Category: Cyprus News Agency

The universal legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and its particular significance for Cyprus were highlighted by President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, in an address on Friday at the annual ceremony honouring the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, near the House of Representatives building.

According to a Parliament’s press release, the ceremony was organised by the High Commission of India to mark the 157th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, which is officially commemorated every year on October 2. The day has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Non-Violence, in honour of Gandhi.

In her address, Demetriou recalled the struggles of the two peoples for independence and, referring to ongoing armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions worldwide, stressed the relevance of the principle of non-violence and dialogue.

She also reaffirmed Cyprus’ steadfast commitment to universal principles and values.

The President of the House also expressed the House’s appreciation to India’s High Commissioner, Mr Manish, for his contribution to strengthening bilateral contacts.

Demetriou noted that the historic relations between Cyprus and India are based on common starting points and solid foundations, as the two countries enter a new era in their relations, with the substantive contribution of their respective Parliaments.

A zero VAT rate will be imposed from October 1, 2026 on meats, while from October 12, the measure will extend to bread, milk, baby food, coffee, and sugar, according to a press release issued by the Tax Department.

? Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Republic amends the Value Added Tax Law, following a relevant decision by the Cabinet. Specifically, from October 1, 2026, until May 31, 2027, the zero VAT will apply to fresh or preserved meats in simple refrigeration or frozen beef (codes of class CN 0201 and CN 0202), pork (codes of class CN 0203), sheep or goat meat, edible by-products of slaughtered animals, beef, pork, sheep, goat (codes of class CN ex 0206), edible meats and by-products of poultry of class 0105 (codes of class CN 0207), edible meats and by-products of rabbits and hares (codes of class CN ex 0208).

The Tax Department noted that meat products, such as marinated meats, smoked, wine-soaked, sheftalies, burgers, chicken nuggets, sausages, lountza, roasts, gyros, etc., will continue to be subject to the reduced VAT rate of 5%.

At the same time, it is noted that fish products, such as canned fish, smoked fish, marinated, battered, etc., will continue to be subject to the reduced VAT rate of 5%.

Additionally, the Tax Department stated that as of October 12, 2026, until May 31, 2027, the zero VAT will apply to all types of fresh or frozen bread with or without sourdough. Baked goods, dried bread, and any bread with added ingredients such as raisins, nuts, or herbs are not included.

Zero VAT also applies to fresh milk (e.g., cow, goat, sheep), sweetened, condensed, long-life, flavored milk (e.g., chocolate, banana), plant-based milk (e.g., almond, soy, rice), and coffee, including unroasted, roasted beans, ground, powdered, instant coffee, flavored coffee, with caffeine or decaffeinated in any packaging. Ready-to-drink beverages or drinks made from coffee consumed cold or hot are not included.

Regarding sugar, zero VAT is applied to white, brown, black crystal sugar, fine (powdered), coarse, in cubes, in packets, as well as to baby food: in powder, dry and/or liquid form, intended for consumption by children.

Snacks (e.g., chips, nuts, candies, chocolates, ice creams, yogurt cups) are not included in the reduced VAT.

CUT and Tsientang University Strengthen Cooperation in Digital Cultural Heritage

Tsientang University is a privately funded, nonprofit research university being developed in Hangzhou, China, through the philanthropic commitment of entrepreneur Zhong Shanshan. The Tsientang Institute for Advanced Study (TIAS) serves as its preparatory body and existing academic base. Bringing together the physical and life sciences, artificial intelligence and informatics, and the humanities and social sciences, the university aims to expand the frontiers of knowledge and advance technological innovation through interdisciplinary research and education. The Institute has been represented by its President Prof. Enge Wang (former President of the University of Peking and Vice-Chair of the Chinese Academy of Science together with Dr. Zilong Zheng Head of the International Affairs.

The visit to Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), in Limassol, Cyprus last week (17-19/9/2026) and in particular to the UNESCO Chair and Research Center MNEMOSYNE affirmed the strong complementarity of our institutional strengths and our shared commitment to developing long-term academic and research cooperation in the field of cultural heritage. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides an important framework for strengthening academic, scientific, and technological collaboration between the two institutions. CUT was represented by Prof. Nicolaos Tsapatsulis Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Prof. Vangelis Vice Rector of Finances as well with Dr. Athos Agapiou, Acting Director of the Research center MNEMOSYNE as well as the Director of the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage, Dr. Marinos Ioannides.

Our discussions identified opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions through joint research, education and training, staff and student exchanges, and the sharing of expertise and research resources. Areas of shared interest include cultural heritage research and conservation, digital cultural heritage, and related international standards. We also explored the potential establishment of research workstations and, in the longer term, an international joint laboratory to support sustained interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Particular emphasis was placed on the opportunity to combine the Partner Institute’s expertise in ancient materials, ceramics, archaeology, conservation, and related fields with CUT’s internationally recognised expertise in Digital Cultural Heritage, including its EU ERA Chair in Digital Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage, as well as its specialised research infrastructure within the Research Center MNEMOSYNE and wide international network.

Within the framework of this cooperation, CUT will provide, to the extent possible, scientific expertise, technical know-how, advice, training, and support in the broad domain of Digital Cultural Heritage, covering education, research, innovation, technology development, capacity building, and policy. CUT will actively seek to support the Partner Institute in addressing challenges related to the digital documentation, interpretation, preservation, monitoring, management, and long-term accessibility of digital cultural heritage.

Particular attention will be given to the exchange of knowledge concerning the different types of ancient materials, artefacts, monuments, and archaeological remains and their specific physical, material, structural, and conservation conditions, with the objective of identifying and applying appropriate methodologies for their accurate, precise, scientifically validated, and holistic digital documentation. This cooperation may encompass advanced 3D digitisation, photogrammetry, laser scanning, remote sensing, digital reconstruction, artificial intelligence, Digital Twins, MemoryTwin methodologies, HBIM/HHBIM, databases and knowledge graphs, as well as other emerging technologies relevant to cultural heritage.

The two institutions will also explore opportunities for sharing expertise, research infrastructure, datasets, scientific resources, methodologies, and best practices, while developing joint research and training activities. These activities may include joint workshops, seminars, conferences (such as the upcoming www.EuroMed2026.eu) courses, staff and student exchanges, scientific missions, joint publications, research proposals, and participation in European and international research and innovation programmes.

Through this collaboration, CUT will endeavour to make its available know-how, expertise, research experience, technological infrastructure, and international networks accessible to the Partner Institute, wherever appropriate and feasible. At the same time, the Partner Institute’s specialised knowledge of ancient materials, ceramics, conservation, archaeological contexts, and associated cultural heritage will provide an important complementary dimension to CUT’s digital expertise.

The overall objective is to establish a sustainable and mutually beneficial framework for interdisciplinary cooperation, bringing together archaeology, conservation, materials science, digital technologies, digital cultural heritage management, education, research, innovation, and policy. Such cooperation will contribute not only to the development of new scientific and technological solutions, but also to a deeper understanding, documentation, preservation, and transmission of cultural heritage and the memory associated with it for future generations.

We greatly appreciated the openness, and constructive spirit of our guests at our University and we are looking forward to transforming these shared interests and complementary strengths into concrete joint projects, research activities, educational initiatives, staff and students exchanges, and long-term institutional cooperation, benefiting both institutions and contributing to the international understanding, preservation, and sustainable use of cultural heritage.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 02/10/2026 UNTIL 1800 03/10/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1012hPa (hectopascal)

Low pressure and unstable airmass are affecting the area. Tonight and tomorrow morning, isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected mainly over the west and the north. Tomorrow evening, local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected over the west, the north and the east. IN STORM AREA WIND MAY BE VARIABLE STRENGTHENING TO 5-6 BEAUFORT WITH STRONGER GUSTS.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 27°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

South to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually near the coast Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4

Slight, gradually near the coast Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3, soon South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Slight

South Coast

Night

South to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually near the coast West to Northwest 3

Slight, gradually near the coast Smooth to Slight

Morning

South to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest 3 to 4, locally 4

Slight

East Coast

Night

Southwest to West 3, at times 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Morning

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Slight

North Coast

Night

Southeast to South 3 to 4

Slight, later near the coast Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually South to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times Variable

Slight

President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, has stressed the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the resumption of substantive negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus issue within the agreed framework of the United Nations and the importance of the EU’s more active involvement.

Demetriou was addressing on Friday a working lunch hosted by the Ambassador of Ireland to Cyprus, Sarah Hamilton, for the heads of diplomatic missions of the European Union member states in the context of the current Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

According to a press release issued by the Parliament, Demetriou stressed the particular importance for Cyprus of the commitment of the President of the European Commission to defend every inch of European territory.

She recalled that more than 52 years after the Turkish invasion against Cyprus, part of the Republic of Cyprus is still under occupation, while Turkey insists on promoting a two-state solution, in violation of the international law and the agreed framework for a solution.

Moreover, Demetriou stressed the importance of the more active involvement of the EU and the role of the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, in support of the process of resolving the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the United Nations.

She also referred to the efforts made on the sidelines of this year’s UN General Assembly in New York to hold a trilateral meeting between the UN Secretary General and the two leaders, which, were unsuccessful due to Turkey’s refusal, and reaffirmed the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the resumption of substantive negotiations for a solution within the agreed framework of the United Nations.

As regards the deepening of EU-Turkey relations, including the update of the Customs Union and cooperation in the fields of security, defence and industry, Demetriou underlined that it cannot be disconnected from the fulfillment of Turkey’s obligations towards Cyprus.

Referring to energy security, Demetriou highlighted the strategic importance of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection through the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) for lifting Cyprus’ energy isolation and strengthening security of supply, and underlined the need for European support for the implementation of the project.

The House Speaker welcomed the priorities of the Irish EU Presidency in the areas of competitiveness, values and security, noting that they are interrelated goals that serve European integration, international law and multilateralism.

Furthermore, she referred to challenges such as AI, and underlined that the EU must strengthen investment and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence and address the risks arising from its rapid development. In this context, she referred to the impact of social media on public debate, placing particular emphasis on sexist attacks and the online targeting of women participating in political life.

Concluding, Demetriou highlighted the need to find effective responses to the daily concerns of European citizens.

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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. 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 Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, held a farewell meeting with the Ambassador of Israel, Oren Anolik, upon the conclusion of the latter’s tenure in Cyprus.

According to a post by the Foreign Ministry on X on Friday, the Minister thanked Ambassador Anolik for his dedication and valuable contribution to promoting Cyprus-Israel strategic partnership over the past five years, wishing him every success in the future.

Retail trade in Cyprus recorded strong growth in August 2026, with the turnover value index for retail trade excluding motor vehicles rising by 9.3% year-on-year, while the volume index increased by 7.0%, according to data released Friday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus.

During the January-August 2026 period, the value index increased by 8.1%, while the volume index rose by 6.4% compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

The August data show broad-based growth in retail trade, with particularly strong performances recorded in information and communications equipment, clothing and footwear, as well as fuel in terms of value.

Strong growth in electronics and clothing

———————————————–

The largest annual increase in the value index in August was recorded in information and communications equipment, which rose by 15.9%, while the volume index increased by 24.8%.

Clothing and footwear also recorded significant growth, with the value index rising by 8.9% and the volume index by 16.7%.

In other household equipment, including building materials, carpets, furniture, electrical appliances and lighting equipment, the value of sales increased by 10.2%, while volume rose by 12.0%.

The value index for educational and recreational goods increased by 9.7% and the volume index by 12.7%, while pharmaceutical and orthopaedic goods and cosmetics recorded increases of 7.7% and 7.1%, respectively.

Fuel value up 21.1%

———————-

In motor fuels, the value index increased by 21.1% in August, while the volume index fell by 1.5%.

In supermarkets, the value index rose by 8.2%, while volume increased by 5.1%. In specialised stores selling food, beverages and tobacco, the value index increased by 1.9%, while volume declined by 1.0%.

Growth also recorded in January-August

—————————-

During the January-August period, most retail categories recorded increases.

The value index rose by 11.4% for motor fuels, 11.8% for other household equipment and 10.5% for information and communications equipment.

In clothing and footwear, the value index increased by 4.2%, while volume rose by 12.0%.

Overall, excluding motor fuels, the retail trade value index increased by 8.2% in August, while the volume index rose by 7.8%. During the first eight months of the year, the corresponding increases were 7.7% and 7.1%.

Cyprus celebrates on Thursday October 1st its 66th independence anniversary with a military parade to take place at 11 a.m local time in capital Nicosia, in the presence of dignitaries from Greece, the United Kingdom, Egypt, France and the United States, as well as foreign Ambassadors.

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, will take the salute at the military parade, flanked by Defence Minister, Vasilis Palmas, Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Dendias and Chiefs of the National Guard of Cyprus and Greece.

The parade will also be attended by the Chief of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton and representatives of the armed forces from Egypt, France and the United States, as well as Prime Ministers and Defense Ministers of foreign countries and other officials.

Earlier President Nikos Christodoulides and House President, Annita Demetriou, will visit the ”?mprisoned Graves” in Nicosia, where EOKA fighters during the anti-colonial war are buried and lay wreaths.

Moreover, the President of the Republic, House President and Greek Defence Minister will lay wreaths at the statue of Archibishop Makarios, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, at the Presidential Palace courtyard.

Greek Defence Minister will allso be received by the President. Moreover, Christodoulides and Demetriou will attend a ?risagion Service and lay wreaths at the Republic and Resistance Memorial in the park by the Presidential Palace.

President Christodoulides and his spouse will host a reception for Cyprus Independence Day at 1300 local time at the Presidential Palace.

The public today can visit military ships and frigates of the Cyprus and Hellenic army docked at Larnaka Port.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 01/10/2026 UNTIL 0600 02/10/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1012hPa (hectopascal)

Low pressure and an unstable airmass are affecting the area. Isolated showers or thunderstorms are expected at times. IN STORMS WIND MAY BE VARIABLE STRENGTHENING to 5-6 BEAUFORT WITH STRONGER GUSTS.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 27°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning Southwest to West 3 to 4 Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

South Coast

Morning Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually 4 Smooth to Slight, gradually Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 4 to 5, locally 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

East Coast

Morning Southwest to Northwest 3, gradually Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 4, later offshore Southwest to West 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

North Coast

Morning Southeast to Southwest 3, soon Southwest to West 3 to 4 Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

The Index of Industrial Output Prices for August 2026 reached 127.9 units (base 2021=100), recording an increase of 4.2%, compared to August 2025, according to data published on Wednesday by the Statistical Service.

An increase was recorded in all sectors: electricity supply went up 11.6%, water supply and materials recovery 8.5%, manufacturing 2.2% and mining and quarrying 0.8%.

By division of economic activity in manufacturing, in August 2026 compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, increases were recorded in the manufacture of electronic and optical products and electrical equipment (11.4%), the manufacture of basic metals and fabricated metal products (5.4%), the manufacture of furniture, other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment (4.9%), the manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture (4.3%) and the manufacture of machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment (3%).

Compared to July 2026, a marginal increase of 0.2% was recorded. According to CYSTAT, the index remained stable in mining and quarrying, while it showed an increase in all other sectors and specifically in water supply and materials recovery by 1.1%, in electricity supply by 0.3% and in manufacturing by 0.1%.

For the period January-August 2026, the index showed an increase of 1.6% compared to the corresponding period of 2025.