Category: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS) urged on Wednesday the Member States of the European Union, and in particular the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, to vote against the current IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), scheduled for adoption at the MEPC ES.2 session (14-17 October), in order to allow more time for consensus by major stakeholders,

According to the CUS, as currently drafted, “the NZF poses a serious threat to the European shipping, economy, and energy security, and also represents a grave danger to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of European shipping”, representing, as stated, ‘a multi-billion euro tax that does not reduce emissions but instead shifts the cost to end-consumers fuelling inflation across the European Union.’

‘The NZF imposes exorbitant charges despite the current lack of realistic technologies or infrastructure to ensure compliance, relying on so-called ‘green’ fuels – methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and synthetic LNG – which are not available at industrial scale and consume more renewable energy in production than they yield’, the union continues, adding that rather than reducing emissions, ‘the framework diverts critical financial resources away from genuine technological and energy innovation, thereby slowing the transition to cleaner solutions’.

‘Shipping transports over 90% of global trade. Any additional cost imposed on ships will inevitably be passed on to the prices of all goods and services – from food and medicines to raw materials and energy. The result will be broad-based price increases, a higher cost of living and intensified inflation’, it is further noted.

Furthermore, it is stated that the NZF’s implementation would lead to a supply shortage, at a time when there are no mature or scalable alternatives to fill the supply gap.

‘As a result, the SMEs, being the backbone of EU shipping, will face competitive challenges resulting in a setback for the EU as a whole. Such an outcome would entail a permanent strategic setback for Europe, resulting in the loss of its global maritime leadership, severe ecological damage, as the premature dismantling and replacement of ships would generate massive waste and additional emissions, the destabilization of global supply chains, with delays, product shortages, and higher transport costs and accelerating inflation and loss of purchasing power throughout Europe and, by extension, globally’, it is stressed.

According to CUS, Europe remains heavily dependent on LNG imports, as, currently, imported LNG reaches Europe, already more than double the U.S. domestic price.

‘Under the NZF, this cost is projected to rise further, triggering energy price surges, further inflationary pressure and a deepening energy crisis – with disproportionate effects on households and industry’, it is added in that regard.

International shipping is the most efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transport. Through technological innovation, operational optimization and continuous investment, the industry has achieved significant emission reductions, even as transport volumes have multiplied, it is further stated.

Shipping is a pillar of the Cypriot economy and a strategic sector for Europe as a whole, continues the union, adding that as a major maritime nation, Cyprus must support the European consumer and the creation of a global and decarbonization incentive scheme whose funds are re-invested amongst others in the shipping industry, whilst at the same time rejecting unfair, ineffective, and damaging multi-billion taxation schemes (whether regional or not) with no experience or clear procedures over how such funds are utilized.

‘The Cyprus Union of Shipowners supports global policies of genuine environmental progress under the auspices of the IMO – and to that end, calls upon the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and all EU Member States to vote against the current IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) in order to allow more time for consensus by major stakeholders. Any solution should be founded on research, technological innovation, and realistic, science-based solutions that safeguard people, the economy, environment, and the industry, without crushing economies and consumers’, the statement concludes.

Cyprus is demonstrating its growing diplomatic role through concrete and credible initiatives, not ‘communication tactics,’ President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday, rejecting what he called ‘malicious criticism’ of Cyprus’ new proposal for Gaza.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Nikolas Theologou’ Park in Lakatamia, President Christodoulides stressed that Nicosia’s efforts are grounded in action and results, recalling the success of the Amalthea humanitarian corridor, which delivered vital aid to Gaza.

‘This is neither wishful thinking nor communication management. It would be unthinkable to exploit a tragic situation for publicity,’ he said. ‘We have proven ourselves, we have delivered.’

The President explained that Cyprus has submitted six concrete proposals within the framework of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, focusing on three key areas – security, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance.

The document, he said, is ‘a work in progress,’ developed after consultations with European Commission President, Israeli Prime Minister, UAE President, European Council President and Egyptian President.

President Christodoulides noted that initial feedback on the Cypriot plan, presented in Egypt, has been ‘very positive,’ describing Cyprus as ‘specific and well-prepared.’

‘This is not something credited to me or to the Foreign Minister,’ he stressed. ‘It is something credited to our country. It is the Republic of Cyprus that is being heard, acknowledged, and upgraded internationally.’

He added that the proposal will be discussed in greater depth next week at the European Council and during the upcoming EU-Egypt Summit.

‘We will engage further with the European Commission, Egypt, and EU partners who relied on Cyprus during the Amalthea initiative and are once again showing interest in our new proposals,’ he said.

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, co-signed on Wednesday, together with five other European leaders – the President of France and the Prime Ministers of Greece, Spain, Slovenia and Denmark – a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in which they express their will to proceed with the establishment of a European “age of digital adulthood” for access to social media.

In a written statement, the President says that this is an initiative aimed at establishing common European principles for the minimum age of minors’ access, to better protect children online.

‘We must act in a decisive manner, both at national and European level, to protect our children from the challenges of the digital world, from cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content, to addictive algorithms and the misuse of technology,’ President Christodoulides stresses.

He notes that protecting the mental health and well-being of our children is not an option, but a duty, adding that Europe has a responsibility towards future generations to ensure a safe, trustworthy and humane digital environment.

This initiative, he points out, is directly linked to the European Commission’s guidelines for the protection of minors, as well as to the pilot phase of the European age verification tool, in which the Republic of Cyprus is participating, along with other Member States.

This is an important step towards the creation of a safe, transparent and user-friendly digital identification system that will protect the privacy and security of every minor, he continues.

President Christodoulides says that Cyprus is actively participating in this collective European effort, strengthening Europe’s voice in favour of the protection of minors and ethical accountability in the digital space.

Referring to the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, he says that the Republic of Cyprus will highlight the safe digital transition of children as a horizontal political priority, promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence and regulating minors’ access to social media through safe, interoperable age verification solutions.

Cyprus, the President adds, aspires “to contribute to building a Europe that puts people at the centre and primarily the child, combining innovation with safety and technological progress with social responsibility.”

‘Because nothing is more important than the well-being, safety and mental health of our children,’ he concludes.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 15/10/2025

Station

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

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Highest

Lowest

Nicosia (Athalassa)

28 (27.9)

14 (14)

30

Larnaka Airport

27 (26.8)

17 (17.2)

46

Limassol (New Port)

27 (27.1)

14 (14.3)

44

Limassol (Municipal Garden)

27,8

15,8

Pafos Airport

25 (25.2)

16 (16.3)

54

Frenaros

28 (27.8)

16 (15.8)

49

Prodromos

20 (19.5)

8 (7.5)

62

Polis Pafos

25 (24.8)

16 (15.6)

54

Cyprus’ Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas met with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, in Brussels, where he conveyed Nicosia’s “clear disagreement” with Turkey’s participation in the SAFE Regulation.

Describing these meetings as very important, the Minister had the opportunity to brief the two Commissioners on the progress of the Republic of Cyprus’s preparations ahead of its assumption of the EU Presidency, as well as to clarify Cyprus’ position regarding Turkey’s participation in SAFE. Additionally, they exchanged views and discussed various issues high on the agenda, such as EU security and defence matters.

In statements after the meetings, the Minister said regarding the discussion on the SAFE instrument that “we clearly emphasized our views on the SAFE Regulation and, at the same time, expressed some concerns about certain behind-the-scenes efforts to include Turkey in this Regulation.”

“We expressed our clear disagreement on this issue and explained the reasons for our opposition. We made it clear that a country that either occupies part of the territory of a Member State or threatens Member States with belligerent approaches cannot be funded or supported,” added the Minister.

“Of course, I want to be clear and honest: we have not received clear answers on this issue. However, I must emphasize and focus on the statement made about ten days ago by António Costa, President of the European Council, who clearly stated that a third country that threatens or is potentially, if you will, an enemy of EU member states cannot be funded or participate in this Regulation,” the Defence Minister stressed, adding that they also discussed “specific issues regarding the Republic of Cyprus’ assumption of the EU Council Presidency, and we expressed our confidence in the successful Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Regarding the funding allocated to Cyprus under SAFE, the Minister mentioned approximately pound 1.2 million over a five-year period. “I believe that with this funding, we will have the opportunity to further strengthen our defence capabilities and, of course, enhance our deterrent power,” he added. “We are a peaceful state. We are a state that has a duty and obligation to protect its citizens and people from the dangers that exist, not only from Turkey and the occupied part of Cyprus but also from other situations arising in the region,” and therefore, “we will try, always within the framework of fiscal balance and public finances, because SAFE is linked to the public finances of the member states, and in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, to maintain these balances, while at the same time strengthening our defence and maintaining good GDP performance.”

Asked about priority defence issues, the Minister acknowledged that defence and security matters are now high on the EU’s agenda. “Within this priority set by the EU, we clearly and unequivocally stated that the EU must fully realize that it needs to stand on its own feet and rely on its own forces regarding issues concerning the security of member states, and should not rely solely on NATO but also on the Union itself regarding these issues.” Palmas also reiterated Cyprus’s position on common European defence, the European army, and all matters concerning the security of the Union of 27.

Regarding the 360° approach already requested by the Greek Prime Minister at the informal Copenhagen Summit, the Minister acknowledged that drones are the most popular weapon systems currently available on the planet and in the market, “and we, not only as the Republic of Cyprus but as the EU, must adapt to the new conditions and data and become pioneers in this weapon system, which we must modernize as much as possible to serve as a shield for the protection of the member states of the Union and their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Regarding the Commission’s focus on the Eastern Flank, without reference to the Southeast Flank, Minister Palmas emphasized that Cyprus “fully understands the fears and concerns of various EU member states regarding the threat from Russia, and at the same time, we highlighted the problems and political and geopolitical fluidity in the Eastern Mediterranean, where a member state of the Union, namely the Republic of Cyprus, must have an upgraded role to play a leading part in the situations arising in the region.”

The Minister added that Cyprus’ role has been very important and crucial in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in the region over the past period. “I think Europeans have understood that Cyprus can play an upgraded role, and I believe they will invest in this direction,” he said.

Regarding the new closer cooperation among Defence Ministers at the level of the 27, the Minister called for “not limiting ourselves to parallel monologues or, if you will, adapting the interests of the Union according to the national interests each of us has, and I would say that we must move from theory to practice to see the overall interests and security of the member states.”

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

MEETING DATE: 15/10/2025

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS = 1000

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE 243.706,33

INDEX

VALUE

%DIFF.

VALUE

FTSE/CySE 20

171,470

-0,100

239.872,890

MAIN MARKET INDEX

232,940

-0,090

232.394,020

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

3.240,040

-0,290

56.800,510

CSE GENERAL INDEX

282,680

-0,080

241.748,830

HOTELS INDEX

1.710,030

0,000

0,000

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

1.843,490

-0,040

11.312,310

The critical aspect of the housing crisis in Europe, which constitutes a key social and economic issue and threatens the cohesion of governments and societies, was highlighted in a discussion Tuesday, during EU Regions Week, which wraps up today in Brussels. The panelists noted that affordable and sustainable housing is the key and projects should be funded that meet the needs of all groups of the society.

The EU Regions Week is held every year and hosts representatives of local communities and regions together with key officials from the all the EU institutions and elsewhere. It includes discussions, workshops and meetings. This year the themes include sustainable development, housing, cohesion programs, EU statistics etc.

The opening event was welcomed by the President of the Commission, the President of the EP and the President of the Committee of the Regions.

The housing panel under the name “Europe’s housing crisis: the role of the EU and cohesion policy” was attended by members of local governments from Estonia and Luxembourg and a representative of the EIB. Ways of addressing it at the local level were discussed, with public-private sector cooperation and financing through special projects from the EIB.

The local councilors stressed that solutions should be provided in cooperation and coordination with local communities, keeping in mind what best serves the citizens and their needs. It was mentioned that plans should be drawn up for affordable housing, for students, single-parent families and vulnerable groups and that it is necessary, along with construction, to have a plan for renovations and the use of empty spaces that could contribute to alleviating the issue.

It was stated that it is unthinkable that in 2025 in the EU there are students living in tents, families with children crammed into 30 sq. meter apartments and people who end up homeless. It was said that based on research, 35% to 140% of family income is spent on rent and that a one-bedroom flat can cost up to 116% of the net salary of an average family.

The panelists referred to the special injustice and a local challenge that, however, requires coordinated action. They noted that there is European funding, but affordable and sustainable housing must be found and the needs of societies must be adequately addressed.

It was also noted that the right to housing is a basic human right and good practices that provide immediate solutions must be found. Reference was also made to the practices of countries adopting the vacancy tax for spaces that remain empty and unused, as well as to the need for a balance between demand and supply.

In response to a question from the Cyprus News Agency about the example of Cyprus where in certain cities there is demand from third-country citizens who can spend much more on buying or renting, resulting in prices skyrocketing, an EIB representative stated that this is considered a ‘market failure’ and that the authorities must regulate it.

It was said that other countries such as Spain, Romania and Luxembourg are also facing similar issues, and that is why the European Commission is preparing plans and wants to draw up policies on the issue of affordable housing. It was also mentioned that Cyprus, in view of its EU Presidency January 1st, wants to highlight the issue as a priority.

Also, an EIB representative stressed that this year 1.4 million building permits were granted at the European level and the needs amount to 2.3 million, meaning we need an additional 1 million new homes in the EU in 2025. It was also said that the EIB increased its financing by 40% for housing projects.

In the context of the EU Regions Week, the Nicosia Board of Tourism organized a “Taste Nicosia” kiosk where Cypriot products, sweets, delicacies, wine and beers were offered to the participants and guests.

Nicosia will host the 8th International Conference on Disasters and Risks (IDRC 2025), bringing together researchers and professionals from 17 countries.

According to a statement by the Municipality of Nicosia, the main theme of the conference is “Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies and Immersive Solutions for Disaster and Emergency Response” and will take place on October 22-24 in Nicosia, at the CYENS Center of Excellence and the Nicosia Municipality event hall.

The conference will showcase the latest technologies and innovative practices for disaster prevention, management, and recovery. It should be noted that this year’s event comes at a crucial time for Cyprus, as the European Union has recently recognized the country as a regional firefighting hub.

It is added that IDRC 2025 will host world-renowned leaders in disaster and crisis management such as Prof. Walter Ammann, Prof. Yiorgos Chrysanthou, Prof. Rajib Shaw, Prof. Yuichi Ono, Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga, Prof. Gavriil Xanthopoulos, and Prof. Michael Havbro Faber, in collaboration with experts and professionals from around the world.

It further states that researchers and professionals from 17 countries, including Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, China, Iran, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Jordan, and India, will present innovative papers combining cutting-edge research with practical solutions.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend lectures by leading international speakers, panel discussions with experts from different fields, and workshops on cutting-edge topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart systems for disaster prediction and response, immersive technologies (VR/AR) for training and crisis management, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable cities in the face of climate and technological challenges.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 15/10/2025 UNTIL 1800 16/10/2025

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1014hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but locally increased cloud coverage will be present at times.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually South to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Night

West to Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

West to Northwest 3, gradually East to Southeast

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3, offshore Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Cyprus will be the guest of honour at the 68th Belgrade International Book Fair, which will take place from October 25 to November 2, 2025, at the Belgrade Fair.

According to a press release by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Cyprus’ participation in this year’s event is part of its efforts to enhance the presence of Cypriot literature abroad and to promote Cypriot authors and publishers on the international stage. At the Cyprus pavilion, works by Cypriot authors will be showcased by both writers and translators of Cypriot literature, along with readings of excerpts and discussions on contemporary Cypriot literature and publishing.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture, who will inaugurate the Cyprus exhibition space, and Kyriakos Charalambides, poet and writer, who will deliver the opening address titled ‘The Power of the Word.’

‘Cyprus’ presence at the Belgrade International Book Fair reaffirms the ongoing commitment of the Deputy Ministry of Culture to extroversion and the support of cultural diplomacy,’ the Ministry stated.