Search

1531. Greece, US affirm commitment to boosting ties after high-level review

Greece and the US on Monday issued a joint statement following a high-level review of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue that took place in Thessaloniki amid a visit to the northern port by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias....

1532. Michel proposes EastMed conference to diffuse tensions

The President of the European Council Charles Michel said Friday that unilateral actions and violations of international law in the Eastern Mediterranean “must absolutely stop”, tabling a proposal for a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, in cooperation with the United Nations. ...

1533. The EU did not act in united fashion, Cyprus President tells Le Figaro

In an interview with the French daily Le Figaro published Thursday, President Nicos Anastasiades said that in responding Turkey’s actions in the eastern Mediterranean, the EU did not act in a decisive and united fashion, while refuting that Cyprus vetoed sanctions against Belarus....

1534. Turkey, Greece ready to resume exploratory talks

Turkey and Greece stated they are ready to resume exploratory talks to address their contested maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, the Turkish presidency said, after a call between the leaders of Turkey, Germany and the European Union on Tuesday....

1535. France stands behind Cyprus, defends sanctions against Turkey

The EU must be ready to activate all its tools, including sanctions, against Turkey, French State Secretary for European Affairs Clément Beaune said Friday during a visit to Cyprus....

1536. EP adopts resolution condemning Turkey's EastMed activities

With 601 votes in favour, 57 against and 36 abstentions, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution condemning Turkey’s activities in the EEZ of Greece and Cyprus, ahead of next week’s extraordinary European Council summit that will focus on the heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean....

1537. Cyprus-Israel military exercise wraps up successfully

A joint Cyprus-Isreal military exercise dubbed ‘Iason 2020’ was successfully completed late on Wednesday night, an announcement by the Cyprus defence ministry said....

1538. Berlin pushing Greece, Turkey dialogue

Berlin’s intense efforts to get talks between Athens and Ankara under way were underlined by Wednesday’s teleconference German Chancellor Angela Merkel had with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a few hours after one with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis....

1539. EU solidarity to go beyond words, Michel tells Anastasiades

In a meeting with the European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday, the President of the Republic of Cyprus expressed hope that EU member states will show a united front during next week’s extraordinary European Council summit on Turkey....

1540. Turkey accuses Greece of treaty violations

Turkey has issued a navigational telex to mariners accusing Greece of violating the Lausanne Treaty by militarizing the Greek island of Chios just 10 miles from a Turkish port...

1541. Cyprus-Piraeus ferry connection by May 2021 viable

The goal of launching the Cyprus-Greece ferry connection in May 2021 is on track, the Cyprus deputy shipping minister Vasilis Demetriades said Tuesday....

1542. Animals abused during battlefield school prank

Shocking reports of animal cruelty at Paralimni High School emerged on Monday, during a series of high school senior pranks that took place in many towns to mark first day of classes...

1543. Anastasiades finds sympathetic ear at MED7

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades highlighted a need for a decisive EU stance towards Turkey, while praising his French counterpart for showing “practical and stable support” towards Cyprus...

1544. Banks must prepare for a new cycle of NPLs due to Covid-19

Constantinos Herodotou, Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) told Cyprus commercial banks to prepare to face a new cycle of non-performing loans in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic....

1545. EU calls on Cyprus to manage migration flows in line with EU law

The EU said Tuesday that it acknowledges the difficulties faced by the Republic of Cyprus in terms of the flow of refugees it is called to deal with, but stressed that basic principles and EU legislation must be respected....

1546. Lavrov says Russia ready to support peace

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says his country stands ready to help diffuse tensions in the region while criticizing US efforts for fueling conflict rather than promoting peaceful solutions...

1547. Cyprus defends blocking migrant boats

A police task force from the Republic of Cyprus is hoping to hash out a plan with Lebanese authorities to deter “economic migrants” from traveling to the island, as government and state officials rush to respond to criticism over a decision to send back undocumented migrants to the neighbouring country...

1548. Russia’s top diplomat visits Cyprus

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is flying to the Republic of Cyprus on Monday where a new agreement is expected to be signed on the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries...

1549. New committee to probe entire length of Cyprus Investment Program

The Cabinet on Thursday agreed to appoint an independent investigative committee to look into all passports granted through the Cyprus Investment Program from 2008 until July this year, when stricter rules were implemented....

1550. Golden passports scheme to remain as is

The citizenship-by-investment program will not be terminated, nor will it be suspended for a short period as a way of managing the crisis developing crisis, the government decided during its Tuesday morning coffee at the Presidential Palace. What was strongly tabled was that a potential freezing or termination of the investment program at this point in time would send a message that the government is acting in light of the Al Jazeera publications, and that by extension, that it accepts them....

1551. Justice Minister eager to see justice system reform make headway

Justice Minister Emily Yioliti proposed to the House legal committee on Wednesday the establishment of a working group, composed of representatives of parliamentary parties and the Cyprus Bar Association, for a discussion of positions regarding the direction of the impending justice system reform....

1552. UN closely monitoring Varosha developments, UNSG tells President

The UN is closely monitoring developments with fence-off city of Varosha in the north and is committed to help all parties resume negotiations with the aim of reuniting Cyprus, a letter sent by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said....

1553. Cyprus prepared for expected Covid-19 surge in winter

The autumn and winter seasons are expected to see increased numbers of coronavirus cases, member of the government’s coronavirus advisory committee, Professor Constantinos Tsioutis, said Tuesday, noting that both the Cyprus health system and public is ready to face a new surge....

1554. EU ‘very clear’ on expectations from Turkey for de-escalation

The message, the expectations, the timeline and the consequences of not acting towards a de-escalation of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean were “made clear” to Turkey, both via the informal Foreign Affairs Council last week in Berlin and in the telephone call on Monday between EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, according to EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano....

1555. Cyprus sees glimmer of hope with Chevron

The government of the Republic of Cyprus says Chevron and Noble Energy have reaffirmed the importance that the two companies attribute to the development of Aphrodite gas field...

1556. Charles de Gaulle returning to the eastern Mediterranean

In the wake of Erdogan's war threats, Paris is responding by sending the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean region....

1557. EU set to sanction Turkey over ships in disputed East Med exploration area

The European Union is preparing sanctions against Turkey that could be discussed at the bloc's next summit on September 24 in response to the Eastern Mediterranean dispute with Greece, the EU’s top diplomat said on Friday. ...

1558. Over half of EMEA private businesses expect revenue to decline

1559. Greece to extend territorial waters amid dispute with Turkey

Turkey’s president warned Greece on Wednesday not to test his country’s patience or courage as the NATO allies remained locked in a tense dispute over offshore energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, while Greece announced plans to extend its territorial waters along its western coastline....

1560. Cyprus takes part in eastern med drill

Cyprus, Greece, France and Italy took further steps on Wednesday to strengthen their common naval and aerial presence in the eastern Mediterranean, through an operation that takes its name from an ancient Greek goddess but also meaning “order” in the ancient language...