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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

The Index of Industrial Output Prices for August 2025 reached 122.8 units (base 2021=100), recording a 0.9% decrease, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, according to the Statistic Service.

Compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, an increase was recorded in mining and quarrying (8.6%) and manufacturing (1.1%), while a decrease was shown in the sectors of electricity supply (-8.2%) and water supply and materials recovery (-5.2%).

By division of economic activity in manufacturing, in August 2025 compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, increases were recorded in the manufacture of paper and paper products and printing (4.4%), the manufacture of furniture, other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment (4.3%), the manufacture of textiles, wearing apparel and leather products (2.9%), the manufacture of electronic and optical products and electrical equipment (2.6%), the manufacture of refined petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products and pharmaceutical products and preparations (2.5%) and the manufacture of machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment (2%), while a decrease was recorded in the manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco products (-0.2%).

Compared to July 2025, the index remained stable. The index remained stable in the manufacturing sector, while it showed an increase in mining and quarrying by 0.8% and electricity supply by 0.1%. A decrease was recorded in the sector of water supply and materials recovery (-0.2%).

For the period January-August 2025, the index showed a decrease of 0.4% compared to the corresponding period of 2024.

The Republic of Cyprus is committed to the implementation of the Great Sea Interconnector project, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Tuesday, adding that there is a provision of 25 million euros in the budgets of both 2025 and 2026.

Furthermore, he noted that the longer the implementation of the project is delayed, it touches on other aspects, including financial ones.

In statements to the media before attending the meeting of the European Investment Bank in Limassol, President Christodoulides referring to the GSI recalled that he had met with the Greek Prime Minister earlier this month in New York and that “we have issued a joint press release. The longer the implementation is delayed, this is not positive. It is something that burdens and touches on other aspects, including financial ones”.

“The Republic of Cyprus is committed to the implementation of this specific project and for this reason, in the state budget of 2025 and 2026 there is a provision of 25 million” euros, he stressed.

Replying to another question, the President said that “it is important that certain things are implemented, when they are delayed this affects the viability of the project, they also affect other issues”.

Replying to a journalist’s remark that the Minister of Finance has stated that if Cyprus returns the 67 million euro EU funding for the natural gas terminal in Vasilikos then the Cypriot economy will be at risk, President Christodoulides referred to the state of the Cypriot economy, expressing satisfaction with the fact that next year’s state budget has a surplus and is a development budget once again with increased spending on development projects, but also on social benefits, more than in 2025.

He continued by saying that public debt has decreased, unemployment is at 2008 levels, and the Cypriot economy is being upgraded, something that had not been achieved since 2011.

Concluding, he said that he will refer to all the above economic figures during the meeting he will have with the executives of the European Investment Bank.

Attorney General George Savvides and Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides are traveling to The Hague on Wednesday to attend the work of the 19th Meeting of the Consultative Forum of the Prosecutors General and the Heads of Criminal Prosecutions of the EU member states (Eurojust Consultative Forum), scheduled for 2 and 3 October.

A Law Office press release says that the participants are expected to debate on issues related to violating and circumventing EU sanctions, the fight against criminal organizations and the fight against online investment fraud.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Savvides and Angelides will participate in a preparatory meeting with the Attorneys General from the outgoing and incoming countries holding the EU rotating Presidency, namely Denmark, Poland and Ireland.

They will coordinate the work of the 20th Forum, which Cyprus will co-chair with Ireland, on the occasion of the two countries assuming the Presidency, in 2026.

During their visit to The Hague, the heads of the Law Office will attend the celebrations organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, on the occasion of the anniversary of Cyprus Independence on October 1.

‘Cataract: Modern Diagnosis and Treatment’ – Public Information Day at European University Cyprus

European University Cyprus (EUC), in collaboration with the Holy Archdiocese of Kykkos, the Cyprus Medical Association, and the ‘Apostolos Loukas’ Medical Center, is organizing a special event dedicated to cataract awareness and treatment:

‘Cataract: Modern Diagnosis and Treatment’, as part of World Sight Day.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Cultural Center of European University Cyprus.

Aim and Key Themes

The information day aims to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals about the latest methods in cataract diagnosis and treatment, highlighting technological advances and challenges faced in Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.

Distinguished keynote speakers include:

Dr. Ioannis Aslanides – President of the Hellenic College of Ophthalmology, Founder and Medical Director of Emmetropia S.A., Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, Visiting Professor at Wenzhou Medical University in China, and Member of the Scientific Committee of the Hellenic Olympic Committee

Dr. Anastasios Kanellopoulos – Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Founder and Scientific Director of LaserVision, and Professor of Ophthalmology at the New York University School of Medicine

Dr. Paraskevi Choleva – Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Archbishop Makarios III Hospital in Nicosia, Scientific Collaborator of the Medical School, University of Cyprus

Dr. Serafeim Antonakis – Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Consultant at Southampton University Hospital, Clinical Lecturer and Research Project Supervisor at the University of Southampton

Dr. Avraam Renos, General Practitioner, Clinical Assistant Professor, Medical School, University of Nicosia

Topics to be addressed:

Modern diagnostic techniques

New interventional treatments

Advances in cataract surgery with combined procedures

This event underlines European University Cyprus’s strong commitment to advancing public health in Cyprus and positioning the country as a hub for medical knowledge and innovation in the Eastern Mediterranean. By fostering collaboration between medical experts, institutions, and the community, EUC continues to enhance awareness, prevention, and treatment in ophthalmology.

Event Details

Venue: Cultural Center, European University Cyprus

Date and Time: Saturday, 4 October 2025 | Doors open 09:30 | Event starts 10:00

Admission: ?pen to the public

Language of the event: Greek

President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, has said that it is a positive development that for the first time in 8 years there is some movement as regards efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

Kaklamanis was addressing a special session of the House of Representatives plenary in Nicosia, where he is paying an official visit.

On her part, the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, pointed out that the first official visit of Nikitas Kaklamanis to Cyprus as President of the Hellenic Parliament ‘entails high symbolism, but is also an act of fundamental political importance’, because ‘it demonstrates the strong historical ties between Greece and Cyprus and demonstrates the will of our two states to maintain a solid common front of Athens and Nicosia’.

Demetriou noted, inter alia, that ‘the strong fraternal bonds, the solidarity and the coexistence of Greece and Cyprus are reflected in the excellent cooperation between our two Parliaments over time, with a milestone in this cooperation being the publication of the ‘Cyprus File’, an extremely difficult undertaking, which contributes decisively to the goal of national self-awareness’.

She also assured that the House of Representatives will continue to work to further strengthen and expand cooperation with the Greek Parliament at all levels.

In his address, the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, pointed out that Greece and Cyprus have made it clear that a solution to the Cyprus problem is not conceivable without the complete withdrawal of the illegal occupation troops and without the liberation of Cyprus from anachronistic systems of guarantees and rights of third-party intervention in Cypriot affairs.

He noted that it is a positive development that for the first time in 8 years there is some movement in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, at the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

He also assured that, despite the climate of tension in the Hellenic Parliament, Cyprus is one of the few issues that unites the political parties in the Parliament.

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.

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

MEETING DATE: 30/09/2025

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS = 1000

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE 402,109.00

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 30/09/2025 UNTIL 1800 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

Cyprus’ 2026 state budget foresees higher operating, development and social expenditures, while maintaining a strong focus on reducing public debt, with 21% of expenditure earmarked for debt servicing, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said on Monday after presenting the draft budget to the Cabinet.

Keravnos described the 2026 budget as ‘balanced, growth-oriented, with a strong emphasis on social cohesion and social policy.’

Macroeconomic outlook

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According to the baseline macroeconomic scenario, Cyprus’ medium-term economic prospects remain positive, though subject to considerable uncertainty. GDP growth is projected at 3.1% in both 2025 and 2026, followed by 3% in 2027 and 2.9% in 2028.

Inflation is estimated at just 0.2% in 2025, rising to 2.5% in 2026 before easing to 2% in 2027-2028. Unemployment is expected to remain stable at 4.6% in 2025-2027, edging down to 4.5% in 2028.

The fiscal balance is projected to remain in surplus at 3.7% of GDP in 2025, compared with 4.3% in 2024, while the primary surplus is estimated at 5% in 2025. For 2026-2028, the fiscal surplus is forecast at around 3.4% of GDP.

Public debt is set to continue its downward trend, falling below the EU’s 60% threshold in 2025 at 57.9%. It is expected to decline further to 52.9% in 2026, 48.7% in 2027, and 43.6% by the end of 2028.

Budget figures

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The 2026 budget, excluding debt servicing, is projected at pound 10.7 billion. Total revenues are estimated at pound 12.68 billion, while expenditures amount to pound 10.78 billion. Debt repayments of pound 2.27 billion and interest payments of pound 665 million bring total spending to pound 13.72 billion.

Revenue includes pound 4.05 billion from direct taxation, pound 4.55 billion from indirect taxation, pound 683 million from sales of goods and services, pound 237 million from rents, royalties and other proceeds, and pound 100.4 million from transfers. Financial revenues are projected at pound 2.88 billion.

Expenditure priorities

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Debt servicing takes up the largest share, accounting for 21% of expenditures. This includes pound 2.1 billion in foreign debt repayments, pound 71 million in domestic debt repayments, and pound 665 million in interest.

Operating expenditure rises 11.8% compared with 2025, reaching pound 3.77 billion, or 11.5% of the budget. The increase reflects higher spending on water supply (pound 26.1 million), defence and policing (pound 31.1 million), preparations for Cyprus’ EU Presidency in 2026 (pound 6 million), and staff training (pound 16.1 million).

Personnel expenditure accounts for 27.5% of the budget. The number of public sector posts will be reduced by 14 for a second consecutive year, with 458 new posts created and 472 abolished. Employment in the public service is down by 1,963 since 2012, or 5,883 if seconded staff at state hospitals are included. In contrast, employment in education has risen by 3,752 since 2012.

Transfers increase by 5.2% year-on-year, making up 30.8% of the budget. Social benefits rise by 6.7% to pound 2.3 billion. Contributions to the Social Insurance Fund and the national health system (GeSY) total pound 1.6 billion, up pound 163.4 million. Other transfers include pound 294.1 million to the EU budget, pound 231.6 million in grants to public and private sector organisations including universities, and pound 147 million to local authorities.

Capital expenditure declines by 2.6% to pound 580 million.

The Finance Ministry also outlined major infrastructure projects budgeted for 2026-2028, with total costs of pound 1.1 billion. The most expensive include the new Cyprus Museum (pound 145.7 million), the ‘Ktizo’ housing scheme (pound 130 million), the Deneia-Akaki-Astromeritis road (pound 129.7 million), and the Nicosia Courthouse complex (pound 119 million).