Category: Cyprus News Agency

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, Eurydice-the European organization providing analysis and information on education systems and policies in Europe-presented an updated interactive platform mapping the salaries of teachers and school heads across 37 European countries.

The data, collected in collaboration with the OECD and national experts, offer a comprehensive and comparative overview of all education levels, from pre-primary to upper secondary.

Regarding Cyprus, although starting salaries for teachers are slightly above the median at pound 26,600 per year (2023/2024 data), Cypriot teachers show an impressively strong salary progression. After 15 years of service, they have the third-highest earnings among the countries, at pound 50,576 per year, and by the end of their career, they reach pound 66,323, surpassed only by Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

The European Commission’s platform does not merely present numbers but delves into critical questions about Europe’s education systems, such as how teachers’ and school heads’ salaries compare across countries, how salaries evolve with experience and over time, and how school heads’ earnings are affected by school size and administrative responsibilities.

The tool stands out for its flexibility and detail, allowing users to explore both salaries and allowances, filter data by education level, qualifications, and school size, and track the progression of earnings throughout a teacher’s career. Additionally, the platform enables the export of visuals and the download of datasets for further analysis, making it a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and educators.

Press service

European Parliament

Press release

06-10-2025

2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism: ten finalists shortlisted

The jury of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism has shortlisted ten investigations for the fifth edition of the award.

European missile group MBDA selling parts for bombs that have killed children in Gaza

Disclose, The Guardian, Follow the Money

The Forever Lobbying Project

Le Monde and various media outlets

Les forçats du cybercrime (Cyberslaves)

Paris Match

Wide-angle frame of death (part 1 and part 2)

Novosti

Dirty Payments

Mediapart, European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) and 20 media outlets

The Viktoriia Project

Forbidden Stories and various media outlets

‘Make a Molotov Cocktail’: How Europeans are recruited through Telegram to commit sabotage, arson and murder

Delfi, OCCRP, Paper Trail Media, Der Standard, Tamedia, ZDF, Re:Baltica

Ecocide in Iraq: How big oil companies are turning marshlands into deserts

IrpiMedia, JournalismFund Europe, IJ4EU

The Shadow Fleet Secrets

Follow the Money and various media outlets

Die unsichtbare Front

Missy Magazine

More information about each finalist here.

Between 21 May and 31 July 2025, hundreds of journalists from the 27 EU countries submitted their stories for consideration. Ten out the of the 316 submissions were selected as finalists.

The winner will be announced in an award ceremony taking place on Tuesday 21 October 2025, in the evening, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg (Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room). Finalists will be present in the ceremony as well as the seminar on Press Freedom which will be organised earlier on the same day.

An invitation to accredited journalists to attend both events will follow.

Press seminar before ceremony

The media services of the European Parliament are also organising a press seminar just before the ceremony.

The seminar will analyse the role of journalists in today’s world and the threats they face. The situation of journalists in the Middle East will be at the centre of the discussion, with Palestinian and Israeli journalists sharing their firsthand experiences of this tragedy.

The seminar will be opened (online) by Italian author and journalist Roberto Saviano, and will be closed by Russian journalist and Chairwoman of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, Maria Konstantinovna Pevchikh, alongside Matthew Caruana Galizia, son of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The 10 projects selected as finalists for the Prize will also be highlighted.

To help us determine how many journalists will require access to the press seminar and to arrange interviews with speakers and finalists, please register for the event and/or interviews by 16 October at 10:00 am via this link.

About the Prize

Launched in 2020, the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality, who can submit in-depth pieces that have been published or broadcast by media based in one of the 27 EU countries. An independent jury composed of representatives of the press and civil society from the 27 member states, as well as representatives of the main European journalists’ associations, will choose the winning entry. The prize and the pound 20 000 prize money demonstrate the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the importance of a free press.

Past winners

2021 – ‘The Pegasus Project’, coordinated by the Forbidden Stories

2022 – Documentary on ‘The Central African Republic under Russian Influence’ by Clément Di Roma and Carol Valade (ARTE/France24/Le Monde)

2023 – Joint investigation on the Pylos migrant boat shipwreck (Solomon, in collaboration with Forensis, StrgF/ARD, and The Guardian)

2024 – Investigation on missing unaccompanied child migrants (Lost in Europe)

Who was Daphne Caruana Galizia?

Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist who reported extensively on corruption, money laundering, organised crime, sale of citizenship and the Maltese government’s links to the Panama Papers. Following harassment and threats, she was murdered in a car bomb explosion on 16 October 2017. The outcry over the authorities’ handling of her murder investigation ultimately prompted the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Critical of failings in the investigation, in December 2019, MEPs called on the European Commission to take action.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Journalism Prize secretariat

info@daphnejournalismprize.eu

John SCHRANZ

Press Officer (MT)

(+32) 2 28 44264 (BXL)

(+33) 3 881 74076 (STR)

(+32) 498 98 14 02

john.schranz@europarl.europa.eu

Thea PIERIDOU

Press Officer

European Parliament

Office in Cyprus

30 Vyronos Avenue – 1096 Nicosia

97 665992

22 870500 / 22 396485

thea.pieridou@ep.europa.eu

Cyprus and the Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf signed on Sunday a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Consultations on Matters of Common Interest.

The MoU was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos, who is visiting the UAE, and General Secretary of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

“It was a pleasure signing today with GCCSG Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi an MoU for the Establishment of Consultations on Matters of Common Interest between the Cyprus Government and the Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf” he wrote on ‘X’.

Co-operation will be on a number of areas, Kombos added, including among others political issues and regional and international issues of mutual concern, trade, investment, industry, and other economic areas of mutual concern, education, culture and tourism, environment, agriculture.

“Reiterated our commitment to deepening Cyprus -GCC ties” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Kombos also met with Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister of Kuwait, who is currently chairing the GCC.

The discussion focused on the further enhancement of the Cyprus – Kuwait relations, the deepening of ties between EU-GCC, the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, regional developments in the Middle East and the humanitarian aid to Gaza and Cyprus’ Amalthea maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza.

On the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – EU Ministerial Meeting, he held a “timely exchange with Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative for the Gulf. The discussion, Kombos said on ‘X’ focused on the deepening of ties and strategic partnerships between EU and GCC and the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and regional developments.

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment for Cyprus Dr. Maria Panayiotou participates in the deliberations of the Conference of European Ministers of Mediterranean countries (MED9) which take place 5-7 October in Portoroz, Slovenia.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture, the conference, that will be chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of Slovenia, Mateja Calušic, will focus on Sustainable Risk Management in Agriculture, thus continuing the discussion initiated under the Cyprus Presidency of the MED9, with the aim of formulating a common strategy for resilient, sustainable and fair agriculture in the countries of the European South.

The Ministers of the nine Mediterranean countries are expected to adopt a Joint Declaration of the MED9, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the resilience of agriculture given the growing challenges, and in view of the legislative proposals for the new CAP 2028-2034.

In the context of the deliberations, the Cypriot Minister will emphasize the need for preventive and coordinated political action, with an emphasis on financial adequacy, rapid compensation of producers and the sustainability of agricultural holdings, the press release says.

Panayiotou will then travel to Ireland on October 7, for an official two day visit, following an invitation of the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and Maritime Affairs, Martin Heydon.

They will discuss about the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU as well as issues of coordination and smooth transition to the next, Presidency which is Ireland. In addition, they will discuss about policies for the new CAP after 2027, focusing on research, innovation and technology in the agri-food sector.

She will also visit Ireland’s national research and advisory organisation for agriculture, as well as model agricultural and livestock units.

“We’re looking to have a just and equitable transition in shipping. We can only do that if we come together at IMO. And we focus not only on the green environmental agenda than normally hit the headlines. We focus on safety, which is one of the core areas”, International Maritime Organization Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said Monday, addressing the ‘Maritime Cyprus 2025′ Conference taking place in the coastal town of Limassol.

Shipping will continue to grow by around 2% for the next 5 years, according to the United Nations Trade and Development Maritime Review, he said and referred to additional challenges to which the response is working for global implementations of regulations.

Addressing the participants Dominguez called on them to work together in moving forward “with a global regulation that is going to allow us to maintain the global sector when it comes to shipping”.

“I have made it very clear that I’m not in favour of regional measures. I have spoken constantly to the European Union, and I will repeat my message. Once adopted then we expect that the European Union and any other country that have regional or national measures would then only align to the global regulations that IMO”, he stressed.

IMO SG referred to the meetings he had in Cyprus in the framework of the Conference, noting that “we improve by listening, by sharing and by adapting”.

Dominguez also hailed President Christodoulides’ continued commitment in supporting the maritime sector. The IMO SG spoke of decisions and improvements that continue to shape the shipping sector in Cyprus, which are demonstrated very tangibly by the resource and their linked to the work of IMO.

“When it comes to incentives, you also introduced green incentives in line with the recommendations of IMO, and you offer up to 30% reductions when it comes to registration. Your compliance with IMO instrument is also represented in the increase of 20% of the registry in the last 2 years. You are a centre for ship management. You are improving important infrastructure and you are an active member in the negotiations at the IMO and I look forward to maintain that strong cooperation”, he noted.

In her address Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis noted that the success story of Cyprus shipping is rooted in the close collaboration between the public and private sectors, working together to enhance competitiveness and quality.

She said that partnerships with the Cyprus Union of Shipowners and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, together with a powerful industry, exemplify this productive collaboration, demonstrating that collective effort and mutual respect, are the cornerstones of enduring success.

“Cyprus shipping is not only about fleets or vessels. Cyprus shipping is, about the people. The most valuable and strongest component of Cyprus shipping. Our talented, dedicated, and professional workforce, which define the strength of our industry. Our protagonists and ambassadors”, the Deputy Minister went on to say.

Addressing the participants Hadjimanolis called on them to continue to innovate, collaborate and invest in the future of shipping, ensuring that shipping will remain competitive and resilient.

The “Maritime Cyprus” Conference is organised every two years by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners. It was first established in 1989 and since then, has grown into one of the world’s most significant and most attended shipping conferences. Its status now gives it a prominent position in the calendar of many shipping executives, including owners and managers as well as those in charge of organisations with shipping related activities. The “Maritime Cyprus” Conference attracts to Cyprus approximately 800 shipping executives from around the globe.

Distinguished guests and world class experts analyze and discuss specialised issues of concern to the shipping industry.

Relations between the Cypriot Government and the Greek Government are stronger than ever before, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, stressed on Monday.

The President was replying to questions of reporters on his arrival to the International Conference “Maritime Cyprus 2025” that is taking place in Limassol.

Asked if there is a crisis in the relations between Cyprus and Greece over the Greek Independent Power Transmission Operator, IPTO, the President of the Republic said that “relations between Athens and Nicosia, relations between the Cypriot Government and the Greek Government, my relationship with the Greek Prime Minister are stronger than ever before.”

The President also sent the message to “those who invest in a rupture in the relations of the Greek Government with the Cypriot Government, of my relations with the Greek Prime Minister” pointing out that they “will be disappointed”.

Asked if he had spoken with the Greek Prime Minister, following the meeting that took place yesterday in Athens on the issue, President Christodoulides referred journalists to his replies above saying that they give answers to all questions.

Cyprus Forum 2025, one of the most important public policy conferences in the region, held on October 1 – 3, concluded with the participation in its deliberations of leading international and local speakers. The Forum brought together political leaders, EU technocrats, academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives to discuss the major challenges facing Cyprus, Europe, and the broader region – seeking solutions and innovative approaches.

According to press release issued here today by the organizers, the Forum kicked off at the Old Nicosia Town Hall, with a welcome address by Nicolas Kyriakides, Executive President and Founding Member of the Cyprus Forum, with President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stressing the need for bold and ongoing reforms to strengthen the rule of law and combat corruption, while reiterating his cautious optimism for the resumption of Cyprus talks.

It is added that key European officials, such as Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries Costas Kadis and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, presented the EU’s strategic priorities for shipping, oceans, and enlargement.

The first day concluded with the Peace and Democracy Award, presented posthumously to Xenophon Kallis and Trkan Aziz, in recognition of their contributions to democracy and reconciliation.

The second day featured several panels and discussions on topics including digital policy, artificial intelligence, wildfire prevention, migration, long-term care, and the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the EU in 2026, the statement continues.

As noted, Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, and Flavio Arzerello from Meta discussed the role of tech giants in democracies, Minister of Labour Yiannis Panayiotou outlined the prospects of the labour market and social welfare, while Finance Minister Makis Keravnos addressed the challenges and outlook of the new tax policy. Other key sessions focused on energy transition, gender equality, institutional independence, and press freedom.

The day closed with the Forum’s official dinner, where Mario Nava, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, delivered remarks.

The third day focused on strengthening the parliamentary system, transparency, civic engagement, and the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean. Key speakers included President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, EU officials, and diplomats from the United Kingdom, India, and Israel.

Important discussions focused on education, women’s leadership, democratic processes, and sustainable energy and technological transition. Other key topics included the resolution of the Cyprus problem, cooperation between the two communities, and the use of solar energy for peaceful development.

Key discussions also addressed education, women’s leadership, democratic processes, and the sustainable energy and technological transition, with central topics including the Cyprus issue, intercommunal cooperation, and leveraging solar energy for peaceful development.

The Forum concluded with presentations on urban development in Cyprus, strengthening citizen participation, and promoting peace and stability in the region, the statement concludes.

Early 2026 will be a big moment for Cyprus and a big moment for European transport, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said Monday, in his keynote speech at the Maritime Cyprus 2025 Conference that is taking place in Limassol.

Referring to the Cyprus EU Presidency that will begin in January, he noted that it will be a defining moment for Europe, and for the transport policy.

“As a great maritime nation, Cyprus will play a leading role in shaping the Maritime Industrial Strategy, the Ports Strategy, and the Military Mobility Package. And it will also play a key role in the first ever European Strategy for Tourism, Which we aim to heave it ready by Easter next year” he said.

The Commissioner noted that Cyprus will also help steer discussions on the EU’s next long-term budget, for 2028-2034.

“This will be decisive in setting the level of ambition for our transport and maritime sectors. I trust Cyprus will be a strong ally in ensuring ambitious funding for a competitive, resilient, and secure European transport system” he said, adding that funding that will set transport, including maritime transport, on track for a competitive, resilient and secure future.

“So, I am counting on your support. So yes, early 2026 will be a big moment for Cyprus. And it will also be a big moment for European transport. Together, we can make it a moment that defines our maritime future,” he stressed.

Commissioner Tzitzikostas said that Cyprus is more than just a maritime country, it is a global maritime force and a hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a proud history of seafaring a modern fleet that ranks among the largest in the European Union.

“Your flag is a symbol of quality and trust. Your shipping industry is not only a cornerstone of the Cypriot economy, but also a pillar of Europe’s maritime strength. And your voice carries weight, not just in Europe, but across the global shipping community” he went on to say.

Referring to Europe, the Commissioner said that we can make Europe’s maritime sector not only more resilient, but also more competitive, more sustainable, and more secure.

He recalled that the Draghi report highlights the EU’s declining share of the global maritime fleet.

“Our fleet keeps growing in absolute terms, but others are expanding faster. Our market share in gross tonnage fell from 38.5% in 2018, to 33.6% in 2024. This is a challenge we must face together, the European Commission, the Member States, and the industry. And we are acting,” he stressed.

He also said that Europe’s shipbuilding industry faces unfair competition with subsidies in other regions allowing competitors to sell ships 30% or even 40% cheaper than European models.

“China is not alone in this. This is why we are preparing an Industrial Maritime Strategy aiming to reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of our shipbuilding and shipping sectors,” Tzitzikostas said.

Referring to ports, he noted that they are the backbone of our supply chains, our energy system and military mobility. “So, the upcoming European Ports Strategy will both strengthen and protect these assets” he concluded.

A new protocol to renew their 40-year cooperation in the fisheries sector was signed by the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe. Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis stated that the signing of the new protocol marks a significant milestone, which «strengthens our shared commitment to responsible and sustainable fisheries and demonstrates the power of cooperation in protecting the ocean».

The Commissioner Kadis added that the signing of the new implementing protocol of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe «secures the future of our shared resources, supporting local communities and ecosystems. Our cooperation sets a model for sustainable fishing that benefits all and fosters long-term ecological and economic resilience».

The new four-year protocol allows EU vessels to fish up to 6,500 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species annually in the waters of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Beyond access to fishing resources, the EU is boosting its financial support to the country, aiming for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, with its total contribution over the next four years amounting to pound 3.3 million (or pound 825,000 on an annual basis). Of this, pound 500,000 will be allocated to strengthen fisheries management, control, and surveillance capacities, as well as to support artisanal fishing and local fishing communities.

Additionally, EU fishers are expected to pay São Tomé and Príncipe a licensing and catch fee of pound 85 per tonne for their activities in its national waters. The new protocol also includes provisions to improve working conditions for fishers on EU vessels, ensuring safer and fairer employment practices.

The new protocol applies provisionally as of 6 October 2025 and will enter into full force upon completion of the ratification process by both parties. On the EU side, this requires the consent of the European Parliament.

Professor Despo Fatta-Kassinos awarded Prince Sultan Water Specialist Event Participation Grant for EMEC 2025 Plenary.

This marks her second PSIPW Specialist Grant underscoring her sustained global leadership in water research.

The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) has approved a Prince Sultan Water Specialist Event Participation Grant to support Professor Despo Fatta-Kassinos (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) as a plenary speaker at EMEC 2025 (25th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, Crete, Greece). This marks the second time Professor Fatta-Kassinos has been selected for this prestigious specialist grant, underscoring her sustained global leadership in water research.

Administered by PSIPW, the Specialist Grant enables scientific event organisers to feature world-leading water scientists to the stage as plenary speakers. Grant recipients are chosen based on criteria that include the innovative nature of the recipient’s water-related work.

Professor Fatta-Kassinos, a Chemical and Environmental Engineer at the University of Cyprus, is internationally recognised for pioneering research on wastewater-borne micropollutants, antimicrobial resistance in engineered and natural systems, and advanced analytical and engineering approaches that explore system-level water-quality outcomes. Her EMEC 2025 plenary will address frontier strategies for mitigating chemical and biological risks across the water cycle, translating cutting-edge science into actionable engineering and policy.

‘I am honoured by EMEC’s selection and PSIPW’s approval,’ said Professor Fatta-Kassinos. ‘This Specialist Grant accelerates vital exchanges between disciplines, chemistry, microbiology, analytics, and systems engineering, so we can deliver water solutions that are both innovative and implementable.’

About the Prince Sultan Water Specialist Event Participation Grant

Named in memory of HRH Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, founder of PSIPW, the Specialist Grant extends PSIPW’s vision of encouraging water-related research. By supporting event organisers directly, the programme enables the participation of world-leading scientists as plenary/keynote speakers and instructors at high-impact scientific events.