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1. Minister says migration ‘extremely challenging’

Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides says the numbers of asylum applicants are going up, increasing the social and economic burden on the island...

2. Kyriakides up to the task for EU health

Cyprus’ EU Commissioner-designate, Stella Kyriakides, who has been selected as the new EU Health Commissioner, says she is ready for the challenge...

3. Schinas to take over as European Commission VP

Chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas is slated to fill the post of European Commission vice president, replacing Frans Timmermans in the Number Two role, sources have told Kathimerini Greece....

4. Overtaxation led to tax evasion

Losses incurred by the state coffers due to tax evasion in 2014-17 were greater than the value-added tax revenue increase as a result of consecutive tax hikes, according to a European Commission report on the so-called VAT deficit (the difference between the expected VAT revenues and actual collections)...

5. Johnson's brother quits parliament, torn between family loyalty and national interest

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s younger brother, Jo, has resigned as a junior minister and said he would also step down as a lawmaker, citing a conflict between family loyalty and the national interest...

6. Brexit no-deal preparedness: Final Commission call to all EU citizens and businesses

With 8 weeks to go until the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union on 31 October 2019, the Commission has today – in its 6th Brexit preparedness Communication – reiterated its call on all stakeholders in the EU27 to prepare for a ‘no-deal' scenario. In light of the continued uncertainty in the United Kingdom regarding the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement – as agreed with the UK government in November 2018 – and the overall domestic political situation, a ‘no-deal' scenario on 1 November 2019, remains a possible, although undesirable, outcome...

7. Nicosia says terms of reference are within reach

Government Spokesman, Prodromos Prodromou, said on Monday that it seems that there is justified hope and ground for the formulation of the terms of reference that would pave the way for the resumption of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem. ...

8. Scope rates Cyprus with BBB-

Scope Ratings affirmed last week the Republic of Cyprus’ BBB- long-term issuer and senior unsecured local- and foreign-currency ratings, along with a short-term issuer rating of S-2 in both local and foreign currency, noting that all outlooks are stable...

9. Brussels piles on pressure over Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity cable

Just when the Greek Energy Minister thought he could take a short August break, after a hectic first 30 days of the Mitsotakis administration, a stern warning from Brussels has exposed the wavering attitude that Athens has chosen by succumbing to pressure from the Chinese-controlled transmission system operator ADMIE over the Attica-Crete subsea electricity cable...

10. Cyprus formally asks EU to share burden

Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides has made good on his promise to seek help in “practical ways” from his EU counterparts on the migration issue and redistribution of asylees...

11. Stella Kyriakidou: Climate change and gender equality a priority for the EU

There have been many who have questioned the EU because of the economic crisis that has emerged in recent years. Today we are coming out of this crisis and we realize that the EU still has a lot to offer....

12. Cyprus ready to push on migration question

Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides is drafting a letter for his EU counterparts, in which he is expected to formally ask for a number of individuals under protection status in the Republic of Cyprus to be relocated to other member states...

13. Dombrovskis: The EU leads the world in the battle against climate change

This year, millions of young people across the world joined an international movement for climate change. They demanded action instead of mere talk, marching to fix the planet before it is too late. ...

14. Cyprus nominates Stella Kyriakidou as country's new European Commissioner

Cyprus nominates DISY MP Stella Kyriakidou as the country's new European Commissioner. ...

15. Lacroix-Anastasiades discuss UNFICYP’s mandate

Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Wednesday that President Anastasiades had the opportunity to raise the matter of Turkey’s provocations within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as well as his efforts for the resumption of reunification talks during a meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. ...

16. Early signs of civility and consensus

Despite some natural degree of skirmishing and isolated criticism, rays of civility, consensus and cooperation are breaking out across the Greek political landscape. ...

17. Two new recycling and composting programmes in Limassol

Limassol Municipality is going ahead with the implementation of two new recycling and composting programmes aiming to properly manage waste by reducing, reusing and recycling it. ...

18. Anastasiades congratulates new EU boss

President Nicos Anastasiades congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on becoming the European Commission’s next president, narrowly winning election in the European Parliament...

19. The EU28 adopted measures against Turkey's illegal drilling in Cyprus

The EU Foreign Ministers endorsed, without any changes the conclusions prepared by the permanent representatives, concerning Turkey’s illegal drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus, cutting the EU pre-accession assitance for 2020, suspending EU- Turkey high political dialogues and stopping European Investment Bank’ lending activities in the country....

20. Nicosia wants tougher measures against Turkey

The sanctions that were discussed on Thursday by national envoys of European Union member-states against Turkey over its illegal drilling activities off Cyprus do not, reportedly, go far enough for Nicosia, which wants tougher measures. ...

21. EU signals sanctions on Turkey over Cyprus drilling

The European Union will put on hold high-level talks with Ankara and negotiations on an air transport agreement, as well as freeze funding for Turkey next year, over “illegal” drilling for gas and oil off Cyprus, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters...

22. UNFICYP mandate extended for another six months

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has recommended that the Security Council extends UNFICYP’s mandate until January 31, 2020 in recognition of its continued contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability. ...

23. No preliminary agreement on EU sanctions on Turkey

According to a diplomatic source that informed the press in Brussels the discussion on EU sanctions against Turkey will continue Thursday afternoon, as today there was no agreement...

24. Cyprus pushes for ferry link with Greece

The government is looking for ferry links to Greece as cheaper alternatives to costly flights, with the shipping deputy minister hoping there will be a weekly connection by next summer...

25. Bloomberg: EU to cut aid to Turkey over Cyprus EEZ violations

Bloomberg's Viktoria Dendrinou and Nikos Chrysoloras report that the European Union is considering suspending most high-level contacts with Turkey and cut the flow of funds in protest of the Turkish drilling activities in the Cyprus EEZ. ...

26. Eurogroup rules out any talk of primary surplus target reduction for Greece

Discussion on Greece was brief at Monday’s Eurogroup, but the council of eurozone finance minsters sent a clear message to Athens that creditors are ready to cooperate with the new government while warning that the handouts announced in May by the previous administration are putting growth and fiscal targets at risk...

27. EU High Representative warns Turkey over new drilling operation off Cyprus

The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini warned on Monday Turkey over its intended new drilling operation at the northeast of Cyprus, recalling that Turkey`s continued actions have a serious negative impact across the range of EU-Turkey relations and that "as mandated by the European Council, the Commission and the EEAS are about to present options to the Council for appropriate measures." ...

28. ND surges to power, promising change

29. Two women at the top of EU decision making

Under the deal, Ursula von der Leyen, a close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will replace Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm...

30. EU considers German, Belgian ministers for posts

European Union leaders are considering a list of top job candidates that would have German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen become president of the executive European Commission and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel the head of the European Council....