Cyprus has managed to promote important reforms and launch public investments through the Recovery Plan, with more than 40 sponsorship projects announced. The amount available through the sponsorship projects is €460 million. The country has received €262 million from the European fund, with additional tranches expected to be disbursed later this year.
A 50-year-old man was convicted on 15 charges of sexually abusing his 11-year-old foster daughter over the course of a year, as ruled by a court in Limassol. The man committed the crimes against the minor in the home where she lived as a foster child. The court found prosecutors’ witnesses credible and the defense witnesses, including the accused, unreliable. The defendant denied the charges, leading to a trial. The victim, now 14, was placed in the foster home three years ago after receiving little affection from her biological parents. She eventually spoke out about the abuse, leading to a complaint with authorities and the subsequent prosecution at the Limassol Criminal Court.
China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering (CPP) is seeking a financial settlement and termination of its involvement in the Vasilikos LNG terminal project in Cyprus. CPP may link the settlement to the delivery of the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) vessel named “Prometheus.” There are concerns that CPP withholding the FSRU could undermine previous assurances about the vessel’s readiness and certification. Technical interventions and modifications estimated at €10-15 million are needed for the FSRU to operate in Vasilikos. CPP has also requested an additional €200 million in a separate London arbitration. The situation could potentially escalate into a “hostage situation” involving the FSRU if CPP demands more payment for its delivery.
The Cyprus-China relations are being tested due to a dispute over a gas regasification terminal project in Vasilikos. The Chinese state-owned company CPP is reluctant to complete the project, demanding additional financial compensation of EUR 200 million. The Cypriot side argues that CPP’s objections to the contract terms are either in bad faith or due to financial inability. The collapse of cooperation with CPP would result in significant financial costs for Cyprus and delay the introduction of natural gas for cheaper electricity generation. The situation is further complicated by the fact that a floating gas regasification unit remains in Shanghai due to berthing modifications required by Lloyd’s Register. If the terminal project is frozen, Cyprus may face significant financial consequences, with responsibility shared between the Cypriot government and the Chinese state-owned company CPP.
The Soviet Union influenced Akel to reject a solution plan proposed by the US, UK, and Canada for the Cyprus problem in 1976. The Soviet Union did not want the Cyprus problem to be solved by a US initiative, as it would strengthen the US’s prestige in the region and maintain tension in Greece-Turkey relations.
People in Cyprus can expect stifling weather in the coming days, as dense dust from Africa will linger in the atmosphere until at least next Monday. Temperatures are forecasted to rise by up to five degrees Celsius, reaching the mid-30s. The dust episode may be intense, similar to last week, with daily temperature increases of up to two degrees above seasonal norms. The weather forecast predicts mostly clear skies with occasional high cloud cover, along with the possibility of temporary spikes in dust concentration.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou criticized a proposal by far-right Elam to give passports to migrants so they would leave the country. He explained that only Cypriot citizens receive passports and giving passports to everyone would make Cyprus an attractive destination for immigrants.
Akel deputy Christos Christofides has written to the auditor-general asking him to examine the data of the Independent Social Support Agency, which is under the authority of the president’s wife, Philippa Karsera. The agency had been set up in 2013 to provide financial support to university students who were unable to complete their studies due to lack of funds.
Cyprus is playing a significant role in coordinating international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The United States is involved in creating a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza, with the construction of a temporary pier for aid transfer. Cyprus is facilitating the use of its port facilities and leading coordination efforts with various countries, including the US, the UK, the EU, and the United Arab Emirates. The European Union is actively participating in the corridor, with discussions ongoing to increase overall assistance. The construction of a pier on the Gaza coast will enable the mass transfer of aid to Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing that the aid will be transported through sea, land, and air routes.
The Ministry of Energy and other governmental bodies are unable to determine the completion time of the Vasilikos LNG terminal and the start of using the new fuel for power generation. DEFA’s delayed procedures for selecting a contractor for the gas supply-transmission system plan have caused significant setbacks. The tender for this study has been challenged and is pending in the Administrative Court. As a result, the Ministry of Energy and DEFA are considering alternative options to expedite the construction of gas pipelines to power plants.