Breaking news

Cyprus And UK Move To Implement Maritime Cooperation Agreement

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Cyprus and the United Kingdom have agreed on the next phase of maritime cooperation following talks in London between Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis and her British counterpart, Keir Mather, according to the Cyprus News Agency.

From Agreement To Implementation

The talks focused on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2023 between the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry and the UK Department for Transport. Discussions covered practical cooperation as well as broader challenges facing global shipping and opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

The agreement covers maritime safety and security, decarbonization, ship-source pollution, seafarers’ employment and welfare, maritime education and training, research and innovation, digitalization and cybersecurity.

Cooperation Across Key Maritime Priorities

The framework also provides for cooperation on piracy, fraudulent ship registrations and shipping-related sanctions, as well as engagement through international bodies such as the International Maritime Organization.

Potential measures include expert exchanges, technical workshops, training, technical assistance and sharing best practices. The private sector could also play a larger role in developing cooperation between the two maritime industries.

Seafarer welfare and safety and the green transition were identified as initial priorities. A UK government review published in December 2024 also referred to plans to exchange expertise on implementing the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

Shipping In A Wider Economic Context

Mather, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics, oversees maritime policy, freight and borders, international transport, security and resilience.

Hadjimanolis and Mather also took part in the 18th Annual Capital Link Shipping & Marine Services Forum alongside TEN founder and CEO Nikolas Tsakos. The roundtable covered trade, regulation and maritime competitiveness, including tariffs, sanctions, supply-chain resilience and the role of regulators.

Cyprus Seeks Deeper Industry Links

During her London visit, Hadjimanolis also met Foresight Group founder and chairman Ravi K. Mehrotra to discuss opportunities for greater cooperation in maritime and shipping activities.

Founded by Mehrotra in 1984 as a shipping company, Foresight has since expanded into offshore drilling and infrastructure. Its shipping business is now focused on LPG transportation, with a target of 25 modern very large gas carriers by 2034.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.