The illegal construction of a church in the Natura 2000 Network in Cape Greco, despite the reaction of relevant government departments, shows that the violation of environmental legislation is deeply rooted in corruption.
The Cyprus government has left migrants, including women, children, and unaccompanied minors, stranded in the UN buffer zone for close to a week. Initially, there were 13 migrants, but the number has now more than doubled to 27. The migrants are from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Cameroon, and have reported themselves as asylum seekers. The government’s denial of entry violates national, EU, and international law, according to UN sources. The migrants have been stuck in tents in the buffer zone, some requiring hospital treatment. The UNHCR is making representations to the government to abide by their obligations towards asylum seekers. The government has not commented on the matter, citing that the migrants are in the buffer zone.
Fourteen migrants have arrived in the buffer zone, bringing the total number of people stuck there to 27.
Thirteen migrants, including unaccompanied children, are now stranded in the buffer zone between Aglantzia and Geri, in addition to the 14 who have been living in tents for the past two weeks. The total number of migrants is now 27. Despite expressing their desire to apply for asylum, the migrants remain trapped in the buffer zone. The UNHCR is providing food, water, hygiene products, and clothing, but the asylum seekers are living in tents and exposed to extreme weather conditions. The Republic of Cyprus is working with relevant ministries and the UN peacekeeping force to address the needs of the migrants.
Trade union “Isotita” has called on the government to withdraw proposed legislation that disadvantages civil servants, including a bill banning promotions in the 18 months leading up to retirement. Isotita warns of retaliation if the bill is not recalled and a substantive dialogue initiated.
The European Commission issued reasoned opinions to Cyprus and other member states for failing to implement a minimum 15 per cent tax rate on large multinational corporations.
The Cypriot Union of Consumers and Quality of Life has warned consumers about purchasing items from the internet platform Temu, which does not respect European consumer safety legislation. The organisation calls on the government consumer protection service to investigate the platform and take measures. Temu was hit with a European Union complaint over a potential breach of online content rules under the EU’s Digital Services Act. BEUC lodged a grievance with the European Commission and 17 of its members in various countries also filed complaints with their national authorities against Temu for using manipulative practices and breaching the EU’s Digital Services Act.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou extolled the virtues of Cyprus’ migrant returns policy during an inter-ministerial meeting attended by the European Union’s 27 member states’ ministers responsible for asylum and migration in Ghent. Cyprus has seen a 66% increase in the number of irregular migrants returned to their countries of origin in 2023 compared to the previous year. Cyprus has the highest number of migrant returns per head of any EU member state. The EU pact on migration and asylum, set to be fully implemented in June 2026, includes provisions for managing surges in migrant flows and screening third country nationals entering the EU. Ioannou hopes for mandatory relocation of asylum seekers between member states.
The European Parliament passed the EU Artificial Intelligence Act in April, setting a global precedent for regulating AI. The legislation aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI systems while fostering innovation. The regulation will become EU law once ratified by the European Council, with full implementation expected within 24 months. It does not regulate the technology itself but focuses on the risks posed by AI systems. The regulation categorizes AI systems based on risk levels, with strict rules for high-risk systems. Other countries are expected to follow the EU’s lead in regulating AI. The regulation is designed to adapt continuously to keep pace with technology advancements. Technology companies may raise objections, but the legislation sets strict penalties to ensure compliance. The regulation is not expected to hold back the EU from technological development or innovation.
Fact: The EU Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Cyprus for failing to correctly incorporate EU legislation covering money laundering and financial interests.