Eastern Mediterranean

The Russian Embassy in Cyprus will soon start providing consular services in the Turkish occupied of Cyprus, according to a telegram from the Russian state news agency TASS, citing an embassy spokesperson.

The Russian Embassy in Cyprus will soon start providing consular services in the Turkish-occupied north of the divided island, according to a telegram from the Russian state news agency TASS citing an embassy spokesperson. 

Hotel occupancy in July was between 80%-85%, with better results expected for August when occupancy rates could reach 90%. Head of the Cyprus Hotels Association (PASYXE) Thanos Michaelides told the Cyprus News Agency there are positive signs for August for domestic tourism, while September is deemed "satisfactory." 

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos expressed gratitude to Greece and his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis for their swift response to Cyprus' request for assistance in combating a wildfire in the mountains of Limassol.

It's been exactly six months since the devastating earthquakes jolted Türkiye's south, bringing massive destruction, loss of life and trauma to those left behind, as the country continues intensive infrastructure and construction works to rebuild the cities and bring relief to survivors and heal their wounds.

The European Union will discuss the issue of Türkiye's visa exemption in the upcoming fall, while Türkiye remains a key partner in many areas of common interest, a senior official from the bloc has told a Turkish news agency.

Nicosia has strongly condemned the visit of US Congressman Pete Sessions to Turkish-occupied Cyprus, denouncing it as a violation of international law and a departure from Washington's official stance.

If the right steps are taken, the bilateral trade between Türkiye and Libya may climb to $15 billion, said Murtaza Karanfil, the head of the Türkiye-Libya Business Council at the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK).

Greece and Cyprus on Monday welcomed moves by Turkey to boost relations with the European Union, but said rapprochement should be gradual and not unconditional. European Union foreign ministers said on July 20 they were ready to re-engage with Turkey, but stopped short of offering Ankara a clear resumption of membership talks.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar, the leader of the island's Turkish Cypriot community, have jointly appealed for information that could lead to the buried remains of people who vanished amid violence and war decades ago, a task with increasing urgency as eyewitnesses die.