Nikos Christodoulides

Cyprus' president Nikos Christodoulides has congratulated Kyriakos Mitsotakis on winning Sunday's general election.

In a tweet, the director of the Cypriot presidency's press office, Victor Papadopoulos, said that Christodoulides called the New Democracy leader to congratulate him on his and his party's victory. [AMNA]

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.

The recent announcements in Israel by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a pipeline that will transport natural gas from Israel's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to Cyprus for liquefaction (LNG) and export to European markets have, analysts say, all the makings of a new energy reality in the region.

Prof. Gabriel Haritos joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of President Nikos Christodoulides' recent trip to Israel and message it sends about the importance of this bilateral relationship, and look at the issues discussed - from energy to the question of Israeli investments and tourists in the occupied northern part of Cyprus.

"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.

Cyprus' government said Thursday it's looking into how a number of Cypriot nationals were included in a new round of US and UK sanctions targeting the financial networks of Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Roman Abramovich who are close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who is currently in Nicosia for a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, held a meeting with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday. 

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will travel to Nicosia on Friday to take part in the trilateral meeting with Cyprus and Israel which will focus on the further enhancement of cooperation in sectors such as energy, addressing natural disasters and protection of the environment.

On his first visit to Greece as the new Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides announced with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis the establishment of a High Cooperation Council between the two countries and the intention to form a common front within the EU to promote policies, especially with regard to energy and shipping.

"The Cyprus issue is a constant concern and a top national priority of Greek foreign policy," the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Monday, welcoming the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides to the Presidential Mansion on his first official visit to Athens after assuming his new duties.