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Cyprus Showcased As The Prime Investment Hub At The London Conference

Cyprus’s investment potential and strong economic ties with the UK were highlighted at the 8th annual business conference organized by the GB-CY Business Association in London. Key speakers from government and investment bodies supported the event, underscoring Cyprus’s appeal as a destination for investment.

Costas Hatzipanayiotou, Permanent Secretary of the Work and Social Insurance Ministry, represented the Cypriot government, emphasizing Cyprus’s “transformative journey” towards creating a thriving and resilient economy. This journey focuses on enhancing business-friendly policies, fostering financial stability, and advancing the country’s green transition to boost competitiveness.

Lia Riris, Deputy Director General of Invest Cyprus, highlighted the nation’s economic growth, projecting a 3% increase in GDP for this year and next. She also pointed out that Cyprus ranks 37th in the Global Innovation Index out of 133 countries, signalling its commitment to innovation.

Dr Kyriacos Kouros, the High Commissioner of Cyprus to the UK, noted that Cyprus has emerged as a stable and strategically important player for Europe amid global uncertainty. He praised the long-standing commercial ties with the UK as a pillar of bilateral cooperation.

Conference organizer Savvas Kyriakides commended the Cypriot government’s commitment to strengthening these investment ties further, reflecting Cyprus’s growing role as a strategic and resilient investment destination in the region.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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