Fact: Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas addressed the graduation ceremony for the new frogmen of the National Guard at the ‘Evangelos Florakis’ naval base, acknowledging the rigorous requirements and skills needed to join and complete the training for the special unit.
Fact: People smugglers are advertising voyages to Cyprus on social media.
Summary: Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou stated that people smugglers are using social media to advertise voyages to Cyprus. He also mentioned the increasing trend of smugglers setting sail from Lebanon and the challenges in preventing boats from entering Cypriot waters. Additionally, there have been difficulties in returning migrants to Lebanon and efforts to relocate migrants to other European Union member states.
Lebanon is no longer accepting returns of Syrian migrants from Cyprus due to the large number of Syrian migrants within its own borders.
On September 21, 2023, a crew led by IOC Young Leader Sophia Papamichalopoulos completed a circumnavigation of Cyprus, a feat not achieved in over 50 years. The project, named Winds of Change, involved young Greek and Turkish Cypriots sailing around the entire island to promote peace-building and dialogue. The journey took almost 70 hours, covering 326.9 nautical miles, and ended on the International Day of Peace. The initiative has gained international attention, with a documentary set to be released at the Paris Olympics.
Ankara issued a Navtex directive for shipping in waters under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus, which was countered by Nicosia with an anti-Navtex, labeling Turkey’s activities in the area as illegal. Turkey announced that the vessel ‘Bilim 2’ would conduct scientific research off the northern shores of Cyprus from March 5th to March 15th. The Cyprus anti-Navtex highlighted the Turkish actions as violations of the Republic’s territory, international law, and maritime safety procedures.