Cyprus constitutes a particularly important development, both in terms of the substance of the contacts and for the strong political symbolism it conveys.”

He confirmed that “the new initiative he (the SG) personally undertook remains active, is evolving, is gaining continuity and maintains its momentum. The visit will be an important opportunity to assess the initiative’s course so far, and we await with interest the directions he will highlight regarding the continuation of the process and the next steps.’

This development is part of a broader and steadily strengthening international mobility around the Cyprus issue, he said, adding that “the Secretary-General’s initiative, the more active involvement of the European Union, the appointment of an EU Commission Envoy for the Cyprus issue, and the clear linkage of progress in EU-Turkey relations to the Cyprus issue compose a new political environment. An environment to which the President’s initiatives for a more active and substantive EU engagement, for using EU-Turkey relations as a catalyst for progress, and for keeping the Cyprus issue high on the international agenda have contributed decisively.’

The Spokesman remarked that ‘two significant international pillars, the United Nations and the European Union, are being activated in parallel and operate complementarily toward the shared goal of creating the conditions for progress on the Cyprus issue, under the initiative undertaken by the UN Secretary-General.’

He clarified that this development is not circumstantial, but ‘it reflects the formation of a broader international dynamic that strengthens the prospects of the process. It is the result of persistent diplomatic effort, continuous contacts and a consistent strategy aiming to mobilize all available international and European levers toward a solution’.

‘The Republic of Cyprus’, he added, ‘is steadfast in its dedication to protecting the negotiating acquis, to international law, to the United Nations agreed framework for a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions. With consistency and credibility we are working so that the next expanded conference will become a substantive springboard for the resumption of negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted.’

The current conjuncture, the Spokesman added, “makes it even clearer that progress on the Cyprus issue and progress in EU-Turkey relations rest on the same fundamental principles: respect for international law, United Nations decisions and the obligations deriving from them. This is the common starting point and the common duty.’

The message being sent is clear, he said, that “the international community is investing in the prospect of a solution and not in the perpetuation of the status quo. The momentum being generated creates the conditions for progress, but at the same time highlights the responsibility of all parties to respond to that prospect.’

Our side, Letymbiotis noted, ‘has demonstrated by its actions its will and readiness. The question now is whether everyone will choose to align with the collective international effort and the agreed framework.’

The coming period, he said, “will show whether there will be a response to this collective international effort through substantive moves consistent with the agreed framework, international law, and the principles, values, acquis and Law of the EU.”

He assured that “we will continue to work with consistency, credibility and sincere political will so that the momentum created is transformed into substantive progress toward the liberation and reunification of our homeland’.

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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

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%).

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%.

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday that he will put forward proposals to further strengthen the work of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Youth by formally placing specific recommendations on the negotiating table in the Cyprus problem talks.

According to an official statement, President Christodoulides made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Palace with the members of the Greek Cypriot side of the Technical Committee on Youth.

He said the meeting was taking place ‘at a very good time’, in view of developments in the Cyprus issue and the broad recognition of the important work carried out by the Committee.

‘This was something we accepted from the very beginning. It was eventually also accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side, while the United Nations, as well as ourselves and the European Union, are investing heavily in this Committee,’ he added.

President Christodoulides also said he wished to be briefed on the Committee’s work.

‘I am aware of the two visits that took place to Jordan and Brussels, as well as some of the programmes. Let us also see how we can further strengthen your efforts through specific proposals that we, too, can formally place on the negotiating table,’ he said.

Speaking at the meeting, the Greek Cypriot head of the Committee, Amalia Avraam, thanked the President for the opportunity to present the Committee’s work.

She said the Committee meets every two weeks at the Ledra Palace Hotel together with the members of the Turkish Cypriot side.

‘There is very good cooperation. We have developed a sincere relationship with one another,’ she said.

Avraam added that there is ‘a great deal of scope for discussion and cooperation.’

She also noted that although ‘there are sometimes certain obstacles,’ the members always seek solutions in order to implement the activities they wish to carry out.

The International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus has strongly criticized what it described as the Trump administration’s ‘appeasement’ of Turkey, warning that the sale of advanced US military technology to Ankara would undermine American interests and regional stability.

In a statement issued by its President, Philip Christopher, the committee argued that Turkey had demonstrated that it was ‘an unreliable ally,’ ‘not a dependable partner of America’ and ‘not a loyal member of NATO”.

The Cypriot organization called on Ankara to end ‘the illegal occupation of 38% of the Republic of Cyprus,’ noting that Cyprus is a member of the European Union and ‘a strong strategic partner of America.”

The statement continued by saying that Turkey was violating US and international law, including the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, and accused Ankara of continuing to possess the Russian S-400 missile system while undermining NATO.

It also accused Turkey of supporting Hamas, Hezbollah and ISIS, illegally occupying areas of northern Syria and northern Iraq, and undermining US foreign policy toward Iran.

“Turkey violates UNCLOS, the international laws of the seas with illegal maritime claims” it is added.

The Committee further noted that Ankara was oppressing minorities, including Kurds, Christians and Jews, and violating the international law of the sea through what it described as illegal maritime claims.

The statement highlighted Turkey’s continuing threat of ‘casus belli’ against Greece and accused Ankara of obstructing energy exploration and development by Cyprus, Greece and Israel.

‘Selling advanced military technology to Turkey rewards territorial aggression, minorities oppression, anti-Israel rhetoric and continued violation of US and International laws,’ Christopher said.

‘Appeasement did not work with Germany; it will not work with Turkey,’ he added, calling for Ankara to be held accountable and pressed to respect international law.

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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force on the island (UNFICYP), Khassim Diagne, will brief the United Nations Security Council today at 15:00 New York time (19:00 GMT) in closed consultations.

Diagne’s briefing will focus on the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ two latest reports on his Good Offices mission and UNFICYP.

According to CNA sources, developments on the Cyprus issue are expected following the visit to Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, towards the end of this month, while a visit by the UN Secretary-General himself to Nicosia during the same period is also possible.

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 total amount of municipal solid waste generated in Cyprus in 2024 recorded an annual increase of 5.6%, compared to 2023.

According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, it is estimated that the total amount of municipal solid waste generated in Cyprus in 2024 stood at 669 thousand tonnes compared to 633 thousand tonnes in 2023, recording an increase of 5.6%.

The Statistical Service added that from the total amount of 566 thousand tons of waste treated in 2024, 78.5% was disposed in landfills, 14.2% was used for recycling, 2.9% was used for energy recovery purposes and 4.4% was composted.

The average generation of municipal waste per inhabitant in the European Union in 2024 was 517 kg.

In Cyprus, municipal waste generation per capita reached 664 kg, which ranked the 4th highest among EU member states.

Denmark had the highest municipal waste generation per capita (755 kg), followed by Belgium (699 kg), Luxembourg (681 kg), Cyprus (664 kg), Germany (628 kg) and Malta (621 kg).