President Nikos Christodoulides

In Limassol, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy signed a joint declaration to strengthen their collective voice on European shipping competitiveness and decarbonisation. The meeting, held at the Parklane Hotel, was hosted by Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis and attended by Greece’s Vassilis Kikilias, Malta’s Chris Bonett and Italy’s Edoardo Rixi (online). The declaration reflects shared concerns about the future of European shipping and the challenge of reducing emissions, aiming to influence policy in Brussels and at the International Maritime Organisation. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides announced that foreign direct investment in Cyprus grew 10 % in 2025, underscoring the country’s ambition to become a hub for investment, technology and trade. The announcement follows a broader push to attract higher‑value sectors such as ICT and fintech, while the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls for a review of competitiveness after the tech firm BrainRocket closed its Limassol offices. New housing schemes also aim to expand affordable options for families.

President Nikos Christodoulides announced he will meet Turkish‑Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman daily until both travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly’s high‑level week beginning September 22. The pair are scheduled to meet this Wednesday, following a last‑week session that was cancelled after a ferry sank off Kyrenia. Christodoulides said the meetings will focus on confidence‑building measures and the four crossing‑point package first outlined in Geneva. Greek‑Cypriot chief negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and Erhurman’s undersecretary had a “good discussion” earlier in the day. UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin, who was expected to visit Cyprus, will not travel due to illness. Erhurman criticized Greek‑Cypriot efforts to limit Turkish‑Cypriot visibility and said the parties remain deadlocked over the crossing‑point package. Holguin stressed that confidence‑building measures are an indispensable condition for a future enlarged meeting involving the island’s guarantor powers.

The Cypriot government has increased its financial support for the Scouts Association, raising the annual state contribution from €50,000 to €75,000 and approving an additional €100,000 for scout camps. President Nikos Christodoulides announced the changes at a ceremony in the presidential palace, where 110 young people were awarded the republican scout degree, the movement’s highest honor. Christodoulides described the funding as an investment in the country’s future, citing scouting’s long history of fostering altruism, solidarity, and civic readiness. The Scouts Association highlighted the role of non‑formal education and volunteerism in shaping responsible citizens.