Newsroom
Cyprus and Greece have signed a new education cooperation agreement that will promote the teaching of Cypriot history and the contribution of Greek Cypriots to Hellenism in schools.
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in Nicosia on Tuesday by Cyprus Education Minister Athena Michaelidou, Greece’s Education Minister Sofia Zacharakis, Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus and Bishop Chrysostomos III of Messinia.
The agreement provides for a series of joint educational initiatives, including training seminars for teachers and clergy, an annual student competition and educational visits. It also envisages the creation of digital educational material, allowing students in the diaspora and schools outside Cyprus and Greece to access the content online.
Speaking after the signing, Michaelidou said historical awareness should not be reduced to memorising events from the past, describing it instead as a means of understanding the present and shaping the future.
Zacharakis said the programme would give students opportunities to learn through direct experiences, including visits and joint activities, rather than relying solely on classroom teaching.
Archbishop Georgios said the agreement reflected a commitment to closer cooperation in education while strengthening historical memory and continuity. Bishop Chrysostomos conveyed the support of Archbishop Ieronymos of Greece for the initiative.
November meeting to focus on education reform
The memorandum was followed by a working meeting between the two education ministers at the Cyprus Education Ministry, where they discussed bilateral cooperation and preparations for an intergovernmental meeting scheduled for November.
The agenda will include the use of artificial intelligence in education, special education, technical and vocational education, and skills development.
The discussions also covered cooperation across the education system, from preschool through higher education.
Michaelidou said Cyprus and Greece already maintain strong educational ties and that the two sides intend to continue exchanging expertise and successful practices.
She said the goal was to improve public schools and create more opportunities for both students and educators, with cooperation agreements providing a framework for sharing experience and approaches to education.
The ministry said Tuesday’s discussions reflected the close relationship between Cyprus and Greece in education and a shared commitment to developing that partnership further.
