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2027 A Pivotal Year for Cyprus’ First Natural Gas Exports, Says Energy Minister

Cyprus is set to reach a major milestone in 2027, as it prepares to transport its first natural gas, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry George Papanastasiou said on Thursday.

Following a meeting with trade union SEK, Papanastasiou highlighted the significance of the upcoming agreement with Egypt, which President Nikos Christodoulides will personally underscore during his visit to the neighboring country.

“The signing of agreements that will commercialize Cyprus’ natural gas is a crucial step forward,” the minister stated. He noted that while discussions have long focused on exploration and reserves, the next and most critical phase—exporting gas to international markets—is now underway.

“These agreements will define how the gas reaches global markets. This process involves Egypt as the host country, the companies that have invested in the deposits, and, of course, the Republic of Cyprus, which is eager to bring its natural gas to the market,” he explained.

SEK Union Secretary General Andreas Matsas emphasized that the deal also holds strategic importance for the European Union in its push for energy independence.

Papanastasiou further stressed that revenues from natural gas and other investments will ultimately flow back into Cyprus’ economy, reinforcing the country’s financial stability and growth.

Enhancing Financial Cyber Resilience In The Age Of Advanced AI

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has warned regulated financial institutions about growing cybersecurity risks linked to advances in artificial intelligence. In a recent circular, the watchdog called on firms to strengthen their digital resilience frameworks in line with evolving European requirements.

Emerging AI Technologies And Cyber Threats

Frontier AI models are becoming increasingly capable of identifying and exploiting software vulnerabilities, shortening the time between vulnerability discovery and potential attacks, according to CySEC.

The warning applies to Cyprus Investment Firms, central securities depositories, trading venues, crypto-asset service providers, alternative investment fund managers, and UCITS management companies.

Digital Operational Resilience In Focus

Under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), regulated entities are required to maintain ICT risk management frameworks capable of addressing an evolving threat landscape, including risks associated with emerging AI technologies.

CySEC urged firms to review their existing controls and ensure that vulnerability management, patching procedures, and assessments of third-party ICT service providers are carried out effectively and on time.

Proactive Measures And Enhanced Monitoring

The circular also recommended expanding threat intelligence efforts and using automation in security orchestration. Strengthening monitoring and detection systems would help firms identify and respond to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks more quickly.

CySEC further highlighted the importance of maintaining backup, restoration, and disaster recovery systems that can remain operational during major cyber incidents.

Integrating AI Risks Into Governance

AI-related cyber risks should also be incorporated into ICT risk assessments, governance frameworks, and operational resilience plans, the regulator said. Such measures are intended to help protect critical systems while supporting continuous improvement through post-incident reviews, updated threat intelligence, and testing.

Continued Oversight And Future Engagement

CySEC said it will continue monitoring developments in frontier AI technologies and their implications for cybersecurity. The commission also plans to remain engaged with supervised entities to assess preparedness and ensure governance practices keep pace with emerging risks.

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