Category: Cyprus News Agency

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 09/07/2026 UNTIL 1200 10/07/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1006hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but tonight and early morning increased low cloud will be present with risk of local mist and isolated fog patches.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 27°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

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

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

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

South Coast

Afternoon Southwest 4, at times locally 5 Slight

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

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

East Coast

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times offshore 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning South to Southwest 3, later 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

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

Night Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

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

The evaluation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy was the focus of a debate held on Thursday in the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with references to the sustainability of fish stocks, the profitability of the fisheries sector, support for small-scale fishers and the need for possible targeted changes to the existing framework.

Speaking at the plenary, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis said that the Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy forms the European Union’s basis for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Kadis said that the Commission’s evaluation, which was presented in April, one decade after the last revision of the framework, confirmed that the approach adopted in 2013 remains valid. That approach, he added, aimed to combine environmental, social and economic sustainability.

According to the Commissioner, the evaluation shows that the effectiveness of the Regulation depends not only on its overall framework, but also on the operational implementation of its tools. These, he noted, include technical and conservation measures, control mechanisms and multiannual plans.

At international level, Kadis said that the EU remains a global leader in sustainable fisheries. He added that this role must be maintained, particularly in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as in ensuring fair competition for European operators vis-à-vis fleets from third countries.

The Commissioner also said that the evaluation provided a diagnosis of the existing rules and that political decisions now need to be taken on the way forward. As he said, it will have to be examined which of the shortcomings identified require legislative changes and to what extent.

In his reply, the Commissioner said that he had listened carefully to the remarks of MEPs and recalled that this is the first time since the 2013 reform that the Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy has been evaluated with such comprehensive data.

The Commissioner noted that, taking these data into account, he will consider submitting a proposal to the College of Commissioners for a targeted amendment to the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, in line with the Commission’s better regulation procedures.

Cyprus’s ambition to become a reliable energy exporter through the development of its natural gas reserves was highlighted by the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michael Damianos.

Speaking during the panel discussion titled “The Potential of Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean as Dynamic Energy Hubs” on the second day of the Economist’s 30th Annual Government Roundtable, Damianos outlined the progress of exploration and development activities being carried out by major international energy companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and ENI, in Cyprus EEZ. He noted that the first exports of Cypriot natural gas are expected in the coming years through Egypt’s liquefaction facilities, before being shipped to European markets.

“We are preparing for 2028, when our natural gas will begin flowing to Egypt for liquefaction. We believe that in the coming years we will become an energy exporter based on our own reserves,” the Minister of Energy said.

Damianos also highlighted the importance of the planned electricity interconnection with Greece and Israel, stressing that it will enable Cyprus to export electricity during daylight hours and make better use of its significant solar energy potential.

He further referred to the role of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum and the “3+1” cooperation framework involving Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States as key mechanisms for advancing regional energy cooperation.

There is no timetable for convening a five-party conference on the Cyprus issue, and such a meeting is not expected to take place during the summer, according to Greek diplomatic sources.

The same sources stress that Ankara appears to be maintaining its current positions and that there are no indications of a change in its stance. In any case, they stress that Athens is closely following the UN’s efforts to restart the negotiation process and reiterates, at every opportunity, that a solution can only be achieved within the framework of UN resolutions and the agreed basis for negotiations.

Regarding developments at the NATO Summit, the same sources note that Turkey’s casus belli constitutes a formal threat of war and that its significance is neither diminished by the passage of time nor by the public becoming accustomed to it. “It can only be diminished by its definitive withdrawal,” the sources said.

Finally, the sources point out that as long as the threat of war remains in place, Ankara cannot participate in any European defence framework, such as SAFE.

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.

After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

The wellbeing of students and teachers is a prerequisite for “meaningful learning, inclusion and social cohesion”, Cyprus’ Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, said on Thursday, stressing that the growing use of artificial intelligence in education must remain guided by “pedagogical responsibility” and a “human-centred approach”.

Addressing the conference “Wellbeing at School: How Global Demographic, Technological and Economic Changes Affect the Wellbeing of Students and Teachers”, Michaelidou said education systems are being reshaped by rapid technological advances, artificial intelligence, as well as demographic, social and economic developments, making the promotion of wellbeing in schools “more important than ever”.

She said schools are expected to equip young people not only with knowledge and skills, but also with “empathy, resilience and democratic awareness”. Achieving this goal, she added, requires safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments where every student and teacher “feels a sense of belonging”, “knows that their voice is heard” and has the opportunity “to grow and thrive”.

Michaelidou underlined that education inspectors have “a crucial role” in helping schools respond to today’s challenges and opportunities. As educational leaders, she said, they can support teachers, foster inclusive and innovative practices and contribute to building school communities where both students and educators can thrive.

Referring to artificial intelligence, the Minister said its integration into teaching and learning should be guided by “pedagogical responsibility”, “critical thinking” and “a constant commitment to a human-centred approach”.

“Technology should empower teachers, enrich learning experiences and support more inclusive education,” she said.

On Thursday, plenary backed talks with the Council on a digital euro proposal that would offer citizens a secure way to reduce reliance on non-EU providers.

With 416 votes in favour, 169 against and 22 abstentions for the creation of a digital euro, and by a show of hands approval for non-euro payment service providers, the European Parliament agreed to proceed to the next stage of the legislative process. The ECR and PfE political groups had challenged the 23 June 2026 decisions by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee to open interinstitutional talks on the creation of the digital euro and the provision of digital euro services by payment services providers incorporated in member states whose currency is not the euro.

A third file part of the same single currency package, on the legal tender of euro banknotes and coins, was not contested, so negotiations can also go ahead on that, in line with rule 72 of Parliament’s rules of procedure.

Rapporteur Fernando Navarrete Rojas (EPP, ES) will lead Parliament’s negotiating team. A first round of negotiations with the Irish Presidency of the Council, representing member states, is scheduled to take place shortly.

Key points of the Parliament’s negotiating position include:

The digital euro would be a new, electronic form of money issued by the European Central Bank (ECB) and would work online and offline

Privacy safeguards would be built into the digital euro. Transactions would be verified without exposing personal data, which would be processed only to the extent strictly necessary for the system to function

Most businesses would be required to accept digital euro. Exceptions would apply to the self-employed and small and micro enterprises that do not accept other digital payments.

Basic services, such as opening an account, holding and managing funds, and access to at least one payment instrument, would be free of charge.

To protect the financial system, there would be a cap on how many digital euros any individual could hold

Banks and payment service providers (PSPs) from non-euro EU countries would be allowed to distribute the digital euro

Euro area countries would be obliged to keep cash accessible, businesses would not be allowed to ban cash and member states would need to monitor cash availability regularly, with special attention to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, low-income individuals, and people without access to the traditional banking system.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 09/07/2026 UNTIL 1800 10/07/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1005hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but tonight and early morning increased low cloud will be present with risk of local mist and isolated fog patches.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 27°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

Northwest 3 to 4, gradually Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Slight

South Coast

Night

Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

South to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest 4 to 5, at times locally 5

Slight

East Coast

Night

Southwest to Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

South to Southwest 3, later 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 4, at times offshore 4 to 5

Slight

North Coast

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southwest to Northwest 3, gradually West to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 4, at times locally Northwest 4 to 5

Slight

President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday called on Cyprus’ diplomatic missions to help make use of the results achieved during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, through continued coordination with the Government and the Foreign Ministry.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace during a meeting with the heads of the Republic’s diplomatic missions, he said the main objective was to produce results based on coordination and on the priorities set by the Government and the Foreign Ministry.

Christodoulides thanked the diplomats for their work during the Presidency, particularly in Brussels, saying it was widely acknowledged as highly successful.

He noted that Cyprus must now examine how to build on what was achieved, including in relation to the Cyprus problem, which he described as very important. He further said that earlier on Thursday the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council had called him, on their own initiative, to brief him on their dinner with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

‘These are small things that we must make use of,’ he said.

The President also said the Government would maintain the Deputy Ministry for European Affairs, as well as European affairs units in the Ministries, noting that this coordination should continue.

President, Nikos Christodoulides, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, Youssef Raggi discussed the close ties between Cyprus and Lebanon during a meeting at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, with Raggi expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the assistance provided by Cyprus to his country, as well as to President Christodoulides personally, noting in particular, ‘We thank you personally and the Republic of Cyprus for everything you are doing for us. We know what you are doing for us.’

President Christodoulides said that Raggi’s acceptance of the invitation to address the heads of the Republic’s diplomatic missions at their conference ‘is a clear indication of the importance we attach to Lebanon.’

He added that Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are a priority for Cyprus, just as they are for Lebanon.

He also referred to the close, friendly relations he maintains with Lebanon’s President, noting their frequent telephone conversations to coordinate actions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, which, as he said, there is the political will to strengthen even further.

He added that ‘within the framework of our membership in the EU, we are committed to and will succeed, in initiating negotiations for a comprehensive strategic agreement between the EU and Lebanon, just as we did with our initiative regarding Jordan and Egypt.”

President Christodoulides noted that he has spoken with the President of the Commission several times, adding that “I have sent her a letter regarding the need to move forward as soon as possible, and in fact, when I visited Lebanon with the President of the Commission in 2024-it was the first time she had visited Lebanon as President of the European Commission.’

He noted that ‘Cyprus, within the EU, will do everything in its power to strengthen relations between the EU and Lebanon.’

For his part, the Lebanese Foreign Minister said that he was conveying the warm greetings of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who considers President Christodoulides ‘a very good, close friend.’ He added, ‘we thank you personally and the Republic of Cyprus for everything you are doing for us. We know what you are doing for us.’

Referring to Cyprus EU Council Presidency at the first half of this year, Raggi congratulated the President, noting that ‘you have left your personal mark and exerted your considerable influence, and this has been to the benefit of Europe and the Mediterranean.”

“We thank you very much for what you are doing for us as Cyprus and, through you, as the EU,’ he added.

In statements about the meeting afterwards, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that relations between the Republic of Cyprus and Lebanon, particularly in recent years, ‘are closer than ever before, especially since President Aoun took office.’

Letymbiotis stressed that Cyprus has consistently stood by Lebanon, particularly during this period, in all the fora in which it participates, within the European Union or at the United Nations level, ‘we have taken the lead in ensuring security and stability in Lebanon,’ he said.

He also pointed out that, beyond mere assistance and financial support the Republic of Cyprus has demonstrated in practice its support for the neighbouring country, ‘for a very close partner, which is Lebanon.’

He also said that ‘we have conveyed the message that, wherever and to the extent that our own capabilities allow, our priority is regional security, a crucial aspect of which is, of course, the security and stability of Lebanon.’

A meeting took place Thursday in Nicosia between Cypriot and Swiss officials who examined the progress achieved so far as regards the projects implemented within the framework of the Cyprus-Switzerland Agreements in the fields of Cohesion and Immigration.

A press release by the Directorate General Growth of the Ministry of Finance says that the 4th Annual Meeting in the context of the 2nd Swiss Contribution 2019-2029, took place today at the offices of the DG Growth, in Nicosia, chaired by Permanent Secretary Penelope Papavassiliou. The meeting, which was attended by representatives of the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Cyprus, examined the progress of the projects implemented within the framework of the Agreements signed between the two countries, under the areas of Cohesion and Immigration.

It is noted that the Swiss Confederation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union for the 2nd Swiss Contribution, on 30 June 2022, based on which it will contribute a total amount of approximately CHF 1.3 billion to reduce economic and social inequalities in the EU and to support measures in the field of immigration.

The amount allocated to Cyprus amounts to CHF 5.2 million (pound 5.4 million) to reduce economic and social inequalities (with an implementation period of 2019-2029) and CHF 20.0 million (pound 20.8 million) to support measures in the field of migration (with an implementation period of 2019-2026 for Phase I and 2025 – 2029 for Phase II).

Projects that are being financed under the 2nd Swiss Contribution include the sectors of cohesion and immigration.

Regarding the cohesion sector, projects include ‘Preventing Domestic Violence and Protecting Victims’, with approximately pound 2 million, ‘Rare Care’, with approximately pound 2.1 million and ‘Contribution to the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus’, with approximately pound 1 million.

Regarding immigration, the projects are ‘Implementing efficient and high quality asylum procedure in accordance with the relevant EU Law, by the Asylum Service’, with approximately pound 8.8 million, the project ‘Supporting Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration’, with approximately pound 1.5 million, ‘Home for Hope – Shelter for Unaccompanied Children’, with approximately pound 2.4 million, ‘Assisted Voluntary Return Hub (AVR Hub)’,with approximately pound 1.6 million and ‘Implementation of the Integration Strategy’, with approximately pound 6.4 million.