Category: Cyprus News Agency

The United Kingdom and Cyprus have reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their strategic partnership, with a particular focus on security, regional stability and institutional cooperation, during a meeting on Wednesday at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London between UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos.

Cooper stressed that London and Nicosia work closely together on issues of shared foreign policy, regional security and international security. She referred to the recent contacts between the two governments following the attack on a Cyprus-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, while reiterating the importance the British government attaches to Cyprus’ security and its strategic role in the wider region.

The UK Foreign Secretary also congratulated the Republic of Cyprus on its successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union, noting that Nicosia supports the further development of relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Referring to bilateral ties, Cooper highlighted the strong people-to-people links between the two countries, noting that around 300,000 Cypriots live in the United Kingdom, while 1.4 million British tourists visit Cyprus every year.

For his part, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said that, at a time of major geopolitical transformation, the Republic of Cyprus is seeking to add greater substance to its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom.

He said the objective is to strengthen the institutional framework for cooperation and enhance communication mechanisms on security and other areas of mutual interest.

Kombos also underlined the need for a “comprehensive, meaningful and results-oriented dialogue”, stressing that the common objective of both countries is to find solutions to existing challenges and further strengthen bilateral cooperation, despite the occasional complexities that have characterised their relationship over the years.

From 8 to 13 July 2026, the Department of Communication and Internet Studies and the Department of Fine Arts at Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) brought together students and scholars from across Europe for a week-long Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Media Anthropology and Film Practices, the first of its kind at CUT.

Limassol as a Field Site

The programme used Limassol itself as a living laboratory. Participants explored the city’s coastline, markets, and neighborhoods through ethnographic walks, fieldwork exercises, and documentary filming, learning to read the city not merely as backdrop, but as inscribed space.

The BIP brought together a faculty of researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of anthropology, filmmaking, fine and visual arts, technology, and everyday practice. Key contributors included Athina Peglidou and Penelope Papailias from Greece, Jaime Quilles Campos and Roberto Oliver Sanchez Garcia from Spain, Yiannis Papadakis, Rahme Veziroglu, Markos Souropetsis, Theodoros Kouros, Yiannis Christidis and Selin Genç from Cyprus, whose work on anthropology, socially engaged art, participatory storytelling, podcasting, filmmaking and the politics of the image shaped the programme’s critical orientation.

Thinking Through the Camera

The programme was designed around a central question: what does it mean to think anthropologically through film? Sessions moved between theory and practice – from seminars on ethics of representation and the politics of the gaze, to hands-on workshops in documentary filmmaking, field recording, and visual storytelling.

The BIP provided participants with the tools to work with images and sound the way an anthropologist works with words: carefully, reflexively, and always in relation to the people participating. The visual works that the students produced were exhibited in Xydadiko, in Limassol on the last day of the programme at a public event.

European Collaboration

The programme was delivered as part of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme framework, bringing together students and faculty from partner universities across Europe. The programme brought together students and academics from Greece (University of Thessaly and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Spain (Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), Romania (Technical University of Cluj-Napoca), and Cyprus (CUT). Yiannis Christidis and Theodoros Kouros from the Department of Fine Arts and the Department of Communication and Internet Studies, respectively, coordinated the programme.

The BIP is part of a growing portfolio of international programme at CUT that connect applied research, fieldwork, and creative practice, positioning the university as a regional hub for critical media and anthropological inquiry.

More than 200 representatives from across Cyprus’ research, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem gathered on Tuesday, 14 July, at The BASH 2026, the flagship annual networking event organised by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

In a statement, the Foundation notes that The BASH 2026 was organised under the Innovation Factory initiative of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) and as part of the activities of the Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, and, beyond networking, the event served as an opportunity to highlight the progress that Cyprus has made in recent years in the field of research and innovation, as well as the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors, universities, research organisations, and businesses.

“The strong attendance and vibrant atmosphere throughout the evening confirmed that The BASH has firmly established itself as the annual gathering of Cyprus’s innovation community, fostering new synergies, meaningful collaborations and initiatives with lasting impact,” the RIF notes.

The Chair of the Board of the RIF and Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology, Dimitris Skouridis, the General Director of the RIF, Theodoros Loukaidis, as well as Constantinos Kleovoulou, on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to further strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and stressed the potential of the growing research and innovation ecosystem in Cyprus.

The BASH 2026: Connecting the People Driving Cyprus’ Innovation Ecosystem

More than 200 representatives from Cyprus’ research, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem attended RIF’s flagship annual networking event

More than 200 representatives from across Cyprus’ research, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem gathered on Tuesday, 14 July, at The BASH 2026, the flagship annual networking event organised by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

Under the theme “Let’s Cheers to Innovation Together!”, this year’s event once again brought together the people shaping the future of Cyprus through research, innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a vibrant environment for networking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

Startups and scaleups, innovative businesses, researchers, academics, investors, business support organisations, public sector representatives and policymakers had the opportunity to connect, establish new relationships and explore future collaborations during an evening that has now become a key meeting point for Cyprus’ innovation community.

The event featured welcome addresses by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research and Innovation Foundation and Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Mr. Demetris Skourides, the Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation, Mr. Theodoros Loukaidis, and Mr. Constantinos Kleovoulou, representing the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, who all highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of RIF and Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Mr. Demetris Skourides, stated:

“Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem is growing, maturing and continuously delivering new success stories. This is not happening by chance; it is the result of the collective effort and collaboration of everyone who is part of this community. As the Research and Innovation Foundation, and personally in my capacity as Chief Scientist, we remain committed to securing the necessary resources and creating the right conditions to further strengthen and support our ecosystem. The BASH demonstrates that when the community comes together, new ideas emerge, new partnerships are formed, and the next success stories for Cyprus begin.”

The Director General of RIF, Mr. Theodoros Loukaidis, said:

“Today, Cyprus has a much stronger and more mature innovation ecosystem, ranked 39th globally in the StartupBlink Startup Ecosystem Index. This achievement is the result of a collective effort involving startups and innovative businesses, investors, incubators and accelerators, knowledge transfer offices, our universities, public sector stakeholders, and the Research and Innovation Foundation, which continuously evolves to better support the ecosystem. Together, we are building the foundations for even greater success. Thank you all for being here tonight at The BASH, which has grown into a flagship event, creating opportunities for meaningful networking, new ideas and lasting collaborations.”

Representing the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Konstantinos Kleovoulou noted:

“Cyprus today has a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem that continues to grow and create new opportunities. The Government remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen collaboration and further enhance Cyprus’ research and innovation ecosystem.”

Beyond networking, the event highlighted the significant progress Cyprus has achieved in research and innovation in recent years, while showcasing the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors, universities, research organisations and businesses.

The strong attendance and vibrant atmosphere throughout the evening confirmed that The BASH has firmly established itself as the annual gathering of Cyprus’s innovation community, fostering new synergies, meaningful collaborations and initiatives with lasting impact.

The BASH 2026 was organised under the Innovation Factory initiative of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) and as part of the activities of the Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus.

Cyprus recorded the largest gap in the EU in favour of young women aged 16 to 24 with at least basic digital skills in 2025, according to data published by Eurostat on Wednesday.

Specifically, the share of young women in Cyprus with at least basic digital skills stood at 73.9%, compared with 55.1% for young men, with the gap reaching 18.8%. Overall, the share of young people aged 16 to 24 in Cyprus who had at least basic digital skills stood at 63.9%.

At EU level, in 2025, 74.6% of young people aged 16 to 24 had at least basic digital skills. The share of young women in the EU stood at 75.9%, compared with 73.3% for young men.

According to Eurostat, in 22 EU countries the share of young women with at least basic digital skills was higher than that of young men. After Cyprus, the largest gaps in favour of young women were recorded in Slovenia, with 11.6 percentage points, and Austria, with 9.1 percentage points.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 14/07/2026 UNTIL 0600 15/07/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1005hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but overnight and early morning locally increased low cloud coverage will be present at times, with risk of local mist and/or fog patches.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 27°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

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

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, locally Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3, locally Northwest to Northeast Smooth to Slight

South Coast

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

Afternoon Southwest to West 4 to 5, locally 5 Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

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

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

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

Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, locally Slight

Night Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

#CT#General/CT#

Cyprus is among the euro area countries where the pilot programme for the digital euro will take place, according to an announcement by the European Central Bank published on Tuesday.

According to the ECB, the pilot programme will take place at the Bank itself and at 19 Eurosystem national central banks, including in Cyprus, with the aim of testing the functionalities of the digital euro.

The ECB announced that it had selected 36 payment service providers from across the euro area to participate in the pilot programme. The exercise is described as crucial for testing the technical functionality and operational processes of the digital euro, as well as for improving the user experience.

The pilot programme aims to support the ongoing preparatory work for the potential issuance of a digital euro and is expected to start in the second half of 2027, for a period of 12 months.

How the tests will be carried out

The pilot programme will involve staff from the ECB and the participating national central banks, as well as e-commerce merchants and merchants offering everyday services on their premises, such as cafeterias and restaurants.

Staff at the participating central banks will be able to make test payments in digital euro from person to person, both online and offline, as well as from person to business, at physical points of sale and via e-commerce, including mobile payments.

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union has significantly contributed to the promotion of important legislative files in the areas of economy and fiscal affairs, enhancing the competitiveness of the European economy, modernising the customs union, integrating capital markets, fostering tax cooperation, and supporting Ukraine, said Finance Minister Makis Keravnos on Tuesday, presenting the outcomes of the Cyprus Presidency in his area of responsibility.

During a press conference in Nicosia, Keravnos described the six-month Presidency as a particularly demanding yet highly productive period, noting that Cyprus took the helm of the Council at a time of intense geopolitical upheaval, with the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, developments in the Middle East, and their impacts on the European economy and energy security.

As he pointed out, these conditions necessitated decisions that would strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the European Union, with the Cypriot Presidency focusing on policies that promote sustainable development, fiscal stability, and the enhancement of the Union’s strategic autonomy at the Council of Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN).

The Minister said that during the Cypriot Presidency, he chaired five ECOFIN meetings, a General Affairs Council on cohesion policy issues, as well as informal meetings of EU Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy that were hosted in Cyprus.

He further pointed out that a central goal of the Presidency was to strengthen the financial autonomy of the European Union and create conditions for greater productivity and competitiveness of the European economy.

Keravnos made particular reference to the work on the Union of Savings and Investments, describing it as a key pillar of European competitiveness. At the same time, he noted that the Council reached agreements on a series of legislative proposals concerning supplementary pensions and specifically the revision of the pan-European personal pension product (PEPP), to make it more attractive, accessible, and financially sustainable.

Referring to the first pillar of the Presidency, the Minister emphasised the implementation of the new EU economic governance framework agreed upon in 2024, as well as the coordination of member states’ economic policies through the European Semester. He also said that the Cypriot Presidency contributed to resolving outstanding issues that delayed the implementation of a decision to grant a loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine.

Keravnos also referred, among other things, to the progress made on the European budget and the new Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034. Regarding taxation, he said that new rules were agreed upon for more effective combating of VAT fraud, through enhanced cooperation between member states, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). He also spoke of the reform of the Union Customs Code, which he described as the most significant since the establishment of the customs union in 1968.

“Cyprus has proven that it has the human resources that can not only address national issues but also design and implement European policies,” he said, adding that the successful completion of the Presidency enhanced the voice and credibility of the country in European institutions.

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos travels to London on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to hold meetings with UK officials and deliver an address at the UK Parliament.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday Kombos will meet with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, as well as Minister of State for Europe and North America Stephen Doughty.

During his visit, the Foreign Minister will also address an event organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus at the UK Parliament, on Tuesday, on “Cyprus’ Geostrategic Role: Prospects and Challenges.”

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

MEETING DATE: 14/07/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTH

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE:

146.045,98

INDEX

VALUE

% DIFF.

VALUE (pound )

FTSE/CySE 20

182,500

-0,400

128.343,630

MAIN MARKET INDEX

247,240

-0,520

116.915,220

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

3.021,980

0,320

34.843,750

CSE GENERAL INDEX

310,410

-0,410

129.170,860

HOTELS INDEX

1.957,430

-0,380

698,330

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

2.055,030

0,060

12.255,640