Category: Cyprus News Agency

A Spokesperson for the European Commission described as productive the teleconference between Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry George Papanastasiou, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, and Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Nikos Tsafos, with the participation of Cyprus’ Ambassador to Greece Stavros Avgoustides. The meeting focused on the Greece-Cyprus Greas Sea Interconnector (GSI) project.

According to the Commission, the participants discussed “key initiatives such as the Great Sea Interconnector, a project strongly supported by the EU, including through funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).”

The spokesperson added that “the ‘Energy Highways’ initiative, announced by President [Ursula] von der Leyen in her State of the Union address, includes the electrical interconnection of Cyprus with continental Europe to end the island’s electricity isolation.” They emphasized that “better interconnectivity is essential in the EU-to reduce energy prices for our citizens and industries and to secure our independence.”

Cyprus remains committed to supporting Armenia’s path of closer alignment with the European Union, particularly during the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Dr Athena Michaelidou has said.

In her remarks, on Wednesday evening, the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia, at the Embassy of Armenia, the Minister said that “we deeply appreciate Armenia’s consistent support for Cyprus, especially regarding the Cyprus Issue and our efforts for a just and lasting settlement in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions”.

She noted that the recent establishment of resident Diplomatic Missions both in Nicosia and Yerevan stands as a tangible testament to the shared commitment to further deepening their bilateral relations.

Cyprus and Armenia, she noted, share not only friendship but also a common understanding of the challenges faced by small states in our region, and a firm commitment to international law, sovereignty, and peaceful coexistence.

In this spirit, she added, Cyprus reaffirms its steadfast support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia within its internationally recognized borders.

“We commend the constructive approach of the Armenian leadership toward achieving a comprehensive peace agreement and genuinely hope that these ongoing efforts will lead to a lasting, sustainable, and just peace in the South Caucasus. Within its means and the EU framework, Cyprus stands ready to support initiatives that promote reconciliation and stability” she stressed.

The Minster expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the Armenian community of Cyprus. “You have been, and continue to be, a vital bridge of friendship and cooperation between our nations. Your contributions to Cyprus’s social fabric, cultural and economic life are invaluable, as is your role in preserving Armenian heritage on our island” she said.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 16/10/2025 UNTIL 0600 17/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1015hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

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

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

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

Afternoon Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times near the coast 4 Smooth to Slight, at times near the coast Slight

Night Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

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

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), meeting in its Defense Ministers configuration, convened on October 15, 2025, in Brussels to discuss the bloc’s defense readiness and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Defense, Vassilis Palmas.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense, the EU Defense Ministers exchanged views on a scoping paper detailing the core directions of the Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030. This document, submitted by the European Commission, is slated for formal presentation to the European Council.

The discussion focused on the EU’s proposed strategy to enhance its defense readiness, which is structured around three key pillars: Strengthening operational capabilities, implementing strategically important projects and empowering the European defense industry.

Particular emphasis was placed on promoting cooperation among member states and accelerating the implementation of critical programs such as the European Drone Wall and the Eastern Flank Watch. Furthermore, the need to adapt the institutional and financial framework governing European defense policy was highlighted.

The Ministry of Defense announcement also notes that Ukraine was specifically referenced as a strategic partner. The Ministers also examined horizontal actions aimed at improving the functioning of the internal market and preparing the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Department of Meteorology

Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology

Date 16/10/2025

Station

TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)

The Costas Argyrou Museum in Mazotos, Larnaca, announced its participation in the international art and cultural event ‘Larnaca Biennale 2025’ in collaboration with the Municipality of Larnaca.

From October 15 to November 28, 2025, the Biennale will host works by both international and Cypriot artists within the Museum’s premises. This year’s theme is ‘Along Lines and Traces’ a relevant announcement by the Deputy Ministry of Culture says.

The works featured are by Efimero Studio, Reverberations of Uncertainty – The Threads of Sound, and by Séverin Guelpa, Times Parallax.

The participation of Costas Argyrou Museum in the Larnaca Biennale 2025 is part of its broader collaboration with institutions and organizations, aiming to strengthen the cultural ecosystem of the Larnaca region, both locally and internationally, it is added.

The exhibition will be open to the public throughout the Biennale period.

The Museum’s opening hours during October – May are Wednesday – Sunday, 09:00 – 16:30, and during June – September are Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 17:30. The Museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays.

The Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of Transport of the Arab Republic of Egypt successfully held the first meeting of the Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) in Limassol, marking a significant step in strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, putting into effect the Merchant Shipping Agreement signed between the two countries in 2006.

This newly established Committee serves as a permanent platform for dialogue, coordination, and cooperation on all maritime matters of mutual interest, enabling Cyprus and Egypt to work together in a more concrete and continuous manner, examining joint areas of cooperation across the maritime sector and promoting the long-term development of their bilateral relationship.

The inaugural session of the Committee was co-chaired by Dr. Stelios D. Himonas, Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus and Rear Admiral Nihad Shaheen, Deputy Minister for Maritime and Logistics Affairs of Egypt. High-level representatives from both sides participated, including officials from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the Cyprus Ports Authority, ensuring the active involvement of all key maritime stakeholders.

The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation under the 2006 Merchant Shipping Agreement, including specific agenda items such as collaboration within the framework of the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding (MED MoU), mutual cooperation and support within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), cooperation in seafarer training and maritime education, including partnerships between educational institutions in both countries and mechanisms for implementing joint training programs. In addition, they addressed issues related to cooperation and development between Cypriot and Egyptian ports.

Both co-chairs reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to work together through this Committee to transform dialogue into practical cooperation and to build a long-term partnership, turning their shared vision into tangible achievements for the benefit of both our maritime sectors. The next session of the Committee was scheduled to take place within the next year in Egypt, with the objective of monitoring the areas of cooperation that have been identified during the 1st session.

On 16 October 2025, the Egyptian delegation visited the Port of Limassol, hosted by the Cyprus Ports Authority. The field visit included presentations on port operations, infrastructure projects, digitalization initiatives, and green transition strategies. The delegation toured the port facilities and discussed opportunities for future collaboration in this field.

The Energy Ministers of Cyprus and Greece expressed on Thursday their shared determination to continue working in a spirit of unity and mutual trust on the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project (GSI), during a teleconference with European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen. A new trilateral meeting on the project is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

According to a joint announcement by the Energy Ministries of Cyprus and Greece, the teleconference focused on the progress of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection. It was attended by Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou, Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Nikos Tsafos, in the presence of Cyprus’ Ambassador to Greece, Stavros Avgoustides.

‘During the discussion, all aspects related to the project’s implementation were comprehensively reviewed, and all parties reaffirmed their will to continue their cooperation in a spirit of unity and mutual trust,’ the announcement says, adding that a new trilateral meeting will be held in the coming weeks to further advance the project.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 16/10/2025 UNTIL 1200 17/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1016hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, is in Berlin participating in the 2nd EU Algae Awareness Summit, which began on Thursday.

The 2nd EU Algae Awareness Summit is taking place in Berlin as part of the EU4Algae flagship initiative of the European Commission, in close collaboration with the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE), the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), and with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The Commission is convening the EU algae sector to support its full potential and expand production across Europe.

On the second day of the event, Friday, October 17, Commissioner Kadis, along with Alois Rainer, German Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Regional Identity, will officially open the proceedings.

According to the Commission, algae, as a strategic resource, offer innovative solutions to some of the planet’s most pressing challenges: climate change, food security, marine ecosystem regeneration, and job creation in coastal and rural areas. By harnessing the power of algae, we can create new value chains and jobs, stimulate innovation, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainable practices across various industries.

The European Commission, through the European Ocean Pact, aims to scale up European algae production, launch the Blue Bioeconomy Innovation initiative by 2027, and set voluntary targets for algae production growth in the EU.