water resources<\/strong><\/a>, is even more vital.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Consumption monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The audit identified weaknesses in water supply metering and billing, documentation of control measures, and verification of water meter accuracy. <\/p>\n<p>Two major intake points, accounting for 64 per cent of consumption in the Nicosia district, were not regularly checked.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//41//45//808x539_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg/" alt=\"file photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/384x256_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/640x427_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/750x500_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/828x552_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/1080x720_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/1200x800_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/41\/45\/1920x1281_cmsv2_67fe323d-3955-50f9-a314-eeb14705cbff-9544145.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">File photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Water Development Department did not have access to the water meters of the Limassol Water Supply Board, nor to the telemetry system of the Larnaca Water Supply Board, creating uncertainty regarding the accuracy of invoiced quantities. Unexplained discrepancies in meter readings were observed but not investigated, and forms were not consistently completed. <\/p>\n<p>The computerised Water Billing System also showed vulnerabilities in access control and data security.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Revenue collection capacity<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The amounts recovered by TAY amounted to \u20ac147.7 million, of which \u20ac69.2 million related to accumulated debts, mainly from Local Authorities (LAs). <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//10//30//greece-announces-25-billion-plan-to-tackle-drought-and-secure-water-supply/">Greece announces \u20ac2.5 billion plan to tackle drought and secure water supply<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//10//27//europes-water-crisis-how-waste-is-amplifying-the-climate-crisis-and-costing-millions/">Europe/u2019s water crisis: How waste is \u2018amplifying\u2019 the climate crisis and costing millions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Although arrangements were made to cancel old debts on the condition that Local Authorities meet future obligations, new debts have continued to accumulate.<\/p>\n<p>An additional \u20ac58.1 million of water has been provided over time to Turkish Cypriot consumers, but has not been invoiced due to a political decision. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Inability to take deterrent measures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The audit also revealed delays in taking legal action to recover debts. In some cases, no proceedings were initiated at all. <\/p>\n<p>Particularly concerning is the lack of effective measures to curb over-pumping by private companies, which continue to operate largely unchecked, threatening the water supply in their areas of operation.<\/p>\n<p>Cases of overconsumption and non-charging of water by businesses were also identified, as well as failure to promote water adequacy projects in areas such as Polis Chrysochous and Tilleria in a timely manner, despite the completion of a relevant study by 2022.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Need for Strengthening Measures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The audit's findings underline the need for better organisation, tighter supervision and more effective use of the Water Development Department\u2019s resources in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//07//new-marine-survey-reveals-fragile-ecosystems-off-cyprus-under-threat-from-human-activity/">Cyprus. <\/p>\n<p>Strengthened control mechanisms, timely decision-making, and the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan, rather than reactive measures to chronic issues, are essential for a modern, responsible, and sustainable water policy.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1762852731,"updatedAt":1762872642,"publishedAt":1762872638,"firstPublishedAt":1762872638,"lastPublishedAt":1762872638,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/04\/94\/87\/34\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_da5e4024-2c02-5adf-89e4-a24f37dba5b6-4948734.jpg","altText":"stock photo","caption":"stock photo","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":9513,"slug":"water-shortage","urlSafeValue":"water-shortage","title":"Water shortage","titleRaw":"Water shortage"},{"id":14398,"slug":"environment","urlSafeValue":"environment","title":"Environment ","titleRaw":"Environment "},{"id":15386,"slug":"climate-change","urlSafeValue":"climate-change","title":"climate change","titleRaw":"climate change"},{"id":12170,"slug":"water-crisis","urlSafeValue":"water-crisis","title":"Water Crisis","titleRaw":"Water Crisis"},{"id":18146,"slug":"audit","urlSafeValue":"audit","title":"audit","titleRaw":"audit"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9544145,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2025\/11\/11\/urgent-reforms-needed-in-cyprus-water-management-as-audit-highlights-serious-shortcomings","lastModified":1762872638},{"id":2838616,"cid":9510602,"versionId":11,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EV - S02E02 - NIKOS CRISTODOULIDES - ENGLISH ONLY - MASTER","daletPyramidId":2999645,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'I'm ready to resume negotiations': Cyprus president optimistic about reuniting the island","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyprus President Christodoulides optimistic about reuniting the island","titleListing2":"\"I'm ready to resume negotiations\" - President of Cyprus optimistic about reuniting the island","leadin":"In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with Euronews, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides speaks about his vision for the future of his country, the European Union and peace in Gaza.","summary":"In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with Euronews, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides speaks about his vision for the future of his country, the European Union and peace in Gaza.","keySentence":"","url":"im-ready-to-resume-negotiations-president-of-cyprus-optimistic-about-reuniting-the-island","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/22\/im-ready-to-resume-negotiations-president-of-cyprus-optimistic-about-reuniting-the-island","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus is ready to resume talks about a reunification of the island immediately, eight years after the last round of UN-backed negotiations collapsed in Switzerland in 2017.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m ready to resume negotiations even next week,\u201d Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said on Euronews\u2019 flagship interview programme The Europe Conversation, a good two months before the start of the Cypriot EU presidency.\n\nHis declaration comes on the heels of the landslide victory of pro-EU Social Democrat Tufan Erh\u00fcman as leader of the Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus.\n\nErh\u00fcman ran on a platform of reunification of Cyprus under a federal model, reviving hopes of a fresh attempt to solve the dispute.\n\n\u201cI believe this is a positive development,\u201d Christodoulides added.\n\nIf Erh\u00fcrman comes to the negotiating table and \"talks clearly about a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, then I think the road is open for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council resolution,\" Christodoulides said.\n\nAt the same time, Christodoulides rejected a two-state solution for the island as advanced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.\n\nThe former British colony in the eastern Mediterranean has been haunted by sectional strife between the Greek and Turkish communities for decades.\n\nCyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded following a failed coup by supporters of a union with Greece.\u00a0\n\nThis led to a split between the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus and the self-declared entity in the north, recognised only by Turkey.\n\nWhile the Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern Cyprus, where a Turkish military presence remains.\n\nThis division remains to this day despite numerous attempts by the United Nations to resolve the dispute.\n\n\u2018EU losing enlargement tool\u2019\n\nChristodoulides spoke in favour of a swift next round of EU enlargement, a topic that has been dormant for years and only recently gained new traction in Brussels.\n\n\u201cEnlargement is one of the most important geopolitical tools of the European Union. And I\u2019m afraid to say that we are losing this very important tool, because we made a lot of promises and we didn\u2019t deliver,\u201d the Cypriot president said.\n\nName-checking Montenegro in particular, Nicosia wants to engineer positive steps under the Cypriot EU presidency regarding accession to the EU.\n\nAbsent any positive developments, the risk is that the people in the candidate countries will turn their back on the EU, according to Christodoulides.\n\nThis would drive the Western Balkans, for example, into the hands of \u201cother actors, non-EU actors,\u201d he added.\n\nBringing EU closer to Middle East\n\nWhen Nicosia assumes the rotating EU presidency in January, one priority of his government will be \u201cto bring the European Union closer to our region, to the Middle East,\u201d Christodoulides also said.\n\nBeing the only EU member state in the region, the Cypriot president sees his country well-positioned to help with the implementation of US President Donald Trump\u2019s peace plan for Gaza, to which \u201cthere is no other alternative right now in front of us.\u201d\n\nIn particular, Christodoulides, for the first time, elaborated on how Cyprus wants to repurpose its \u2018Amalthea\u2019 maritime humanitarian corridor to support Gaza\u2019s eventual reconstruction.\n\nHis six-point plan is broadly structured along two main lines: humanitarian aid and security.\n\nIt aims to support the delivery of humanitarian aid, the screening of \"dual-use goods\", and the training of Palestinian security forces. Cyprus is also aiming for a role in Trump\u2019s proposed \u2018international stabilisation force\u2019, which is expected to comprise Arab and international partners.\n\nAll six points are pegged to eight separate points of US President Donald Trump\u2019s broader 20-point plan, including those that refer to humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, reconstruction and future governance.\n\nNo end in sight for war in Ukraine\n\nWith regard to defence and security in Europe, Christodoulides expressed pessimism about the prospects of ending the war in Ukraine during Cyprus' presidency of the EU Council.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t see the end of the war in Ukraine coming,\u201d Christodoulides stated.\n\nNonetheless, Europe should continue to support Kyiv and the clear stance \u201ctowards the illegal Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine\u201d, he said.\n\nIn this context, Christodoulides announced that he would visit Ukraine in early December, just weeks before the start of the Cypriot EU presidency.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus is ready to resume talks about a reunification of the island immediately, eight years after the last round of UN-backed negotiations collapsed in Switzerland in 2017.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m ready to resume negotiations even next week,\u201d Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said on Euronews\u2019 flagship interview programme The Europe Conversation, a good two months before the start of the Cypriot EU presidency.<\/p>\n<p>His declaration comes on the heels of the landslide victory of pro-EU Social Democrat Tufan Erh\u00fcman as leader of the Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus.<\/p>\n<p>Erh\u00fcman ran on a platform of reunification of Cyprus under a federal model, reviving hopes of a fresh attempt to solve the dispute.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe this is a positive development,\u201d Christodoulides added.<\/p>\n<p>If Erh\u00fcrman comes to the negotiating table and \"talks clearly about a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, then I think the road is open for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council resolution,\" Christodoulides said.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Christodoulides rejected a two-state solution for the island as advanced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.<\/p>\n<p>The former British colony in the eastern Mediterranean has been haunted by sectional strife between the Greek and Turkish communities for decades.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded following a failed coup by supporters of a union with Greece. <\/p>\n<p>This led to a split between the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus and the self-declared entity in the north, recognised only by Turkey.<\/p>\n<p>While the Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern Cyprus, where a Turkish military presence remains.<\/p>\n<p>This division remains to this day despite numerous attempts by the United Nations to resolve the dispute.<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018EU losing enlargement tool\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Christodoulides spoke in favour of a swift next round of EU enlargement, a topic that has been dormant for years and only recently gained new traction in Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEnlargement is one of the most important geopolitical tools of the European Union. And I\u2019m afraid to say that we are losing this very important tool, because we made a lot of promises and we didn\u2019t deliver,\u201d the Cypriot president said.<\/p>\n<p>Name-checking Montenegro in particular, Nicosia wants to engineer positive steps under the Cypriot EU presidency regarding accession to the EU.<\/p>\n<p>Absent any positive developments, the risk is that the people in the candidate countries will turn their back on the EU, according to Christodoulides.<\/p>\n<p>This would drive the Western Balkans, for example, into the hands of \u201cother actors, non-EU actors,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<h2>Bringing EU closer to Middle East<\/h2>\n<p>When Nicosia assumes the rotating EU presidency in January, one priority of his government will be \u201cto bring the European Union closer to our region, to the Middle East,\u201d Christodoulides also said.<\/p>\n<p>Being the only EU member state in the region, the Cypriot president sees his country well-positioned to help with the implementation of US President Donald Trump\u2019s peace plan for Gaza, to which \u201cthere is no other alternative right now in front of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In particular, Christodoulides, for the first time, elaborated on how Cyprus wants to repurpose its \u2018Amalthea\u2019 maritime humanitarian corridor to support Gaza\u2019s eventual reconstruction.<\/p>\n<p>His six-point plan is broadly structured along two main lines: humanitarian aid and security.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <iframe src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////embed.acast.com//68f22fa0ca0e7f7545c8bf4a//68f8d9bb1ce4f28ddec4cb39/" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"190px\"><\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>It aims to support the delivery of humanitarian aid, the screening of \"dual-use goods\", and the training of Palestinian security forces. Cyprus is also aiming for a role in Trump\u2019s proposed \u2018international stabilisation force\u2019, which is expected to comprise Arab and international partners.<\/p>\n<p>All six points are pegged to eight separate points of US President Donald Trump\u2019s broader 20-point plan, including those that refer to humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, reconstruction and future governance.<\/p>\n<h2>No end in sight for war in Ukraine<\/h2>\n<p>With regard to defence and security in Europe, Christodoulides expressed pessimism about the prospects of ending the war in Ukraine during Cyprus' presidency of the EU Council.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t see the end of the war in Ukraine coming,\u201d Christodoulides stated.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, Europe should continue to support Kyiv and the clear stance \u201ctowards the illegal Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n<p>In this context, Christodoulides announced that he would visit Ukraine in early December, just weeks before the start of the Cypriot EU presidency.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1760455812,"updatedAt":1761328604,"publishedAt":1761157815,"firstPublishedAt":1761157815,"lastPublishedAt":1761328604,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/06\/02\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_37901e55-76b6-5132-8e0d-5adf2b4cd634-9510602.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"id":3457,"urlSafeValue":"stefan.grobe@euronews.com","title":"Stefan Grobe","twitter":null}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":10581,"slug":"cyprus-politics","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-politics","title":"Cyprus politics","titleRaw":"Cyprus politics"},{"id":9331,"slug":"european-politics","urlSafeValue":"european-politics","title":"European politics","titleRaw":"European politics"},{"id":10073,"slug":"turkey-cyprus-relation","urlSafeValue":"turkey-cyprus-relation","title":"Turkey-Cyprus relation","titleRaw":"Turkey-Cyprus relation"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"html","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"eJQWQP-I_us"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/26\/87\/42\/01\/ED_PYR_2687421_20251022160837.mp4","editor":"","duration":1200000,"filesizeBytes":156915994,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/26\/87\/42\/01\/SHD_PYR_2687421_20251022160837.mp4","editor":"","duration":1200000,"filesizeBytes":248355563,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/26\/87\/42\/01\/FHD_PYR_2687421_20251022160837.mp4","editor":"","duration":1200000,"filesizeBytes":912939278,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"the-europe-conversation","urlSafeValue":"the-europe-conversation","title":"The Europe Conversation","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/my-europe-series\/the-europe-conversation"},"season":"THE EUROPE CONVERSATION_S02","episode":"S02E02 - NIKOS CRISTODOULIDES - ENGLISH ONLY","episodeId":"1001","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"my-europe-series","urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"My Europe Series","url":"\/my-europe\/my-europe-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":60,"urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"Europe Series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/22\/im-ready-to-resume-negotiations-president-of-cyprus-optimistic-about-reuniting-the-island","lastModified":1761328604},{"id":2840267,"cid":9520952,"versionId":9,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"TEC Nikos Christodoulides NEWS","daletPyramidId":3063454,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Gaza reconstruction: Cyprus has a plan","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Gaza reconstruction: Cyprus has a plan","titleListing2":"Gaza reconstruction: Cyprus has a plan","leadin":"Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides elaborated on how the Mediterranean island nation wants to repurpose its \u2018Amalthea\u2019 humanitarian maritime corridor to support Gaza\u2019s future reconstruction in an exclusive interview with Euronews.","summary":"Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides elaborated on how the Mediterranean island nation wants to repurpose its \u2018Amalthea\u2019 humanitarian maritime corridor to support Gaza\u2019s future reconstruction in an exclusive interview with Euronews.","keySentence":"","url":"gaza-reconstruction-cyprus-has-a-plan","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/22\/gaza-reconstruction-cyprus-has-a-plan","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus has presented a \"very specific\" six-point plan on Gaza\u2019s recovery to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday. The country\u2019s President, Nikos Christodoulides, for the first time discussed the details with Euronews.\n\nThe proposal, elaborated on in a Euronews exclusive, is designed to prop up United States President Donald Trump\u2019s broader 20-point peace initiative, unveiled at the end of September.\n\nFirst discussed with world leaders during the \"Gaza Peace Summit\" in Sharm-el-Sheikh in mid-October, it involves repurposing the so-called 'Amalthea' corridor to both \"extract rubble\" from the territory and deliver materials for its eventual reconstruction.\n\nThe humanitarian maritime passageway was a joint initiative originally set up by Cyprus with the backing of Western and Arab nations in 2024 to deliver life-saving aid to Gaza.\n\n\"When (...) the conditions are there, reconstruction should start. And that is why point three of our proposal is the rubble removal and reconstruction enabling. This is the role that Cyprus can play: development of maritime routes for rubble extraction and inbound construction materials into Gaza in order to support Gaza's rebuilding,\" Christodoulides told The Europe Conversation\u2014Euronews' flagship interview programme.\n\nHe noted that the initiative was a success at the time, and that Cyprus is \"ready at this stage, as a representative of the European Union in the region, to deliver once again.\"\n\nBuilding bridges\n\nChristodoulides said that Cyprus is willing to leverage its strategic position as a bridge between the EU and the Middle East to play a leading role in Gaza\u2019s future.\n\nThe country will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council from January, meaning the government will have greater influence in setting the EU agenda.\n\nThe president noted that one of its major priorities is to \"bring the EU closer to the Middle East and the greater Middle East.\"\n\n\u201cWe are a member of the European Union, but at the same time, we are a part of the Middle East,\" he said.\n\n\"We are a half-hour flight away from Lebanon, 40 minutes from Israel, 50 minutes from Egypt, 50 minutes from Jordan, half an hour from Syria, and so on.\"\n\nHe emphasised the need to work with all these partners in the region to implement President Trump's plan. Cyprus has strong diplomatic ties with both Israel and Palestine, as well as with other countries in the region.\n\n\"Our plan is based on our excellent relations with all stakeholders,\" he said, citing Israel, \"all Arab partners in the region,\" the EU and the US.\n\nSix-point plan to focus on aid, security and reconstruction\n\nAside from reconstruction, Cyrus\u2019 plan is broadly structured along two other main lines: humanitarian aid and security.\n\nIt aims to support the delivery of humanitarian aid, the screening of \"dual-use goods\" (items that can be used both in civilian and military contexts), and the training of Palestinian security forces.\n\nCyprus is also aiming for a role in Trump\u2019s proposed \"international stabilisation force\" (tasked with disarming Hamas and maintaining stability in Gaza, among others), which is expected to comprise Arab and international partners.\n\nAll six points are tied to eight separate elements of US President Donald Trump\u2019s broader\u00a020-point plan, including those that address humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, reconstruction, and future governance.\n\nChristodoulides, however, caveated that rebuilding Gaza can only start when the \"right political conditions\" are there.\n\nHe added that there is \"no other alternative right now\" to the Trump-led ceasefire peace plan, the first phase of which is tentatively holding. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on 10 October, but both sides have accused each other of violating the truce.\n\nWatch the full interview on The Europe Conversation, Wednesday at 20.30 CEST.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus has presented a \"very specific\" six-point plan on Gaza\u2019s recovery to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday. The country\u2019s President, Nikos Christodoulides, for the first time discussed the details with Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>The proposal, elaborated on in a Euronews exclusive, is designed to prop up United States President Donald Trump\u2019s broader 20-point peace initiative, unveiled at the end of September.<\/p>\n<p>First discussed with world leaders during the \"Gaza Peace Summit\" in Sharm-el-Sheikh in mid-October, it involves repurposing the so-called 'Amalthea' <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//03//08//cyprus-gaza-maritime-aid-corridor-to-open-this-weekend-with-eu-and-us-support/">corridor to both \"extract rubble\" from the territory and deliver materials for its eventual reconstruction. <\/p>\n<p>The humanitarian maritime passageway was a joint initiative originally set up by Cyprus with the backing of Western and Arab nations in 2024 to deliver life-saving aid to Gaza. <\/p>\n<p>\"When (...) the conditions are there, reconstruction should start. And that is why point three of our proposal is the rubble removal and reconstruction enabling. This is the role that Cyprus can play: development of maritime routes for rubble extraction and inbound construction materials into Gaza in order to support Gaza's rebuilding,\" Christodoulides told The Europe Conversation\u2014Euronews' flagship interview programme.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that the initiative was a success at the time, and that Cyprus is \"ready at this stage, as a representative of the European Union in the region, to deliver once again.\"<\/p>\n<h2>Building bridges<\/h2>\n<p>Christodoulides said that Cyprus is willing to leverage its strategic position as a bridge between the EU and the Middle East to play a leading role in Gaza\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p>The country will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council from January, meaning the government will have greater influence in setting the EU agenda. <\/p>\n<p>The president noted that one of its major priorities is to \"bring the EU closer to the Middle East and the greater Middle East.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <iframe src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////embed.acast.com//68f22fa0ca0e7f7545c8bf4a//68f8d9bb1ce4f28ddec4cb39/" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"190px\"><\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cWe are a member of the European Union, but at the same time, we are a part of the Middle East,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are a half-hour flight away from Lebanon, 40 minutes from Israel, 50 minutes from Egypt, 50 minutes from Jordan, half an hour from Syria, and so on.\"<\/p>\n<p>He emphasised the need to work with all these partners in the region to implement President Trump's plan. Cyprus has strong diplomatic ties with both Israel and Palestine, as well as with other countries <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//10//09//med-9-summit-in-cyprus-eu-leaders-confront-israel-lebanon-conflict-and-migration-concerns/">in the region<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\"Our plan is based on our excellent relations with all stakeholders,\" he said, citing Israel, \"all Arab partners in the region,\" the EU and the US.<\/p>\n<h2>Six-point plan to focus on aid, security and reconstruction<\/h2>\n<p>Aside from reconstruction, Cyrus\u2019 plan is broadly structured along two other main lines: humanitarian aid and security.<\/p>\n<p>It aims to support the delivery of humanitarian aid, the screening of \"dual-use goods\" (items that can be used both in civilian and military contexts), and the training of Palestinian security forces.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus is also aiming for a role in Trump\u2019s proposed \"international stabilisation force\" (tasked with disarming Hamas and maintaining stability in Gaza, among others), which is expected to comprise Arab and international partners.<\/p>\n<p>All six points are tied to eight separate elements of US President Donald Trump\u2019s broader <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//10//13//the-gaza-peace-plan-what-comes-next/">20-point plan<\/strong><\/a>, including those that address humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, reconstruction, and future governance.<\/p>\n<p>Christodoulides, however, caveated that rebuilding Gaza can only start when the \"right political conditions\" are there.<\/p>\n<p>He added that there is \"no other alternative right now\" to the Trump-led ceasefire peace plan, the first phase of which is tentatively holding. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on 10 October, but both sides have accused each other of violating the truce.<\/p>\n<p><em>Watch the full interview on The Europe Conversation, Wednesday at 20.30 CEST.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761045100,"updatedAt":1761214079,"publishedAt":1761145198,"firstPublishedAt":1761145198,"lastPublishedAt":1761214077,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/09\/52\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7872ece3-c5d2-5b93-8230-49af4a1fd8a5-9520952.jpg","altText":"Displaced Palestinian Belal Al-Yaziji sits by a fire outside his tent amid the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.","caption":"Displaced Palestinian Belal Al-Yaziji sits by a fire outside his tent amid the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Abdel Kareem Hana\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2766,"urlSafeValue":"jones-m","title":"Mared Gwyn Jones","twitter":"@MaredGwyn"},{"id":3404,"urlSafeValue":"walker-l","title":"Lauren Walker","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":30574,"slug":"cyprus-eu-presidency","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-eu-presidency","title":"Cyprus EU Presidency","titleRaw":"Cyprus EU Presidency"},{"id":25188,"slug":"gaza-city","urlSafeValue":"gaza-city","title":"Gaza City","titleRaw":"Gaza City"},{"id":29226,"slug":"israel-hamas-war","urlSafeValue":"israel-hamas-war","title":"Israel Hamas war","titleRaw":"Israel Hamas war"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":8431,"slug":"israel-palestine-peace-process","urlSafeValue":"israel-palestine-peace-process","title":"Israel-Palestine Peace Process","titleRaw":"Israel-Palestine Peace Process"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"html","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2841330}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/27\/51\/54\/03\/ED_PYR_2751543_20251022154732.mp4","editor":"","duration":126160,"filesizeBytes":19799327,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/27\/51\/54\/03\/SHD_PYR_2751543_20251022154732.mp4","editor":"","duration":126160,"filesizeBytes":29229682,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/27\/51\/54\/03\/FHD_PYR_2751543_20251022154732.mp4","editor":"","duration":126160,"filesizeBytes":97513716,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/22\/gaza-reconstruction-cyprus-has-a-plan","lastModified":1761214077},{"id":2835061,"cid":9489498,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"GREEN WATER MANAGEMENT IN CYPRUS","daletPyramidId":2853155,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Audit reveals 'serious weaknesses' and delays in Cyprus's water management plan","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Audit reveals 'serious weaknesses' in Cyprus's water management plan","titleListing2":"Ominous report on Cyprus' water resources - Projects needed immediately","leadin":"The audit calls for urgent action as water management failures persist.","summary":"The audit calls for urgent action as water management failures persist.","keySentence":"","url":"audit-reveals-serious-weaknesses-and-delays-in-cypruss-water-management-plan","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2025\/09\/30\/audit-reveals-serious-weaknesses-and-delays-in-cypruss-water-management-plan","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A new report from Cyprus\u2019s Audit Office paints a stark picture of the country\u2019s ongoing struggle with water scarcity, warning that despite nearly a decade of efforts, critical issues remain unresolved.\n\nThe Special Report is a continuation of an assessment done in 2016 and evaluates how much progress has been made in implementing sustainable water management policies.\n\n\"Despite the measures taken during the intervening 9 years, there are still serious weaknesses and delays, which threaten its sustainable and rational management,\" the Auditor General notes.\n\nWater scarcity is a longstanding problem for Cyprus\n\nWater scarcity in Cyprus is a long-standing phenomenon. With few natural lakes or rivers, the country has in the past relied heavily on groundwater resources. It has left most underground aquifers exploited and in poor condition.\n\nIn an effort to ensure sufficient water supplies, the state has built dams to collect rainwater that would have flowed into the sea and created infrastructure to transport water to areas with less rainfall, such as the South Pipeline project.\n\nIt has also constructed and completed, to date, a total of five desalination plants, and plans to build two more to ensure sufficient drinking water regardless of weather conditions. These desalination plants come at a significant financial cost.\n\nDespite these actions, water scarcity remains a major problem for Cyprus, with negative consequences for development, the environment, agriculture and public health. The situation has worsened in recent decades due to climate change.\n\nThe report concludes that the implementation of measures for the rational management of water resources is imperative.\n\nWhat did the audit say?\n\nThe report highlights persistent and systemic shortcomings in the country\u2019s water management, despite years of planning and investment.\n\nIt says the Water Management Advisory Committee (WAC) has shown no real progress in improving its operation or in offering meaningful guidance to Local Water Users (LWUs) on critical water management issues.\n\nAt the same time, the country's water balance- the difference between demand and available water resources - continues to show strong fluctuations. This volatility, the report warns, makes it difficult for authorities to carry out medium- and long-term planning with any certainty.\n\nProgress on long-term infrastructure projects has also been sluggish. Out of the 60 projects included in the \u20ac1.5 billion Water Development Plan for 2016\u20132030, only 14 have been completed so far. The Water Development Department (WDD) has failed to compare actual spending with budgeted costs, meaning it's unclear whether allocated funds are sufficient to see the remaining projects through to completion.\n\nSimilarly, the implementation of the \u20ac19.2 million programme under the first Flood Risk Management Plan (2016\u20132021), which included \u20ac19.2 million worth of preventive measures, has seen only partial implementation. As of the most recent progress report, fewer than half of the planned actions had been completed, while several had yet to begin.\n\nSafety concerns surrounding Cyprus\u2019s ageing dams remain unresolved. Many structures have not undergone the necessary evaluations or maintenance. Although legislation requires the appointment of supervising engineers for large dams, these positions remain vacant in some cases. No independent inspections have been conducted to date. Final safety certification for private dams is still pending, while the status of public dams remains unclear.\n\nDesalination has helped offset shortfalls in supply, particularly during dry periods. However, the report notes that desalinated water comes at a high environmental and financial cost. The process contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and marine pollution through brine discharge, while raising water costs for consumers. Authorities are urged to optimise desalination use based on cost-benefit analysis.\n\nAround 64 per cent of the island\u2019s water bodies are classified as being in poor condition. Groundwater is now under threat from urban wastewater, agricultural runoff, nitrate pollution, and waterlogging. In addition, only 26 per cent of the country\u2019s water supply boreholes have been designated as protected zones, leaving many vulnerable to contamination.\n\nThe findings underscore what the Audit Office calls an urgent need for reform. Despite years of planning and significant public investment, the systems in place are still falling short of ensuring sustainable, safe, and climate-resilient water management for Cyprus.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A new report from Cyprus\u2019s Audit Office paints a stark picture of the country\u2019s ongoing struggle with water scarcity, warning that despite nearly a decade of efforts, critical issues remain unresolved.<\/p>\n<p>The Special Report is a continuation of an assessment done in 2016 and evaluates how much progress has been made in implementing sustainable water management policies.<\/p>\n<p>\"Despite the measures taken during the intervening 9 years, there are still serious weaknesses and delays, which threaten its sustainable and rational management,\" the Auditor General notes. <\/p>\n<h2>Water scarcity is a longstanding problem for Cyprus<\/h2>\n<p>Water scarcity in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//07//new-marine-survey-reveals-fragile-ecosystems-off-cyprus-under-threat-from-human-activity/">Cyprus is a long-standing phenomenon. With few natural lakes or rivers, the country has in the past relied heavily on groundwater resources. It has left most underground aquifers exploited and in poor condition.<\/p>\n<p>In an effort to ensure sufficient water supplies, the state has built dams to collect rainwater that would have flowed into the sea and created infrastructure to transport water to areas with less rainfall, such as the South Pipeline project.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9488064,9466889\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//15//europe-faces-billions-in-losses-from-summer-heatwaves-droughts-and-floods-study-warns/">Europe faces billions in economic losses from summer heatwaves, droughts and floods, study warns<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//29//eu-energy-systems-vulnerable-to-heatwaves-droughts-and-rising-cooling-needs-eea-says/">EU energy systems vulnerable to heatwaves, droughts and rising cooling needs, EEA says<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>It has also constructed and completed, to date, a total of five desalination plants, and plans to build two more to ensure sufficient drinking water regardless of weather conditions. These desalination plants come at a significant financial cost. <\/p>\n<p>Despite these actions, water scarcity remains a major problem for Cyprus, with negative consequences for development, the environment, agriculture and public health. The situation has worsened in recent decades due to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//08//even-moderate-warming-could-cause-irreversible-damage-to-mediterranean-ecosystems-experts-/">climate change<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The report concludes that the implementation of measures for the rational management of water resources is imperative.<\/p>\n<h2>What did the audit say?<\/h2>\n<p>The report highlights persistent and systemic shortcomings in the country\u2019s water management, despite years of planning and investment. <\/p>\n<p>It says the Water Management Advisory Committee (WAC) has shown no real progress in improving its operation or in offering meaningful guidance to Local Water Users (LWUs) on critical water management issues.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the country's water balance- the difference between demand and available water resources - continues to show strong fluctuations. This volatility, the report warns, makes it difficult for authorities to carry out medium- and long-term planning with any certainty.<\/p>\n<p>Progress on long-term infrastructure projects has also been sluggish. Out of the 60 projects included in the \u20ac1.5 billion Water Development Plan for 2016\u20132030, only 14 have been completed so far. The Water Development Department (WDD) has failed to compare actual spending with budgeted costs, meaning it's unclear whether allocated funds are sufficient to see the remaining projects through to completion.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, the implementation of the \u20ac19.2 million programme under the first Flood Risk Management Plan (2016\u20132021), which included \u20ac19.2 million worth of preventive measures, has seen only partial implementation. As of the most recent progress report, fewer than half of the planned actions had been completed, while several had yet to begin.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9145434,8777870\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//03//27//cyprus-is-funding-desalination-plants-for-hotels-to-tackle-tourisms-water-shortage-woes/">Cyprus is funding desalination plants for hotels to tackle tourism's water shortage woes<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//10//08//renewable-desalination-projects-could-solve-greek-water-scarcity-crisis/">Renewable desalination projects could solve Greek water scarcity crisis<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Safety concerns surrounding Cyprus\u2019s ageing dams remain unresolved. Many structures have not undergone the necessary evaluations or maintenance. Although legislation requires the appointment of supervising engineers for large dams, these positions remain vacant in some cases. No independent inspections have been conducted to date. Final safety certification for private dams is still pending, while the status of public dams remains unclear.<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//03//27//cyprus-is-funding-desalination-plants-for-hotels-to-tackle-tourisms-water-shortage-woes/">Desalination has helped offset shortfalls in supply, particularly during dry periods. However, the report notes that desalinated water comes at a high environmental and financial cost. The process contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and marine pollution through brine discharge, while raising water costs for consumers. Authorities are urged to optimise desalination use based on cost-benefit analysis.<\/p>\n<p>Around 64 per cent of the island\u2019s water bodies are classified as being in poor condition. Groundwater is now under threat from urban wastewater, agricultural runoff, nitrate pollution, and waterlogging. In addition, only 26 per cent of the country\u2019s water supply boreholes have been designated as protected zones, leaving many vulnerable to contamination.<\/p>\n<p>The findings underscore what the Audit Office calls an urgent need for reform. Despite years of planning and significant public investment, the systems in place are still falling short of ensuring sustainable, safe, and climate-resilient water management for Cyprus.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1759221100,"updatedAt":1759234934,"publishedAt":1759234928,"firstPublishedAt":1759234928,"lastPublishedAt":1759234928,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/92\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5a7f2b94-4e5a-5457-80fb-2e94ac9899fe-9489283.jpg","altText":"File photo","caption":"File photo","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"ANDREAS LAZAROU\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":726}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":9509,"slug":"water-resources","urlSafeValue":"water-resources","title":"Water resources","titleRaw":"Water resources"},{"id":9513,"slug":"water-shortage","urlSafeValue":"water-shortage","title":"Water shortage","titleRaw":"Water shortage"},{"id":14398,"slug":"environment","urlSafeValue":"environment","title":"Environment ","titleRaw":"Environment "},{"id":9403,"slug":"drought","urlSafeValue":"drought","title":"Drought","titleRaw":"Drought"},{"id":15386,"slug":"climate-change","urlSafeValue":"climate-change","title":"climate change","titleRaw":"climate change"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9489283,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2025\/09\/30\/audit-reveals-serious-weaknesses-and-delays-in-cypruss-water-management-plan","lastModified":1759234928},{"id":2832370,"cid":9473711,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS EXCAVATION MISSING GALATEIA","daletPyramidId":2755700,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Excavations in northern Cyprus search for Greek Cypriot civilians missing since 1974","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Excavations in northern Cyprus search for civilians missing since 1974","titleListing2":"Excavations in northern Cyprus search for Greek Cypriot civilians missing since 1974","leadin":"Cypriot authorities are excavating suspected mass graves in northern Cyprus, seeking remains of Greek Cypriot civilians who disappeared in 1974.","summary":"Cypriot authorities are excavating suspected mass graves in northern Cyprus, seeking remains of Greek Cypriot civilians who disappeared in 1974.","keySentence":"","url":"excavations-in-northern-cyprus-search-for-greek-cypriot-civilians-missing-since-1974","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/09\/19\/excavations-in-northern-cyprus-search-for-greek-cypriot-civilians-missing-since-1974","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cypriot authorities are excavating suspected mass graves in occupied northern Cyprus in a search for the remains of Greek Cypriot civilians who disappeared in 1974, with archaeologists working at two sites where Turkish forces allegedly buried victims during the island's division.\n\nThe Cyprus Missing Persons Committee is conducting excavations in Galatea, Famagusta province, seeking remains of a person from Yialousa who disappeared on 3 October 1974. A second team is working in nearby Eptakomi, searching for remains in a well.\n\nArchaeologist Haralambos Siafkou said previous excavations in 2006 and 2015 recovered bones from 18 individuals at the Galatea lake site. Turkish Cypriot informants told investigators that perpetrators used machinery to bury bodies in the dried lakebed in 1974.\n\n\"All the missing persons we are looking for here were civilians. We know they were snatched from their villages, and this is the burial site,\" Siafkou said.\n\nUp to eight other missing persons may be buried in the area, according to testimonies indicating Galatea became a prisoner-of-war camp where Turkish soldiers and Turkish Cypriot gunmen transported male villagers from surrounding areas.\n\nAt least five additional excavation efforts have been conducted without findings since the initial recoveries. The current excavation began days ago with teams racing against winter rains that fill the lake.\n\nTurkish Cypriot archaeologist Ali Gulluoglu, who has been working at the site since 2009, said that teams are completing the excavation of the entire area to ensure nothing is overlooked. The area has remained largely unchanged since 1974, which is helpful for identification efforts.\n\n\"I want to tell the Cypriots to give us more information. If they have heard anything, not to be afraid, come to our offices,\" Gulluoglu said, appealing for witness accounts.\n\nGalatea was a purely Turkish Cypriot village with 1,184 inhabitants in 1973. Turkey renamed it Mehmet\u00e7ik after occupying the area during the 1974 invasion. Greek Cypriot civilians from surrounding villages were allegedly murdered and buried in the lake area.\n\nThe bicommunal committee continues searching for approximately 2,000 people still missing from the 1974 conflict that divided Cyprus into Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot zones.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cypriot authorities are excavating suspected mass graves in occupied northern Cyprus in a search for the remains of Greek Cypriot civilians who disappeared in 1974, with archaeologists working at two sites where Turkish forces allegedly buried victims during the island's division.<\/p>\n<p>The Cyprus Missing Persons Committee is conducting excavations in Galatea, Famagusta province, seeking remains of a person from Yialousa who disappeared on 3 October 1974. A second team is working in nearby Eptakomi, searching for remains in a well.<\/p>\n<p>Archaeologist Haralambos Siafkou said previous excavations in 2006 and 2015 recovered bones from 18 individuals at the Galatea lake site. Turkish Cypriot informants told investigators that perpetrators used machinery to bury bodies in the dried lakebed in 1974.<\/p>\n<p>\"All the missing persons we are looking for here were civilians. We know they were snatched from their villages, and this is the burial site,\" Siafkou said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//47//37//11//808x539_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg/" alt=\"In this Wednesday, May 31, 2017 photo, a bulldozer and workers of Cyprus Missing Persons of the two communities work together during an excavation in a field for missing perso\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/384x256_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/640x427_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/750x500_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/828x552_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/1080x720_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/1200x800_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/1920x1281_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">In this Wednesday, May 31, 2017 photo, a bulldozer and workers of Cyprus Missing Persons of the two communities work together during an excavation in a field for missing perso<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2017 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Up to eight other missing persons may be buried in the area, according to testimonies indicating Galatea became a prisoner-of-war camp where Turkish soldiers and Turkish Cypriot gunmen transported male villagers from surrounding areas.<\/p>\n<p>At least five additional excavation efforts have been conducted without findings since the initial recoveries. The current excavation began days ago with teams racing against winter rains that fill the lake.<\/p>\n<p>Turkish Cypriot archaeologist Ali Gulluoglu, who has been working at the site since 2009, said that teams are completing the excavation of the entire area to ensure nothing is overlooked. The area has remained largely unchanged since 1974, which is helpful for identification efforts.<\/p>\n<p>\"I want to tell the Cypriots to give us more information. If they have heard anything, not to be afraid, come to our offices,\" Gulluoglu said, appealing for witness accounts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9420229,9402752\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//08//14//greek-and-turkish-cypriots-unite-to-restore-cemeteries-along-green-line/">Greek and Turkish Cypriots unite to restore cemeteries along Green Line<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//08//04//un-special-representative-expresses-disappointment-at-talks-progress-upon-departure-from-c/">UN special representative expresses disappointment at talks' progress upon departure from Cyprus<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Galatea was a purely Turkish Cypriot village with 1,184 inhabitants in 1973. Turkey renamed it Mehmet\u00e7ik after occupying the area during the 1974 invasion. Greek Cypriot civilians from surrounding villages were allegedly murdered and buried in the lake area.<\/p>\n<p>The bicommunal committee continues searching for approximately 2,000 people still missing from the 1974 conflict that divided Cyprus into Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot zones.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1758264798,"updatedAt":1758279593,"publishedAt":1758279589,"firstPublishedAt":1758279589,"lastPublishedAt":1758279589,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1fd93170-5a8e-5b57-8031-02ab9f924b96-9473711.jpg","altText":"Photo from the video of the excavation site by CYPE","caption":"Photo from the video of the excavation site by CYPE","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"\u039a\u03a5\u03a0\u0395","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1626,"height":915},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/37\/11\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b32d6c7b-1a93-5544-981b-ae887f61eeb5-9473711.jpg","altText":"In this Wednesday, May 31, 2017 photo, a bulldozer and workers of Cyprus Missing Persons of the two communities work together during an excavation in a field for missing perso","caption":"In this Wednesday, May 31, 2017 photo, a bulldozer and workers of Cyprus Missing Persons of the two communities work together during an excavation in a field for missing perso","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2017 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":640,"urlSafeValue":"aivaliotis","title":"Georgios Aivaliotis","twitter":"@GAivaliotis"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":12982,"slug":"missing-persons","urlSafeValue":"missing-persons","title":"Missing persons","titleRaw":"Missing persons"},{"id":14258,"slug":"turkish-invasion-of-cyprus","urlSafeValue":"turkish-invasion-of-cyprus","title":"Turkish invasion of Cyprus","titleRaw":"Turkish invasion of Cyprus"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2829549},{"id":2825132}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"V8CZSRP2Y54"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/24\/94\/92\/01\/ED_PYR_2494921_20250919103452.mp4","editor":"","duration":90320,"filesizeBytes":16487951,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/24\/94\/92\/01\/SHD_PYR_2494921_20250919103452.mp4","editor":"","duration":90320,"filesizeBytes":23953093,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/24\/94\/92\/01\/FHD_PYR_2494921_20250919103452.mp4","editor":"","duration":90320,"filesizeBytes":72835962,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9473589,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/09\/19\/excavations-in-northern-cyprus-search-for-greek-cypriot-civilians-missing-since-1974","lastModified":1758279589},{"id":2830407,"cid":9461942,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CUPRUS STRIKE ON AUTO INDEXATION","daletPyramidId":2682207,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyprus faces disruption as unions strike for automatic inflation adjustment","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Strike in Cyprus demands return of automatic inflation adjustments","titleListing2":"Cyprus: strike across the country for the favourable regulation of ATA on workers' salaries","leadin":"Cyprus faces a nationwide three-hour strike on Wednesday as unions demand the return of automatic inflation adjustments, affecting 15,000 air passengers and public services.","summary":"Cyprus faces a nationwide three-hour strike on Wednesday as unions demand the return of automatic inflation adjustments, affecting 15,000 air passengers and public services.","keySentence":"","url":"cyprus-faces-disruption-as-unions-strike-for-automatic-inflation-adjustment","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/09\/11\/cyprus-faces-disruption-as-unions-strike-for-automatic-inflation-adjustment","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus faces a nationwide three-hour strike from 11 am to 2 pm on Wednesday as unions demand the reintroduction of automatic inflation adjustments after failing to reach an agreement with employers and government mediators.\n\nTrade unions representing public and private sector workers called the strike to pressure for the restoration of Automatic Tariff Adjustment (ATA) provisions that compensate employees for inflation-driven price increases.\n\nThe ATA mechanism, once standard in collective labour agreements, has largely disappeared during Cyprus' economic crisis as employers shifted to individual contracts.\n\nMore than 50 flights affecting 15,000 passengers face disruption at Cyprus airports, while hospitals will operate with skeleton security staff and cancel non-emergency surgeries and patient appointments. All public services, including citizen service centres, will close during the strike period.\n\nPublic transport will halt operations, forcing police to implement traffic management plans across all provinces.\n\nWorkers from SEK, PEO, PASYDY and DEOK unions will hold simultaneous rallies at government buildings in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni and Paphos at noon.\n\nThe ATA provision requires employers to cover wage increases matching inflation rates. Under the system, if an employee needed \u20ac150 in 2025 to buy goods that cost \u20ac100 in 2024, employers would pay the \u20ac50 difference.\n\nThe Cypriot government proposed a compromise allowing ATA implementation across public and private sectors, but with cost-limiting scales and clauses for companies.\n\nNeither unions nor employers accepted the last-minute proposal, with both sides refusing to compromise.\n\nCyprus eliminated most collective bargaining agreements during its financial crisis, leaving workers vulnerable to inflation without automatic compensation mechanisms.\n\nUnion leaders argue the strike represents workers' final attempt to restore purchasing power protection.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus faces a nationwide three-hour strike from 11 am to 2 pm on Wednesday as unions demand the reintroduction of automatic inflation adjustments after failing to reach an agreement with employers and government mediators.<\/p>\n<p>Trade unions representing public and private sector workers called the strike to pressure for the restoration of Automatic Tariff Adjustment (ATA) provisions that compensate employees for inflation-driven price increases. <\/p>\n<p>The ATA mechanism, once standard in collective labour agreements, has largely disappeared during Cyprus' economic crisis as employers shifted to individual contracts.<\/p>\n<p>More than 50 flights affecting 15,000 passengers face disruption at Cyprus airports, while hospitals will operate with skeleton security staff and cancel non-emergency surgeries and patient appointments. All public services, including citizen service centres, will close during the strike period.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//34//26//36//808x539_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg/" alt=\"file photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/384x256_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/640x427_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/750x500_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/828x552_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/1080x720_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/1200x800_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/1920x1281_cmsv2_47f05c30-8fb4-59fe-a0e1-99ef17723022-7342636.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">file photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Public transport will halt operations, forcing police to implement traffic management plans across all provinces. <\/p>\n<p>Workers from SEK, PEO, PASYDY and DEOK unions will hold simultaneous rallies at government buildings in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni and Paphos at noon.<\/p>\n<p>The ATA provision requires employers to cover wage increases matching inflation rates. Under the system, if an employee needed \u20ac150 in 2025 to buy goods that cost \u20ac100 in 2024, employers would pay the \u20ac50 difference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//34//26//36//808x539_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg/" alt=\"stock photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/384x256_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/640x427_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/750x500_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/828x552_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/1080x720_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/1200x800_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/34\/26\/36\/1920x1281_cmsv2_4086024c-5b2c-58e6-9d57-0b11b76a1bf8-7342636.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">stock photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Cypriot government proposed a compromise allowing ATA implementation across public and private sectors, but with cost-limiting scales and clauses for companies. <\/p>\n<p>Neither unions nor employers accepted the last-minute proposal, with both sides refusing to compromise.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus eliminated most collective bargaining agreements during its financial crisis, leaving workers vulnerable to inflation without automatic compensation mechanisms. <\/p>\n<p>Union leaders argue the strike represents workers' final attempt to restore purchasing power protection.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1757579909,"updatedAt":1757583329,"publishedAt":1757583326,"firstPublishedAt":1757583326,"lastPublishedAt":1757583326,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/17\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6dba52e2-0226-5534-86d1-95e9d86824fc-9461766.jpg","altText":"stock photo","caption":"stock photo","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":14546,"slug":"salaries","urlSafeValue":"salaries","title":"salaries","titleRaw":"salaries"},{"id":18258,"slug":"labour-code","urlSafeValue":"labour-code","title":"labour code","titleRaw":"labour code"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9461766,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/09\/11\/cyprus-faces-disruption-as-unions-strike-for-automatic-inflation-adjustment","lastModified":1757583326},{"id":2830108,"cid":9460114,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"VDL ON CYPRUS FIREFIGHTING HUB","daletPyramidId":2673101,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU proposes regional hub on Cyprus to better tackle wildfires, von der Leyen says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU proposes regional firefighting hub on Cyprus, von der Leyen says","titleListing2":"EU plans European firefighting centre based in Cyprus","leadin":"Cypriot officials proposed setting up such a hub on the Mediterranean island as early as 2022, with additional firefighting aircraft that could quickly respond to wildfires.","summary":"Cypriot officials proposed setting up such a hub on the Mediterranean island as early as 2022, with additional firefighting aircraft that could quickly respond to wildfires.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-proposes-regional-hub-on-cyprus-to-better-tackle-wildfires-von-der-leyen-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/09\/10\/eu-proposes-regional-hub-on-cyprus-to-better-tackle-wildfires-von-der-leyen-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Commission will propose setting up a regional firefighting hub based in Cyprus that could also assist Middle East countries in battling major wildfires, the head of the bloc's executive arm said on Wednesday.\n\nEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the European Parliament that it was necessary to \"give ourselves the tools\" to combat wildfires made worse by climate change as summers become \"hotter, harsher and more dangerous.\"\n\n\"This summer, we all saw the pictures of Europe's forests and villages on fire,\" Von der Leyen said. \"More than a million hectares were burned. The scale of the damage is enormous. And we know it is not a one-off.\"\n\nThe announcement comes as reports suggest that climate change worsened\u00a0wildfires in southern Europe\u00a0this summer, with the likelihood of similar\u00a0outbreaks rising sharply.\n\nVon der Leyen did not provide specifics on how the Cyprus-based hub will operate or what resources it will have.\n\nCypriot officials proposed\u00a0setting up such a hub\u00a0on the Mediterranean island as early as 2022, with additional firefighting aircraft that could quickly respond to wildfires, particularly in Middle East countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Israel.\n\nCypriot President Nikos Christodoulides hailed the announcement on social media as \"hugely important\" for the region.\n\nHis government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis said the creation of such a hub would bolster the EU\u2019s operational capabilities along its southern axis and also benefit the bloc\u2019s neighbours in the Middle East.\n\nIn July, Cyprus suffered one of its worst wildfires in recent memory\u00a0which killed two elderly people trying to flee the fast-moving flames in their car.\n\nHundreds of homes were destroyed and more than 100 square kilometres of land in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range were scorched.\n\nA few weeks before the wildfire\u2019s outbreak, Cyprus' Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said the country was in the process of bolstering its fleet of firefighting aircraft.\n\nShe said tenders were out for three fixed-wing aircraft with a water-carrying capacity of 3,000 litres, each in line with EU guidelines, as part of a five-year plan for the island nation to build a state-owned fleet of 10 such planes.\n\nAs in previous years, Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Lebanon\u00a0dispatched helicopters and other aircraft\u00a0to help Cypriot authorities put out July's wildfire.\n\nCyprus, the closest EU member country to the Middle East, often reciprocates when it receives calls for help.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The European Commission will propose setting up a regional firefighting hub based in Cyprus that could also assist Middle East countries in battling major wildfires, the head of the bloc's executive arm said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the European Parliament that it was necessary to \"give ourselves the tools\" to combat wildfires made worse by climate change as summers become \"hotter, harsher and more dangerous.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"This summer, we all saw the pictures of Europe's forests and villages on fire,\" Von der Leyen said. \"More than a million hectares were burned. The scale of the damage is enormous. And we know it is not a one-off.\"<\/p>\n<p>The announcement comes as reports suggest that climate change worsened\u00a0wildfires in southern Europe\u00a0this summer, with the likelihood of similar\u00a0outbreaks rising sharply.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6675\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//46//01//14//808x539_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg/" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a state of the union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 10 September, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/384x256_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/640x427_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/750x501_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/828x553_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/1080x721_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/1200x801_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/1920x1282_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a state of the union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 10 September, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Von der Leyen did not provide specifics on how the Cyprus-based hub will operate or what resources it will have.<\/p>\n<p>Cypriot officials proposed\u00a0setting up such a hub\u00a0on the Mediterranean island as early as 2022, with additional firefighting aircraft that could quickly respond to wildfires, particularly in Middle East countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides hailed the announcement on social media as \"hugely important\" for the region.<\/p>\n<p>His government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis said the creation of such a hub would bolster the EU\u2019s operational capabilities along its southern axis and also benefit the bloc\u2019s neighbours in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>In July, Cyprus suffered one of its worst wildfires in recent memory\u00a0which killed two elderly people trying to flee the fast-moving flames in their car.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of homes were destroyed and more than 100 square kilometres of land in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range were scorched.<\/p>\n<p>A few weeks before the wildfire\u2019s outbreak, Cyprus' Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said the country was in the process of bolstering its fleet of firefighting aircraft.<\/p>\n<p>She said tenders were out for three fixed-wing aircraft with a water-carrying capacity of 3,000 litres, each in line with EU guidelines, as part of a five-year plan for the island nation to build a state-owned fleet of 10 such planes.<\/p>\n<p>As in previous years, Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Lebanon\u00a0dispatched helicopters and other aircraft\u00a0to help Cypriot authorities put out July's wildfire.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus, the closest EU member country to the Middle East, often reciprocates when it receives calls for help.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1757506712,"updatedAt":1757518903,"publishedAt":1757507942,"firstPublishedAt":1757507942,"lastPublishedAt":1757518903,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d24f489d-c912-53c6-b933-66aeb5a4a3fc-9460114.jpg","altText":"FILE: Residents try to extinguish the blazes in Omodos village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the island, 24 July 2025","caption":"FILE: Residents try to extinguish the blazes in Omodos village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the island, 24 July 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/01\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fcfc26f9-c5ba-58ca-abf8-9dbdef93668f-9460114.jpg","altText":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a state of the union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 10 September, 2025","caption":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a state of the union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 10 September, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1335},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/44\/08\/03\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fe968a2b-f944-518f-98f1-3394a17334c3-9440803.jpg","altText":"Residents gather to battle the fire at Omodos village during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the Mediterranean island, 24 July, 2025","caption":"Residents gather to battle the fire at Omodos village during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the Mediterranean island, 24 July, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":7994,"slug":"forest-fires","urlSafeValue":"forest-fires","title":"Forest fires","titleRaw":"Forest fires"},{"id":10375,"slug":"fire","urlSafeValue":"fire","title":"Fire","titleRaw":"Fire"},{"id":25370,"slug":"wildfires","urlSafeValue":"wildfires","title":"Wildfires","titleRaw":"Wildfires"},{"id":90,"slug":"eu-commission","urlSafeValue":"eu-commission","title":"European Commission","titleRaw":"European Commission"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2826996},{"id":2826656},{"id":2818614}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":{"id":2008,"urlSafeValue":"nicosia","title":"Nicosia"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9459742,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/09\/10\/eu-proposes-regional-hub-on-cyprus-to-better-tackle-wildfires-von-der-leyen-says","lastModified":1757518903},{"id":2828985,"cid":9452944,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"GREEN CYPRUS HIDDEN MARINE LIFE","daletPyramidId":2629474,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"New marine survey reveals fragile ecosystems off Cyprus under threat from human activity","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Rare 'twilight zone' ecosystem discovered off Cyprus","titleListing2":"New marine survey reveals fragile ecosystems off Cyprus under threat from human activity","leadin":"A UK-funded expedition maps the hidden reefs of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, revealing fragile ecosystems already bearing the marks of human activity.","summary":"A UK-funded expedition maps the hidden reefs of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, revealing fragile ecosystems already bearing the marks of human activity.","keySentence":"","url":"new-marine-survey-reveals-fragile-ecosystems-off-cyprus-under-threat-from-human-activity","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2025\/09\/07\/new-marine-survey-reveals-fragile-ecosystems-off-cyprus-under-threat-from-human-activity","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Until now, these depths were virtually unmapped. Through the UK government-funded MESOPHOS project, the Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab carried out the first exploration of what are known as mesophotic ecosystems at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, two areas of British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus.\n\nThese ecosystems sit 50 to 200 metres below the surface, where enough light penetrates for light-dependent organisms to survive but where it is too dim for more typical photosynthesis to occur. The term mesophotic literally means \u2018middle light\u2019.\n\nThey support unique communities of life that may serve as potential refuges for species from degraded coral reefs in shallower waters.\n\nAs these ecosystems are beyond scuba diving limits, the team surveyed over 32 sites with remotely operated vehicles, revealing vast areas of sponges, corals, anemones and other organisms that create habitats which support diverse marine life.\n\nMore than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus. Particularly notable were fragile and slow-growing corals, such as gorgonians (Callogorgia verticillata), hydroid corals (Lytocarpia myriophyllum), soft corals, and sea pens, many of which are threatened or protected.\n\nHuman footprint clear even deep underwater\n\nThese mesophotic habitats act as biodiversity refuges, contributing indirectly to sustainable fisheries by strengthening the resilience of marine resources.\n\nBut, despite the depth of the surveyed area, the footprint of human activity was clear. The team found marine litter, including soft drink cans and lost fishing equipment known as \u2018ghost gear\u2019. They also saw evidence of bottom trawling, invasive species and coral death likely linked to ocean warming.\n\n\u201cThe presence of human impacts at these depths is particularly concerning because habitats such as maerl beds, sponge grounds, and corals are extremely slow-growing and highly vulnerable,\u201d Christina Michail, Biologist and Marine Biologist at the MER Lab, tells Euronews Green.\n\n\u201cOur surveys revealed clear marks from bottom trawling gear, alongside areas where sedimentation and disturbance had reduced both the abundance and diversity of marine life.\u201d\n\nMichail adds that the team\u2019s findings show how even deep or less accessible habitats are not immune to human pressures.\n\nExperts call for urgent protection of rare marine habitats\n\nWith MESOPHOS confirming the presence of these sensitive ecosystems and highlighting the pressures they already face, experts say urgent protection measures are needed.\n\n\u201cWe recommend the immediate protection of sensitive habitats such as maerl beds and coralligenous reefs from destructive fishing activities, particularly bottom trawling,\u201d Michail explains.\n\n\u201cThis must go hand in hand with mapping the spatial extent of these critical habitats to guide effective management, while long-term, systematic monitoring will be essential to evaluate progress and adapt measures where needed.\u201d\n\nMichail adds that these findings should also guide future research, encouraging similar surveys around Cyprus to build a more complete picture of these ecosystems and how vulnerable they are.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Until now, these depths were virtually unmapped. Through the UK government-funded MESOPHOS project, the Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab carried out the first exploration of what are known as mesophotic ecosystems at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, two areas of British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus. <\/p>\n<p>These ecosystems sit 50 to 200 metres below the surface, where enough light penetrates for light-dependent organisms to survive but where it is too dim for more typical photosynthesis to occur. The term mesophotic literally means \u2018middle light\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>They support unique communities of life that may serve as potential refuges for species from degraded coral reefs in shallower waters. <\/p>\n<p>As these ecosystems are beyond scuba diving limits, the team surveyed over 32 sites with remotely operated vehicles, revealing vast areas of sponges, corals, anemones and other organisms that create habitats which support diverse marine life. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6867469879518072\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//45//29//44//808x553_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg/" alt=\"More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/384x264_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/640x440_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/750x515_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/828x569_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/1080x742_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/1200x824_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/1920x1319_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//08//28//climate-change-intensified-weather-that-fuelled-deadly-wildfires-in-turkiye-greece-and-cyp/">Cyprus. Particularly notable were fragile and slow-growing corals, such as gorgonians (Callogorgia verticillata), hydroid corals (Lytocarpia myriophyllum), soft corals, and sea pens, many of which are threatened or protected.<\/p>\n<h2>Human footprint clear even deep underwater<\/h2>\n<p>These mesophotic habitats act as biodiversity refuges, contributing indirectly to sustainable fisheries by strengthening the resilience of marine resources. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9449217,9440345\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//01//meet-the-experts-sailing-to-26-greek-islands-to-protect-endangered-mediterranean-monk-seal/">Meet the experts sailing to 26 Greek islands to protect endangered Mediterranean monk seals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//09//04//climate-change-fuelled-wildfires-of-unprecedented-intensity-in-spain-and-portugal-experts-/">Climate change fuelled wildfires of 'unprecedented intensity' in Spain and Portugal, experts say<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>But, despite the depth of the surveyed area, the footprint of human activity was clear. The team found marine litter, including soft drink cans and lost fishing equipment known as \u2018ghost gear\u2019. They also saw evidence of bottom trawling, invasive species and coral death likely linked to ocean warming. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//tkVorkdUS88/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThe presence of human impacts at these depths is particularly concerning because habitats such as maerl beds, sponge grounds, and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//04//23//more-than-80-of-the-worlds-coral-reefs-hit-by-worst-bleaching-event-in-recorded-history/">corals are extremely slow-growing and highly vulnerable,\u201d Christina Michail, Biologist and Marine Biologist at the MER Lab, tells Euronews Green. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur surveys revealed clear marks from bottom trawling gear, alongside areas where sedimentation and disturbance had reduced both the abundance and diversity of marine life.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Michail adds that the team\u2019s findings show how even deep or less accessible habitats are not immune to human pressures. <\/p>\n<h2>Experts call for urgent protection of rare marine habitats<\/h2>\n<p>With MESOPHOS confirming the presence of these sensitive ecosystems and highlighting the pressures they already face, experts say urgent protection measures are needed. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.546\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//45//29//44//808x442_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg/" alt=\"The surveys revealed extensive assemblages of sponges, corals, anemones, and other benthic organisms.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/384x210_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/640x349_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/750x410_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/828x452_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/1080x590_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/1200x655_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/1920x1048_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The surveys revealed extensive assemblages of sponges, corals, anemones, and other benthic organisms.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cWe recommend the immediate protection of sensitive habitats such as maerl beds and coralligenous reefs from destructive fishing activities, particularly <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//03//25//bottom-trawling-in-european-waters-costs-society-up-to-11bn-a-year-new-study-finds/">bottom trawling,<\/strong><\/a>\u201d Michail explains. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9441237,9440370\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//08//28//deforestation-linked-to-thousands-of-heat-related-deaths-each-year-study-warns/">Deforestation linked to thousands of heat-related deaths each year, study warns<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//08//29//how-flash-droughts-driven-by-climate-change-sparked-record-wildfires-in-spain/">How flash droughts driven by climate change sparked record wildfires in Spain<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThis must go hand in hand with mapping the spatial extent of these critical habitats to guide effective management, while long-term, systematic monitoring will be essential to evaluate progress and adapt measures where needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Michail adds that these findings should also guide future research, encouraging similar surveys around Cyprus to build a more complete picture of these ecosystems and how vulnerable they are. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1757071337,"updatedAt":1757243628,"publishedAt":1757232438,"firstPublishedAt":1757232438,"lastPublishedAt":1757232511,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b1371279-2bda-5ec5-b6d4-f3d9faca3a3a-9452944.jpg","altText":"These mesophotic habitats act as biodiversity refuges.","caption":"These mesophotic habitats act as biodiversity refuges.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_50a31989-f503-5266-8ae3-a7f1051a97e5-9452944.jpg","altText":"More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus","caption":"More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1092},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/45\/29\/44\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d29e5a9a-a0d2-544a-9724-b9a2a2e0c12d-9452944.jpg","altText":"More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus.","caption":"More than 200 species were recorded, including several not previously reported in Cyprus.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1079,"height":741}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":1880,"urlSafeValue":"frost","title":"Rosie Frost","twitter":"@RosiecoFrost"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":16976,"slug":"deniz-kirliligi","urlSafeValue":"deniz-kirliligi","title":"marine pollution","titleRaw":"marine pollution"},{"id":10933,"slug":"corals","urlSafeValue":"corals","title":"Corals","titleRaw":"Corals"},{"id":28690,"slug":"overfishing","urlSafeValue":"overfishing","title":"overfishing","titleRaw":"overfishing"},{"id":18998,"slug":"reef","urlSafeValue":"reef","title":"reef","titleRaw":"reef"},{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":13414,"slug":"mediterranean-sea","urlSafeValue":"mediterranean-sea","title":"Mediterranean Sea","titleRaw":"Mediterranean Sea"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"youtube","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2832634}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nature","urlSafeValue":"nature","title":"Nature","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/nature\/nature"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"nature","urlSafeValue":"nature","title":"Nature","url":"\/green\/nature"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":33,"urlSafeValue":"nature","title":"Nature"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2025\/09\/07\/new-marine-survey-reveals-fragile-ecosystems-off-cyprus-under-threat-from-human-activity","lastModified":1757232511},{"id":2825132,"cid":9429419,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"GREEKCYPRIOT TO OCCUPIED CYPRUS BY MISTAKE ","daletPyramidId":2482506,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Greek Cypriot man who 'accidentally' entered the north arrested on suspicion of drugs trafficking","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Greek Cypriot who entered the north arrested on drugs charges","titleListing2":"Greek Cypriot man says he accidentally drove into the north in early hours of Thursday","leadin":"The case is being investigated by the Dhekelia bases police and a procedure to return the man's vehicle is under way under with the help of the UN.","summary":"The case is being investigated by the Dhekelia bases police and a procedure to return the man's vehicle is under way under with the help of the UN.","keySentence":"","url":"greek-cypriot-man-says-he-accidentally-drove-into-the-north-on-thursday-morning","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/08\/21\/greek-cypriot-man-says-he-accidentally-drove-into-the-north-on-thursday-morning","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A Greek Cypriot man who says he accidentally drove into the north has been arrested by police at a British military base on suspicion of drug trafficking.\n\nAccording to police, the 32-year-old man inadvertently entered the area at 4 am on the Larnaca\u2013Famagusta road which leads to Strovilia.\n\nHe reportedly ended up on a dirt track and left his vehicle for a few minutes.\n\nThe man said that he realised he had entered the north when he saw the spotlights on him.\n\nHe said he became scared and started running in the opposite direction, leaving his car behind which was surrounded by Turkish Cypriot soldiers.\n\nPolice at the British-run Dhekelia Station say they believe the man may be involved in drug smuggling. \n\nThe case is being investigated by the Dhekelia bases police and a procedure to return the man's vehicle is under way under with the help of the UN.\u00a0\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A Greek Cypriot man who says he accidentally drove into the north has been arrested by police at a British military base on suspicion of drug trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>According to police, the 32-year-old man inadvertently entered the area at 4 am on the Larnaca\u2013Famagusta road which leads to Strovilia.<\/p>\n<p>He reportedly ended up on a dirt track and left his vehicle for a few minutes.<\/p>\n<p>The man said that he realised he had entered the north when he saw the spotlights on him.<\/p>\n<p>He said he became scared and started running in the opposite direction, leaving his car behind which was surrounded by Turkish Cypriot soldiers.<\/p>\n<p>Police at the British-run Dhekelia Station say they believe the man may be involved in drug smuggling. <\/p>\n<p>The case is being investigated by the Dhekelia bases police and a procedure to return the man's vehicle is under way under with the help of the UN.\u00a0<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1755772387,"updatedAt":1755785462,"publishedAt":1755774921,"firstPublishedAt":1755774921,"lastPublishedAt":1755785462,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/94\/19\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3be36c27-3052-5760-9f4e-1f7ea76904b2-9429419.jpg","altText":"A UN tower guard post is seen inside the buffer zone that divides Cyprus, 10 February, 2025","caption":"A UN tower guard post is seen inside the buffer zone that divides Cyprus, 10 February, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"},{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":10831,"slug":"un","urlSafeValue":"un","title":"UN","titleRaw":"UN"},{"id":17676,"slug":"kktc","urlSafeValue":"kktc","title":"North Cyprus","titleRaw":"North Cyprus"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2824599},{"id":2823480},{"id":2832370}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9429386,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/08\/21\/greek-cypriot-man-says-he-accidentally-drove-into-the-north-on-thursday-morning","lastModified":1755785462},{"id":2823995,"cid":9422846,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"UK TRADE ENVOY RESIGNS CYPRUS","daletPyramidId":2437433,"channels":[{"id":14},{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12}],"status":2,"title":"UK trade envoy to Turkey resigns over visit to occupied northern Cyprus","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"UK trade envoy resigns over visit to occupied northern Cyprus","titleListing2":"UK trade envoy to Turkey resigns over visit to occupied northern Cyprus.","leadin":"Labour MP Afzal Khan said he was visiting for personal reasons, but also held a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.","summary":"Labour MP Afzal Khan said he was visiting for personal reasons, but also held a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.","keySentence":"","url":"uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-resigns-over-visit-to-occupied-northern-cyprus","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/08\/16\/uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-resigns-over-visit-to-occupied-northern-cyprus","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Labour MP and UK trade envoy to Turkey Afzal Khan has resigned after criticism over his visit to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus on 8 August. \n\nThe territory is not recognised by Britain or any other country except Turkey, after declaring itself the \"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus\" following Turkey's invasion and occupation of the north of the island in 1974.\n\nKhan told reporters that he paid for the trip himself and was visiting his family, as well as receiving an honorary degree from a university. During his trip, however, he also met with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. This caused considerable backlash from the Cypriot government as well as within the UK.\n\nThe internationally recognised government of the Republic of Cyprus, which is based in the island nation's predominantly Greek-speaking south, called his actions at the time \"absolutely condemnable and unacceptable\". The UK Foreign Office said last week in a statement this week that Mr Khan's visit \"was undertaken in a personal capacity,\" before accepting his resignation on Friday.\n\nA statement from the Cypriot foreign ministry on Saturday welcomed his resignation, calling it \"an important development, which at this particular time has even greater significance.\"\n\nIn a letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Khan said he felt it was \"best to stand down at this time so not to distract from the hard work the government is doing to secure the best possible trade deals for this country.\"\n\nJust last month, Cyprus marked 51 years since the Turkish military invasion that led to the island nation's partition.\n\nTurkey\u2019s invasion came in the immediate aftermath of a coup staged by Athens junta-backed supporters of uniting Cyprus with Greece. Currently, only Turkey recognises the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains 35,000 troops in the north.\n\nTalks to reunite the country have been ongoing, but meetings that took place in New York between the two sides in July concluded without resolving key disputes.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Labour MP and UK trade envoy to Turkey Afzal Khan has resigned after criticism over his visit to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus on 8 August. <\/p>\n<p>The territory is not recognised by Britain or any other country except Turkey, after declaring itself the \"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus\" following Turkey's invasion and occupation of the north of the island in 1974.<\/p>\n<p>Khan told reporters that he paid for the trip himself and was visiting his family, as well as receiving an honorary degree from a university. During his trip, however, he also met with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. This caused considerable backlash from the Cypriot government as well as within the UK.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.15875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//42//28//46//808x940_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg/" alt=\"Labour MP Afzal Khan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/384x445_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/640x742_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/750x869_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/828x959_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/1080x1251_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/1200x1391_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/1920x2225_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Labour MP Afzal Khan<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">(https:\/\/www.afzalkhan.org.uk\/)<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The internationally recognised government of the Republic of Cyprus, which is based in the island nation's predominantly Greek-speaking south, called his actions at the time \"absolutely condemnable and unacceptable\". The UK Foreign Office said last week in a statement this week that Mr Khan's visit \"was undertaken in a personal capacity,\" before accepting his resignation on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>A statement from the Cypriot foreign ministry on Saturday welcomed his resignation, calling it \"an important development, which at this particular time has even greater significance.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1956606565609324686\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In a letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Khan said he felt it was \"best to stand down at this time so not to distract from the hard work the government is doing to secure the best possible trade deals for this country.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9402752,9420229\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//08//14//greek-and-turkish-cypriots-unite-to-restore-cemeteries-along-green-line/">Greek and Turkish Cypriots unite to restore cemeteries along Green Line<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//08//04//un-special-representative-expresses-disappointment-at-talks-progress-upon-departure-from-c/">UN special representative expresses disappointment at talks' progress upon departure from Cyprus<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Just last month, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//07//20//cyprus-marks-51-years-since-turkish-invasion-that-led-to-island-nations-partition/">Cyprus marked 51 years<\/a> since the Turkish military invasion that led to the island nation's partition.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey\u2019s invasion came in the immediate aftermath of a coup staged by Athens junta-backed supporters of uniting Cyprus with Greece. Currently, only Turkey recognises the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains 35,000 troops in the north.<\/p>\n<p>Talks to reunite the country have been ongoing, but meetings that took place in New York between the two sides <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//07//18//cyprus-talks-end-without-resolution-un-to-continue-mediation-in-september/">in July<\/a> concluded without resolving key disputes.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1755339731,"updatedAt":1755349112,"publishedAt":1755347498,"firstPublishedAt":1755347498,"lastPublishedAt":1755349112,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2017 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"A U.N peacekeeper stands guards by a graffiti peace sign during a demonstration for the peace between Greek and Turkish Cypriots at the Ledras main crossing point.","callToActionText":null,"width":1619,"caption":"A U.N peacekeeper stands guards by a graffiti peace sign during a demonstration for the peace between Greek and Turkish Cypriots at the Ledras main crossing point.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_00fd06ee-6af0-5557-8b5d-507d37e5289c-9422846.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":910},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Source: https:\/\/www.afzalkhan.org.uk\/ ","altText":"Labour MP Afzal Khan","callToActionText":null,"width":800,"caption":"Labour MP Afzal Khan","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/28\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_dcd8b588-bdbb-51d0-ab6e-0ffea0cf886d-9422846.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":927}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus","id":66,"title":"Cyprus","slug":"cyprus"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-kingdom","titleRaw":"United Kingdom","id":7800,"title":"United Kingdom","slug":"united-kingdom"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-politics","titleRaw":"European politics","id":9331,"title":"European politics","slug":"european-politics"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"twitter"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2826579}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84111001","84112005","84251001","84252015","84252017","84252028"],"slugs":["law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","travel","travel_europe","travel_greece","travel_united_kingdom"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/08\/16\/uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-resigns-over-visit-to-occupied-northern-cyprus","lastModified":1755349112},{"id":2823480,"cid":9420229,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS INVASION AND CEMETERIES","daletPyramidId":2420098,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Greek and Turkish Cypriots unite to restore cemeteries along Green Line","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Greek and Turkish Cypriots unite to restore cemeteries in Green Line","titleListing2":"Communities try to heal wounds in Cyprus through cemetery restoration ","leadin":"The \u20ac700,000 project involves work at 15 sites in the Green Line, the island's demilitarised zone.","summary":"The \u20ac700,000 project involves work at 15 sites in the Green Line, the island's demilitarised zone.","keySentence":"","url":"greek-and-turkish-cypriots-unite-to-restore-cemeteries-along-green-line","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/08\/14\/greek-and-turkish-cypriots-unite-to-restore-cemeteries-along-green-line","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"More than half a century after the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus, the island's communities are restoring each other's cemeteries.\n\nSo far, restoration is under way at 15 cemeteries inside the Green Line, the demilitarised zone between the two parts of the island.\n\nThere are also talks of extending the project, which is costing \u20ac700,000.\n\nAfter the Turkish invasion in 1974, churches, mosques and cemeteries were vandalised, damaged or abandoned. \n\nFor decades, people were not allowed to cross over to the other side to leave flowers beside their relatives' graves. \n\n\"People come to our village to see their graves, their houses, we have people visiting to see where their ancestors are,\" said Haroula Efstratiou, president of the Greek Cypriot community of Tochni. \n\n\"Just as we demand that they respect us, our dead, our religion and so on, I believe we owe them the same respect,\" Efstratiou added. \n\nMurudeh Erzen, president of a Turkish Cypriot community in Palaikythro, also spoke of the need for both sides to respect each other. \n\n\"We want to make another arrangement,\" Erzen said. \"We want to protect our stuff again, our mosques, our churches.\" \n\nThe cemetery restoration project, which is funded by the European Union, started last May.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>More than half a century after the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus, the island's communities are restoring each other's cemeteries.<\/p>\n<p>So far, restoration is under way at 15 cemeteries inside the Green Line, the demilitarised zone between the two parts of the island.<\/p>\n<p>There are also talks of extending the project, which is costing \u20ac700,000.<\/p>\n<p>After the Turkish invasion in 1974, churches, mosques and cemeteries were vandalised, damaged or abandoned. <\/p>\n<p>For decades, people were not allowed to cross over to the other side to leave flowers beside their relatives' graves. <\/p>\n<p>\"People come to our village to see their graves, their houses, we have people visiting to see where their ancestors are,\" said Haroula Efstratiou, president of the Greek Cypriot community of Tochni. <\/p>\n<p>\"Just as we demand that they respect us, our dead, our religion and so on, I believe we owe them the same respect,\" Efstratiou added. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9402752,9378939\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//08//04//un-special-representative-expresses-disappointment-at-talks-progress-upon-departure-from-c/">UN special representative expresses disappointment at talks' progress upon departure from Cyprus<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//07//20//cyprus-marks-51-years-since-turkish-invasion-that-led-to-island-nations-partition/">Cyprus marks 51 years since Turkish invasion that led to island nation's partition<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Murudeh Erzen, president of a Turkish Cypriot community in Palaikythro, also spoke of the need for both sides to respect each other. <\/p>\n<p>\"We want to make another arrangement,\" Erzen said. \"We want to protect our stuff again, our mosques, our churches.\" <\/p>\n<p>The cemetery restoration project, which is funded by the European Union, started last May.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1755161767,"updatedAt":1755169716,"publishedAt":1755166814,"firstPublishedAt":1755166814,"lastPublishedAt":1755166814,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/02\/29\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_114d2c2a-f839-565f-b536-b16cf8c6535b-9420229.jpg","altText":"FILE: A woman touches the photo at the grave of her relative, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in Nicosia, 20 July 2024","caption":"FILE: A woman touches the photo at the grave of her relative, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in Nicosia, 20 July 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1419}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":574,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture","titleRaw":"Culture"},{"id":12336,"slug":"cyprus-issue","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-issue","title":"Cyprus issue","titleRaw":"Cyprus issue"},{"id":14258,"slug":"turkish-invasion-of-cyprus","urlSafeValue":"turkish-invasion-of-cyprus","title":"Turkish invasion of Cyprus","titleRaw":"Turkish invasion of Cyprus"},{"id":17676,"slug":"kktc","urlSafeValue":"kktc","title":"North Cyprus","titleRaw":"North Cyprus"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2825132}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"wlBSL8s6pSk","dailymotionId":"x9or760"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/22\/29\/05\/08\/ED_PYR_2229058_20250814110820.mp4","editor":"","duration":112000,"filesizeBytes":18698116,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/22\/29\/05\/08\/SHD_PYR_2229058_20250814110820.mp4","editor":"","duration":112000,"filesizeBytes":27262861,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/22\/29\/05\/08\/FHD_PYR_2229058_20250814110820.mp4","editor":"","duration":112000,"filesizeBytes":88393141,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122009","80122022","84111001","84112001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","death_and_injury_low_risk","human_made_disasters_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_government_and_politics","law_government_and_politics_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9420010,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/08\/14\/greek-and-turkish-cypriots-unite-to-restore-cemeteries-along-green-line","lastModified":1755166814},{"id":2820833,"cid":9402752,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CHRISTODOULIDES STEWART FAREWELL MEETING","daletPyramidId":2317474,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"UN special representative expresses disappointment at talks' progress upon departure from Cyprus","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"UN special representative to Cyprus departs with peace talks in limbo","titleListing2":"UN special representative expresses disappointment at talks' progress upon departure from Cyprus.","leadin":"UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart has departed the country while expressing disappointment with the attitude of both sides in the Cyprus talks.","summary":"UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart has departed the country while expressing disappointment with the attitude of both sides in the Cyprus talks.","keySentence":"","url":"un-special-representative-expresses-disappointment-at-talks-progress-upon-departure-from-c","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/08\/04\/un-special-representative-expresses-disappointment-at-talks-progress-upon-departure-from-c","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Outgoing UN Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart criticised both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders for lacking the political will to find common ground, delivering a sharp parting assessment Monday that drew immediate rebuke from both sides.\n\n\"A fundamental requirement is the will to find common ground, and that is different from trying to win or trying to impose your point of view,\" Stewart said.\n\n\"One thing I found disappointing was how little they (the two sides) had in common, compared to the official views of the two sides.\" \n\nStewart added that \"people in Cyprus have a lot in common\" and \"don't have any problems with each other.\" \n\nHe said that \"millions of people a year\" pass through the crossing points from north to south and vice versa, \"but what is required is the will to find a solution that is mutually acceptable.\"\n\nCyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-backed coup triggered a Turkish military intervention. \n\nThe Republic of Cyprus which encompasses the southern two-thirds of the island, is internationally recognised and an EU member state, while the breakaway entity in northern Cyprus remains recognised only by Turkey.\n\nThe UN has maintained a peacekeeping force in Cyprus since 1964.\n\nDirector of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides' press office Victor Papadopoulos openly disagreed with Stewart's view. \n\n\"I cannot say that we share such assessments. We are all bound by UN resolutions, and UN representatives are bound by UN and UN Security Council resolutions,\" Papadopoulos said.\n\n\"Everyone knows ... that Ankara holds the 'key',\" he added.\n\nTurkish Cypriot leader says Stewart 'undermined' impartiality\n\nTurkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar lashed out at previous statements given to local media, which he said were \"incompatible with the impartiality of the UN\u2019s mission.\"\n\nThe UN representative had told Cypriot newspaper Phileleftheros that \"first of all, there are not many people in the north who take a two-state solution seriously.\"\n\n\"There is no scenario under which the north will turn into an independent state recognised by the international community. That is not going to happen,\u201d he continued.\n\nTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan has repeatedly promoted the idea, urging the international community to recognise the island's division.\n\nTatar reacted by saying \"The Turkish Cypriot side will remember (Stewart) as an official who, during his term, failed to fulfil his responsibility to increase trust between the two sides, undermined the perception of impartiality on some critical issues.\" \n\n\"In particular, (he) failed to show the necessary sensitivity to the legitimate humanitarian demands of our people,\" Tatar added.\n\n\u201cThe Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly and clearly demonstrated its will for a solution. This vision is shaped by the reality of two separate peoples, two separate democracies, and two separate states in Cyprus.\" \n\n\"A lasting and just solution in Cyprus is only possible by taking the current reality as a basis,\u201d Tatar concluded.\n\nIt is not yet known who will replace Stewart in his now vacant role.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Outgoing UN Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart criticised both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders for lacking the political will to find common ground, delivering a sharp parting assessment Monday that drew immediate rebuke from both sides.<\/p>\n<p>\"A fundamental requirement is the will to find common ground, and that is different from trying to win or trying to impose your point of view,\" Stewart said.<\/p>\n<p>\"One thing I found disappointing was how little they (the two sides) had in common, compared to the official views of the two sides.\" <\/p>\n<p>Stewart added that \"people in Cyprus have a lot in common\" and \"don't have any problems with each other.\" <\/p>\n<p>He said that \"millions of people a year\" pass through the crossing points from north to south and vice versa, \"but what is required is the will to find a solution that is mutually acceptable.\"<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-backed coup triggered a Turkish military intervention. <\/p>\n<p>The Republic of Cyprus which encompasses the southern two-thirds of the island, is internationally recognised and an EU member state, while the breakaway entity in northern Cyprus remains recognised only by Turkey.<\/p>\n<p>The UN has maintained a peacekeeping force in Cyprus since 1964.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//40//23//22//808x539_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg/" alt=\"Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (left) and outgoing UN Special Representative to Cyprus Colin Stewart.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/384x256_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/640x427_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/750x500_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/828x552_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/1080x720_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/1200x800_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/1920x1280_cmsv2_3419a404-46d1-5060-bf1f-e6160dca407e-9402322.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (left) and outgoing UN Special Representative to Cyprus Colin Stewart.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Stavros Ioannides \/ PIO<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Director of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides' press office Victor Papadopoulos openly disagreed with Stewart's view. <\/p>\n<p>\"I cannot say that we share such assessments. We are all bound by UN resolutions, and UN representatives are bound by UN and UN Security Council resolutions,\" Papadopoulos said.<\/p>\n<p>\"Everyone knows ... that Ankara holds the 'key',\" he added.<\/p>\n<h2>Turkish Cypriot leader says Stewart 'undermined' impartiality<\/h2>\n<p>Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar lashed out at previous statements given to local media, which he said were \"incompatible with the impartiality of the UN\u2019s mission.\"<\/p>\n<p>The UN representative had told Cypriot newspaper Phileleftheros that \"first of all, there are not many people in the north who take a two-state solution seriously.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"There is no scenario under which the north will turn into an independent state recognised by the international community. That is not going to happen,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan has repeatedly promoted the idea, urging the international community to recognise the island's division.<\/p>\n<p>Tatar reacted by saying \"The Turkish Cypriot side will remember (Stewart) as an official who, during his term, failed to fulfil his responsibility to increase trust between the two sides, undermined the perception of impartiality on some critical issues.\" <\/p>\n<p>\"In particular, (he) failed to show the necessary sensitivity to the legitimate humanitarian demands of our people,\" Tatar added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly and clearly demonstrated its will for a solution. This vision is shaped by the reality of two separate peoples, two separate democracies, and two separate states in Cyprus.\" <\/p>\n<p>\"A lasting and just solution in Cyprus is only possible by taking the current reality as a basis,\u201d Tatar concluded.<\/p>\n<p>It is not yet known who will replace Stewart in his now vacant role.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1754302718,"updatedAt":1754314037,"publishedAt":1754308450,"firstPublishedAt":1754308450,"lastPublishedAt":1754309785,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/23\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_daed53c1-cb89-5a4c-a077-9e0bf9f04249-9402322.jpg","altText":"Colin Stewart and Nikos Christodoulides","caption":"Colin Stewart and Nikos Christodoulides","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Stavros Ioannides \/ PIO","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1275}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10831,"slug":"un","urlSafeValue":"un","title":"UN","titleRaw":"UN"},{"id":12336,"slug":"cyprus-issue","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-issue","title":"Cyprus issue","titleRaw":"Cyprus issue"},{"id":14260,"slug":"nikos-christodoulides","urlSafeValue":"nikos-christodoulides","title":"Nikos Christodoulides","titleRaw":"Nikos Christodoulides"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2816851},{"id":2816915},{"id":2816316}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"WMKcNXjaNw0","dailymotionId":"x9o5cn2"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/21\/46\/79\/09\/ED_PYR_2146799_20250804132718.mp4","editor":"","duration":114960,"filesizeBytes":19332626,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/21\/46\/79\/09\/SHD_PYR_2146799_20250804132718.mp4","editor":"","duration":114960,"filesizeBytes":28389744,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/21\/46\/79\/09\/FHD_PYR_2146799_20250804132718.mp4","editor":"","duration":114960,"filesizeBytes":91020866,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9402322,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/08\/04\/un-special-representative-expresses-disappointment-at-talks-progress-upon-departure-from-c","lastModified":1754309785},{"id":2818614,"cid":9389032,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS FIRES DAY AFTER","daletPyramidId":2234964,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Extent of damage from Cyprus wildfires becoming clear as blazes brought under control","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Extent of damage from Cyprus wildfires clearer, officials say","titleListing2":"Extent of damage from Cyprus wildfires becoming clear as blazes brought under control","leadin":"Mourning for an elderly couple who were killed as the gird operator works to restore electricity in affected areas.","summary":"Mourning for an elderly couple who were killed as the gird operator works to restore electricity in affected areas.","keySentence":"","url":"extent-of-damage-from-cyprus-wildfires-becoming-clear-as-blazes-brought-under-control","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/07\/25\/extent-of-damage-from-cyprus-wildfires-becoming-clear-as-blazes-brought-under-control","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As firefighting forces in Cyprus stay on high alert for any additional flare-ups along the fire's front, the devastation from the blaze that claimed two lives becomes increasingly evident.\n\nAbout 125 square kilometres of greenery was reduced to ashes in the mountainous Limassol region, according to data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) WorldCover Programme. \n\nRoughly 50% of the total burnt area is grassland, 31% hardwood vegetation, 16% tree cover and 1.3% residential.\n\nThe wildfires claimed the lives of two people, a 77-year-old woman and her 84-year-old husband, who were found charred to death in their car. They had become trapped by the blaze after trying to escape their home in the village of Monagri. \n\nTwo people had been reported missing, local authorities are investigating whether the missing persons correspond with the couple found in their car. \n\nMeanwhile, seven other people are receiving treatment in state hospitals, two of whom were seriously injured but are now in stable condition. Five others are expected to be discharged soon.\n\nTen countries responded to Cyprus' request for international assistance to help extinguish the fire, Agriculture Minister Maria Panagiotou said, including Jordan, Israel and Spain, which sent aircraft on Thursday. \n\nGreece is additionally sending 26 forestry workers who are specialised in handling resurgent fires.\n\nMeanwhile, 17 areas remain without power as the fire burned much of the electricity infrastructure. As for civilian infrastructure, 43 houses were completely burnt down while another 29 were severely damaged.\n\nThe Cypriot government announced that it will cover 100% of the damage to the properties of the affected people.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>As firefighting forces in Cyprus stay on high alert for any additional flare-ups along the fire's front, the devastation from the blaze that claimed two lives becomes increasingly evident.<\/p>\n<p>About 125 square kilometres of greenery was reduced to ashes in the mountainous Limassol region, according to data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) WorldCover Programme. <\/p>\n<p>Roughly 50% of the total burnt area is grassland, 31% hardwood vegetation, 16% tree cover and 1.3% residential.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//38//88//55//808x539_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg/" alt=\"A burned land is seen from above at Omodos village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 20\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/384x256_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/640x427_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/750x500_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/828x552_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/1080x720_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/1200x800_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/88\/55\/1920x1281_cmsv2_764b089e-9a7a-515e-a9ce-ae291eeaede1-9388855.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A burned land is seen from above at Omodos village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 20<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Petros Karadjias<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The wildfires claimed the lives of two people, a 77-year-old woman and her 84-year-old husband, who were found charred to death in their car. They had become trapped by the blaze after trying to escape their home in the village of Monagri. <\/p>\n<p>Two people had been reported missing, local authorities are investigating whether the missing persons correspond with the couple found in their car. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, seven other people are receiving treatment in state hospitals, two of whom were seriously injured but are now in stable condition. Five others are expected to be discharged soon.<\/p>\n<p>Ten countries responded to Cyprus' request for international assistance to help extinguish the fire, Agriculture Minister Maria Panagiotou said, including Jordan, Israel and Spain, which sent aircraft on Thursday. <\/p>\n<p>Greece is additionally sending 26 forestry workers who are specialised in handling resurgent fires.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//38//66//15//808x539_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg/" alt=\"Burned houses are seen in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/384x256_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/640x427_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/750x500_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/828x552_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1080x720_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1200x800_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1920x1281_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Burned houses are seen in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Petros Karadjias<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Meanwhile, 17 areas remain without power as the fire burned much of the electricity infrastructure. As for civilian infrastructure, 43 houses were completely burnt down while another 29 were severely damaged.<\/p>\n<p>The Cypriot government announced that it will cover 100% of the damage to the properties of the affected people.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1753435347,"updatedAt":1753455936,"publishedAt":1753447276,"firstPublishedAt":1753447276,"lastPublishedAt":1753455936,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/90\/32\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cb19fbf0-d384-5cfa-b997-d978ec734382-9389032.jpg","altText":"A firefighter, along with her colleagues, tries to extinguish a fire in Souni village on the southern side of Cyprus' Troodos mountain range, 24 July 2025","caption":"A firefighter, along with her colleagues, tries to extinguish a fire in Souni village on the southern side of Cyprus' Troodos mountain range, 24 July 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":7902,"slug":"fires","urlSafeValue":"fires","title":"Fires","titleRaw":"Fires"},{"id":10375,"slug":"fire","urlSafeValue":"fire","title":"Fire","titleRaw":"Fire"},{"id":25370,"slug":"wildfires","urlSafeValue":"wildfires","title":"Wildfires","titleRaw":"Wildfires"},{"id":20450,"slug":"canicule","urlSafeValue":"canicule","title":"Heatwave","titleRaw":"Heatwave"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2817762},{"id":2830108}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"mw1RswHwj5w","dailymotionId":"x9nk3iy"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/20\/82\/58\/06\/ED_PYR_2082586_20250725150154.mp4","editor":"","duration":51840,"filesizeBytes":11524177,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/20\/82\/58\/06\/SHD_PYR_2082586_20250725150154.mp4","editor":"","duration":51840,"filesizeBytes":15889903,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/20\/82\/58\/06\/FHD_PYR_2082586_20250725150154.mp4","editor":"","duration":51840,"filesizeBytes":42944081,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9388855,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/07\/25\/extent-of-damage-from-cyprus-wildfires-becoming-clear-as-blazes-brought-under-control","lastModified":1753455936},{"id":2818269,"cid":9387067,"versionId":12,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS DEADLY FIRE UPDATE","daletPyramidId":2222968,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyprus battles largest wildfires in more than 50 years as two people found dead","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyprus battles largest wildfires in more than 50 years","titleListing2":"Cyprus battles largest wildfires in more than 50 years as two people found dead.","leadin":"At least 120 square kilometres of land were scorched in one of the largest wildfires in Cyprus' history. The remains of two people were discovered in a charred vehicle on a main road between hilltop villages affected by the blaze.","summary":"At least 120 square kilometres of land were scorched in one of the largest wildfires in Cyprus' history. The remains of two people were discovered in a charred vehicle on a main road between hilltop villages affected by the blaze.","keySentence":"","url":"two-bodies-found-in-burned-out-car-as-wildfire-rages-in-cyprus","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/07\/24\/two-bodies-found-in-burned-out-car-as-wildfire-rages-in-cyprus","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Firefighters in Cyprus on Thursday battled the country's largest wildfires in more than 50 years, which have two people dead and caused the destruction of homes, as well as the evacuation of dozens of villages.\n\nThe wildfires have scorched at least 120 square kilometres of land, making them the most destructive since 1974 when fires raged during the island's invasion by the Turkish military in July 1974. Around 260 square kilometres of land were burned at the time, according to the Cyprus Forestry Department.\n\nThis week's wildfires, which broke out at around noon on Wednesday, have destroyed just over 1% of the island's land mass. \n\nPolice found the bodies of two people in a burned-out car. Cypriot Civil Defence personnel found one body inside the vehicle on Wednesday night on the main road between fire-hit hillside villages, the police first reported. \n\nThe remains of a second person were then discovered in the same car on Thursday on the shoulder of the Monagri-Alassa road.\n\nTwo people were evacuated with extensive burns to the Nicosia General Hospital, with their condition being considered serious but not critical, according to Charalambos Harilaou, a health service spokesperson. 10 people were injured in total.\n\nThe fire also led to the evacuation of 14 villages along a 14-kilometre stretch of mountainous terrain.\n\nFires continue to rage\n\nAlthough on Thursday morning it was announced that there were no active fires remaining, some areas subsequently saw a rekindling, with some spreading later in the day.\n\nAdditional wildfires broke out in the western Paphos district on Thursday afternoon.\n\nKettis said earlier in the day that strong winds were expected to pick up and, combined with the intense heat, the situation could again become very dangerous.\n\nMany roads remained closed, with civilian rescues ongoing. \n\nKettis confirmed that \"there has been significant damage to some residences\", with at least 20 homes in the village of Lofou thought to have been destroyed. \n\nOver 250 firefighters were attempting to extinguish the flames as of Wednesday night, with aerial support coming from 18 aircraft.\n\nThe fire's cause is under investigation\n\nCypriot government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said that the cause of the fire is still being investigated, while pointing to \"unprecedented conditions\" for its spread.\n\nHe rejected any suggestions that the government had been \"negligent\" in its response, pointing to \"the temperatures, strong winds, and drought\" as factors that \"aggravated the situation and made it even more difficult.\u201d He insisted that \"from the very first moment, all the plans and all the protocols which had been drawn up were activated.\"\n\nSeparately, Chief Fire Officer Nicos Logginos told public broadcaster CyBC that eye witnesses who called the fire service had reported arsonists had caused the fire to break out at two separate points, within 100 metres from each other, at a landfill. He added that he had provided evidence to the police in order to aid its investigation.\n\nAssistance from abroad\n\nCypriot government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said Nicosia had requested support from other countries.\n\nSpain is sending two firefighting aircraft, and Jordan is providing assistance with two of its helicopters, he said. \n\nA British helicopter from one of the UK's two military bases on Cyprus is also assisting, Letymbiotis added. Meanwhile, Israel announced it would be sending aircraft of its own on Thursday evening.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Firefighters in Cyprus on Thursday battled the country's largest wildfires in more than 50 years, which have two people dead and caused the destruction of homes, as well as the evacuation of dozens of villages.<\/p>\n<p>The wildfires have scorched at least 120 square kilometres of land, making them the most destructive since 1974 when fires raged during the island's invasion by the Turkish military in July 1974. Around 260 square kilometres of land were burned at the time, according to the Cyprus Forestry Department.<\/p>\n<p>This week's wildfires, which broke out at around noon on Wednesday, have destroyed just over 1% of the island's land mass. <\/p>\n<p>Police found the bodies of two people in a burned-out car. Cypriot Civil Defence personnel found one body inside the vehicle on Wednesday night on the main road between fire-hit hillside villages, the police first reported. <\/p>\n<p>The remains of a second person were then discovered in the same car on Thursday on the shoulder of the Monagri-Alassa road.<\/p>\n<p>Two people were evacuated with extensive burns to the Nicosia General Hospital, with their condition being considered serious but not critical, according to Charalambos Harilaou, a health service spokesperson. 10 people were injured in total.<\/p>\n<p>The fire also led to the evacuation of 14 villages along a 14-kilometre stretch of mountainous terrain.<\/p>\n<h2>Fires continue to rage<\/h2>\n<p>Although on Thursday morning it was announced that there were no active fires remaining, some areas subsequently saw a rekindling, with some spreading later in the day.<\/p>\n<p>Additional wildfires broke out in the western Paphos district on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Kettis said earlier in the day that strong winds were expected to pick up and, combined with the intense heat, the situation could again become very dangerous.<\/p>\n<p>Many roads remained closed, with civilian rescues ongoing. <\/p>\n<p>Kettis confirmed that \"there has been significant damage to some residences\", with at least 20 homes in the village of Lofou thought to have been destroyed. <\/p>\n<p>Over 250 firefighters were attempting to extinguish the flames as of Wednesday night, with aerial support coming from 18 aircraft.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//38//66//15//808x539_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg/" alt=\"Burned houses are seen in Souni village, Cyprus, on 24 July, 2025. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/384x256_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/640x427_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/750x500_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/828x552_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1080x720_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1200x800_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1920x1281_cmsv2_3eee1e96-82eb-519d-8918-4b6acba6cbd6-9386615.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Burned houses are seen in Souni village, Cyprus, on 24 July, 2025. <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>The fire's cause is under investigation<\/h2>\n<p>Cypriot government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said that the cause of the fire is still being investigated, while pointing to \"unprecedented conditions\" for its spread.<\/p>\n<p>He rejected any suggestions that the government had been \"negligent\" in its response, pointing to \"the temperatures, strong winds, and drought\" as factors that \"aggravated the situation and made it even more difficult.\u201d He insisted that \"from the very first moment, all the plans and all the protocols which had been drawn up were activated.\"<\/p>\n<p>Separately, Chief Fire Officer Nicos Logginos told public broadcaster CyBC that eye witnesses who called the fire service had reported arsonists had caused the fire to break out at two separate points, within 100 metres from each other, at a landfill. He added that he had provided evidence to the police in order to aid its investigation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//38//66//15//808x539_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg/" alt=\"Flames burn near a house in Souni village, Cyprus. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/384x256_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/640x427_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/750x500_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/828x552_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1080x720_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1200x800_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/1920x1281_cmsv2_936dba7b-2f05-5463-bbec-dac12f8f27c1-9386615.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Flames burn near a house in Souni village, Cyprus. <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Assistance from abroad<\/h2>\n<p>Cypriot government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said Nicosia had requested support from other countries.<\/p>\n<p>Spain is sending two firefighting aircraft, and Jordan is providing assistance with two of its helicopters, he said. <\/p>\n<p>A British helicopter from one of the UK's two military bases on Cyprus is also assisting, Letymbiotis added. Meanwhile, Israel announced it would be sending aircraft of its own on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1753342821,"updatedAt":1753385576,"publishedAt":1753350627,"firstPublishedAt":1753350627,"lastPublishedAt":1753383277,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/66\/15\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a846ce31-90b2-52d7-930a-325e9987e283-9386615.jpg","altText":"Burning in the village of Suni, 24 July 2025","caption":"Burning in the village of Suni, 24 July 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":7994,"slug":"forest-fires","urlSafeValue":"forest-fires","title":"Forest fires","titleRaw":"Forest 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News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122022","80222022","84021001","84022001","84111001","84112001","84191001","84192001","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","automotive","automotive_general","death_and_injury_low_risk","death_and_injury_medium_risk","law_government_and_politics","law_government_and_politics_general","science","science_general","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9386615,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/07\/24\/two-bodies-found-in-burned-out-car-as-wildfire-rages-in-cyprus","lastModified":1753383277},{"id":2818162,"cid":9386300,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS FIRE","daletPyramidId":2217006,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Firefighters in Cyprus battle huge wildfires that forced evacuation of four villages","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Crews in Cyprus battle huge wildfires, villages forced to evacuate","titleListing2":"Firefighters in Cyprus battle huge wildfires that forced people in four villages to evacuate","leadin":"Wednesday's fires broke out on the first day of a heatwave in Cyprus with forecasters expecting temperatures on Thursday to hit 45 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the year.","summary":"Wednesday's fires broke out on the first day of a heatwave in Cyprus with forecasters expecting temperatures on Thursday to hit 45 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the year.","keySentence":"","url":"firefighters-in-cyprus-battle-huge-wildfires-that-forced-evacuation-of-four-villages","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/07\/23\/firefighters-in-cyprus-battle-huge-wildfires-that-forced-evacuation-of-four-villages","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cypriot firefighters have spent Wednesday battling a huge wildfire which has forced people living in at least four villages in the southern Limassol area to evacuate.\n\nJustice Minister Marios Hartsiotis and Chief Fire Officer Nikos Longinos are at the scene of the fire, public broadcaster CyBC reported.\n\nThe broadcaster said authorities had initiated the \"Icarus II\" emergency response plan which is supported by 10 fire engines and six firefighting aircraft.\n\nPersonnel from the British military bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia are reportedly also assisting in the operation.\n\n\"I can confirm that there is considerable damage to some homes,\" spokesperson for the fire service Andreas Kettis told\u00a0 CyBC.\n\nHe said the Limassol fire broke out around noon on Wednesday and that fire crews are on the ground trying to bring it under control.\n\nMeanwhile, the Civil Defence is evacuating the community of Agia Varvara in the southwestern city of Paphos after a new fire that broke out at 4pm in the area in the afternoon.\n\nTwo aircraft were sent to the area to help the five fire engines extinguish the blaze, but firefighting efforts were reportedly hampered by strong winds.\n\nWednesday's fires broke out on the first day of a heatwave in Cyprus with forecasters expecting temperatures on Thursday to hit 45 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the year.\n\nHigh temperatures are expected to continue until at least Monday and authorities have issued an amber alert heat warning.\n\nThe Ministry of Health is urging the public to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the heatwave.\n\nIt has advised vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases to take particular care.\n\nHeatwaves and climate change\n\nClimatologists have sounded the alarm that climate change-linked activity is causing record-breaking temperatures across much of the Mediterranean region.\n\nThe Mediterranean \"is on fire,\" meteorologist Marta Almarcha wrote in a post for Spain\u2019s eltiempo.es weather portal earlier this month.\n\nLast week, a sea surface temperature of 30C was recorded by a tide gauge in Mallorca.\u00a0\n\nCoastal areas around France and western Italy are also setting very high temperatures for this time of year.\n\nIn fact, almost the entire Mediterranean basin is suffering a marine heatwave, Almarcha added.\n\nResearchers at Carbon Brief recently\u00a0mapped\u00a0every published scientific study detailing how climate change has influenced extreme weather.\n\nThis analysis covered 116 heat-related events in Europe. Of this total, scientists deemed 110 (95%) were made more severe or more likely because of climate change.\n\nJune heatwaves are around ten times more likely to occur now compared to pre-industrial times because of the impact of climate change, scientists at World Weather Attribution\u00a0estimate.\n\nOthers say atmospheric events driving heatwaves have almost\u00a0tripled in strength and duration\u00a0since the 1950s.\n\nThe latest European State of the Climate report from the EU's Copernicus service said that Europe is the world\u2019s fastest-warming continent and is experiencing serious impacts from extreme weather and climate change.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cypriot firefighters have spent Wednesday battling a huge wildfire which has forced people living in at least four villages in the southern Limassol area to evacuate.<\/p>\n<p>Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis and Chief Fire Officer Nikos Longinos are at the scene of the fire, public broadcaster CyBC reported.<\/p>\n<p>The broadcaster said authorities had initiated the \"Icarus II\" emergency response plan which is supported by 10 fire engines and six firefighting aircraft.<\/p>\n<p>Personnel from the British military bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia are reportedly also assisting in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>\"I can confirm that there is considerable damage to some homes,\" spokesperson for the fire service Andreas Kettis told\u00a0 CyBC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.679\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//37//69//83//808x550_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg/" alt=\"Firefighters try to extinguish a blaze near the town of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete, 3 July, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/384x261_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/640x435_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/750x509_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/828x562_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/1080x733_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/1200x815_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/1920x1304_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Firefighters try to extinguish a blaze near the town of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete, 3 July, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">InTime News via AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>He said the Limassol fire broke out around noon on Wednesday and that fire crews are on the ground trying to bring it under control.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Civil Defence is evacuating the community of Agia Varvara in the southwestern city of Paphos after a new fire that broke out at 4pm in the area in the afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Two aircraft were sent to the area to help the five fire engines extinguish the blaze, but firefighting efforts were reportedly hampered by strong winds.<\/p>\n<p>Wednesday's fires broke out on the first day of a heatwave in Cyprus with forecasters expecting temperatures on Thursday to hit 45 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the year.<\/p>\n<p>High temperatures are expected to continue until at least Monday and authorities have issued an amber alert heat warning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9376983,9364482,9358242\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//07//05//firefighters-across-europe-battle-wildfires-as-blazes-continue-in-germany-greece-and-turke/">Firefighters across Europe battle wildfires as blazes continue in Germany, Greece and Turkey<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//07//18//wildfires-in-europe-burn-area-the-size-of-luxembourg-as-2025-shapes-up-to-be-an-extreme-ye/">Wildfires in Europe burn area the size of Luxembourg as 2025 shapes up to be an 'extreme' year<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//07//09//europe-hit-by-storms-and-wildfires-after-heatwave-is-climate-change-also-to-blame/">Europe hit by storms and wildfires after heatwave - is climate change also to blame?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Ministry of Health is urging the public to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the heatwave.<\/p>\n<p>It has advised vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases to take particular care.<\/p>\n<h2>Heatwaves and climate change<\/h2>\n<p>Climatologists have sounded the alarm that climate change-linked activity is causing record-breaking temperatures across much of the Mediterranean region.<\/p>\n<p>The Mediterranean \"is on fire,\" meteorologist Marta Almarcha wrote in a post for Spain\u2019s eltiempo.es weather portal earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, a sea surface temperature of 30C was recorded by a tide gauge in Mallorca.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Coastal areas around France and western Italy are also setting very high temperatures for this time of year.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, almost the entire Mediterranean basin is suffering a marine heatwave, Almarcha added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//38//63//00//808x539_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg/" alt=\"A helicopter drops liquid on a wildfire in Martigues in southern France, 17 July, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/1920x1280_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A helicopter drops liquid on a wildfire in Martigues in southern France, 17 July, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Researchers at Carbon Brief recently\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////interactive.carbonbrief.org//attribution-studies//index.html/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>mapped<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0every published scientific study detailing how climate change has influenced extreme weather.<\/p>\n<p>This analysis covered 116 heat-related events in Europe. Of this total, scientists deemed 110 (95%) were made more severe or more likely because of climate change.<\/p>\n<p>June heatwaves are around ten times more likely to occur now compared to pre-industrial times because of the impact of climate change, scientists at World Weather Attribution\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.worldweatherattribution.org//climate-change-turns-warm-summer-days-in-england-into-health-threat///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>estimate<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Others say atmospheric events driving heatwaves have almost\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.weforum.org//stories//2025//07//extreme-heat-hits-europe-and-other-nature-and-climate-news/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>tripled in strength and duration<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0since the 1950s.<\/p>\n<p>The latest <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////climate.copernicus.eu//esotc//2024/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">European State of the Climate report<\/a> from the EU's Copernicus service said that Europe is the world\u2019s fastest-warming continent and is experiencing serious impacts from extreme weather and climate change.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1753285538,"updatedAt":1753294570,"publishedAt":1753294565,"firstPublishedAt":1753294565,"lastPublishedAt":1753294565,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_99dfa6fa-d1c7-5b54-919d-92c5b85a182f-9386300.jpg","altText":"FILE IMAGE","caption":"FILE IMAGE","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1800,"height":1012},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/63\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d95d0933-d076-5612-b37d-a6288e5a5483-9386300.jpg","altText":"A helicopter drops liquid on a wildfire in Martigues in southern France, 17 July, 2025","caption":"A helicopter drops liquid on a wildfire in Martigues in southern France, 17 July, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1833,"height":1222},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2879151a-b138-5220-8dfc-36a811ad50a4-9376983.jpg","altText":"Firefighters try to extinguish a blaze near the town of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete, 3 July, 2025","caption":"Firefighters try to extinguish a blaze near the town of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete, 3 July, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"InTime News via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1358}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":741,"urlSafeValue":"giagkinis","title":"Ioannis Giagkinis","twitter":null},{"id":3467,"urlSafeValue":"gavin.blackburn@euronews.com","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":3424,"slug":"limassol","urlSafeValue":"limassol","title":"Limassol","titleRaw":"Limassol"},{"id":7902,"slug":"fires","urlSafeValue":"fires","title":"Fires","titleRaw":"Fires"},{"id":7994,"slug":"forest-fires","urlSafeValue":"forest-fires","title":"Forest fires","titleRaw":"Forest fires"},{"id":10375,"slug":"fire","urlSafeValue":"fire","title":"Fire","titleRaw":"Fire"},{"id":25370,"slug":"wildfires","urlSafeValue":"wildfires","title":"Wildfires","titleRaw":"Wildfires"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2818432}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9385962,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/07\/23\/firefighters-in-cyprus-battle-huge-wildfires-that-forced-evacuation-of-four-villages","lastModified":1753294565},{"id":2817762,"cid":9383264,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS HEATWAVE","daletPyramidId":2196542,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyprus heatwave alert: Temperatures forecast to soar to 41\u00b0C amid extreme weather warning ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyprus heatwave alert: Temperature set to rise to 41\u00b0C","titleListing2":"Cyprus heatwave alert: Temperatures forecast to soar to 41\u00b0C amid extreme weather warning ","leadin":"The heatwave is expected to subside from Friday onwards.","summary":"The heatwave is expected to subside from Friday onwards.","keySentence":"","url":"cyprus-heatwave-alert-temperatures-forecast-to-soar-to-41c-amid-extreme-weather-warning","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/07\/22\/cyprus-heatwave-alert-temperatures-forecast-to-soar-to-41c-amid-extreme-weather-warning","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus's meteorological service has issued an emergency bulletin about deteriorating weather conditions. \n\nIt says temperatures in the interior of the country are expected to exceed 41\u00b0C today, causing suffocating heat.\n\nTemperatures are forecast to rise to 41\u00b0C inland, around 35\u00b0C in the south, east and north coasts and around 33\u00b0C on the west coast and in the higher mountains. Winds will initially be variable and light, and later become mainly southwesterly to northwesterly. The sea will be slightly rough. \n\nOn Tuesday night, the weather will be mainly clear with temperatures set to drop to around 24\u00b0C on the coast and to 22\u00b0C in the higher mountains.\n\nThe mercury is expected to continue climbing until Friday, when the heatwave will start to gradually ease.\n\nWhat can you do to stay safe in the heat?\n\nThe Civil Defence Force has issued recommendations to the public to prevent and properly prepare to minimise the risks and negative consequences of the heat wave. \n\nIt has told people to avoid unnecessary travel and heavy physical work, avoid sunbathing, walking for long periods or running and avoid crowded places in the sun. \n\nWearing cool, comfortable and light-coloured clothes, protecting your head with a hat and wearing good quality sunglasses that protect against the sun's reflection are advised.\n\nPeople have also been told to eat small, light meals, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in fat, drink plenty of water and fruit and vegetable juices and avoid alcoholic drinks.\n\nThe Civil Defence force has said people should also avoid sudden changes in temperature and use artificial means of ventilation (fans) or air conditioning where they can. If health problems do arise, you are advised to consult your doctor.\n\nPeople in Cyprus have also been told to take care of relatives or other close people who are elderly or especially vulnerable to the heat. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus's meteorological service has issued an emergency bulletin about deteriorating weather conditions. <\/p>\n<p>It says temperatures in the interior of the country are expected to exceed 41\u00b0C today, causing suffocating heat.<\/p>\n<p>Temperatures are forecast to rise to 41\u00b0C inland, around 35\u00b0C in the south, east and north coasts and around 33\u00b0C on the west coast and in the higher mountains. Winds will initially be variable and light, and later become mainly southwesterly to northwesterly. The sea will be slightly rough. <\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday night, the weather will be mainly clear with temperatures set to drop to around 24\u00b0C on the coast and to 22\u00b0C in the higher mountains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9379783,9373422\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//07//17//sea-temperature-in-portugals-algarve-reaches-record-highs-as-marine-heatwave-hits/">Sea temperature in Portugal's Algarve reaches record highs as 'marine heatwave' hits<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//07//21//climate-shelters-when-the-heat-is-on-where-can-you-escape-to/">Climate shelters: When the heat is on, where can you escape to?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The mercury is expected to continue climbing until Friday, when the heatwave will start to gradually ease.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What can you do to stay safe in the heat?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Civil Defence Force has issued recommendations to the public to prevent and properly prepare to minimise the risks and negative consequences of the heat wave. <\/p>\n<p>It has told people to avoid unnecessary travel and heavy physical work, avoid sunbathing, walking for long periods or running and avoid crowded places in the sun. <\/p>\n<p>Wearing cool, comfortable and light-coloured clothes, protecting your head with a hat and wearing good quality sunglasses that protect against the sun's reflection are advised.<\/p>\n<p>People have also been told to eat small, light meals, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in fat, drink plenty of water and fruit and vegetable juices and avoid alcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9370645,9347880\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//health//2025//07//19//when-is-it-too-hot-to-work-know-the-signs-of-heat-stress-your-working-rights-and-how-to-co/">When is it too hot to work? Know the signs of heat stress, your working rights, and how to cool down<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//health//2025//06//28//heatwave-survival-handbook-tricks-to-keep-you-cool-and-your-home-comfortable/">Heatwave survival handbook: Tricks to keep you cool and your home comfortable<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Civil Defence force has said people should also avoid sudden changes in temperature and use artificial means of ventilation (fans) or air conditioning where they can. If health problems do arise, you are advised to consult your doctor.<\/p>\n<p>People in Cyprus have also been told to take care of relatives or other close people who are elderly or especially vulnerable to the heat. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1753178848,"updatedAt":1753181539,"publishedAt":1753181535,"firstPublishedAt":1753181535,"lastPublishedAt":1753181535,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/38\/29\/09\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f74a4c08-d631-52f6-973d-469d97f6d1c5-9382909.jpg","altText":"stock photo","caption":"stock photo","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"PETROS KARADJIAS\/AP2007","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":638,"urlSafeValue":"karagiorgas","title":"Ioannis Karagiorgas","twitter":"@IKaragiorgas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":12409,"slug":"warning","urlSafeValue":"warning","title":"Warning","titleRaw":"Warning"},{"id":12493,"slug":"heatwave","urlSafeValue":"heatwave","title":"Heatwave","titleRaw":"Heatwave"},{"id":17856,"slug":"extreme-weather","urlSafeValue":"extreme-weather","title":"Extreme weather","titleRaw":"Extreme weather"},{"id":139,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health","titleRaw":"Health"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2818608},{"id":2818614},{"id":2819674}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84071001","84072001","84191001","84192005"],"slugs":["food_and_drink","food_and_drink_general","science","science_chemistry"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9382909,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/07\/22\/cyprus-heatwave-alert-temperatures-forecast-to-soar-to-41c-amid-extreme-weather-warning","lastModified":1753181535},{"id":2816851,"cid":9378939,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS INVASION ANNIVERSARY","daletPyramidId":2169643,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyprus marks 51 years since Turkish invasion that led to island nation's partition","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyprus commemorates 51 years since 1974 Turkish invasion","titleListing2":"Cyprus marks 51 years since 40,000 Turkish soldiers descended on the island on 20 July, 1974, seizing more than 35% of its territory in a two-phase monthlong offensive.","leadin":"Cyprus marks 51 years since 40,000 Turkish soldiers descended on the island on 20 July, 1974, seizing more than 35% of its territory in a two-phase monthlong offensive.","summary":"Cyprus marks 51 years since 40,000 Turkish soldiers descended on the island on 20 July, 1974, seizing more than 35% of its territory in a two-phase monthlong offensive.","keySentence":"","url":"cyprus-marks-51-years-since-turkish-invasion-that-led-to-island-nations-partition","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/07\/20\/cyprus-marks-51-years-since-turkish-invasion-that-led-to-island-nations-partition","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus marks 51 years since an invasion by Turkey in 1974, which led to the partition of the island nation that is still in place today.\n\nOn the morning of 20 July, 1974, sirens sounded across the island, signalling that the invasion was underway.\n\nA month of fighting later, approximately 36% of Cypriot territory had fallen under Turkish military control, which still presently persists, making Cyprus the only European Union member state that is under occupation.\n\nTurkish armed forces landed boots on the ground in Kyrenia, north of Cyprus, as Ankara's air forces carried out an aerial assault campaign on several targets on the island, causing panic and leaving widespread devastation and misery in their wake.\n\nThe invasion led to the deaths of more than 3,000 people, mainly civilians. Residents, still shaken by the aftermath of a violent coup d'\u00e9tat just five days prior, watched in horror. \n\nTurkey, however, continues to claim \"Operation Attila\" - the codename for its military operation - was not an invasion but a peaceful intervention aimed at restoring constitutional order and protecting the country's Turkish Cypriot minority.\n\nSeveral hundred people were killed in the coup on 15 July, 1974, which was staged by the Cypriot National Guard \u2013 backed by the Greek junta at the time \u2013 against forces loyal to Cyprus' democratically elected government, led by the ethnically Greek Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III. \n\nGreek Cypriot nationalists aimed to overthrow Makarios and unite the Mediterranean island with Greece in a movement known as 'Enosis'.\n\nMakarios managed to flee Cyprus through Paphos and arrived in New York where he delivered a speech on 19 July, condemning the coup and denouncing the intention to unify his country with Greece.\n\nBy then, Ankara's military preparations had already been put in place, and the invasion was carried out the following morning.\n\nThe Cypriot National Guard turned out to be unprepared, and as a result, Turkish soldiers were able to advance with relative ease. More than 40,000 soldiers, commanded by General Nuretin Ersin, took part in the monthlong invasion.\n\nUnits of the National Guard and Hellenic Force in Cyprus - Greek armed forces stationed in the country) were mobilised several hours after the invasion began, and fought without air cover and modern weaponry. \n\nAn estimated 12,000 soldiers fought to resist Turkish occupation under the command of Brigadier General Michalis Georgitsis, who was also a leading figure in the coup against Makarios days prior.\n\nMeanwhile, Greek Cypriot men began to mobilise and participate in the defence of their land with everything they had, though many were reportedly not armed.\n\nThose who were tried everything they could to fend off the incoming Turkish troops, even shooting from the roofs of their houses. \n\nA truce that was reached between Cypriot and Turkish forces a few days later was ultimately temporary, as Turkey, at the time of the ceasefire, only held roughly 3% of the island.\n\nIn August, Ankara struck the final blow with \"Operation Attila II\", the second phase of its military invasion, occuping large swathes of land on the island which it still holds today, in violation of multiple United Nations resolutions. \n\nThe UN and the European Commission of Human Rights have condemned Turkey multiple times for its illegal invasion of its neighbouring country, as well as the humanitarian disaster that ensued.\n\nApproximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots, previously residing in the north of the island in what has since become the self-declared \"Turkish Republic of North Cyprus\" were uprooted from their homes and displaced to the south. Turkish Cypriots who lived in the south were forced to go the other way.\n\nOnly Turkey recognises the island\u2019s breakaway state in northern Cyprus, where it maintains more than 35,000 troops.\n\nWhile the Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus in the south is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern entity.\n\nThe Greek Cypriot side has also been condemned for atrocities against Turkish Cypriots, especially for the massacre of Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda during the second Turkish invasion in August.\n\nMore than 100 Turkish Cypriots were killed in attacks carried out by ultranationalist Greek Cypriot paramilitary group EOKA B.\n\nOver 2,000 Cypriots are now considered missing as a result of the events in 1974, as well as unrest that took place in the 1960s. Around three quarters are Greek Cypriots, with the rest being Turkish Cypriot.\n\nDiplomatic efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue in the past five decades have failed thus far. Talks that took place in New York last week concluded without resolving key disputes.\n\nTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that Ankara has a legitimate right to have maintain a presence on the island. During a visit to the north of Cyprus today, he repeated his support for a \"two-state solution\", an idea rejected by most Cypriots. \"It is time for the international community to come to terms with the reality on the ground,\" he said.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus marks 51 years since an invasion by Turkey in 1974, which led to the partition of the island nation that is still in place today.<\/p>\n<p>On the morning of 20 July, 1974, sirens sounded across the island, signalling that the invasion was underway.<\/p>\n<p>A month of fighting later, approximately 36% of Cypriot territory had fallen under Turkish military control, which still presently persists, making Cyprus the only European Union member state that is under occupation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6650390625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//57//73//28//808x539_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg/" alt=\"Archive photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/384x255_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/640x426_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/750x499_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/828x551_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/1080x718_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/1200x798_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/73\/28\/1920x1277_cmsv2_633434f8-3e2d-5dd3-8904-1b69b7837cf7-8577328.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Archive photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP\/1974<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Turkish armed forces landed boots on the ground in Kyrenia, north of Cyprus, as Ankara's air forces carried out an aerial assault campaign on several targets on the island, causing panic and leaving widespread devastation and misery in their wake.<\/p>\n<p>The invasion led to the deaths of more than 3,000 people, mainly civilians. Residents, still shaken by the aftermath of a violent coup d'\u00e9tat just five days prior, watched in horror. <\/p>\n<p>Turkey, however, continues to claim \"Operation Attila\" - the codename for its military operation - was not an invasion but a peaceful intervention aimed at restoring constitutional order and protecting the country's Turkish Cypriot minority.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.740234375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//37//20//59//808x599_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg/" alt=\"Archive photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/384x284_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/640x474_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/750x555_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/828x613_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/1080x799_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/1200x888_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/20\/59\/1920x1421_cmsv2_7aa714fd-7990-5084-b1d6-9078edb4ef9a-9372059.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Archive photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Several hundred people were killed in the coup on 15 July, 1974, which was staged by the Cypriot National Guard \u2013 backed by the Greek junta at the time \u2013 against forces loyal to Cyprus' democratically elected government, led by the ethnically Greek Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III. <\/p>\n<p>Greek Cypriot nationalists aimed to overthrow Makarios and unite the Mediterranean island with Greece in a movement known as 'Enosis'.<\/p>\n<p>Makarios managed to flee Cyprus through Paphos and arrived in New York where he delivered a speech on 19 July, condemning the coup and denouncing the intention to unify his country with Greece.<\/p>\n<p>By then, Ankara's military preparations had already been put in place, and the invasion was carried out the following morning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.705078125\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//37//69//66//808x569_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg/" alt=\"Former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III (archive photo)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/384x271_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/640x451_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/750x529_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/828x584_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/1080x761_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/1200x846_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/1920x1354_cmsv2_bd63d3cc-8aae-52cc-b835-fa219b841d61-9376966.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III (archive photo)<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Charles Tasnadi\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Cypriot National Guard turned out to be unprepared, and as a result, Turkish soldiers were able to advance with relative ease. More than 40,000 soldiers, commanded by General Nuretin Ersin, took part in the monthlong invasion.<\/p>\n<p>Units of the National Guard and Hellenic Force in Cyprus - Greek armed forces stationed in the country) were mobilised several hours after the invasion began, and fought without air cover and modern weaponry. <\/p>\n<p>An estimated 12,000 soldiers fought to resist Turkish occupation under the command of Brigadier General Michalis Georgitsis, who was also a leading figure in the coup against Makarios days prior.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6650390625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//06//53//34//28//808x539_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg/" alt=\"Archive photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/384x255_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/640x426_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/750x499_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/828x551_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/1080x718_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/1200x798_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/53\/34\/28\/1920x1277_cmsv2_d709003e-dfc5-53db-a843-fb07ffe683e5-6533428.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Archive photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP\/1974<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot men began to mobilise and participate in the defence of their land with everything they had, though many were reportedly not armed.<\/p>\n<p>Those who were tried everything they could to fend off the incoming Turkish troops, even shooting from the roofs of their houses. <\/p>\n<p>A truce that was reached between Cypriot and Turkish forces a few days later was ultimately temporary, as Turkey, at the time of the ceasefire, only held roughly 3% of the island.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.744140625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//37//69//66//808x603_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg/" alt=\"Archive photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/384x286_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/640x476_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/750x558_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/828x616_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/1080x804_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/1200x893_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/1920x1429_cmsv2_a6ef4c08-d768-56ad-995e-78cd7a954233-9376966.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Archive photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Max Nash\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In August, Ankara struck the final blow with \"Operation Attila II\", the second phase of its military invasion, occuping large swathes of land on the island which it still holds today, in violation of multiple United Nations resolutions. <\/p>\n<p>The UN and the European Commission of Human Rights have condemned Turkey multiple times for its illegal invasion of its neighbouring country, as well as the humanitarian disaster that ensued.<\/p>\n<p>Approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots, previously residing in the north of the island in what has since become the self-declared \"Turkish Republic of North Cyprus\" were uprooted from their homes and displaced to the south. Turkish Cypriots who lived in the south were forced to go the other way.<\/p>\n<p>Only Turkey recognises the island\u2019s breakaway state in northern Cyprus, where it maintains more than 35,000 troops.<\/p>\n<p>While the Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus in the south is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern entity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//57//65//76//808x539_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg/" alt=\"Archive photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/384x256_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/640x427_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/750x500_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/828x552_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/1080x720_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/1200x800_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/57\/65\/76\/1920x1281_cmsv2_661b0ce2-c773-5b88-81d5-641b94615c03-8576576.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Archive photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Greek Cypriot side has also been condemned for atrocities against Turkish Cypriots, especially for the massacre of Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda during the second Turkish invasion in August.<\/p>\n<p>More than 100 Turkish Cypriots were killed in attacks carried out by ultranationalist Greek Cypriot paramilitary group EOKA B.<\/p>\n<p>Over 2,000 Cypriots are now considered missing as a result of the events in 1974, as well as unrest that took place in the 1960s. Around three quarters are Greek Cypriots, with the rest being Turkish Cypriot.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//59//18//58//808x539_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg/" alt=\"Archive photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/384x256_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/640x427_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/750x500_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/828x552_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/1080x720_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/1200x800_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/59\/18\/58\/1920x1281_cmsv2_0adb6f75-62f9-5277-b45f-0ca2a99d446a-8591858.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Archive photo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/AP\/2024<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue in the past five decades have failed thus far. Talks that took place in New York <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//07//18//cyprus-talks-end-without-resolution-un-to-continue-mediation-in-september/">last week<\/a> concluded without resolving key disputes.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that Ankara has a legitimate right to have maintain a presence on the island. During a visit to the north of Cyprus today, he repeated his support for a \"two-state solution\", an idea rejected by most Cypriots. \"It is time for the international community to come to terms with the reality on the ground,\" he said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1752846818,"updatedAt":1753032213,"publishedAt":1753023775,"firstPublishedAt":1753023775,"lastPublishedAt":1753032213,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/37\/69\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8d9a7065-9e91-53d8-818d-d4d9c300f4c3-9376966.jpg","altText":"stock photo","caption":"stock photo","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Paul Roque\/AP1974","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":684}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":14258,"slug":"turkish-invasion-of-cyprus","urlSafeValue":"turkish-invasion-of-cyprus","title":"Turkish invasion of Cyprus","titleRaw":"Turkish invasion of Cyprus"},{"id":17676,"slug":"kktc","urlSafeValue":"kktc","title":"North Cyprus","titleRaw":"North Cyprus"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":7}],"related":[{"id":2820833}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"UeCRL_6sJtw","dailymotionId":"x9n9krm"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/20\/30\/13\/07\/ED_PYR_2030137_20250720145957.mp4","editor":"","duration":98000,"filesizeBytes":16854121,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/20\/30\/13\/07\/SHD_PYR_2030137_20250720145957.mp4","editor":"","duration":98000,"filesizeBytes":24860287,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/20\/30\/13\/07\/FHD_PYR_2030137_20250720145957.mp4","editor":"","duration":98000,"filesizeBytes":78837867,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9376966,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/07\/20\/cyprus-marks-51-years-since-turkish-invasion-that-led-to-island-nations-partition","lastModified":1753032213},{"id":2814491,"cid":9361441,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"BUSINESS - ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy find gas off Cyprus","daletPyramidId":2064672,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"New gas discovery off Cyprus coast may reduce EU energy dependence","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"New gas discovery off Cyprus coast may reduce EU energy dependence","titleListing2":"","leadin":"ExxonMobil and its partner, Qatar Energy, have discovered a new natural gas deposit off the coast of Cyprus, a find that bolsters the region's potential as an energy exporter.","summary":"ExxonMobil and its partner, Qatar Energy, have discovered a new natural gas deposit off the coast of Cyprus, a find that bolsters the region's potential as an energy exporter.","keySentence":"","url":"new-gas-discovery-off-cyprus-coast-may-reduce-eu-energy-dependence","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2025\/07\/08\/new-gas-discovery-off-cyprus-coast-may-reduce-eu-energy-dependence","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A consortium made up of ExxonMobil and partner Qatar Energy International has made a second natural gas discovery beneath the seabed south of Cyprus, the government said on Monday.\n\nNew natural gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean could help Europe lessen its dependence on Russian hydrocarbons by diversifying its energy supply and help buttress a budding energy partnership between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, said John Sitilides, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and geopolitical strategist at Trilogy Advisors in Washington.\n\n\"Washington and Brussels would be wise to support this hydrocarbon network to develop a greater measure of critical energy independence for Europe's hopeful re-industrialisation,\" Sitilides said.\n\nCypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement that ExxonMobil's vice president, John Ardill, briefed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides about the discovery at the Pegasus-1 well during a teleconference.\n\nThe well was discovered about 190 kilometres (118 miles) southwest of Cyprus at a depth of 1,921 meters (6,302 feet) of water. No estimates of the quantity of natural gas were given. The statement said more assessments will be conducted in the coming months to evaluate the results.\n\nThe ExxonMobil-Qatar Energy consortium holds exploration licences for two areas \u2014 or blocks \u2014 inside Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. In 2019, the consortium discovered the Glaucus-1 well inside the same Block 10 where the Pegasus-1 well is located. Cypriot authorities say Glaucus-1 is estimated to contain 3.7 trillion cubic feet of gas.\n\nOverall, Pegasus-1 is the sixth natural gas deposit to be discovered inside Cyprus' economic zone in the last 14 years. Other deposits include the Zeus, Cronos and Calypso wells, which lie inside Block 6 that is operated by a consortium made up of Italy's Eni and Total of France. Cronos is estimated to hold 3.1 trillion cubic feet of gas, and Zeus 2.5 trillion cubic feet. Calypso is still being evaluated.\n\nThe Eni-Total consortium holds exploration licences for four blocks.\n\nThe earliest field to be discovered, Aphrodite, is estimated to hold 5.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. The field is inside Block 12, which is operated by a consortium made up of Chevron, NewMed Energy and Shell.\n\nAgreements with Egypt foresee gas from the Cronos and Aphrodite fields to be sent to Egypt via a pipeline for either domestic use or to be processed at Egyptian facilities for export to Europe and other markets.\n\nCyprus' Energy Minister George Panastasiou also said that ExxonMobil, Eni and Total could partner up to jointly develop their gas deposits found in close proximity to each other.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A consortium made up of ExxonMobil and partner Qatar Energy International has made a second natural gas discovery beneath the seabed south of Cyprus, the government said on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>New natural gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean could help Europe lessen its dependence on Russian hydrocarbons by diversifying its energy supply and help buttress a budding energy partnership between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, said John Sitilides, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and geopolitical strategist at Trilogy Advisors in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>\"Washington and Brussels would be wise to support this hydrocarbon network to develop a greater measure of critical energy independence for Europe's hopeful re-industrialisation,\" Sitilides said.<\/p>\n<p>Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement that ExxonMobil's vice president, John Ardill, briefed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides about the discovery at the Pegasus-1 well during a teleconference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9242050,9336690\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//06//20//energy-in-europe-is-also-at-stake-as-israel-iran-tension-escalates/">Energy in Europe is also at stake as Israel-Iran conflict escalates<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//04//29//bp-sees-major-downturn-as-gas-trading-and-refining-divisions-lag/">BP sees major downturn as gas trading and refining divisions lag<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The well was discovered about 190 kilometres (118 miles) southwest of Cyprus at a depth of 1,921 meters (6,302 feet) of water. No estimates of the quantity of natural gas were given. The statement said more assessments will be conducted in the coming months to evaluate the results.<\/p>\n<p>The ExxonMobil-Qatar Energy consortium holds exploration licences for two areas \u2014 or blocks \u2014 inside Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. In 2019, the consortium discovered the Glaucus-1 well inside the same Block 10 where the Pegasus-1 well is located. Cypriot authorities say Glaucus-1 is estimated to contain 3.7 trillion cubic feet of gas.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Pegasus-1 is the sixth natural gas deposit to be discovered inside Cyprus' economic zone in the last 14 years. Other deposits include the Zeus, Cronos and Calypso wells, which lie inside Block 6 that is operated by a consortium made up of Italy's Eni and Total of France. Cronos is estimated to hold 3.1 trillion cubic feet of gas, and Zeus 2.5 trillion cubic feet. Calypso is still being evaluated.<\/p>\n<p>The Eni-Total consortium holds exploration licences for four blocks.<\/p>\n<p>The earliest field to be discovered, Aphrodite, is estimated to hold 5.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. The field is inside Block 12, which is operated by a consortium made up of Chevron, NewMed Energy and Shell.<\/p>\n<p>Agreements with Egypt foresee gas from the Cronos and Aphrodite fields to be sent to Egypt via a pipeline for either domestic use or to be processed at Egyptian facilities for export to Europe and other markets.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus' Energy Minister George Panastasiou also said that ExxonMobil, Eni and Total could partner up to jointly develop their gas deposits found in close proximity to each other.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1751959296,"updatedAt":1751961445,"publishedAt":1751960608,"firstPublishedAt":1751960608,"lastPublishedAt":1751960651,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2021 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"A family sit by the sea with a view of the 'Tungsten Explored' drilling ship, in the southern coastal city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Nov. 3, 2021. ","callToActionText":null,"width":1619,"caption":"A family sit by the sea with a view of the 'Tungsten Explored' drilling ship, in the southern coastal city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Nov. 3, 2021. ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/14\/41\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d47da2af-2270-52d0-9e81-92b620358843-9361441.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":910}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"natural-gas","titleRaw":"Natural gas","id":12727,"title":"Natural gas","slug":"natural-gas"},{"urlSafeValue":"natural-gas-export","titleRaw":"natural gas export","id":11972,"title":"natural gas export","slug":"natural-gas-export"},{"urlSafeValue":"energy","titleRaw":"Energy","id":12764,"title":"Energy","slug":"energy"},{"urlSafeValue":"lng","titleRaw":"LNG","id":26762,"title":"LNG","slug":"lng"},{"urlSafeValue":"cyprus-economy","titleRaw":"Cyprus Economy","id":12488,"title":"Cyprus Economy","slug":"cyprus-economy"},{"urlSafeValue":"exxonmobil","titleRaw":"ExxonMobil ","id":17598,"title":"ExxonMobil ","slug":"exxonmobil"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AP with Doloresz Katanich","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business\/business"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"business","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":11,"title":"Business","slug":"business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":"business","title":"Business","url":"\/business\/business"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":7,"urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/business\/2025\/07\/08\/new-gas-discovery-off-cyprus-coast-may-reduce-eu-energy-dependence","lastModified":1751960651},{"id":2810018,"cid":9335546,"versionId":6,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EE - S01E38 - BICOMMUNAL YOUTH CYPRUS - MASTER","daletPyramidId":1878692,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Young Cypriots envision a future beyond the island's decades-long division","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Young Cypriots push for unity amid decades-long partition","titleListing2":"Cyprus: a never ending partition?","leadin":"Informal discussions were held this spring under the auspices of the UN, in hopes of reigniting reunification talks between the Greek-Cypriot-led Republic of Cyprus in the south, and the Turkish Cypriot breakaway entity in the north. More talks are due in July.","summary":"Informal discussions were held this spring under the auspices of the UN, in hopes of reigniting reunification talks between the Greek-Cypriot-led Republic of Cyprus in the south, and the Turkish Cypriot breakaway entity in the north. More talks are due in July.","keySentence":"","url":"cyprus-a-never-ending-partition","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/07\/02\/cyprus-a-never-ending-partition","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Euronews reporter Valerie Gauriat went to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus to hear from young Cypriots from both sides of the divide about their perspectives on the ongoing partition, and their visions for the future.\n\n\u201cMy generation is dropping down the blame game. We have seen what not to do,\u201d says 28-year-old Turkish Cypriot Berk Tansel. \n\n\u201cWe have to think of ourselves as part of the whole that we are, whether we like it or not,\" echoes Christiana Eftychiou, 22 years old, and a Greek Cypriot. Their friendship grew from a shared commitment to reunification.\n\nCyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-backed coup triggered a Turkish military intervention.\u00a0\n\nThis led to a split between the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus and the self-declared entity in the north, recognised only by Turkey.\n\nWhile the Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern entity, which remains under Turkish military presence.\u00a0\n\nBerk and Christiana routinely cross the checkpoints separating the two communities.\n\n\u201cI grew up in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, and experienced what it means to be a European citizen, but technically not live in the EU where EU acquis is enforced\u00a0\u00bb, says Berk.\n\n\u201cYour rights are suspended, there's corruption ... And this place being a legal international black hole, it pushes the mafia, human trafficking, sex trafficking.\u201d\n\nThe \u201conly way out\u201d insists Berk, \u201cis the agreed UN framework, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, where the EU acquis is applied all across the island.\u201d\n\nChristiana has more faith in grassroots action than formal politics.\n\n\u201cWe need to change the narrative. We have narratives shaping the identity of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in our education, our everyday life. There\u2019s a construction of the \u2018other person\u2019 that you never really get to meet.\"\n\nA sociology student, she advocates for \u201cmore common spaces, more exposure to whatever we deem as \u2018the other\u2019, so that it is not a threat anymore. This is not being encouraged, on a larger scale,\u201d sighs Christiana. \n\n\u201cIf we carry on the way we do, with the idea of a Federation taking a big part in political discourse, but no practical action towards that, nothing will happen,\u201d she warns.\n\nChances of reopening official reunification talks, stalled since 2017, are thin, according to Hubert Faustmann, a professor at the University of Nicosia and director of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation\u2019s Cyprus Office.\n\n\u201cThe Turkish Cypriot and Turkish positions have shifted. They insist on the recognition of equal sovereignty, or even of the separatist 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', as a prerequisite for talks. The Greek Cypriot side and the international community will never accept this,\" Faustmann told Euronews.\n\nAs for the European Union\u2019s role, the analyst is sceptical.\n\n\u201cGiven that the Greek Cypriot-dominated Republic of Cyprus has joined the EU, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots reject an active role of the European Union,\u201d he explains, while acknowledging the Cyprus problem is \u201ca European problem\u201d.\n\n\u201cThere's a part of European territory, legally speaking, that's occupied by Turkey.\"\n\nThere's an unresolved dispute pitting the European Union against Turkey, with many EU states having no interest in a confrontation with Turkey.\n\nWhile the Greek policy is to use EU membership against Turkey to get concessions in the Cyprus question,\u201d said Faustmann.\n\n\u201cThis is a stable conflict. It's very much conflict management rather than conflict resolution. I fear the status quo is here for years to come, with this island slowly drifting into permanent partition,\" he concluded.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Euronews reporter Valerie Gauriat went to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus to hear from young Cypriots from both sides of the divide about their perspectives on the ongoing partition, and their visions for the future.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy generation is dropping down the blame game. We have seen what not to do,\u201d says 28-year-old Turkish Cypriot Berk Tansel. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have to think of ourselves as part of the whole that we are, whether we like it or not,\" echoes Christiana Eftychiou, 22 years old, and a Greek Cypriot. Their friendship grew from a shared commitment to reunification.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-backed coup triggered a Turkish military intervention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This led to a split between the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus and the self-declared entity in the north, recognised only by Turkey.<\/p>\n<p>While the Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern entity, which remains under Turkish military presence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Berk and Christiana routinely cross the checkpoints separating the two communities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI grew up in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, and experienced what it means to be a European citizen, but technically not live in the EU where EU acquis is enforced\u00a0\u00bb, says Berk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour rights are suspended, there's corruption ... And this place being a legal international black hole, it pushes the mafia, human trafficking, sex trafficking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The \u201conly way out\u201d insists Berk, \u201cis the agreed UN framework, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, where the EU acquis is applied all across the island.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Christiana has more faith in grassroots action than formal politics.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to change the narrative. We have narratives shaping the identity of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in our education, our everyday life. There\u2019s a construction of the \u2018other person\u2019 that you never really get to meet.\"<\/p>\n<p>A sociology student, she advocates for \u201cmore common spaces, more exposure to whatever we deem as \u2018the other\u2019, so that it is not a threat anymore. This is not being encouraged, on a larger scale,\u201d sighs Christiana. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we carry on the way we do, with the idea of a Federation taking a big part in political discourse, but no practical action towards that, nothing will happen,\u201d she warns.<\/p>\n<p>Chances of reopening official reunification talks, stalled since 2017, are thin, according to Hubert Faustmann, a professor at the University of Nicosia and director of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation\u2019s Cyprus Office.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Turkish Cypriot and Turkish positions have shifted. They insist on the recognition of equal sovereignty, or even of the separatist 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', as a prerequisite for talks. The Greek Cypriot side and the international community will never accept this,\" Faustmann told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>As for the European Union\u2019s role, the analyst is sceptical.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven that the Greek Cypriot-dominated Republic of Cyprus has joined the EU, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots reject an active role of the European Union,\u201d he explains, while acknowledging the Cyprus problem is \u201ca European problem\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere's a part of European territory, legally speaking, that's occupied by Turkey.\"<\/p>\n<p>There's an unresolved dispute pitting the European Union against Turkey, with many EU states having no interest in a confrontation with Turkey.<\/p>\n<p>While the Greek policy is to use EU membership against Turkey to get concessions in the Cyprus question,\u201d said Faustmann.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a stable conflict. It's very much conflict management rather than conflict resolution. I fear the status quo is here for years to come, with this island slowly drifting into permanent partition,\" he concluded.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1750344395,"updatedAt":1751657525,"publishedAt":1751473853,"firstPublishedAt":1751473853,"lastPublishedAt":1751657525,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/33\/55\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4b8babb3-5cdd-55ad-b9b6-a7f60a6991b0-9335546.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":28,"urlSafeValue":"gauriat","title":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat","twitter":"@valgauriat"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10581,"slug":"cyprus-politics","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-politics","title":"Cyprus politics","titleRaw":"Cyprus politics"},{"id":10073,"slug":"turkey-cyprus-relation","urlSafeValue":"turkey-cyprus-relation","title":"Turkey-Cyprus relation","titleRaw":"Turkey-Cyprus relation"},{"id":11678,"slug":"youth","urlSafeValue":"youth","title":"Youth","titleRaw":"Youth"},{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":284,"slug":"turkey","urlSafeValue":"turkey","title":"Turkiye (Turkey)","titleRaw":"Turkiye (Turkey)"},{"id":9331,"slug":"european-politics","urlSafeValue":"european-politics","title":"European politics","titleRaw":"European politics"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2816316}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"eYxtK8nbjak","dailymotionId":"x9mcjj0"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/19\/23\/07\/00\/ED_PYR_1923070_20250704192700.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":64955952,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/19\/23\/07\/00\/SHD_PYR_1923070_20250704192700.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":101228216,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/19\/23\/07\/00\/FHD_PYR_1923070_20250704192700.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":364869134,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europeans-stories","urlSafeValue":"europeans-stories","title":"Europeans' Stories","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/my-europe-series\/europeans-stories"},"season":"EUROPEANS STORIES_S01","episode":"S01E38 - BICOMMUNAL YOUTH CYPRUS","episodeId":"566","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"my-europe-series","urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"My Europe Series","url":"\/my-europe\/my-europe-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":60,"urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"Europe Series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122006","84051001","84052001","84111001","84112001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","education","education_general","law_government_and_politics","law_government_and_politics_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/07\/02\/cyprus-a-never-ending-partition","lastModified":1751657525},{"id":2809200,"cid":9330127,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"INDIA CYPRUS DEFENCE DEAL","daletPyramidId":1840263,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"India and Cyprus to boost defence and maritime cooperation, Modi says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"India and Cyprus to boost defence and maritime cooperation, Modi says","titleListing2":"India and Cyprus to boost defence, maritime and cybersecurity ties. ","leadin":"Indian PM Narendra Modi and the president of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides also announced plans for joint naval operations, a terrorism information-sharing mechanism and support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.","summary":"Indian PM Narendra Modi and the president of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides also announced plans for joint naval operations, a terrorism information-sharing mechanism and support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.","keySentence":"","url":"india-and-cyprus-to-boost-defence-and-maritime-cooperation-modi-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/06\/16\/india-and-cyprus-to-boost-defence-and-maritime-cooperation-modi-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"India will strengthen its defence partnership with Cyprus through expanded collaboration between their defence sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday during a state visit to the island nation \u2014 the first by an Indian premier in over two decades.\n\nModi, following talks with the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stated that bilateral cooperation in maritime security and cybersecurity would be intensified, although he did not elaborate on specifics.\u00a0\n\nThe two nations also agreed to establish an information-sharing framework aimed at countering terrorism.\n\nIn a joint statement, both leaders pledged to enhance maritime cooperation, including more frequent Indian naval visits to Cypriot ports and the exploration of joint training and search-and-rescue operations.\n\nHighlighting the strategic importance of Cyprus in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Modi said the initiative could foster \u201cpeace and prosperity in the Middle East.\u201d\n\nThe corridor aims to enhance trade, energy, and digital connectivity, positioning Cyprus as a key hub due to its proximity to India and the Middle East.\n\nChristodoulides described Cyprus as India\u2019s \u201cgateway into Europe,\u201d offering a base for Indian firms looking to expand westward.\u00a0\n\nHe committed to backing key infrastructure initiatives like IMEC and noted that deepening India-EU ties \u2014 including progress on a free trade agreement \u2014 would be a priority during Cyprus\u2019s EU presidency in the first half of 2026.\n\nModi hailed the visit as the beginning of a \u201cnew era\u201d in India-Cyprus relations, rooted in long-standing ties and mutual values.\n\nBoth countries, once British colonies, share a history of cooperation through the Non-Aligned Movement, having remained independent of Cold War allegiances.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>India will strengthen its defence partnership with Cyprus through expanded collaboration between their defence sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday during a state visit to the island nation \u2014 the first by an Indian premier in over two decades.<\/p>\n<p>Modi, following talks with the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stated that bilateral cooperation in maritime security and cybersecurity would be intensified, although he did not elaborate on specifics.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The two nations also agreed to establish an information-sharing framework aimed at countering terrorism.<\/p>\n<p>In a joint statement, both leaders pledged to enhance maritime cooperation, including more frequent Indian naval visits to Cypriot ports and the exploration of joint training and search-and-rescue operations.<\/p>\n<p>Highlighting the strategic importance of Cyprus in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Modi said the initiative could foster \u201cpeace and prosperity in the Middle East.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The corridor aims to enhance trade, energy, and digital connectivity, positioning Cyprus as a key hub due to its proximity to India and the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Christodoulides described Cyprus as India\u2019s \u201cgateway into Europe,\u201d offering a base for Indian firms looking to expand westward.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He committed to backing key infrastructure initiatives like IMEC and noted that deepening India-EU ties \u2014 including progress on a free trade agreement \u2014 would be a priority during Cyprus\u2019s EU presidency in the first half of 2026.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9328746,9286876\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//06//15//indian-pm-modis-visit-to-cyprus-upgrade-of-indo-european-relations/">Indian PM Modi's visit to Cyprus - upgrade of Indo-European relations?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//05//16//india-and-pakistan-look-to-eu-to-defuse-conflict-in-different-ways/">India and Pakistan look to EU to defuse conflict in different ways<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Modi hailed the visit as the beginning of a \u201cnew era\u201d in India-Cyprus relations, rooted in long-standing ties and mutual values.<\/p>\n<p>Both countries, once British colonies, share a history of cooperation through the Non-Aligned Movement, having remained independent of Cold War allegiances.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1750079865,"updatedAt":1750085891,"publishedAt":1750085824,"firstPublishedAt":1750085824,"lastPublishedAt":1750085824,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/33\/01\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_da60c054-1d47-566b-b7b0-0185f4d24d05-9330127.jpg","altText":"India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides shake hands during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, 16 June 2025 ","caption":"India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides shake hands during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, 16 June 2025 ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Iakovos Hatzistavrou\/Pool Photo via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3252,"urlSafeValue":"al-yahyai","title":"Oman Al Yahyai","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":148,"slug":"india","urlSafeValue":"india","title":"India","titleRaw":"India"},{"id":68,"slug":"defence","urlSafeValue":"defence","title":"Defence","titleRaw":"Defence"},{"id":7899,"slug":"bilateral-meetings","urlSafeValue":"bilateral-meetings","title":"Bilateral meetings","titleRaw":"Bilateral meetings"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2801230},{"id":2792538},{"id":2816316}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/06\/16\/india-and-cyprus-to-boost-defence-and-maritime-cooperation-modi-says","lastModified":1750085824},{"id":2808948,"cid":9328746,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS MODI VISIT","daletPyramidId":1830554,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Indian PM Modi's visit to Cyprus - upgrade of Indo-European relations?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Indian PM Modi's visit to Cyprus - upgrade of Indo-European relations?","titleListing2":"Indian PM Modi's visit to Cyprus - upgrade of Indo-European relations?","leadin":"The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit marks a shift in New Delhi's relations with both Nicosia and Brussels, as Cyprus takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January.","summary":"The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit marks a shift in New Delhi's relations with both Nicosia and Brussels, as Cyprus takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January.","keySentence":"","url":"indian-pm-modis-visit-to-cyprus-upgrade-of-indo-european-relations","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/06\/15\/indian-pm-modis-visit-to-cyprus-upgrade-of-indo-european-relations","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Narendra Modi is expected to sign multi-level cooperation agreements between India and the Republic of Cyprus during his visit to the island on the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over two decades.\n\nThe official talks between President Nicos Christodoulides and the Indian Prime Minister will take place on Monday, when Narendra Modi will be officially received at the Presidential Palace. However, already after his reception at Larnaca airport on Sunday, Modi and Christodoulides will attend a meeting of businessmen from Cyprus and India in Limassol before sitting down to an informal working dinner.\n\nModi's visit follows an invitation extended to him by Christodoulides and comes eight years after then President Nicos Anastasiades visited India. President Tassos Papadopoulos had also visited India in 2006, while the last time an Indian Prime Minister visited Cyprus was in 2002 with Atal Bihari Vazbayi. \n\nTurkey not happy about developing relations\n\nModi is coming to Cyprus before heading to Canada for the G7 summit. This is the Indian prime minister's first trip abroad since the Pakistan crisis and it is seen as particularly meaningful in view of Turkey's activities in the region, given Ankara's support for Islamabad.\n\nCyprus is already preparing to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (first half of 2026) and New Delhi and Nicosia are seeking to strengthen and possibly upgrade their already close relations, as India sees Cyprus as a \"bridge\" to the EU - perhaps even \"rewarding\" its supportive stance on the Kashmir issue.\n\nConversely, India's developing relations with both Greece and Cyprus are not seen in a good light by Turkey, with reports in the Turkish press portraying the moves as negative for Ankara.\n\nThe discussions between the two delegations, apart from the Indo-European and Indo-Cypriot relationship, will also touch on the Indian strategic project of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).\n\nThe Indian Prime Minister will be accompanied by a large delegation and he will be given a tour by President Christodoulides of the ceasefire line in Nicosia before a formal lunch at the Presidential Palace and his departure for Canada.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Narendra Modi is expected to sign multi-level cooperation agreements between India and the Republic of Cyprus during his visit to the island on the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over two decades.<\/p>\n<p>The official talks between President Nicos Christodoulides and the Indian Prime Minister will take place on Monday, when Narendra Modi will be officially received at the Presidential Palace. However, already after his reception at Larnaca airport on Sunday, Modi and Christodoulides will attend a meeting of businessmen from Cyprus and India in Limassol before sitting down to an informal working dinner.<\/p>\n<p>Modi's visit follows an invitation extended to him by Christodoulides and comes eight years after then President Nicos Anastasiades visited India. President Tassos Papadopoulos had also visited India in 2006, while the last time an Indian Prime Minister visited Cyprus was in 2002 with Atal Bihari Vazbayi. <\/p>\n<h2>Turkey not happy about developing relations<\/h2>\n<p>Modi is coming to Cyprus before heading to Canada for the G7 summit. This is the Indian prime minister's first trip abroad since the Pakistan crisis and it is seen as particularly meaningful in view of Turkey's activities in the region, given Ankara's support for Islamabad.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus is already preparing to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (first half of 2026) and New Delhi and Nicosia are seeking to strengthen and possibly upgrade their already close relations, as India sees Cyprus as a \"bridge\" to the EU - perhaps even \"rewarding\" its supportive stance on the Kashmir issue.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, India's developing relations with both Greece and Cyprus are not seen in a good light by Turkey, with reports in the Turkish press portraying the moves as negative for Ankara.<\/p>\n<p>The discussions between the two delegations, apart from the Indo-European and Indo-Cypriot relationship, will also touch on the Indian strategic project of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).<\/p>\n<p>The Indian Prime Minister will be accompanied by a large delegation and he will be given a tour by President Christodoulides of the ceasefire line in Nicosia before a formal lunch at the Presidential Palace and his departure for Canada.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1749978846,"updatedAt":1749987399,"publishedAt":1749987392,"firstPublishedAt":1749987392,"lastPublishedAt":1749987392,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/32\/87\/43\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e2f2da0d-4bf0-5971-879f-fc1d3459d902-9328743.jpg","altText":"Narendra Modi","caption":"Narendra Modi","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Manish Swarup\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":572,"urlSafeValue":"kitsikopoulos","title":"Panos Kitsikopoulos","twitter":"@Panos_Kitsi"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":148,"slug":"india","urlSafeValue":"india","title":"India","titleRaw":"India"},{"id":13652,"slug":"narendra-modi","urlSafeValue":"narendra-modi","title":"Narendra Modi","titleRaw":"Narendra Modi"},{"id":14260,"slug":"nikos-christodoulides","urlSafeValue":"nikos-christodoulides","title":"Nikos Christodoulides","titleRaw":"Nikos Christodoulides"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2803981},{"id":2800552},{"id":2664162}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9328743,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/06\/15\/indian-pm-modis-visit-to-cyprus-upgrade-of-indo-european-relations","lastModified":1749987392},{"id":2806423,"cid":9315271,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EE - S01E34 - ILLEGAL LANDFILLS CYPRUS - MASTER","daletPyramidId":1715873,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Doubtful waste management: is Cyprus doing enough to fight illegal landfills?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Is Cyprus doing enough to fight illegal landfills?","titleListing2":"Doubtful waste management: is Cyprus doing enough to fight illegal landfills?","leadin":"The Republic of Cyprus has a serious issue with its waste management. The island recycles far less than required by European Union legislation and sends much more to landfill. It also has numerous illegal dumping grounds. What is the extent of the problem, and what are the possible solutions?","summary":"The Republic of Cyprus has a serious issue with its waste management. The island recycles far less than required by European Union legislation and sends much more to landfill. It also has numerous illegal dumping grounds. What is the extent of the problem, and what are the possible solutions?","keySentence":"","url":"doubtful-waste-management-is-cyprus-doing-enough-to-fight-illegal-landfills","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/06\/11\/doubtful-waste-management-is-cyprus-doing-enough-to-fight-illegal-landfills","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Every year the European Union produces 2.2 billion tons of waste; around 5 tons per capita. The European Union promotes prevention and re-use, followed by recycling if not possible. The final and most harmful option is disposal.\n\nAround 15% of EU waste currently ends up in landfills and their use is heavily regulated. A 1999 Directive lays down standards to protect human health and the environment, namely surface water, groundwater, soil and air, from the negative effects of waste collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal. Only safe and controlled landfill activities are allowed. Failure to comply results in fines.\u00a0\n\nThe Directive limits the share of municipal waste landfilled to less than 10% by 2035. Illegal landfills across the EU have steadily decreased over past years. However, the European Commission has referred\u00a0several\u00a0 Member States to\u00a0the Court of Justice of the EU, and Cyprus has already been condemned for its failure to control illegal dumping.\u00a0\n\nLocal NGOs in the Republic of Cyprus have been tracking and denouncing illegal dumps for years.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThe main consequences are for the environment, and they are also for human health. All this trash leaves toxins and pollutes nature, it pollutes our groundwater, it pollutes everything,\u201d says Natasa Ioannou, Project Leader at Friends of the Earth Cyprus as we walk through a massive illegal dump near Nicosia, the country\u2019s capital.\u00a0\n\nYet solutions are at hand, she claims.\u00a0\n\n\u201cYou definitely need to have a concise, organised and very well-established (disposal) infrastructure. Because if people don\u2019t have a \u2018green point\u2019 close to them, this is what is going to happen in the end. The second solution is policing and, of course, enforcing all the laws. When you know that there is something going on and it has been going on for quite a long time, surveillance cameras need to be implemented. You also need to give incentives to people to manage their waste. It\u2019s not always, I mean, \u2018you\u2019re doing this wrong; I\u2019m going to give you a fine\u2019. There always has to be other opportunities for circular economy practices.\u201d \u00a0\n\nActivists have helped to develop an interactive map where dumps are tracked in real time. \u00a0\n\n\u201cWhen I come to these places and I see these things, I feel anger and disappointment. I mean, this is not how our countryside should be. This is not how Cyprus should be. It\u2019s disgusting,\u201d says Natasa as she takes us to a second illegal landfill just 30 minutes away from the first one. \u201cWhat authorities say to us is that they don\u2019t have the resources. Then you need to find the ways to get the resources. Having the same excuse year after year after year, it shows lack of political will.\u201d \u00a0\n\nWhat are Cyprus authorities doing?\n\nA very limited but concrete response comes from a small district in Nicosia, the first to introduce the \u201cPay-as-you-throw\u201d programme.\u00a0\n\nEncouraged by the EU, the scheme allows waste fees paid by users to be modulated according to the amount of mixed waste delivered to the management system, explains the district\u2019s deputy mayor. \u00a0\n\n\u201cIn the first year of the system\u2019s implementation, we managed 5,000 tons of waste. You generate a 40% reduction in municipal garbage,\u201d explains Andreas Constantinou, the district\u2019s deputy mayor. \u201cThe road to change mindsets was not paved with rose petals, but we invested mainly in the new generation. We entered schools and tried, through children, to change the mindsets of grown-ups.\u201d\u00a0\n\nOther municipalities are set to follow the example soon. But this falls short of the country\u2019s huge needs. The very day of our filming, the European Commission sent Cyprus to the EU Court of Justice once again, and requested more fines for its failure to manage illegal landfills.\u00a0\n\nThe Director of the country\u2019s Department for the Environment meets us in one of Nicosia\u2019s eight Green Points, where 8,000 tons of waste were sorted last year.\n\nThe Government acknowledges decades-long \u201cinertia\u201d and \u201cweaknesses\u201d in its waste management.\u00a0\n\nBut Theodoulos Mesimeris claims things will soon improve.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThere are more than 20 Green Points operating now in Cyprus, and the aim is to have the right network. So another 50 such points have been launched, as well as other infrastructures, such as \u2018green corners\u2019 and recycling areas, so that we can provide the right choices for citizens and the availability of materials for recovery, for re-use, for recycling. It is a fact that the existing infrastructure cannot meet the requirements of the institutional framework,\u201d he says.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThe restoration and cleaning of the remaining points will be underway within the next two months. The objective is to clean Cyprus of illegal waste sites immediately and at the same time to have those mechanisms that will not allow the phenomenon of illegal dumping to happen again.\u201d\u00a0\n\nCyprus\u2019s own government has acknowledged that the cost of remediating an illegal dump is higher than operating a lawful waste-management facility.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Every year the European Union produces 2.2 billion tons of waste; around 5 tons per capita. The European Union promotes prevention and re-use, followed by recycling if not possible. The final and most harmful option is disposal.<\/p>\n<p>Around 15% of EU waste currently ends up in landfills and their use is heavily regulated. A 1999 Directive lays down standards to protect human health and the environment, namely surface water, groundwater, soil and air, from the negative effects of waste collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal. Only safe and controlled landfill activities are allowed. Failure to comply results in fines.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Directive limits the share of municipal waste landfilled to less than 10% by 2035. Illegal landfills across the EU have steadily decreased over past years. However, the European Commission has referred\u00a0several\u00a0 Member States to\u00a0the Court of Justice of the EU, and Cyprus has already been condemned for its failure to control illegal dumping.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Local NGOs in the Republic of Cyprus have been tracking and denouncing illegal dumps for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5545\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//31//52//90//808x449_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg/" alt=\"Natasa Ioannou, Project Leader at Friends of the Earth Cyprus at an illegal landfill near Nicosia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/384x213_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/640x355_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/750x416_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/828x459_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1080x599_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1200x665_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1920x1065_cmsv2_5b4a42f4-e56b-5fc3-8cc3-67b4d9862dad-9315290.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Natasa Ioannou, Project Leader at Friends of the Earth Cyprus at an illegal landfill near Nicosia<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThe main consequences are for the environment, and they are also for human health. All this trash leaves toxins and pollutes nature, it pollutes our groundwater, it pollutes everything,\u201d says Natasa Ioannou, Project Leader at Friends of the Earth Cyprus as we walk through a massive illegal dump near Nicosia, the country\u2019s capital.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Yet solutions are at hand, she claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou definitely need to have a concise, organised and very well-established (disposal) infrastructure. Because if people don\u2019t have a \u2018green point\u2019 close to them, this is what is going to happen in the end. The second solution is policing and, of course, enforcing all the laws. When you know that there is something going on and it has been going on for quite a long time, surveillance cameras need to be implemented.** You also need to give incentives to people to manage their waste. It\u2019s not always, I mean, \u2018you\u2019re doing this wrong; I\u2019m going to give you a fine\u2019. There always has to be other opportunities for circular economy practices.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6015\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//31//52//90//808x487_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg/" alt=\"Another illegal dump 30 minutes away from Nicosia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/384x231_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/640x385_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/750x451_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/828x498_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1080x650_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1200x722_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1920x1155_cmsv2_bbb624a7-6a22-5eb0-bb54-93f28e0157b3-9315290.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Another illegal dump 30 minutes away from Nicosia<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Activists have helped to develop an interactive map where dumps are tracked in real time. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I come to these places and I see these things, I feel anger and disappointment. I mean, this is not how our countryside should be. This is not how Cyprus should be. It\u2019s disgusting,\u201d says Natasa as she takes us to a second illegal landfill just 30 minutes away from the first one. \u201cWhat authorities say to us is that they don\u2019t have the resources. Then you need to find the ways to get the resources. Having the same excuse year after year after year, it shows lack of political will.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>What are Cyprus authorities doing?<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5565\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//31//52//90//808x449_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg/" alt=\"Cyprus\u2019s own government estimates there are 700 illegal dumps scattered around the country\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/384x214_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/640x356_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/750x417_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/828x461_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1080x601_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1200x668_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1920x1068_cmsv2_c5ddc71c-b28b-5c4e-b8b8-921188f648fb-9315290.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Cyprus\u2019s own government estimates there are 700 illegal dumps scattered around the country<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>A very limited but concrete response comes from a small district in Nicosia, the first to introduce the \u201cPay-as-you-throw\u201d programme.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Encouraged by the EU, the scheme allows waste fees paid by users to be modulated according to the amount of mixed waste delivered to the management system, explains the district\u2019s deputy mayor. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the first year of the system\u2019s implementation, we managed 5,000 tons of waste. You generate a 40% reduction in municipal garbage,\u201d explains Andreas Constantinou, the district\u2019s deputy mayor. \u201cThe road to change mindsets was not paved with rose petals, but we invested mainly in the new generation. We entered schools and tried, through children, to change the mindsets of grown-ups.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.56\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//31//52//90//808x451_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg/" alt=\"Andreas Constantinou, Aglantzia District Deputy Mayor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/384x215_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/640x358_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/750x420_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/828x464_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1080x605_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1200x672_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1920x1075_cmsv2_6dc30483-4830-505e-b79e-85789da01d8d-9315290.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Andreas Constantinou, Aglantzia District Deputy Mayor<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Other municipalities are set to follow the example soon. But this falls short of the country\u2019s huge needs. The very day of our filming, the European Commission sent Cyprus to the EU Court of Justice once again, and requested more fines for its failure to manage illegal landfills.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Director of the country\u2019s Department for the Environment meets us in one of Nicosia\u2019s eight Green Points, where 8,000 tons of waste were sorted last year.<\/p>\n<p>The Government acknowledges decades-long \u201cinertia\u201d and \u201cweaknesses\u201d in its waste management.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But Theodoulos Mesimeris claims things will soon improve.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.574\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//31//52//90//808x464_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg/" alt=\"Theodoulos Mesimeris, Director of the Environment Department, Republic of Cyprus\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/384x220_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/640x367_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/750x430_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/828x475_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1080x620_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1200x689_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1920x1102_cmsv2_ecea071e-b3f9-5b36-bcaf-65be4e539564-9315290.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Theodoulos Mesimeris, Director of the Environment Department, Republic of Cyprus<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThere are more than 20 Green Points operating now in Cyprus, and the aim is to have the right network. So another 50 such points have been launched, as well as other infrastructures, such as \u2018green corners\u2019 and recycling areas, so that we can provide the right choices for citizens and the availability of materials for recovery, for re-use, for recycling. It is a fact that the existing infrastructure cannot meet the requirements of the institutional framework,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe restoration and cleaning of the remaining points will be underway within the next two months. The objective is to clean Cyprus of illegal waste sites immediately and at the same time to have those mechanisms that will not allow the phenomenon of illegal dumping to happen again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus\u2019s own government has acknowledged that the cost of remediating an illegal dump is higher than operating a lawful waste-management facility.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.549\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//31//52//90//808x444_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg/" alt=\"One of the eight Green Points in Nicosia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/384x211_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/640x351_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/750x412_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/828x455_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1080x593_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1200x659_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/1920x1054_cmsv2_3c2418fe-1147-5eb6-8645-ae625f34af3a-9315290.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">One of the eight Green Points in Nicosia<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1749031029,"updatedAt":1749646906,"publishedAt":1749646825,"firstPublishedAt":1749646825,"lastPublishedAt":1749646906,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/31\/52\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8e5b20a5-94b6-566c-be85-a4bbb3367356-9315290.jpg","altText":"An illegal landfill near Nicosia, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus","caption":"An illegal landfill near Nicosia, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1109}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"id":75,"urlSafeValue":"gomez","title":"Julian GOMEZ","twitter":null}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7930,"slug":"pollution","urlSafeValue":"pollution","title":"Pollution","titleRaw":"Pollution"},{"id":8913,"slug":"recycling","urlSafeValue":"recycling","title":"Recycling","titleRaw":"Recycling"},{"id":9507,"slug":"environmental-protection","urlSafeValue":"environmental-protection","title":"Environmental protection","titleRaw":"Environmental protection"},{"id":10581,"slug":"cyprus-politics","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-politics","title":"Cyprus politics","titleRaw":"Cyprus politics"},{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":6}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/17\/15\/97\/09\/ED_PYR_1715979_20250610154731.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":64960562,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/17\/15\/97\/09\/SHD_PYR_1715979_20250610154731.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":101252172,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/17\/15\/97\/09\/FHD_PYR_1715979_20250610154731.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":366653487,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europeans-stories","urlSafeValue":"europeans-stories","title":"Europeans' Stories","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/my-europe-series\/europeans-stories"},"season":"EUROPEANS STORIES_S01","episode":"S01E34 - ILLEGAL LANDFILLS CYPRUS","episodeId":"518","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"my-europe-series","urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"My Europe Series","url":"\/my-europe\/my-europe-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":60,"urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"Europe Series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/06\/11\/doubtful-waste-management-is-cyprus-doing-enough-to-fight-illegal-landfills","lastModified":1749646906},{"id":2804928,"cid":9307476,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS SYRIAN REFUGEES","daletPyramidId":1658430,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyprus offers Syrians resettlement money to return home, migration minister says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyprus offers money for migrants to return to Syria, minister says","titleListing2":"Cyprus offers Syrians resettlement money to return home, migration minister says","leadin":"Syrian nationals make up the largest group of asylum-seekers on the island.","summary":"Syrian nationals make up the largest group of asylum-seekers on the island.","keySentence":"","url":"cyprus-offers-syrians-resettlement-money-to-return-home-migration-minister-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/29\/cyprus-offers-syrians-resettlement-money-to-return-home-migration-minister-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus will offer Syrians money to help them resettle back in their home country, while allowing each family's main earner to remain on the island to work for up to three years, a Cypriot minister has said.\n\nDeputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides said Syrians would qualify for the voluntary repatriation programme if they drop their asylum claims or rescind international protection status already granted to them before 31 December 2024.\n\nUnveiling the scheme, Ioannides added that families who agree to return will be given a one-off sum of \u20ac2,000 for one adult and \u20ac1,000 for each child. Childless couples are also eligible to apply. \n\nThe application period will run from 2 June to 31 August.\n\nThe family's main earner \u2014 either the father or mother \u2014 will be granted a special residency and work permit allowing them to stay in Cyprus for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. \n\nThey will be allowed to travel back and forth to Syria while their residency and work permit are valid.\n\nIoannides said that many Syrians have expressed their willingness to return and help rebuild their country, following the ousting of the dictator Bashar al-Assad in December.\n\nHowever, they are reluctant to do so because of the uncertainty around the jobs market in their home country, he said. \n\nThe Cypriot programme aims to help families overcome such concerns by giving them some financial guarantees, according to Andreas Georgiades, the head of Cyprus' Asylum Service. \n\nSyrian nationals make up the largest group of asylum-seekers in Cyprus by a significant margin.\n\nAccording to Asylum Service figures, 4,226 Syrians applied for asylum last year, almost 10 times as many as the next largest group. \n\n\"This new programme is a targeted, humanitarian and realistic policy that bolsters Syria's post-war transition to normality,\" Ioannides claimed. \n\nIoannides repeated that a 2009 search and rescue agreement between Cyprus and Syria enables Cypriot authorities to send back boatloads of Syrian migrants trying to reach the island. \n\nIoannides said that two inflatable boats\u00a0each carrying 30 Syrian migrants were recently turned back in line with the agreement. \n\nCyprus denies suggestions from both the UN refugee agency and Europe's top human rights body that is engaged in pushbacks. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus will offer Syrians money to help them resettle back in their home country, while allowing each family's main earner to remain on the island to work for up to three years, a Cypriot minister has said.<\/p>\n<p>Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides said Syrians would qualify for the voluntary repatriation programme if they drop their asylum claims or rescind international protection status already granted to them before 31 December 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Unveiling the scheme, Ioannides added that families who agree to return will be given a one-off sum of \u20ac2,000 for one adult and \u20ac1,000 for each child. Childless couples are also eligible to apply. <\/p>\n<p>The application period will run from 2 June to 31 August.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//30//74//76//808x539_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg/" alt=\"Migrant women from Syria walk towards a refugee camp at Kokkinotrimithia outside of the capital Nicosia, 10 September, 2017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/384x256_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/640x427_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/750x500_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/828x552_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/1080x720_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/1200x800_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/1920x1280_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Migrant women from Syria walk towards a refugee camp at Kokkinotrimithia outside of the capital Nicosia, 10 September, 2017<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The family's main earner \u2014 either the father or mother \u2014 will be granted a special residency and work permit allowing them to stay in Cyprus for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. <\/p>\n<p>They will be allowed to travel back and forth to Syria while their residency and work permit are valid.<\/p>\n<p>Ioannides said that many Syrians have expressed their willingness to return and help rebuild their country, following the ousting of the dictator Bashar al-Assad in December.<\/p>\n<p>However, they are reluctant to do so because of the uncertainty around the jobs market in their home country, he said. <\/p>\n<p>The Cypriot programme aims to help families overcome such concerns by giving them some financial guarantees, according to Andreas Georgiades, the head of Cyprus' Asylum Service. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9200550,8797366,8757582\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//10//17//cypriot-president-christodoulides-urges-more-migration-deals-with-third-countries/">Cypriot President Christodoulides urges more migration deals with third countries<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//04//14//cyprus-sentences-syrian-national-for-bringing-migrants-to-country-on-overloaded-boat/">Cyprus sentences Syrian national for bringing migrants to country on overloaded boat<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//09//27//cyprus-ready-to-manage-evacuation-of-third-country-nationals-as-israel-hezbollah-war-explo/">Cyprus ready to manage evacuation of third country nationals as Israel-Hezbollah war explodes<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Syrian nationals make up the largest group of asylum-seekers in Cyprus by a significant margin.<\/p>\n<p>According to Asylum Service figures, 4,226 Syrians applied for asylum last year, almost 10 times as many as the next largest group. <\/p>\n<p>\"This new programme is a targeted, humanitarian and realistic policy that bolsters Syria's post-war transition to normality,\" Ioannides claimed. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//30//74//76//808x539_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg/" alt=\"Migrants from Syria walk towards a refugee camp at Kokkinotrimithia outside of the capital Nicosia, 10 September, 2017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/384x256_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/640x427_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/750x500_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/828x552_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/1080x720_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/1200x800_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/1920x1280_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Migrants from Syria walk towards a refugee camp at Kokkinotrimithia outside of the capital Nicosia, 10 September, 2017<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Ioannides repeated that a 2009 search and rescue agreement between Cyprus and Syria enables Cypriot authorities to send back boatloads of Syrian migrants trying to reach the island. <\/p>\n<p>Ioannides said that two inflatable boats\u00a0each carrying 30 Syrian migrants were recently turned back in line with the agreement. <\/p>\n<p>Cyprus denies suggestions from both the UN refugee agency and Europe's top human rights body that is engaged in pushbacks. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1748521507,"updatedAt":1748532134,"publishedAt":1748529356,"firstPublishedAt":1748529356,"lastPublishedAt":1748529356,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_79d4dbab-ea9e-5cf8-8719-b30c7fa5d5bd-9307476.jpg","altText":"A Syrian migrant embraces his wife after she arrived with their children at a refugees camp at Kokkinotrimithia outside Nicosia, 4 February, 2017","caption":"A Syrian migrant embraces his wife after she arrived with their children at a refugees camp at Kokkinotrimithia outside Nicosia, 4 February, 2017","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_51ac64a5-3efd-5c46-bb86-af6360e93d5f-9307476.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f4566375-78b9-54d7-9542-faa68ab05ae1-9307476.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/74\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_17496dc0-fa28-5612-8aff-f690cda97f0b-9307476.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":8155,"slug":"syria","urlSafeValue":"syria","title":"Syria","titleRaw":"Syria"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":13190,"slug":"migrants","urlSafeValue":"migrants","title":"Migrants","titleRaw":"Migrants"},{"id":8151,"slug":"refugees","urlSafeValue":"refugees","title":"Refugees","titleRaw":"Refugees"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2805971}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":{"id":2008,"urlSafeValue":"nicosia","title":"Nicosia"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/29\/cyprus-offers-syrians-resettlement-money-to-return-home-migration-minister-says","lastModified":1748529356},{"id":2803981,"cid":9302354,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MARIA HOLGUIN IN CYPRUS","daletPyramidId":1620992,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Turkish Cypriot leader rules out prospect of tripartite meeting","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Turkish Cypriot leader rules out prospect of tripartite meeting","titleListing2":"The Turkish Cypriot leader has ruled out the prospect of tripartite meeting between himself, the Greek Cypriot leader and the UN envoy.","leadin":"Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has also referred to the Republic of Cyprus' arrests of individuals suspected of selling Greek Cypriot-owned property in the Turkish-occupied north of the island as \"terrorism\".","summary":"Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has also referred to the Republic of Cyprus' arrests of individuals suspected of selling Greek Cypriot-owned property in the Turkish-occupied north of the island as \"terrorism\".","keySentence":"","url":"turkish-cypriot-leader-rules-out-prospect-of-tripartite-meeting","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/05\/26\/turkish-cypriot-leader-rules-out-prospect-of-tripartite-meeting","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday shot down the idea of a tripartite meeting between himself, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and UN envoy Mar\u00eda Angela Holgu\u00edn.\n\nFollowing a meeting with Holgu\u00edn, Tatar lashed out at the authorities of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus over recent arrests of individuals suspected of selling Greek Cypriot-owned property in the Turkish-occupied north.\n\nReferring to the arrests as \"terrorist activies\", Tatar said he had told Holgu\u00edn during their meeting in Cyprus that \"there was no need for a tripartite meeting.\" \n\n\"I said that a meeting with Christodoulides could not be held in such an environment, that there was discomfort on the issue of property, and that it would not be right to create such an environment without resolving these issues,\u201d Tatar told public broadcaster CyBC.\n\nThe island nation of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup backed by the Greek junta, which aimed at a union with Greece. The Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island's northern third is recognised only by Turkey, which maintains around 35,000 troops there.\n\nThe Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the Greek Cypriot south, where the island's internationally recognised government is based, enjoys full benefits.\n\nA spate of recent arrests targeted people over the illegal development of property in the north which is owned by Greek Cypriot refugees, who fled south during the 1974 invasion. Two Hungarian nationals were the first to be sentenced to prison over the issue earlier this month.\n\nTatar asked Holgu\u00edn to convey his position to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, adding that \"All this must stop,\" as \"the real victims are the Turkish Cypriot people.\"\n\nChristodoulides 'saddened' by Tatar's comments\n\nChristodoulides had met with Holgu\u00edn on Saturday, after which he indicated the Republic of Cyprus would be \"here to respond\" in the event of a positive response from Tatar.\n\nReferring to the latter's comments on Monday, the Cypriot president said he was \"saddened\". \n\nHe insisted that the judiciary was responsible for the arrests, saying \"the executive authority does not interfere in the judicial authority under any circumstances.\"\n\nHe also reiterated previous comments that \"it would be good for the three of us to sit around a table to discuss and have a free discussion so that we can get closer to the goal of July, so that there are positive developments,\" adding that he would \"definitely\" be holding a new meeting with Holgu\u00edn.\n\nChristodoulides added that Holgu\u00edn's meetings outside Cyprus and especially Turkey would be \"decisive\". The UN envoy is also scheduled to visit Greece, the UK and Brussels.\n\nChristodoulides and Tatar last met in Geneva in mid-March, after which a series of modest confidence-building measures were announced. \n\nGuterres announced a similar meeting is to be held at the end of July. He appointed Holgu\u00edn as his personal envoy on Cyprus in early May. She had previously been in the same role between January and July 2024.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday shot down the idea of a tripartite meeting between himself, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and UN envoy Mar\u00eda Angela Holgu\u00edn.<\/p>\n<p>Following a meeting with Holgu\u00edn, Tatar lashed out at the authorities of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus over recent arrests of individuals suspected of selling Greek Cypriot-owned property in the Turkish-occupied north.<\/p>\n<p>Referring to the arrests as \"terrorist activies\", Tatar said he had told Holgu\u00edn during their meeting in Cyprus that \"there was no need for a tripartite meeting.\" <\/p>\n<p>\"I said that a meeting with Christodoulides could not be held in such an environment, that there was discomfort on the issue of property, and that it would not be right to create such an environment without resolving these issues,\u201d Tatar told public broadcaster CyBC.<\/p>\n<p>The island nation of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup backed by the Greek junta, which aimed at a union with Greece. The Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island's northern third is recognised only by Turkey, which maintains around 35,000 troops there.<\/p>\n<p>The Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the Greek Cypriot south, where the island's internationally recognised government is based, enjoys full benefits.<\/p>\n<p>A spate of recent arrests targeted people over the illegal development of property in the north which is owned by Greek Cypriot refugees, who fled south during the 1974 invasion. Two Hungarian nationals were the first to be sentenced to prison over the issue earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p>Tatar asked Holgu\u00edn to convey his position to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, adding that \"All this must stop,\" as \"the real victims are the Turkish Cypriot people.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Christodoulides 'saddened' by Tatar's comments<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Christodoulides had met with Holgu\u00edn on Saturday, after which he indicated the Republic of Cyprus would be \"here to respond\" in the event of a positive response from Tatar.<\/p>\n<p>Referring to the latter's comments on Monday, the Cypriot president said he was \"saddened\". <\/p>\n<p>He insisted that the judiciary was responsible for the arrests, saying \"the executive authority does not interfere in the judicial authority under any circumstances.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//30//20//80//808x539_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg/" alt=\"Mar\u00eda Angela Holgu\u00edn and Nikos Christodoulides\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/384x256_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/640x427_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/750x500_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/828x552_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/1080x720_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/1200x800_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/20\/80\/1920x1281_cmsv2_dcf112f0-739a-5e12-a205-118e503d95bd-9302080.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mar\u00eda Angela Holgu\u00edn and Nikos Christodoulides<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Petros Karadjias\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>He also reiterated previous comments that \"it would be good for the three of us to sit around a table to discuss and have a free discussion so that we can get closer to the goal of July, so that there are positive developments,\" adding that he would \"definitely\" be holding a new meeting with Holgu\u00edn.<\/p>\n<p>Christodoulides added that Holgu\u00edn's meetings outside Cyprus and especially Turkey would be \"decisive\". The UN envoy is also scheduled to visit Greece, the UK and Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>Christodoulides and Tatar last met in Geneva in mid-March, after which <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//04//02//progress-made-between-greek-turkish-cypriot-leaders-but-peace-talks-still-distant/">a series of modest confidence-building measures<\/a> were announced. <\/p>\n<p>Guterres announced a similar meeting is to be held at the end of July. He appointed Holgu\u00edn as his personal envoy on Cyprus in early May. She had previously been in the same role between January and July 2024.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1748255387,"updatedAt":1748323597,"publishedAt":1748266477,"firstPublishedAt":1748266477,"lastPublishedAt":1748323597,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/23\/54\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fe8860fb-d17b-552d-86fc-dd686e07abb6-9302354.jpg","altText":"FILE: A female Cypriot soldier in front of a Cyprus flag during a military parade marking the 59 years celebrations of independence in Nicosia, 1 October 2019","caption":"FILE: A female Cypriot soldier in front of a Cyprus flag during a military parade marking the 59 years celebrations of independence in Nicosia, 1 October 2019","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Petros Karadjias","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3242,"urlSafeValue":"georgiou-daniel","title":"Orestes Georgiou Daniel","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":12336,"slug":"cyprus-issue","urlSafeValue":"cyprus-issue","title":"Cyprus issue","titleRaw":"Cyprus issue"},{"id":29342,"slug":"maria-angela-holguin-cuellar","urlSafeValue":"maria-angela-holguin-cuellar","title":"Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar","titleRaw":"Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2808948}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews Greece","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"el","storyId":9302080,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/05\/26\/turkish-cypriot-leader-rules-out-prospect-of-tripartite-meeting","lastModified":1748323597},{"id":2800092,"cid":9282196,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SYRIA MIGRANTS TO CYPRUS","daletPyramidId":1475150,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Syria will take back citizens trying to reach island by boat, Cyprus says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Syria will take back its citizens trying to reach Cyprus by boat","titleListing2":"Cyprus says Syria will take back citizens who try to reach island by boat","leadin":"Human traffickers are cutting deals with local employers to bring in Syrians, according to Cyprus' deputy migration minister.","summary":"Human traffickers are cutting deals with local employers to bring in Syrians, according to Cyprus' deputy migration minister.","keySentence":"","url":"syria-will-take-back-citizens-trying-to-reach-island-by-boat-cyprus-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/12\/syria-will-take-back-citizens-trying-to-reach-island-by-boat-cyprus-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Syria has agreed to take back any of its citizens\u00a0who are intercepted trying to reach Cyprus by boat, the Mediterranean island country's deputy minister for migration has said.\n\nNicholas Ioannides confirmed that two inflatable boats each carrying 30 Syrians were turned back in recent days in line with a bilateral agreement agreed by Nicosia and Damascus. \n\nCypriot navy and police patrol boats intercepted the two craft after they put out a call for help. The boats were subsequently escorted back to Syria.\n\nIoannides told private TV station Antenna that there\u2019s been\u00a0an uptick of migrant vessels trying to reach Cyprus from Syria, unlike in recent years when boats would primarily depart from Lebanon.\n\nCyprus and Lebanon have a long-standing agreement to send back migrants.\n\nCyprus' deputy migration minister said his government and their Syrian counterparts are trying to fight back against people traffickers who are supplying an underground market for labourers.\n\nAccording to Ioannides, human traffickers are cutting deals with local employers to bring in Syrians. This is despite laws that prevent asylum-seekers from working prior to the completion of a nine-month residency period.\n\n\"The message we're sending is that the Cyprus Republic won't tolerate the abuse of the asylum system from people who aren't eligible for either asylum or international protection and just come here only to work,\" Ioannides said.\n\nThe Cypriot government decided last week not to automatically grant asylum to Syrian migrants, but to examine their applications individually on merit and according to international and European laws. This came six months after the ousting of dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria. \n\nFrom a total of 19,000 pending asylum applications, 13,000 have been filed by Syrian nationals, according to Ioannides.\n\nAfter al-Assad was toppled in December last year and a new transitional government took power, some 2,300 Syrians have either dropped their asylum claims or rescinded their international protection status, while 2,100 have already left Cyprus for Syria.\n\nBoth the UN refugee agency and Europe's top human rights body have urged the Cypriot government to\u00a0stop pushing back migrants trying to reach the island by boat. Cyprus denies doing anything wrong. \n\nMigrant deaths in the Mediterranean\u00a0\n\nMeanwhile, four people, including two small children, have died during an attempt to cross from Africa to Europe, a German charity has said.\n\nThe nonprofit group RESQSHIP said that dozens of migrants had departed western Libya on a flimsy rubber boat with a failing engine.\n\nOn Saturday afternoon, the group's civilian vessel NADIR found 62 of them in international waters where Malta is responsible for search and rescue.\n\nBy the time the group reached them, two children aged three and four were dead and a third person was found unconscious and died later, it said.\n\nFrontex, the European border and coastguard agency, and the Maltese Armed Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment.\n\nThe Mediterranean Sea is the world's deadliest migration route, with nearly 32,000 recorded fatalities since 2014, according to the International Organisation for Migration.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Syria has agreed to take back any of its citizens\u00a0who are intercepted trying to reach Cyprus by boat, the Mediterranean island country's deputy minister for migration has said.<\/p>\n<p>Nicholas Ioannides confirmed that two inflatable boats each carrying 30 Syrians were turned back in recent days in line with a bilateral agreement agreed by Nicosia and Damascus. <\/p>\n<p>Cypriot navy and police patrol boats intercepted the two craft after they put out a call for help. The boats were subsequently escorted back to Syria.<\/p>\n<p>Ioannides told private TV station Antenna that there\u2019s been\u00a0an uptick of migrant vessels trying to reach Cyprus from Syria, unlike in recent years when boats would primarily depart from Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus and Lebanon have a long-standing agreement to send back migrants.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//28//21//96//808x539_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg/" alt=\"Nicholas Ioannides, right, with EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner in Nicosia, 17 January, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/384x256_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/640x427_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/750x500_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/828x552_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/1080x720_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/1200x800_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/1920x1280_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Nicholas Ioannides, right, with EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner in Nicosia, 17 January, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Cyprus' deputy migration minister said his government and their Syrian counterparts are trying to fight back against people traffickers who are supplying an underground market for labourers.<\/p>\n<p>According to Ioannides, human traffickers are cutting deals with local employers to bring in Syrians. This is despite laws that prevent asylum-seekers from working prior to the completion of a nine-month residency period.<\/p>\n<p>\"The message we're sending is that the Cyprus Republic won't tolerate the abuse of the asylum system from people who aren't eligible for either asylum or international protection and just come here only to work,\" Ioannides said.<\/p>\n<p>The Cypriot government decided last week not to automatically grant asylum to Syrian migrants, but to examine their applications individually on merit and according to international and European laws. This came six months after the ousting of dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria. <\/p>\n<p>From a total of 19,000 pending asylum applications, 13,000 have been filed by Syrian nationals, according to Ioannides.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//28//21//96//808x539_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg/" alt=\"Migrants stand behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia outside of Nicosia, 5 February, 2021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/384x256_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/640x426_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/750x500_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/828x551_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/1080x719_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/1200x799_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/1920x1279_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Migrants stand behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia outside of Nicosia, 5 February, 2021<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>After al-Assad was toppled in December last year and a new transitional government took power, some 2,300 Syrians have either dropped their asylum claims or rescinded their international protection status, while 2,100 have already left Cyprus for Syria.<\/p>\n<p>Both the UN refugee agency and Europe's top human rights body have urged the Cypriot government to\u00a0stop pushing back migrants trying to reach the island by boat. Cyprus denies doing anything wrong. <\/p>\n<h2>Migrant deaths in the Mediterranean<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, four people, including two small children, have died during an attempt to cross from Africa to Europe, a German charity has said.<\/p>\n<p>The nonprofit group RESQSHIP said that dozens of migrants had departed western Libya on a flimsy rubber boat with a failing engine.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday afternoon, the group's civilian vessel NADIR found 62 of them in international waters where Malta is responsible for search and rescue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9200550,9039770,8699252\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//02//07//cyprus-jails-syrian-man-over-death-of-young-girl-on-migrant-boat/">Cyprus jails Syrian man over death of young girl on migrant boat<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//04//14//cyprus-sentences-syrian-national-for-bringing-migrants-to-country-on-overloaded-boat/">Cyprus sentences Syrian national for bringing migrants to country on overloaded boat<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//09//04//cyprus-and-eu-funded-lebanese-forces-complicit-in-forced-returns-of-syrian-refugees-report/">Cyprus and EU-funded Lebanese forces complicit in forced returns of Syrian refugees, report claims<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>By the time the group reached them, two children aged three and four were dead and a third person was found unconscious and died later, it said.<\/p>\n<p>Frontex, the European border and coastguard agency, and the Maltese Armed Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p>The Mediterranean Sea is the world's deadliest migration route, with nearly 32,000 recorded fatalities since 2014, according to the International Organisation for Migration.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1747060964,"updatedAt":1747065883,"publishedAt":1747065099,"firstPublishedAt":1747065099,"lastPublishedAt":1747065099,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c48931cf-edc9-59dd-808d-c7057be4d67e-9282196.jpg","altText":"Migrants and refugees wait for assistance on an overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea, 12 February, 2021","caption":"Migrants and refugees wait for assistance on an overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea, 12 February, 2021","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1124},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7825e3a3-f877-5a17-a1d2-73d82adb0ea9-9282196.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1332},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/28\/21\/96\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ce1e52c8-2451-53ae-88bd-aba7a4c4e9d9-9282196.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":8155,"slug":"syria","urlSafeValue":"syria","title":"Syria","titleRaw":"Syria"},{"id":13414,"slug":"mediterranean-sea","urlSafeValue":"mediterranean-sea","title":"Mediterranean Sea","titleRaw":"Mediterranean Sea"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":13190,"slug":"migrants","urlSafeValue":"migrants","title":"Migrants","titleRaw":"Migrants"},{"id":13376,"slug":"economic-migrants","urlSafeValue":"economic-migrants","title":"Economic Migrants","titleRaw":"Economic Migrants"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2802131},{"id":2802585}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","url":"\/news\/europe\/cyprus"},"town":{"id":2008,"urlSafeValue":"nicosia","title":"Nicosia"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/12\/syria-will-take-back-citizens-trying-to-reach-island-by-boat-cyprus-says","lastModified":1747065099},{"id":2796414,"cid":9261836,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CYPRUS ISRAEL ELECTRICITY CABLE","daletPyramidId":1399512,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyprus and Israel seek swift electricity link via undersea cable but Turkey objects","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyprus, Israel seek to establish electricity linkup via undersea cable","titleListing2":"Cyprus and Israel seek to establish swift electricity linkup via undersea cable","leadin":"The shared commitment for an electricity cable link was affirmed on Sunday when Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a daylong visit to Israel and Ramallah in the West Bank.","summary":"The shared commitment for an electricity cable link was affirmed on Sunday when Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a daylong visit to Israel and Ramallah in the West Bank.","keySentence":"","url":"cyprus-and-israel-seek-swift-electricity-link-via-undersea-cable-but-turkey-objects","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/05\/cyprus-and-israel-seek-swift-electricity-link-via-undersea-cable-but-turkey-objects","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyprus and Israel are seeking to establish an electricity linkup via an undersea cable that would eliminate their respective energy isolation, a Cypriot official has said.\n\nEnergy Minister George Papanastasiou said that Israel is particularly keen to ensure that it can rely on Cypriot energy reserves from both conventional and renewable sources to power the country if the need arises.\n\nPananastasiou told the AP that Cyprus would soon have the capacity to generate around four gigawatts of electricity from fossil fuels as well as solar and wind sources, while consuming only 0.5 GW.\n\nWind turbines and photovoltaics generate 1 GW of electricity, but licenses have been issued for construction of new wind and solar energy parks with a capacity of 2.8 GW.\n\nConventional fuels generate 1.4 GW.\n\nThe shared commitment for an electricity cable link was affirmed on Sunday when Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a daylong visit to Israel and Ramallah in the West Bank.\n\nBoth leaders said that the electricity link would showcase the two countries' geographical location as the natural gateways between Europe and the Middle East.\n\nPapanastasiou said given this geographical advantage, the two leaders agreed to pursue the potential benefits from the establishment of a trade, energy and digital connectivity corridor between India, the Middle East and Europe.\n\nThe corridor, known as the\u00a0India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), was unveiled at the G20 summit of the world's leading rich and developing nations in India in 2023.\n\nNetanyahu said that he had recently spoken with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi about IMEC, which he said was \"a very revolutionary and transformative development that we want to bring into place.\"\n\nSeparately, an\u00a0electricity cable project to link Greece with Cyprus is already underway.\n\nThe \u20ac1.94 billion Great Seas Interconnector (GS) is partly funded by the European Union with a price tag of \u20ac800 million.\n\nProgress has been slowed because of Turkish objections over the cable's course.\n\nTurkey says the project can\u2019t proceed without its consent because the cable would pass through waters it claims fall within its jurisdiction.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyprus and Israel are seeking to establish an electricity linkup via an undersea cable that would eliminate their respective energy isolation, a Cypriot official has said.<\/p>\n<p>Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said that Israel is particularly keen to ensure that it can rely on Cypriot energy reserves from both conventional and renewable sources to power the country if the need arises.<\/p>\n<p>Pananastasiou told the AP that Cyprus would soon have the capacity to generate around four gigawatts of electricity from fossil fuels as well as solar and wind sources, while consuming only 0.5 GW.<\/p>\n<p>Wind turbines and photovoltaics generate 1 GW of electricity, but licenses have been issued for construction of new wind and solar energy parks with a capacity of 2.8 GW.<\/p>\n<p>Conventional fuels generate 1.4 GW.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//26//18//36//808x539_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg/" alt=\"Cyprus' Energy Minister George Papanastasiou talks during an interview in Nicosia, 7 November, 2023 \" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/384x256_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/640x427_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/750x500_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/828x552_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/1080x720_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/1200x800_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/1920x1280_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Cyprus' Energy Minister George Papanastasiou talks during an interview in Nicosia, 7 November, 2023 <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The shared commitment for an electricity cable link was affirmed on Sunday when Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a daylong visit to Israel and Ramallah in the West Bank.<\/p>\n<p>Both leaders said that the electricity link would showcase the two countries' geographical location as the natural gateways between Europe and the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Papanastasiou said given this geographical advantage, the two leaders agreed to pursue the potential benefits from the establishment of a trade, energy and digital connectivity corridor between India, the Middle East and Europe.<\/p>\n<p>The corridor, known as the\u00a0India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), was unveiled at the G20 summit of the world's leading rich and developing nations in India in 2023.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9259568,9258908\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//05//05//yemens-houthis-announce-air-blockade-on-israel-prompting-some-airlines-to-halt-operations/">Yemen's Houthis announce 'air siege' of Israel following airport missile attack<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//05//05//israeli-cabinet-approves-plan-to-seize-all-of-gaza-strip-reports-claim/">Israeli cabinet approves plan to seize all of Gaza Strip, reports claim<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Netanyahu said that he had recently spoken with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi about IMEC, which he said was \"a very revolutionary and transformative development that we want to bring into place.\"<\/p>\n<p>Separately, an\u00a0electricity cable project to link Greece with Cyprus is already underway.<\/p>\n<p>The \u20ac1.94 billion Great Seas Interconnector (GS) is partly funded by the European Union with a price tag of \u20ac800 million.<\/p>\n<p>Progress has been slowed because of Turkish objections over the cable's course.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey says the project can\u2019t proceed without its consent because the cable would pass through waters it claims fall within its jurisdiction.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1746463687,"updatedAt":1746464960,"publishedAt":1746464928,"firstPublishedAt":1746464928,"lastPublishedAt":1746464928,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a8d1539e-9044-5415-9174-fce5c10f06eb-9261836.jpg","altText":"An electricity worker climbs on an electricity pylon next to the Mari power station, 12 July, 2011","caption":"An electricity worker climbs on an electricity pylon next to the Mari power station, 12 July, 2011","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1124},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/18\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d8317384-7d16-55ee-94e5-d8982f3ceca7-9261836.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":66,"slug":"cyprus","urlSafeValue":"cyprus","title":"Cyprus","titleRaw":"Cyprus"},{"id":157,"slug":"israel","urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","titleRaw":"Israel"},{"id":25900,"slug":"electricity","urlSafeValue":"electricity","title":"electricity","titleRaw":"electricity"},{"id":29770,"slug":"undersea-cable","urlSafeValue":"undersea-cable","title":"undersea cable","titleRaw":"undersea 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