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President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides pledged on Tuesday that the Greek Cypriot side will do its utmost for the UN Secretary-General’s efforts for a Cyprus settlement to yield results. He also noted that it is important that after so many years there is activity, as underlined by the SG himself during the Geneva meeting for the Cyprus issue last March.

The President made statements welcoming the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, in Nicosia, on an official visit. The Cyprus issue is one of the few issues on which there is consensus in the Hellenic Parliament, Kaklamanis said in his statements.

President Christodoulides also expressed the view that the outcome of the “electoral” process in the Turkish Cypriot community mid-October will be important. Asked by the President of the Hellenic Parliament if he believes that there can be a change, he replied “we will see what the outcome will be.”

He said that no one at this time can safely jump to conclusions on the outcome. He also went on to note that whatever the outcome is, Turkey is the one to take final decisions on the most serious issues regarding the Turkish Cypriot community.

Kaklamanis expressed the hope that the efforts will be successful, although he stressed that he is moderately optimistic.

President Christodoulides, in his statement before the media, pointed out that Kaklamanis is in Cyprus to attend tomorrow’s parade for the Cyprus Independence, “an important anniversary and the most important conquest of the Cyprus people as a result of the national liberation struggle of EOKA”.

The President told Kaklamanis that the Hellenic Parliament has played a decisive role in developments concerning Cyprus over time and made particular reference to the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004, “the most important diplomatic success of the Cypriot people and the Republic of Cyprus.”

He noted also that in less than 100 days Cyprus will also assume, for the second time, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, saying that this is a national challenge “that I am sure we will respond to successfully”.

President Christodoulides told the President of the Hellenic Parliament that he is visiting Cyprus at a time when there are many developments in our region, noting that Cyprus, together with Greece, through actions and not only words, prove that they are pillars of security and stability.

“We are countries that talk to all the states in the region and we are making efforts, through synergies, to prove the importance of cooperation. This is the only path via which to address common challenges,” he said.

The President also praised Kaklamanis’ political career as an MEP, Mayor, Minister and now President of the Hellenic Parliament, as well as his long-standing interventions on everyday issues with which, he said, he agrees and has the same approach.

Kaklamanis thanked the President for his very kind words, which he described as “perhaps a little excessive”. He stated that his interest in Cyprus began in the 1990s, when he was a Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Joint Committee of the European Parliament and the House of Representatives when the effort for Cyprus’ accession had begun.

He referred to his close cooperation at the time with MEP Pauline Green, who was very pro-Cyprus.

Kaklamanis also pointed out to the President that in conditions of political acrimony in Greece, “fortunately the issue of Cyprus is one of the few on which there is complete consensus in the Greek Parliament.”

He said that there may be some verbal differences sometimes for oppositional reasons, but in spite of this there is a complete consensus in views. “There is no political party in Parliament that does not identify with the established national line that has existed for years”, he stressed.

Kaklamanis said that he was informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, George Gerapetritis, about the latest developments, noting that “he has a restrained optimism.”

He also referred to a visit to Turkey under President Demirel 30 years ago, noting that what he said 30 years ago is now being repeated by now President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan on Cyprus and the Aegean.

He said that he is moderately optimistic about the discussions on a Cyprus solution, hoping that these efforts will be successful.

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.

UNSG met with the two leaders President Christodoulides and T/c leader Ersin Tatar last week in New York city. A fresh meeting will probably take place in November. In the meantime his personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin is expected in Cyprus the next weeks to prepare the new meeting.

The President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, begins his contacts in Cyprus on ?uesday, on his first official visit to the island after his election.

Kaklamanis will be received in the morning by President Nikos Christodoulides and will then hold a meeting with President of the Parliament Annita Demetriou. At noon, he will address a special session of the House Plenary.

During the visit, which will last until Wednesday, October 1, the President of the Hellenic Parliament will also meet with Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios and leaders and representatives of the political parties.

On October 1, he will also attend the military parade for the 65th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus.

The President of the Hellenic Parliament, as part of his official visit, will lay a wreath at the Tomb of Makedonitissa, at the tombs of EOKA heroes and at the Hero’s Monument at ELDYK camp in Malounta.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 30/09/2025 UNTIL 0600 01/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1012hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but locally increased cloud will be present.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 27°C

Warnings: NIL

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

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

Date 30/09/2025

Station

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

Humidity at

1200 UTC

The national goal is the reunification of the island and the complete withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from Cyprus, said Nikitas Kaklamanis, President of the Hellenic Parliament, on Tuesday, noting that parliamentary cooperation between Greece and Cyprus will be strengthened and that parliamentary diplomacy can be an aid to governments.

On his first visit abroad and to Cyprus, after assuming his duties as President of the Hellenic Parliament, Kaklamanis met in the morning with the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, in Nicosia, who said in statements after the meeting that they discussed many issues, particularly complex ones, concerning relations between the two countries.

They emphasized, she continued, the need for Greece and Cyprus to remain islands of security and stability in the wider region. “At the same time, we reaffirmed our demand for the immediate release of the five Greek Cypriots who are being held illegally, under conditions of hostage-taking, by the occupying regime,” she added.

House President also said they exchanged views on developments last week in New York at the UN General Assembly, as well as on the next steps in the Cyprus issue. “I reiterated our deep gratitude for Greece’s support in the efforts to restart negotiations with the aim of resolving the Cyprus issue,” she said.

Demetriou also provided information on the preparations of the Parliament ahead of the EU Council Presidency, while they also analyzed issues of broader geopolitical developments and challenges, current affairs, and agreed that “under no circumstances and for no reason can relations between the two countries be disrupted.”

She pointed out that the President of the Hellenic Parliament will be attending tomorrow’s parade for the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus, which “is highly symbolic and sends a strong message.”

For his part, the President of the Hellenic Parliament thanked his counterpart for the warm welcome and the flattering words, stressing that at a time of political tension in Greece, “the Cyprus issue is one on which there is unanimous and unequivocal support from all political parties in the Hellenic Parliament. And it is precisely this unanimous and unequivocal support for common national goals that I want to convey to you.”

‘This support existed in the times of our predecessors, it exists in our times’, he continued, “and as you rightly hinted, the ties and cooperation between the two parliaments will become even closer on many levels. Not only in parliamentary diplomacy, as my friend the President said, but also in culture and education. In problems that concern both you and us and are well known’, he added.

Kaklamanis stated that sometimes parliamentary diplomacy comes to the rescue and solves problems “that governments may not be able to solve.”

The President of the Hellenic Parliament said he was “very moved and happy” to be present at the 65th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, which “symbolises the struggles of Cypriot Hellenism for its freedom. But for this freedom to have meaning and for the souls of the heroes who fell then, and later during the Attila invasion, to find justice, the national goal must be achieved, and the national goal is none other than the reunification of the island for all its inhabitants.”

For this to happen and be sustainable, he added, not a single Turkish soldier from the occupying forces can remain, and all hopes for the missing persons must be exhausted, Greeks and Greek Cypriots. He also said that he will raise in Greece the issue of the five Greek Cypriots who are being held captive in the occupied territories on “ridiculous charges.”

The statements were preceded by a meeting between Annita Demetriou and Nikitas Kaklamanis in the office of the House President, where she said that the fraternal relationship, understanding, and solidarity with Greece is Cyprus’s greatest diplomatic and political advantage.

Kaklamanis pointed out that the first trip of each newly elected President of the Hellenic Parliament is to Cyprus, not for formal reasons, but for very substantial ones. He noted that the national goal is the reunification of the island and the complete withdrawal of the occupying forces in accordance with the decisions of the UN Security Council.

Demetriou and Kaklamanis exchanged gifts as Presidents of the two parliaments, with Kaklamanis offering his ” friend Annita” a personal gift, a silk scarf from Soufli.

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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Cyprus’ Foreign Minister. Constantinos Kombos, is travelling to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, to participate in the “Munich Leaders Meeting”, which is co-organized with the Munich Security Conference from September 30 to October 2, in the city of AlUla.

A press release issued by the Foreign Ministry said that Kombos’ participation in the Conference is taking place at the invitation of Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Conference takes place at a critical time with growing challenges for the international community, as well as the escalation of tensions, which undermine stability and threaten international peace and security, the MFA noted.

During the conference, the participants are expected to exchange views on the most important issues and threats to regional and international security and stability. Special emphasis will also be placed on highlighting prospects for joint cooperation in key areas, such as energy security and the stability of the global economy, the press release added.

On the sidelines of the conference, Cyprus Minister will have contacts with his counterparts, as well as with other officials, it concluded.

Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, is to participate in the informal European Council which will be held on October 1 and 2 in Copenhagen, where he is to hold a series of meetings, among others, with Switzerland’s President, the NATO Secretary-General and Denmark’s Prime Minister.

In a written statement, the Director of the resident’s Press Office, Viktoras Papadopoulos, notes that, early in the afternoon of October 1, President Christodoulides will participate in the Council meeting, about EU Security and Defence, while later he will take part in the discussion on the situation in Ukraine.

In the evening, President Christodoulides is to attend the dinner hosted by the Danish royal couple in honour of the leaders of the states participating in the European Political Community.

On October 2, the President of the Republic will participate in the Plenary of the European Political Community, and in the debate on economic security.

Later on, President Christodoulides is to hold separate bilateral meetings with the President of Switzerland Karin Keller-Sutter, NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, as well as with Albert II, Prince of Monaco.

He will then attend the closing proceedings of the Plenary.

On Friday, October 3, in the morning, President Christodoulides will have a meeting with Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, followed by expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries.

The President will be accompanied in Copenhagen by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, the Director of the Presidential Press Office and other officials.

The ninth Ocean State Report, published today by the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service of the EU’s Earth Observation System, was presented by the European Commission, with Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, underlining that “the data is the basis for action” and that “now we have the tools to transform observation into solutions”.

The report reveals the critical state of oceans, as every corner is now threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The findings are alarming, confirming that ocean health is deteriorating at an unprecedented rate. Key observations include global sea temperatures reached a record high of 21°C, with devastating impacts on marine ecosystems.

Marine heatwaves in 2023 and 2024 saw ocean temperatures exceed previous records by over 0.25°C, threatening fisheries and coastal economies. Meanwhile, sea levels have risen by 228 millimeters since 1901, putting 200 million Europeans in coastal areas at risk, along with UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

During the 2023 Mediterranean heatwave, rising temperatures facilitated the spread of invasive species such as the Atlantic Blue Crab and Bearded Fireworm, pushing local fisheries to the brink of collapse. Additionally, Arctic sea ice recorded four consecutive all-time lows between December 2024 and March 2025, losing an area nearly twice the size of Portugal.

Commissioner Kadis, commenting on the report’s findings, stated: “The conclusions of the Ocean State Report reveal a difficult but essential diagnosis. The triple planetary crisis-climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution-is no longer a future threat but a present reality in our ocean basins.”

“This means we have taken the first necessary steps, as data is the foundation of effective action. In line with the Ocean Pact’s Ocean Observation Initiative, we are leveraging the power of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean-a cutting-edge tool built on marine data from Copernicus Marine and EMODnet-to transform data into predictability, allowing us to move from observation to solution,” Kadis added.

The Commissioner highlighted that “now we can simulate the spread of invasive species, forecast the impact of heatwaves on fish stocks, and test the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) before implementing them. These tools are crucial for a resilient and sustainable blue economy,” he added. “The ocean is sending us a clear signal; we are now better equipped to answer it,” Commissioner Kadis concluded.

On his behalf, Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius emphasized the importance of the Copernicus system as the world’s leading Earth observation tool, stating: “As an owner of Copernicus, the most unique Earth observation system, the Union is able to monitor the state of the Earth’s environment and its subsystems. The Copernicus infrastructure and services constitute a world-class capacity allowing the Union to have a leading role in observing and forecasting different ocean state parameters.”

Mr. Kubilius also highlighted that “the Commission is committed to the continuity and evolution of Copernicus, ensuring that Europe’s Earth observing capacity is all-encompassing, bringing together public and private actors and capacities alike. The space economy is all about unleashing the power of space systems and services to offer solutions in different policies and market sectors.”

Cyprus will be at the heart of the global shipping industry from 6-8 October, as it hosts the Maritime Cyprus 2025 International Conference in Limassol under the theme ‘Unlocking the Future.of Shipping.’

Presenting the conference at a press briefing, Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis said the event comes at a crucial moment for the maritime sector, facing both challenges and opportunities. She stressed that the government is proud of a 36-year-old institution that has grown into one of the world’s leading shipping conferences.

‘This year, our aim was to enrich the conference further, both in terms of distinguished speakers and in the scope of topics, so that it fully reflects the modern challenges and opportunities of the industry,’ she said.

Hadjimanolis pointed out that shipping is a vital pillar of the Cypriot economy, requiring flexibility and innovation to remain competitive. She noted that government priorities include strengthening the Cyprus registry, attracting new ships and companies, simplifying procedures, enhancing safety and service quality, and embracing digital transformation. Investment in human capital, she added, is also key, through education and training of new seafarers and maritime professionals.

President of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners Polys Hajioannou, said the conference is expected to attract a strong presence of foreign shipowners, particularly from Greece. He noted that this year’s discussions coincide with the upcoming Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting at the IMO, with shipowners seeking clarity on future fuel rules that have created uncertainty across the industry.

Meanwhile, Cyprus Shipping Chamber President Andreas Neophytou welcomed the conference as one of the sector’s leading global gatherings. Since 1989, he said, Maritime Cyprus has become a world-renowned institution thanks to close cooperation between government, the shipping administration, and industry stakeholders. He highlighted that the event takes place as shipping grapples with major challenges, especially decarbonisation, which will reshape shipbuilding technologies, fuels, and operational practices.

According to Christiana Patsiou, Acting Director of the Shipping Cluster Development and Competitiveness Directorate, more than 900 delegates from 35 countries and over 40 speakers will take part. A Shipping Services Exhibition with more than 40 exhibitors from Cyprus and abroad will also run alongside the event.

In the opening ceremony on Monday, 6 October, President Nikos Christodoulides, will present the Cyprus Shipping Award. Attendees will include the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, EU Commissioners, and leaders of major shipping associations such as ECSA and BIMCO, as well as foreign ministers.

Cyprus and Ireland share long-standing, excellent relations that are anchored on common values and respect for rules-based international order and multilateralism, said Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, before her meeting with Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, on Tuesday in Nicosia.

She added that they would discuss shared priorities and important files, as well as ensuring that there is coherence and coordination in view of the two countries’ consecutive Presidencies of the Council of the European Union.

On his part, Byrne said that ‘it is a great time for a small country to take on that leadership role in the European Union. We are here to get results.”

In her statements, Raouna said that the visit takes place almost two months before the inauguration of the Cyprus EU Presidency and is particularly important because Ireland is the next Presidency of the Council of the EU.

She added that the visit provides the opportunity for both countries to coordinate on the important dossiers they will jointly manage, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework.

‘Cyprus and Ireland share long-standing, excellent relations that are anchored on common values, on respect for rules-based international order and multilateralism, as well as shared historical experiences’, stressed the Deputy Minister.

‘Your visit is important, given its timing as well. We are gearing ahead for our Presidency of the Council, and the Presidency that starts immediately after with the next Trio. I very much look forward to discussing together our shared priorities and important files, and ensuring that there is coherence and coordination,’ she concluded.

On his part, Thomas Byrne said that two small countries, Cyprus and Ireland, are following each other in the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

‘It is a great time for a small country to take on that leadership role in the European Union. We are here to get results. We are here to see what Marilena has in mind and I will be setting out what Ireland has in mind for the second half of next year,’ he continued.

‘There will undoubtedly be a lot going on. The Multiannual Financial Framework, security and defence, competitiveness in the world, to make sure the EU can continue to provide jobs and economic opportunities to people,’ he further noted.

‘Also to make sure as well that our values are respected, our human rights, our rule of law. That is something that we can preserve and maintain within the European Union, but also make sure that we use those values and found all our doings as a European Union on those values. We are looking forward to the discussions here in Nicosia and looking forward in particular to the Cyprus Presidency next year’, the Irish Minister concluded