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Cypriot Bonds Held By The Eurosystem Decline To €6.38 Billion

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 26, 2024

The European Central Bank’s ongoing efforts to deleverage its balance sheet have led to a significant reduction in the value of Cypriot sovereign bonds held by the Eurosystem. As of mid-August 2024, these bonds, which are part of the Public Sector Purchases Programme (PSPP) and the Pandemic Emergency Purchases Programme (PEPP), have declined to €6.38 billion, representing 28% of Cyprus’ public debt. This reduction aligns with the ECB’s broader strategy to curb inflation by reducing market liquidity, including ending reinvestments in its Asset Purchase Programme (APP).

The Eurosystem’s bond holdings in Cyprus are split between two key programmes: the Public Sector Purchases Programme (PSPP) and the Pandemic Emergency Purchases Programme (PEPP). The PSPP portfolio has seen a reduction to €3.99 billion, driven by the redemption of maturing bonds worth €304 million. This portfolio’s weighted average maturity now stands at 7.62 years. Meanwhile, the value of Cypriot bonds held under the PEPP has also declined to €2.39 billion, with cumulative net purchases dropping by €76 million in July alone.

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The ECB’s approach is part of its restrictive monetary policy cycle, aimed at curbing inflation across the Eurozone. In a decisive move in August 2023, the ECB announced the discontinuation of reinvestments under the wider Asset Purchase Programme (APP), of which the PSPP is a part, from July 2023 onwards. This decision is a clear signal of the ECB’s intent to reduce liquidity in the market, a strategy that complements its broader efforts to tighten monetary conditions and manage inflationary pressures.

The implications of this policy for Cyprus are significant. With Cypriot bonds held by the Eurosystem now accounting for 28% of the country’s public debt, the reduction in ECB support could exert upward pressure on Cyprus’s borrowing costs. This scenario may necessitate more robust fiscal policies from the Cypriot government to maintain financial stability.

Looking ahead, the ECB has outlined its plans to continue reducing the PEPP portfolio by €7.5 billion per month on average during the second half of 2024, with a complete discontinuation of reinvestments by the end of the year. This signals a continued tightening of monetary policy that will likely impact not just Cyprus but all Eurozone economies.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.