Middle Eastern countries

Cyprus wants more direct involvement of the European Union in attempts to end the decades-old division of the island, its president Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday.

Cyprus authorities say they're take extra efforts to ensure flight safety isn't compromised from Turkish warplanes and military drones flying inside Cypriot-monitored airspace without filing either flight plans or communicating with air traffic control.

After operating in Cyprus for four years, Greek confectionery chain Terkenlis has made the decision to close its doors there.

Over the past two weeks, the company has ceased operations and deactivated its social media presence.

The specific reasons behind the closure are unknown, leaving uncertainty regarding the company's future actions within the Cypriot market. 

Energean announced on Thursday that by September 2023 it will submit a comprehensive program for the exploitation of the deposits of the "Olympus Area" of the Israeli exclusive economic zone to the Israeli government for approval, so as to begin its implementation in early 2024.

Ankara has criticized the anchoring of USS Arleigh Burke, a United States Navy class of destroyer, at a Greek Cypriot port and said the steps taken in the region by the U.S. have damaged that county's long-standing neutral position on the Cyprus dispute.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Turkish-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) support all efforts aimed at the bilateral improvement of Green Line trade.

The allegation that three hotels in Turkish Cyprus' Varosha city have been sold to a Turkish businessman by their Greek owners has sparked concerns in the Greek administration as the sale or transfer of real estate in the area opened to civilian visits three years ago after a 46-year hiatus is under the control of a commission.

Turkey will continue to protect the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots to the region's energy resources, Foreign Minister Mevult Cavusoglu said Sunday.

"We have protected and continue to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus and its surroundings over energy resources," Cavusoglu said.

The first British civilians evacuated from Sudan arrived on the island of Cyprus on Tuesday, airlifted out by Britain after warring factions agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire.

A passenger plane with about 40 civilians on board landed at Cyprus's Larnaca airport, a spokesperson for Cyprus's foreign ministry said. [Reuters]

"We will not let anyone smear Cyprus' reputation," said President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday, following a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on the issue of sanctions imposed by the US and the UK on individuals and legal entities in Cyprus in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.