Nicosia

UN peacekeepers on the ethnically divided island of Cyprus are reportedly keeping a close eye on recent Turkish Cypriot activity in the buffer zone between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-occupied north, following tension in August over Turkish Cypriot efforts to build a road traversing United Nations-controlled territory.

Agricultural Development and Food Minister Lefteris Avgenakis met with the Republic of Cyprus' minister of agriculture, rural development and environment, Petros Xenophontos, in Nicosia on Friday.

The further strengthening of the ties between Athens and Nicosia, and the coordination of their steps in a number of policy areas, was underscored on Friday during a plenary session of the 1st Intergovernmental Session between Greece and Cyprus at the Maximos Mansion.

The United States Congress, the Greek-American community, as well as Greece and Cyprus, will miss the leadership, ethical presence and sense of purpose of John Sarbanes, who, a few days ago, announced his intention not to seek re-election in 2024.

EU member Cyprus wants Brussels to offer financial and technical aid to Lebanon to help it cope with an influx of Syrian refugees and keep them from reaching the island, its interior minister said on Wednesday.

CVC Capital Partners and the University of Nicosia (UNIC), Cyprus' largest educational institution, have inked a joint venture deal to construct a branch of the university in Athens. 

The agreement pertains to the possibility of establishing a medical school, which will begin operations in the first phase in the vicinity of the former airport at Elliniko in southern Athens. 

Nicosia reiterated on Thursday that it will not stand for any moves that cast doubt on the status of the UN-controlled buffer zone through which the Turkish Cypriots illegally tried to build a road last week and physically assaulted international peacekeepers who tried to obstruct them.

The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Thursday he will push to either end or extend the timeline of a legal clause that requires annual approval for the sale of US-made weapons to Cyprus.

New major investment plans in Cyprus are under way by Fattal Hotel Group, the largest hospitality organization in Israel and one of the fastest-growing hotel groups - with 270 units in 117 destinations. It is now further expanding its portfolio in Cyprus. 

The company owns nine hotel units in Paphos, Larnaca, Protaras and Limassol. 

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Saturday described as "essential" the construction of a road which has triggered rare tension with United Nations peacekeepers on the divided island.