Category: Cyprus News Agency

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides will attend the MED9 Summit in Slovenia on Monday, October 20th, along with eight other Mediterranean EU member state leaders, the Director of the President’s Press Office, Victoras Papadopoulos, announced today. A working visit in view of the EU Cyprus Presidency is scheduled on Tuesday, October 21st, with the President departing afterwards for Brussels, to attend the European Council.

According to Papadopoulos’ statement, the President will depart for Slovenia on Monday morning, to attend the MED9 Summit in Portoroz resort city. The statement notes that King of Jordan, Abdullah II, has been invited to attend part of the Summit’s works.

The attendees will discuss EU’s competitiveness and the Multiannual Financial Framework. A working lunch will follow, which will focus mainly on the situation in the Middle East, with King of Jordan, Abdullah II, during which the President will speak of Cyprus’ six-point initiative, based on the US President’s plan on Gaza, the statement reads.

Next, President Christodoulides will meet with the Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob, to discuss bilateral relations and the priorities of the Cyprus EU Presidency. The MED9 leaders will make joint statements to the Media on Monday afternoon.

On Monday night, President Christodoulides will depart for Zagreb, Croatia, for a working visit in view of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by the Republic of Cyprus during the first semester of 2026. The President will meet with his Croatian counterpart, Zoran Milanovic, as well as with the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic.

Afterwards, President Christodoulides will depart for Brussels, to attend the European Council Summit.

Restoration works have been completed at Saint Nicholas Church in Dhavlos village, in the Turkish occupied areas, while restoration works begin at the Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Gastria, in the Karpasia area, according to Sotos Ktoris, Co-Chair of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.

In social media posts, Ktoris notes that restoration works at Saint Nicholas Church in Dhavlos, which was part of a monastery complex, have been completed.

The church is located on the northern slope of Pentadaktylos, near the summit where the Kantara castle is located, ‘in an area of unique natural beauty’, he said. The project was funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, Ktoris added.

In another post, he notes that restoration works have begun at the Church of Panagia Faneromeni in the occupied Gastria village, in the Karpasia area. This project is funded by the EU and the Gastria community and is being implemented under the technical guidance of UNDP.

Cyprus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos held a telephone conversation with the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday. Kombos and Kosherbayev confirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral ties, as well as relations at EU level ahead of Cyprus’ EU Presidency term.

During the call, Minister Kombos congratulated his Kazakh counterpart on his appointment and wished him every success in his new role.

According to the post on the Ministry’s official X account, the two Ministers confirmed their mutual commitment to deepen and further advance Cyprus-Kazakhstan relations and collaboration, reaffirming the constructive engagement and friendship that have characterized bilateral ties over the years.

They also discussed the importance of enhancing EU-Kazakhstan cooperation, particularly in view of Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 18/10/2025 UNTIL 1200 19/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1020hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather in the afternoon will be mainly fine but tonight will become partly cloudy, mainly west part.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

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

Night Northwest 3 to 4, gradually Northwest to Northeast 3 Slight, gradually Smooth to Slight

Morning West to Northwest 3, soon 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, soon Slight

South Coast

Afternoon Southwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually Northwest 3 Slight, gradually Smooth to Slight

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3, soon Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, soon Slight

East Coast

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times offshore 4 Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

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

North Coast

Afternoon West to Northwest 4, later 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, soon Southeast to Southwest 3 Slight, soon Smooth to Slight

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

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 18/10/2025 UNTIL 0600 19/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1019hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure starts affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage at times. Risk of isolated light showers over the west part of the island tonight.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning West to Northwest 3, locally at first Variable Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night Northwest to North 3, locally at first West to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, locally at first Slight

South Coast

Morning Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

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

Night West to Northwest 3, locally at first West 4 Smooth to Slight, locally at first Slight

East Coast

Morning West to Northwest 3, later South to Southwest Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 3 to 4, later Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Night West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning Variable 3, gradually West to Northwest Smooth to Slight

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

Night Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight, locally offshore Slight

In a key debate on Tuesday morning, MEPs and Commission representatives will discuss the recent Middle East peace agreement and the role of the EU.

Parliament’s priorities for the October European Council

On Wednesday morning, MEPs will look ahead to the 23 October EU summit in a debate with the European Commission and the Danish Presidency.

Stepping up funding for Ukraine and using frozen Russian assets

A ‘reparations loan’ to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence will be the subject of a debate with Commission and Council representatives on Tuesday.

Modernising the EU driving licence

To improve road safety MEPs are to confirm new EU driving licence rules, introducing provisions on novice drivers, vulnerable road users and driving disqualification.

2025 Sakharov Prize laureate to be revealed on Wednesday

Parliament President Roberta Metsola will announce the laureate of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought at around noon in plenary on Wednesday.

ing all Russian energy imports

Possible additional measures to end all energy imports from Russia and close loopholes through third countries will be discussed by MEPs on Wednesday.

Belarus: Sergey Tihanovski and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to address MEPs

In a formal sitting on Wednesday at noon, the two prominent opposition leaders from Belarus will address plenary.

EU priorities for 2026: MEPs to grill Commission on work programme

On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will quiz the Commission on its priorities for next year, to be unveiled the same day, and outline their own.

Allegations of Hungarian espionage

On Wednesday, plenary will discuss the recent allegations that the Hungarian government has been spying on the EU institutions.

Combating violence against women and girls

On Thursday morning, MEPS will review measures taken and progress made to counter violence against women and girls, with particular attention on the exploitation of motherhood.

Taking stock of the seasonal clock change

MEPs will grill the Commission and Council about what is stopping them responding to the plea of citizens to end Europe’s seasonal clock adjustments.

Google: Parliament to debate abusive behaviour against backdrop of media freedom

On Monday, MEPs will review the Commission’s recent announcement to fine Google for abusive practices.

COP30: MEP demands ahead of this year’s global climate negotiations

MEPs will debate on Wednesday and vote on Thursday on Parliament’s demands for the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference COP30.

Daphne Caruana Galizia murder: Parliament to discuss delayed justice in Malta

Eight years after the assassination of the Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist, MEPs will look into developments and rule of law backsliding.

2026 EU budget: MEPs to vote on their position

On Wednesday, Parliament will vote on its position on next year’s annual budget before talks with EU governments begin. The debate will take place on Tuesday.

Serbia: polarisation and increased repression

One year after the Novi Sad tragedy, MEPs will discuss the crisis in Serbia with the Commission and the Council on Tuesday and will vote on a resolution on Wednesday.

Monitoring the state of EU forests: MEPs to vote on two laws

On Tuesday, Parliament will vote on two laws to establish an EU forest monitoring framework for collecting and sharing information on Europe’s forests.

Revised rules for European political parties and foundations

MEPs will vote on updated rules for European-level political organisations, including provisions on foreign interference, donor transparency and protecting EU values.

Chemicals: vote on simpler and more transparent assessment rules

The ‘one substance, one assessment’ package aims to increase the simplicity and transparency of EU rules on chemicals.

Protection of the EU film industry and relations with the US

On Thursday, MEPs will quiz the Commission on measures designed to protect the EU’s film industry which were criticised by the Trump administration.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (D)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0000 18/10/2025 UNTIL 2400 18/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1019hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure starts affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage at times.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night Northwest to Northeast 3, at times 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Morning West to Northwest 3, locally at first Variable Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 4, gradually locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, gradually locally Slight

Tonight Northwest to North 3, locally at first West to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, locally at first Slight

South Coast

Night Northwest to North 3, locally Variable 2 to 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 3 to 4, gradually locally West 4 to 5 Slight to Moderate, gradually locally Slight

Tonight West to Northwest 3, locally at first West 4 Smooth to Slight, locally at first Slight

East Coast

Night West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning West to Northwest 3, later South to Southwest Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 3 to 4, later Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Tonight West to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Night Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Variable 3, gradually West to Northwest Smooth to Slight

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

Tonight Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight, locally offshore Slight

The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices in September 2025 remained stable compared with September 2024 and recorded a decrease of 0.4% compared with August 2025.

According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, compared with September 2024, the largest positive changes were observed in the categories Recreation and Culture (5.6%) and Restaurants and Hotels (4.9%), while the largest decreases were recorded in the categories Clothing and Footwear (-7.2%) and Housing, Water Supply, Electricity and Gas (-3.8%).

Compared with August 2025, the most significant changes were noted in the categories Clothing and Footwear (6.3%), Transport (-5.1%), Education (2.1%) and Restaurants and Hotels (-1.5%).

For the period January-September 2025, in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year, the most significant changes were registered in the categories Recreation and Culture (6.5%), Clothing and Footwear (-6%) and Restaurants and Hotels (5.3%).

The largest change among the economic categories compared to September 2024 was recorded in the category Energy (-6%) and compared to August 2025 in the category Services (-2%).

The Greek Prime Minister’s proposal to convene a meeting of the coastal countries of the region, provides that a 5X5 Multilateral Framework will include 5 countries, namely Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Turkey, and Libya and will focus on 5 topics, according to Greek diplomatic sources.

The Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to this proposal in a speech during a session of the Hellenic Parliament yesterday.

Sources from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Greece has always supported trilateral and multilateral regional cooperation frameworks with countries with which it faces common challenges, and that this is now more necessary than ever due to the geopolitical changes.

“The proposal for a 5X5 Multilateral Framework includes 5 countries and 5 themes. It includes Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Turkey, and Libya. The thematic areas are migration, protection of the marine environment, connectivity, delimitation of maritime zones, and civil protection,” they said adding that the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs will undertake the task to explore the possibility and prospects of such a format and to what extent this could become permanent.

“Greece is a pillar of stability and security in southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. In a spirit of understanding and guided by international law, we seek peace and prosperity in our region. Greece is confident, has a strong international and regional diplomatic footprint, a strong economy, and strong army. Not only it is not afraid, but it seeks understanding with all neighboring states,” the sources concluded.

The most important economic developments for the Cyprus Economy, for the latest months up to August 2025, are included in the bimonthly bulletin «Monthly Economic Developments» the Statistical Service of Cyprus has announced.

In a press release it says that Manufacturing Production during the period January-July 2025 recorded an increase of 3,5% compared to January-July 2024.

In addition, it notes that the total area of Building Permits Authorized reached 1.426,3 thousand square metres during the period January-June 2025, recording a decrease of 12,4% compared to January-June 2024.

Regarding Registrations of Motor Vehicles, they increased by 0,8%, reaching to 34.668 during the period January-August 2025. Private saloon cars decreased to 22.750, recording a decrease of 3,4% and light goods vehicles increased to 3.152 recording a rise of 2,6% compared to January-August 2024.

The Consumer Price Index increased by 0,5% during the period January-August 2025, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Moreover, the total Imports of Goods reached pound 8.884,6 mn during the period January-August 2025, recording an increase of 14,2% and total Exports of Goods reached pound 3.729,2 mn, recording also an increase of 2,8%.

The Arrivals of Tourists totaled 3.034.155 during the period January-August 2025, compared to 2.758.627 in the corresponding period of 2024, recording an increase of 10,0%, the press release concludes.

The bulletin includes as well comparative data for the last four years, which were available until the 16th of October 2025.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the World Statistics Day, celebrated every five years, the Statistical Service says that the Day will be observed for the fourth time on 20 October 2025, highlighting the importance of quality statistics and data in today’s world.

The Statistical Service of Cyprus, “reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the quality, independence and transparency of the data it produces” adding that “CYSTAT continues to invest in innovative technologies and methods, such as artificial intelligence and the use of new data sources, to respond to the growing needs of users and to promote statistical literacy”.

Active public engagement, continuous communication with users and strengthening trust in official statistics remain top priorities for the Statistical Service, it concludes.