Category: Cyprus News Agency

The existing dichotomous status quo is unacceptable and deteriorating, and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) are a valuable tool, the joint communiqué issued on Wednesday by the Embassy of Slovakia says, following the meeting of representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties at the Ledra Palace Hotel, in Nicosia.

The parties met on Wednesday under the auspices of the Embassy of Slovakia and discussed the topic “Confidence Building Measures: a tool for the future or a prerequisite for a restart?” proposed by the hosting Cyprus Green Party.

The press release said that the participants exchanged views on the long-term experience of efforts to implement CBMs following UN Security Council Resolution 789 (1992) and reviewed current developments. It also noted that many of the CBMs ”have positively contributed to mutual understanding and resolved daily issues faced by people on both sides of the divide, over the years.”

“The real prerequisite is political will. CBMs cannot be a substitute for substantive negotiations,” it added.

The participants encourage the leaders of the two communities to intensify efforts for the resumption of negotiations towards a democratic, peaceful, and sustainable federal solution to the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and resolutions, the EU acquis, and international law.

“All sides should refrain from statements and actions that erode confidence, especially at the time when there are efforts to resume negotiations,” the press release pointed out.

It also noted that Turkish Cypriot Social Justice and Struggle Party (TAM Parti) opted out of the text of the Joint Communiqué.

The next meeting of the leaders and representatives of the political parties will be hosted by the United Cyprus Party (BKP) on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Wednesday that the document recording the convergences on the Cyprus issue should be given to all parties at this stage, before the resumption of negotiations.

Speaking after the conclusion of the National Council meeting, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus issue, the Spokesman also said that the Greek Cypriot side expressed its position in a positive and specific manner on several of the seven CBM raised by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman. He reiterated that the compromise proposal of the United Nations Secretary General on the crossing points has not been accepted by the other side.

Letymbiotis said that the President of the Republic briefed the political leadership on the developments since the previous session of the National Council on 3 August as well as on his meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader on 26 August, 9 and 19 September, with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Maria Angela Holguin on 22 September in New York and with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The focus, he added, was on the 19 proposals submitted by the President of the Republic both on Confidence Building Measures (CBM) and on the methodology and essence of the Cyprus problem.

Replying to questions, Letymbiotis referred to the recording of the convergences, clarifying that the position of the Greek Cypriot side remains that the relevant document should be given to the parties before the resumption of negotiations.

‘We, from the very beginning – and this was the arrangement and the approach also during the visit of the UNSG – (stated) that with the completion of the recording of the convergences, that this document be given to all parties so that there would be a common view regarding the convergences that have been achieved, precisely to assist the process towards the resumption of negotiations and not with the resumption of negotiations,’ he said.

He added that this position has been repeatedly conveyed and that the Greek Cypriot negotiator, Menelaos Menelaou, brought it back after the last briefing from Holguin.

‘We believe that this record of the convergences – on which we had requested an update on, and we had been informed that it is at an advanced stage – should be given at this stage to all parties, precisely so that this process contributes to the effort of the United Nations Secretary General for the resumption,’ he said.

Referring to the seven CBM raised by the Turkish Cypriot leader, the Government Spokesman referred to the positions of the Greek Cypriot side, noting that for each one of them there have been public and specific positions submitted.

Regarding the issue of demining, Letymbiotis recalled that the Greek Cypriot side has submitted a specific proposal since 2025, which concerns the areas that the United Nations has listed, which, remains to this day without acceptance or discussion by the other side.

As regards the Technical Committee on natural disasters, the Government Spokesman noted that the issue was discussed during the joint meeting of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin in New York. The Greek Cypriot side has accepted the Committee’s recommendation, while the other side has expressed reservations, he continued.

On the issue of sports, Letymbiotis referred to an existing institutionalized framework of cooperation, which was signed in 2013 between FIFA, UEFA, the Cyprus Football Federation and the corresponding Turkish Cypriot federation.

‘A friendly match has already taken place on September 19, a new one is planned in the occupied territories in October,’ he said.

Regarding the crossing points, the Government Spokesman said that the Greek Cypriot side has submitted a series of proposals, which it presented as a token of its constructive attitude. He clarified that the Greek Cypriot side has accepted the UN Secretary General’s compromise proposal on the crossing points, while the other side has not accepted it. “There are certainly many proposals that we have submitted for the crossing points, demonstrating our own constructive stance and approach,” he noted.

As regards the issue of citizenships, Letymbiotis reiterated the Government’s position that this specific issue cannot be treated as a CBM as it is linked to provisions of the legislation and to the status of the Republic of Cyprus as a member state of the European Union.

He stressed that the relevant applications are examined based on the established criteria and legislation, and noted that the examination of applications has restarted after President Nikos Christodoulides assumed the Presidency.

We have publicly spoken about each of these 7 points, he said, adding that our positions are public, recorded and consistent.

Letymbiotis also noted that the President of the Republic has presented “a total of 19 proposals, 19 points, which can be discussed if we really want to see progress”.

The Spokesman referred to the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, to Cyprus in October, in preparation for the informal expanded conference that Antonio Guterres is seeking to convene.

During the National Council meeting, he said, there was a thorough exchange of views on the next steps of the Secretary General’s initiative and on how the effort can be strengthened in view of Holguin’s arrival.

Letymbiotis stressed that the Greek Cypriot side has submitted many proposals and that the recent ones concern all three fields in which the UN Secretary General seeks to make progress.

“Our approach and the approach of the UN Secretary General himself, as he himself stated during his visit to Cyprus and in the meetings we had, is that when there are challenges, the solution is not less dialogue. The solution is more dialogue,” he pointed out.

The Spokesman added that the discussion should continue, without overlooking Turkey’s role and its stance towards the UN Secretary General’s effort to convene an expanded conference.

‘The UNSG himself remains committed to this effort. The UNSG himself maintains the belief that convening such an expanded meeting is feasible in the near future. However, a necessary component, a necessary condition is that there is political will,’ he underlined.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side cannot determine how difficult the path will be, but can continue to submit proposals that will facilitate the effort, while calling on the other side to demonstrate the same constructive attitude.

Asked about the possibility that there will be no progress by the end of Guterres’ term, Letymbiotis stressed that the negotiating acquis will not be lost.

“The negotiating acquis cannot and will not be lost,” he said, adding that this is also included in the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot leader.

The Spokesman said that the terms of the mandate of the UN Secretary General are based on the UNSC resolutions, which, “clearly and repeatedly define, specify, describe and record the agreed framework.”

He recalled that the UN Secretary General has the personal goal to achieve substantive progress on the Cyprus issue by the end of his term.

“We still have time until the end of the term of the Secretary-General of the United Nations”, he said.

He stressed that “we will never compromise with the faits accomplis” and never allow, the Turkish intransigence to lead us to abandon the effort to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Letymbiotis reiterated that progress in the negotiation requires the participation of both sides, noting that the Republic of Cyprus will continue its initiatives to assist the efforts of the UN Secretary-General.

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.

The first session of the Joint Maritime Committee of Cyprus – India was held on Tuesday in Limassol, as part of the Maritime Trade Agreement signed between the two countries in 2017.

The Deputy Ministry of Shipping said in a press release on Wednesday that “the Joint Maritime Committee is an important mechanism for enhancing institutional dialogue and further developing maritime cooperation between Cyprus and India, providing a framework for examining issues of common interest and promoting specific cooperation actions.”

The session was chaired by Dr. Theodoulos Mesimeris, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, and Venkatesapathy S., Director General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India.

“During the session, the maritime sectors and maritime ecosystems of the two countries were presented. From the Cypriot side, the sector of Cypriot shipping was presented, as well as the wide range of maritime and related services that Cyprus offers as a comprehensive maritime centre,” the press release said.

It also noted that “there was an exchange of views on further strengthening cooperation between the two maritime industries, as well as an exchange of best practices, policies, and strategies in key areas of jurisdiction and operation of the two Ministries.”

“The discussions focused on issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on maritime education and training, as well as the potential for attracting investments in the maritime sector of both countries,” the press release added.

Additionally, the cooperation between Cyprus and India within the framework of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) was discussed, along with other issues of common interest.

The first session of the Joint Maritime Committee is part of the Joint Action Plan of Cyprus – India, as well as a follow-up to the official visit of the President of the Republic to India and the mutual will of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for further strengthening bilateral relations, with shipping being an important area of cooperation between the two countries.

“On the sidelines of the visit of the Indian delegation, the upcoming visit of the Deputy Minister of Shipping to India was also discussed, which will be accompanied by a Cypriot maritime business delegation, with the aim of conducting a Maritime Business Forum in Mumbai within November,” the Deputy Ministry of Shipping emphasised.

Issues related to the organisation of the Forum were discussed, and the cooperation of the Indian side with the private sector and the industrial chambers of the country for the preparation and conduct of it was also agreed.

“The visit is expected to further contribute to strengthening institutional and business relations and highlighting new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries,” the press release concluded.

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.

The Cabinet approved seven measures to address inflationary pressures and rising costs, with a total cost of pound 70 million, at its meeting Wednesday, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said in remarks at the Presidential Palace following the meeting. He also noted that the total cost of the measures being introduced, together with those already in effect, amounts to about pound 160 million.

Specifically, the subsidy for vulnerable consumers (Category 08) and commercial use (Category 10) is being renewed for all of 2027. The measure benefits 23,300 households and covers 100% of the increase in electricity costs, the minister said. A total of 20 categories of eligible beneficiaries are covered under the scheme.

According to Keravnos, about 82,500 commercial consumers, including businesses, shops and small businesses, also benefit from the subsidy on a sliding scale based on consumption, with coverage reaching up to 85%.

The second measure concerns extending the zero-VAT scheme for a list of specific basic products, which expires at the end of 2026 and will be renewed for the whole of 2027. The list includes fresh fruit, vegetables, infant milk, baby diapers, adult diapers and feminine hygiene products.

At the same time, the zero-VAT measure on meat, fish and poultry, which expires today, is being renewed and expanded to include additional everyday products such as bread, milk, coffee, sugar and baby food. The measure will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, with its implementation beginning Oct. 12, 2026.

Regarding heating oil, the Minister said the excise duty will be reduced to the lowest level permitted by the European Commission. Specifically, it will be cut from 7.4 cents per liter to 2.1 cents per liter, a reduction of 5.3 cents per liter. The measure will be in effect from November 1 through April 30, 2027.

Regarding the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems by residential consumers, VAT will be reduced from 19% to 9%, with the measure taking effect immediately upon the issuance of the relevant decree.

The next measure provides for a one-off pound 200 payment to specific groups of vulnerable citizens who receive public assistance. The Minister said the measure covers 53,511 beneficiaries, including recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI), people with disabilities who receive a mobility allowance, families of low-income pensioners who receive the relevant benefit, and families with three or more dependent children who receive a child benefit.

Finally, the seventh measure will provide an allowance to residents of mountainous areas, benefiting 10,500 households and 24,000 beneficiaries. The allowance will amount to pound 175 for elevations of 600 to 800 meters, pound 225 for 801 to 1,000 meters, and pound 260 for elevations above 1,000 meters. At the same time, Keravnos said the allowance will increase by pound 50 per household or residential unit, depending on elevation, while existing amounts for residents of mountainous and remote areas will increase by pound 35.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 30/09/2026 UNTIL 1800 01/10/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1013hPa (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

Night

Southwest to West 3, locally near the coast Northeast to Southeast

Slight

Morning

Southwest to West 3 to 4, locally at first Variable 3

Slight

Afternoon

West 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Slight

South Coast

Night

West to Northwest 3 to 4, gradually 3

Slight, gradually Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southwest to West 3, gradually 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4 to 5, later West to Northwest

Slight

East Coast

Night

West 3 to 4, gradually 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

West 3, gradually Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest 4, later offshore Southwest to West 4 to 5

Slight

North Coast

Night

Southwest to West 3, gradually near the coast Southeast to Southwest

Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to West 3 to 4

Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4

Slight

The importance of peacekeeping missions but also the need for UN peacekeeping to keep up with the times, was discussed on Wednesday at the Cyprus Forum in Nicosia.

The UN peacekeeping missions in the Eastern Mediterranean, UNIFIL, UNFICYP and UNTSO, are now considered ‘model missions’, Annika Hilding Norberg, Head of GCSP Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, Geneva Centre for Security Policy, said during a panel discussion on the future of UN Peacekeeping in the Eastern Mediterranean. The panel focused on the termination of the operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) next year.

Norberg said that the situation in the region was ‘dire’, noting the implications and the unpredictability about what comes next regarding the termination of peacekeeping missions. She expressed the position that the multilateral crises faced by the world today do not make peacekeeping irrelevant. On the contrary, she said, violent conflict doubled since last year.

‘Today we are exposed to a geopolitical environment that is falling apart’ and the mechanisms that used to manage this are now under pressure, Norberg said. ‘To me, this is all the more reason not to cancel peacekeeping’, she added.

What we need to do, she said, is to make every effort to strengthen the missions that are there and prepare for the future. According to Norberg, it is argued that future peacekeeping will need to have greater mobility, stronger analysis, make better use of state-of-the-art technologies.

According to Norberg, the UN peacekeeping missions in the eastern Mediterranean – UNIFIL, UNFICYP, UNTSO – are ‘model missions’ now, to be prepared for the future.

Noting that times are changing in fundamental ways, Norberg said that UN peacekeeping needs to keep up, ‘if not be ahead of times’ and utilise AI and drones and other systems and digital technologies. She said that the UN capability plan is already moving in that direction. She said that smaller, focused and trusted peacekeeping missions is something worth working towards.

Referring to new missions, she said that the question is whether we are ‘stuck with coalitions of the willing’ such as in Gaza and Haiti, stressing however that these were not UN peacekeeping missions.

On the creation of new peacekeeping missions, she said that agreement by all parties involved was needed and that this was not easy. Concerning the UN level, she said that an agreement on a new mission depends a lot on the permanent members of the Security Council that have veto power.

As regards UNIFIL, she said there needs to be political backing to peacekeeping missions and there needs to be a mechanism for their withdrawal based on a peace agreement, not suddenly, like with UNIFIL.

She also said that there will be an EU civilian-military mission in Lebanon, noting that it can have a supporting role, but that she could not see them doing the role of the UN.

Dr. Arthur Boutellis, Non-resident Senior Adviser at the International Peace Institute (IPI), noted that, still, peacekeeping budget is important to the overall UN budget. He stressed that it was important to keep in mind that the annual budget for peacekeeping was a tiny percentage if one compares a day of war. It is ‘a small investment in peace ‘, he said.

He also said that UNIFIL has around 8000 peacekeepers from almost 50 countries, noting that the mission is coming to an end not because of the success of its mandate but due to a decision of the Security Council, largely motivated by the US.

He said that the Force has been an important stabilising sector but that there are limits for the peacekeeping force as regards the current situation in the country. It is beyond what the peacekeepers can do, he added.

Boutellis also said that now there’s a broad consensus between Lebanese and international actors that once UNIFIL closes there will be a vacuum of provision on monitoring as regards de-escalation, and that lighter UN presence is being discussed, while that the EU and others have proposed assistance as regards capacity building for the Lebanese army.

A solution to the Cyprus issue will allow the country to fully take advantage of its strategic geographical location, diplomats said, during a discussion in the Cyprus Forum on Wednesday, in Nicosia.

Among other panelists, India’s High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, and Germany’s Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Mirko Kruppa, explained that until the Cyprus issue is resolved, more expensive workarounds must be found, and Cyprus could not fully take advantage of the benefits its geographical position potentially provides.

Manish said that the strategic and geographical value of Cyprus will depend ‘whether it can keep systems functioning under pressure, make informed and sovereign choices, reduce single point dependencies, and rely on trusted partners, without surrendering to decision making capabilities.’

Mentioning the strategic partnership developed in the last two years between India and Cyprus, the High Commissioner said that the discussions on Cyprus joining the IMEC are ongoing. ‘Cyprus is interested, and it established a focal point in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this,’ he said. However, he added, ‘to formally admit them as original founding members, there is still way to go’, noting that for Cyprus to become valuable to the projects, some steps are needed to be taken, mentioning financial, economic or digital connectivity, infrastructure-wise.

The High Commissioner praised Cyprus for ‘punching above its weight’, noting that it is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. He added that Cyprus brings its own value to India, being in the top investors with a lot of foreign direct investments coming from Cyprus to India.

‘The current President understands that he has to diversify his engagements,’ and he makes deliberate policies to look east, he noted. ‘We have mapped our synergies, we have a delegation in the shipping sector, we’ll have a discussion on connectivity,’ he said, adding, however, that ‘the historical territorial problem is here.’

‘For the way forward, I think more heft should come from the Guarantor states, and the EU must be more involved and find a solution for the Cyprus issue’, he said, adding that India is always there for Cyprus and ‘we support in every way possible.’ He underlined, however, that ‘more things are not happening, because of this Problem. I hope some kind of solution will be found.’

On his part, Mirko Kruppa said that ‘whoever wants to control stability of the Eastern Mediterranean has to work with this island.’

Asked on what Europe can do to assure Cyprus in energy, security, and crisis response, he said ‘not much’, noting that when the Cyprus’ Presidency to the Council of the EU discussed article 42, ‘it showed that there are no procedures in place’ and to implement them will take at least 2-3 years. ‘I don’t think Cyprus has the time to wait.’

Moreover, highlighting the urgency to resolve the Cyprus issue, he said that ‘all the energy projects in Cyprus have been stopped because of the division of the island.’ As he put it, if Cypriots want a joint security policy ‘the north and south should agree on joining NATO, accepting the Turkish presence on the island’ he said, making reference to the northern part of the island under Turkish occupation and the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, respectively.

Finally, he noted that, for Cyprus to be in the centre and fully take advantage of its strategic location, ‘it will need to come together as a society, overcome the drama and deep divisions.’ Noting that the EU and the Guarantor states have their role in this, he stressed that the starting point ‘is within the island. Cyprus has the potential to be an asset, and everybody sees it, but it’s a matter of cost calculation’ he said, noting that as long as the security situation of the country is not resolved, more expensive workarounds will be chosen.

Cyprus Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, will participate in the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on October 1 in Luxembourg.

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry, during the Council meeting, Ministers will exchange views on increasing the returns of people who have no right to stay in the EU by further strengthening cooperation with priority third countries on readmission.

At the same time, the European Commission will brief Ministers on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, following its entry into application on June 12, 2026.

Ministers will also discuss ways to improve the EU’s awareness of the migration situation and its early warning mechanisms, including addressing potential crisis situations.

They will also examine the overall situation in the Schengen area, with a focus on strengthening information sharing and using technological developments to enhance EU security.

The European Commission and the eu-LISA Agency will brief Ministers on the implementation of interoperability among the EU’s large-scale information systems in the area of justice and home affairs.

On the sidelines of the Council meeting, the Deputy Minister will hold bilateral meetings with Finland’s Minister of the Interior, Mari Rantanen, Austria’s Federal Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, and the Netherlands’ Minister for Asylum and Migration and Deputy Prime Minister, Bart van den Brink.

The bilateral meetings will focus on issues of common interest in the area of migration, including implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, returns and cooperation with third countries, as well as the Republic of Cyprus’ efforts to fully join the Schengen Area, the press release said.

Ioannides will return to Cyprus on Friday, October 2.

US-Cyprus interests and goals are closely aligned, US Ambassador John Breslow said on Wednesday noting that this may be the best period of relations in the history of the two countries.

Delivering a keynote address at the Cyprus Forum, taking place in Nicosia, Breslow also said America stands ready to support Cypriots in efforts to reunify the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

As regards business cooperation he said he sees ‘real opportunity’, noting however, that he also sees an opportunity to work together with the Cyprus government regarding EU regulations that have ‘serious unintended consequences for prosperity, both for the United States and Cyprus’.

Breslow said that relations between the two countries are at ‘an all-time high’. ‘This represents an opportunity for us to break new ground and to think about what we can achieve over the long term’, he said.

Referring to the 2018, joint statement of intent signed under President Trump’s leadership, he said it opened a new area of defence and energy cooperation. The passage of the 2019 Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act deepened those ties further, he added, noting that, in recent years, the new countries have opened new areas of cooperation.

He also said that the 2024 Strategic Dialogue codifies cooperation across security, education, trade, and space. ‘Our roadmap for bilateral defense cooperation, signed in September 2024, and the commencement of Cyprus’ first-ever foreign military sales case, mean our militaries are more interoperable than ever before’, he added.

The Ambassador said that President Trump and Secretary Rubio have outlined a vision of how the US foreign policy can best advance America’s national interest. ‘I think we are doing well in this effort here in Cyprus because many of our interests and goals are so closely aligned’, he said, noting he was ‘grateful to arrive at what may be the best period of relations in the history of our two countries’. ‘Cyprus has also benefited from our collective work together’, he added.

Referring to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the USA, Breslow said Cypriots understand history ‘perhaps better than the citizens of any nation I’ve encountered’.

‘This country has survived division and loss only to emerge stronger, more prosperous, and carrying an enduring hope for a reunified future’, he said.

On the Cyprus issue, he said, ‘our position remains steadfast. The United States continues to support a Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated effort to reunify the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality for all Cyprus, consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions’. This is a Cypriot solution for the Cypriot people, and America stands ready to support you in reaching it, he added.

On business, Breslow referred to his background on ‘building businesses and serving the public’ and said he looks forward to bringing that experience ‘to our shared priorities’. ‘I see real opportunity here’, he said, adding that trade and investment increases prosperity for both nations. He expressed the belief that American companies and technology can be a powerful growth partner for Cyprus in energy, in security, and in innovation.

Cyprus, he said, ‘is an attractive place to invest’. ‘However, I am concerned about the opportunities not taken. Even one company that walks away due to unnecessary barriers is one too many, potentially leaving hundreds of million dollars on the table’, Breslow said.

‘Together, we should work to optimize bureaucratic processes and cut red tape, creating the certainty that American, international, and Cypriot companies need to make generational investments’, he added.

‘We encourage Cyprus to keep making its markets more hospitable to business and to keep supporting American companies that are already present and investing on the island, some of them for decades’, he said. He also called on the Republic of Cyprus ‘to be brave and push back on regulations that impede innovation and the kind of risk-taking that help economies grow’.

He said that President Nikos Christodoulides ‘did important work putting EU regulatory simplification on the agenda’ during Cyprus’ recent Presidency of the EU Council. ‘I see an opportunity to work together here because many of these regulations have serious unintended consequences for prosperity, both for the United States and Cyprus’, he said. These, he said, include EU methane regulations, the EU deforestation regulations, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms, and restrictions in the Industrial Accelerator Act and the multi-annual financial framework ‘that harm partnerships with U.S. industries’.

‘Too often, important decisions sit on the desks of bureaucrats for weeks and even months. Of course, major economic decisions deserve careful review, but today’s regulatory processes are not moving at the pace of 21st century businesses’, he noted.

Processes need to be simplified and streamlined because investors and companies value transparency and predictability from the markets in which they operate, he also said, adding that cutting red tape to enable that to happen ‘is one of my highest priorities’.

Breslow also said that American companies have also played ‘a crucial role’ in strengthening this relationship with many success stories. He referred to the partnership between GE Aerospace and Cyprus’ UAMCO, noting that it has made the island a genuine aviation hub, while that companies such as Plug and Play and Tenstorrent ‘are already following that lead into Cyprus’ growing technology sector’. The development of Limassol as a tech hub has attracted a lot of attention as well, he said.

‘I think we can look forward to further investments in technology of tomorrow. And we are all proud to see Cyprus’ offshore natural gas reserves moving forward production, thanks to partnerships with Chevron and Exxon and others’, the Ambassador said. Energy security, he added, is national security. He said that Cyprus’ emergence as an energy producer would decrease dependency on troublesome suppliers and strengthen both this country and the wider region.

He noted that the strategic dialogue had also strong cultural and educational aspects as well, including commitments to strengthen English language education on the island and invest in education exchange. ‘If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in business and in life, it’s that you don’t build something that lasts by only looking at your end results. You build it by investing in people’, he said. This year, he added, ‘thanks to a landmark investment from the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Education, we welcomed the largest cohort of Fulbright English teaching assistants in the program’s history’, who are now working in classrooms across the Republic of Cyprus in partnership with public schools and teachers, ‘enriching English language teaching and inspiring young minds to want to learn more about America and culture of the world’.

He also said they ‘greatly expanded’ exchange programs with professionals this year, connecting rising Cyprus leaders directly with their American counterparts.

Breslow invited participants to ‘think about how we might help young Cypriot professionals find internships at innovative American companies working in Cyprus and take advantage of those education opportunities that are available’. ‘I know there are a lot of great ideas out there about how the private sector can be involved in this kind of investment’, he said, noting that this was ‘exactly the kind of investment’ he believes in.

‘I’m talking about a smart, efficient partnership between government and industry that builds relationships, skills, and friendships and will shape the bilateral relationship for the next five years, but the next 50 years. Education is the foundation between everything we’ve discussed today. Our security cooperation, our economic ties, our shared purpose’, he concluded.