Four myths about vertical farming debunked
Fact: Vertical farming is expected to reach a global market value of US.23 billion (£18.55 billion) by 2029.
highly skilled workers
President reiterates support for businesses , — wants to “turn challenges into opportunities”
Fact: President Nikos Christodoulides addressed the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev) during their annual general meeting and reiterated the government’s support for the local business community. He emphasized that businesses are the driving force behind economic development and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors to facilitate a better environment for businesses, promote innovation, and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Getting tougher on naturalisation
The new requirements for applying for Cypriot nationality include: living in Cyprus for 12 months continuously before the application submission (with a permissible absence of up to 90 days), being of good character, having sufficient knowledge of the Greek language (proven by a written examination), demonstrating knowledge of local political and social realities (assessed by a 3-member committee), having suitable accommodation and stable financial resources, intending genuinely to reside in Cyprus, and excluding asylum seekers or holders of international protection, and foreign students from the time of stay calculation. Failure to meet any of these conditions results in application rejection. The requirements have retrospective effect, applying even to applications submitted before the law amendment in March 2024. Exceptions are made for Ireland and Denmark within the EU. Highly skilled foreign workers can obtain citizenship after residing in Cyprus for four to five years, depending on qualifications, and must pass a Greek language test at level B1 for a five-year stay or A1 for a four-year stay, without needing to pass history/culture tests.
Cyprus citizenship applications in limbo
Cyprus has updated its citizenship requirements, mandating language tests for naturalization. Due to unresolved details about these tests, no new citizenship applications are currently being processed. The law, amended in December, requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the Greek language at either the B1 or A2 level, depending on their application status. Additionally, some applicants must show understanding of Cyprus’s political and social reality through a history and culture test. An ad-hoc committee evaluates these tests. Highly skilled foreign workers can obtain citizenship after residing in Cyprus for four to five years, with the requirement of passing a Greek language test at the B1 or A2 level, respectively; no history/culture test is required for them. Implementation delays have caused frustration among potential applicants. The European Blue Card scheme, aimed at attracting highly skilled workers to the EU, has also been approved by the cabinet.