🇦🇲 Pashinyan thanks Cyprus for supporting Armenia at the Yerevan summit
🇦🇲 Pashinyan thanked Christodoulidis for "long-standing support" of the Armenian people and Cyprus's "constructive position" in developing Armenia-EU relations. The leaders discussed cooperation in aviation, tourism, and trade.

🌍 Who and why are meeting in Yerevan

The EPC summit is held on May 4 at the Karen Demirchyan Complex. The forum was created in 2022 for strategic dialogue on Europe's future. Leaders from nearly 50 countries are in Yerevan, including all 27 EU members, President Zelensky, President Macron, PM Starmer, and PM Meloni. Canada is joining the forum for the first time in its history.

Parallel to the EPC, the first-ever EU–Armenia summit is taking place. EU participants include European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

🇨🇾 What Christodoulidis is doing at the summit

The President of Cyprus is moderating the plenary panel "Preserving European unity and cohesion in an era of polycrisis" — the first time Cyprus has been entrusted with a special role at an EPC plenary session. Macron, Starmer, Meloni, and von der Leyen are participating.

Defense and security are the priorities for Cyprus's upcoming EU Council Presidency (first half of 2026). This justifies Cyprus's active role at the forum.

Additionally, Christodoulidis is participating in discussions on European connectivity and economic security, as well as multilateral meetings on Moldova and the fight against drugs. Previously, he held bilateral talks with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

🤝 Why the meeting with Pashinyan is important

The rapprochement between Cyprus and Armenia occurs amid Yerevan's European pivot. For Cyprus, Armenia is a partner of shared interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Caucasus.

In April, the EU Council approved a €270m support package for Armenia under the Resilience and Growth Plan (2024–2027). In August 2025, the EU welcomed the initialed Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty. Under the Global Gateway strategy, EU investments in Armenia are expected to reach €2.5bn.
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👮 Zero fatalities on Cyprus road sections with photo-fixation cameras in 2026
According to road police, 15 people have died on the island's roads since January 1. However, there have been no fatal accidents in areas with stationary cameras. "We are not talking about a reduction, but about elimination," stated Lieutenant Tasos Asikis.

⚰️ What is killing drivers

One-third of the 15 fatalities were caused by inattention and distraction. Other causes include failure to stay in the left lane, dangerous lane changes, and tailgating.

Drunk driving remains a major issue. In 2025, 921 out of 1,200 tests returned positive results, while 50 drivers refused testing. From April 2026, repeat drunk driving offenses can no longer be settled outside of court—licenses will be confiscated immediately.

📸 Cameras are working

The system launched in 2022. Cyprus now has 90 stationary and 20 mobile cameras. In areas where cameras are present and drivers are aware of them, fatal accidents have vanished. Previously, these spots were frequent sites of tragedy.

"Who can guarantee that without this system, we wouldn't have seen even worse results?" said Asikis.
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🚖 Serious accident on the Limassol – Paphos highway: taxi totaled
Yesterday around 13:00, an accident involving a taxi occurred on the Limassol – Paphos highway. Footage from the scene shows a black car on the left lane with a crushed front end: the hood is crumpled, the grille is missing, and debris is scattered across the wet road.

The road was wet, and weather conditions may have played a role. Only one damaged vehicle—the taxi—is visible in the video. The exact circumstances of the collision are currently unclear.

The footage also shows a woman embracing a person sitting on the ground near a barrier. A man in a high-visibility vest is standing nearby. A warning triangle has been placed on the road.

There is no official information yet regarding casualties or the circumstances of the accident.
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⚖️ Cyprus Supreme Court: No maternity benefits for surrogate births if the law is violated
The Supreme Court overturned an Administrative Court ruling that had previously declared the Social Insurance Department's refusal unconstitutional. This verdict sets a precedent: entitlement to benefits only exists if the 2015 Artificial Reproduction Law is strictly followed. It does not cover programs started before the law or conducted abroad.

📜 The Dispute

In 2016, a claimant applied for benefits expecting a child via a surrogate mother outside Cyprus. The Social Insurance Department refused, as the law at that time did not provide for surrogate motherhood. The woman sued, claiming her right to equal treatment as a legal mother.

⚖️ Why the lower court ruled in her favor

The Administrative Court ruled the regulation unconstitutional, stating it violated the principle of equality by excluding surrogacy.

🏛️ The Supreme Court Decision

At the time, the child was not conceived within the frameworks of the Artificial Reproduction Law. While the claimant had permission to continue procedures started before the law, permission alone is insufficient if the process fails to meet legal standards.

Key provisions regarding mandatory approval of surrogate procedures by a special council were suspended at the time, and certain aspects of such programs were explicitly prohibited.

The Court also noted that the 2017 amendment limited surrogate maternity benefits to cases of full legal compliance—which the claimant did not meet. Even reversing the administrative decision would not have granted her the right to payment.
The Supreme Court upheld the state's appeal and overturned the lower court's decision.
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⚓ Cyprus National Guard conducts joint exercises with frigate «Elli»
On Thursday, April 30, the Cyprus National Guard conducted joint naval exercises in Cypriot waters. The maneuvers involved the frigate «Elli», offshore patrol vessel «Ioannidis», coastal patrol boats «Tsomakis», «Ammochostos» and «Georgiou», unconventional warfare vessels «Panagos» and «Agathos», and an AW-139 helicopter from the 460th Search and Rescue Squadron.

🛡️ What was practiced

During the exercises, units practiced communications, asymmetric threat scenarios, advanced maneuvering, and helicopter deck landings.

The joint drills enhanced operational readiness, combat skills, and coordination between all participating units.
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🏠 Cyprus expands housing support for young people: 677 applications approved, grants up to €50,000

The Cyprus government has decided to expand its housing support program for young individuals and couples up to 41 years old. The goal is to cover all applications that passed the evaluation process and received a positive assessment.

📊 A total of 1,018 applications were submitted.
✅ 677 approved
❌ 418 rejected due to errors or incorrect documentation

Important: those who were rejected will not be able to resubmit documents, as the application process is now closed.

💰 The subsidy can reach up to €50,000. Some beneficiaries have already been notified and started receiving payments. The remaining 277 applicants are expected to be informed by June.

📌 Additional program budget: €11 million

👮‍♂️ Nicosia: Man damaged shop entrance and threatened police officer on Ledras
Monday evening, a noisy incident occurred near a well-known commercial premises on Ledras Street in central Nicosia.

According to Cypriot media, a man already known to the police began hitting the main entrance of the building, causing damage. Law enforcement arrived on the scene after being called.

👮 The man was identified via CCTV and soon found nearby. Upon arrest, police reports state he threatened to throw a traffic cone base at an officer.

The offender was detained and taken to the police station.
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👑Today is International Princess Day. 🎀

And no, I'm not talking about Disney.
Everyone has their own — with character, demands, and their own "kingdom" 😄

🎀 Some ask for flowers
🎀 Some — for attention
🎀 And some just want you to stop being an idiot 😃

🙃 So today, no excuses:
text her, call her, or at least don't annoy her

📌And if you don't have a princess…
it means you haven't passed this level yet and everything is still ahead 😂
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🚰 Aglantzia residents left without water due to pipeline accident
In the capital district of Aglantzia, water pressure has dropped sharply, with residents reporting widespread issues. The cause is a pipe burst. Nicosia Development Authority (EOA) repair crews are already on-site. Specialists promise to fully restore the water supply by this afternoon. The agency apologizes for the temporary inconvenience while repairs are underway.
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🚨Evacuation drills in Paphos today — do not panic
Civil defense exercises are taking place in the Koilari area today, May 5, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Expect many emergency vehicles on the streets. Residents are advised not to worry, follow staff instructions, and ignore rumors. These drills are part of emergency preparedness. Everything is under control; it is just a training exercise 🤝🚒
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💧 "Bring your own water" — advice given to patients in Cyprus public hospitals
In one hospital, relatives were told to bring bottled water from home. Why? Because some vending machines are broken, and disposable cups are being... reused 😟

A local resident, whose elderly relative is hospitalized, shared this. Nurses asked him to provide his own drinking water for the patient. He spoke with other visitors—it turns out many are already bringing not just water, but even plates and forks.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Complaints against Cyprus public hospitals have been frequent lately. For example, last week it was revealed that 31 patients at Afalassas psychiatric hospital lack beds — mattresses are placed directly on the floor. And in April, a newborn was harmed in a Larnaca hospital.

Hospital management remains silent. If you or your loved ones encounter a similar situation, you can contact the Ministry of Health hotline at 1474 or via the OKIPI website.

Stay healthy and take care of your loved ones 💙
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😀 Cyprus to combat cigarette butts on beaches with special bins
Imagine walking along a beautiful beach, only to find mountains of cigarette butts under your feet. A familiar sight? Cyprus wants to end this.

The island is launching a new system called REFILTERS. It's simple: bright containers specifically for cigarette butts will be placed on beaches, in parks, and by the sea. No more throwing them in the sand or the ocean.

Who pays for this? Cigarette manufacturers — they will cover the costs of the bins, collection, and recycling. Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou has already signed the authorization for the next six years.

Why wasn't it done sooner? The law has been in preparation since February 2024. However, manufacturers and municipalities spent nearly two years arguing over who installs, collects, and cleans the bins. They finally reached an agreement this February.

The numbers speak for themselves. Every year, 320–350 tons of cigarette butts are discarded in Cyprus. In 2023, at a single Larnaca beach, students and officials collected 5,647 butts in just one hour — and that's only a fraction.

Over six years, volunteers have removed 93 tons of waste, with cigarette butts being a constant find. Now, smokers will have a place to dispose of them guilt-free. Cleanliness is everyone's business 🌊🧹
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🎓 University of Cyprus Senate will be able to operate without student representatives — law amended due to election collapse
Parliament has passed an amendment to the law on the University of Cyprus. The reason — confusion surrounding student elections, which threatened to deprive the Senate (the university's main academic governing body) of its ability to convene and make decisions. This would have jeopardized the verification of graduates' diplomas in June.

What happened? Students held elections, but the results were called into question. As a result, the ΦΕΠΑΝ council, which usually appoints student representatives to the Senate, was never formed. Eight seats (one per faculty) remained vacant. Under the old version of the law, if vacancies are not filled, the Senate cannot legally hold sessions.

Rector Tasos Christofidis explained that a single line was added to the law: now the absence of student representatives from ΦΕΠΑΝ (as well as summer breaks or exam periods) does not prevent the Senate from operating and making legal decisions. Otherwise, there would have been no one to approve the graduates' diplomas in June.

The Senate is the university's highest academic council. It approves curricula, exams, budget allocations, handles diploma matters, and even carries out disciplinary functions. So its work is truly important. Now the university can calmly complete the academic year ✅📚
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🎬 Cypriot director to show film in Cannes about a girl who cannot smile
A short film by Cypriot director Alexandra Matheou titled "Free Eliza" has been selected for screening at the 58th Cannes Film Festival. The film will be part of the independent Quinzaine des Cinéastes program, which runs from May 13 to 23. It is the only work from Cyprus this year. A total of nine short films from various countries are featured in the program. The film's runtime is 20 minutes.

What is the story about? The plot centers on a young woman named Eliza who works at a luxurious resort hotel. The heroine has a rare physiological trait: she cannot smile. At a workplace where a friendly smile is part of the job, this becomes a serious problem for her.

The director admitted that she was inspired by a simple thought: "What happens if a person is physically unable to smile, while those around them constantly expect a smile from them?" Thus was born the theme of how society forces us to pretend to be happy, even when we are not.

Alexandra Matheou was born in Cyprus and now lives in Athens. She holds degrees in law and film studies. The director has her own film company, This Is the Girl Films. "Free Eliza" will be her last short film — in the future, she plans to make only feature-length films. The premiere will take place in Cannes on May 13. 🎥
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⚖️ Cyprus Supreme Court releases Lebanese man after 14 months in prison with no prospect of deportation
The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of a Lebanese citizen who had been in custody for more than 14 months. The man was originally detained in February 2025 for illegal residence in the country. Authorities wanted to deport him, but the process stalled.

What is the essence? Initially, a detention and deportation order was issued against him. However, the foreign national then filed an asylum application. The deportation was suspended, but a new arrest warrant was issued — this time under refugee legislation. When the Asylum Service rejected his application, the man appealed, and the case is still pending before the Administrative Court for International Protection.

The applicant, through a habeas corpus procedure (judicial review of the legality of detention), proved that holding him further was pointless because there was no real possibility of deporting him at that time. The court agreed: deprivation of liberty must be temporary and last only as long as necessary for deportation, provided genuine efforts are being made toward removal. Fourteen months is no longer an "insignificant period," especially when there is no clear timeline for expulsion.

Also playing a role was the fact that the man had always cooperated with authorities, had not concealed his identity, and the security situation in Lebanon had deteriorated, making deportation even more uncertain. In the end, the court found the detention illegal, ordered the detainee's release, and directed the state to cover the interpreter's fees.
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⚖️ Cyprus Supreme Court releases Lebanese man after 14 months in prison with no prospect of deportation
The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of a Lebanese citizen who had been in custody for more than 14 months. The man was originally detained in February 2025 for illegal residence in the country. Authorities wanted to deport him, but the process stalled.

What is the essence? Initially, a detention and deportation order was issued against him. However, the foreign national then filed an asylum application. The deportation was suspended, but a new arrest warrant was issued — this time under refugee legislation. When the Asylum Service rejected his application, the man appealed, and the case is still pending before the Administrative Court for International Protection.

The applicant, through a habeas corpus procedure (judicial review of the legality of detention), proved that holding him further was pointless because there was no real possibility of deporting him at that time. The court agreed: deprivation of liberty must be temporary and last only as long as necessary for deportation, provided genuine efforts are being made toward removal. Fourteen months is no longer an "insignificant period," especially when there is no clear timeline for expulsion.

Also playing a role was the fact that the man had always cooperated with authorities, had not concealed his identity, and the security situation in Lebanon had deteriorated, making deportation even more uncertain. In the end, the court found the detention illegal, ordered the detainee's release, and directed the state to cover the interpreter's fees.
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