Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna held a meeting on Sunday with European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, with whom she discussed issues that Cyprus will have to address during its Presidency of the Council of the EU that will begin in January.

According to an official press release, Raouna informed the Greek Commissioner about the preparation of the Cyprus Presidency and the importance that Cyprus attaches to the issues of Connectivity and Tourism.

The European Commissioner pointed out that during the Cyprus EU Presidency, the Commission will promote three important strategies, for ports, for the maritime industry and for tourism.

The press release says that during the meeting, they exchanged views on promoting an agreement with the European Parliament on passenger rights in air transport, as well as on the use of the Connecting Europe Facility and the Multiannual Financial Framework, for infrastructure and military mobility in regional EU Member States.

Finally, regarding tourism, the Deputy Minister conveyed to the Commissioner the intention of the Cyprus Presidency to actively contribute to the promotion of the EU tourism agenda.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos concluded his visit to Kuwait, during which he participated in the work of the 29th Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union.

MFA issued a statement according to which the Minister met with the EU Special Representative for the Gulf, Luigi Di Maio, with whom he exchanged views on further deepening relations and strategic partnership between EU and GCC.

Issues related to the upcoming Cyprus EU Presidency and current regional developments were also discussed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with the Secretary General of the GCC, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, with whom he signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Consultations on Issues of Common Interest between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the General Secretariat of the GCC.

The Memorandum covers, inter alia, cooperation in various fields, including political, regional and international issues of mutual interest, trade, investment, industry, education, culture, tourism, environment and agriculture.

Kombos also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, with whom he discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between Cyprus and Kuwait, as well as the strengthening of ties between the EU and the GCC.

The discussion also focused on regional developments in the Middle East and the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, within the framework of the Amalthea corridor.

The Minister also participated in the meeting of the 29th GCC-EU Joint Council, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.