Cyprus

EU takes action against Malta, Cyprus for ‘golden passports’

8:34 pm October 20, 2020

Brussels: The European Commission launched infringements procedures Tuesday against Cyprus and Malta over their “golden passport” programs, in which wealthy people can acquire EU citizenship in exchange for an investment. The EU‘s executive said the lucrative schemes are in violation of EU law and undermine the “essence of EU citizenship.” Cyprus recently announced that it […]

Germany decries Turkey’s actions in east Med, urges dialogue

11:34 pm October 13, 2020

Nicosia: Germany’s foreign minister on Tuesday criticized Turkey for “unilateral steps” in the eastern Mediterranean that are undercutting efforts to de-escalate tensions with Greece and Cyprus over sea boundaries and drilling rights. Heiko Maas said that it’s now up to Turkey to create those conditions “without further provocations” that will allow negotiations to move forward. Maas said any attempt by […]

Greece calls new Turkish survey mission a threat to region

3:08 pm October 12, 2020

Athens: Greece has accused neighbor Turkey of undermining efforts to ease a crisis over drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean after the announcement that a Turkish survey vessel is being prepared to renew a research mission in disputed waters. The spat over sea boundaries in an area between Greek islands, Cyprus, and Turkey’s southern coast flared up over the […]

UN calls for Turkish Cypriots to close beach in Varosha

12:09 pm October 10, 2020

Cyprus: The U.N. Security Council called on Turkey and Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus on Thursday to close a beach in uninhabited Varosha that was opened this week and avoid any unilateral actions “that could raise tensions on the island.” Varosha’s Greek Cypriot inhabitants fled as Turkish troops advanced in 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus following a […]

After 46 years, Cypriot ghost town’s beach opens to public

11:58 pm October 8, 2020

NICOSIA, Cyprus: The pristine, azure waters lapping at the skirts of uninhabited Varosha contrast sharply with the dilapidated, crumbling buildings lining the beachfront of this abandoned suburb of Famagusta. For the first time in 46 years, members of the public were permitted on Thursday to access the beach of Varosha in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot […]