Government in close coordination on energy planning, Spokesperson says

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 2, 2024

There is very close coordination on the country’s energy planning to reduce the price of electricity as soon as possible, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis has said.

He was speaking on 1 October, following the military parade for the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia.

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Asked about developments in the energy sector following the meetings of President Nikos Christodoulides in New York, Letymbiotis said that significant steps have been taken in the three main pillars of the Republic of Cyprus’ energy plans, namely the arrival of natural gas, the electricity interconnections and the acceleration of Renewable Energy Sources penetration.

He further explained that important meetings were held in New York with the Greek Prime Minister and the French President regarding the electrical interconnection project, as well as with the United Arab Emirates state-owned company TAQA, which has expressed interest in participating in the Great Sea Interconnector project, and with Chevron regarding the Aphrodite project.

“We are in very close coordination because we understand and appreciate the importance of energy planning for every Cypriot household and its implementation as soon as possible to reduce the price of electricity in our country,” Letymbiotis said.

He also indicated that the decisions taken in the previous period should be activated and implemented as soon as possible.

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EU Adopts New Package Travel Rules With 14-Day Refund Requirement

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 3, 2026

The Council of the European Union adopted updated rules on package travel, introducing stricter requirements for refunds, transparency and consumer protection across member states. Updated provisions revise the existing directive and define obligations for travel providers offering bundled services such as flights, accommodation and transfers.

Clarifying The Package Travel Directive

The updated directive clarifies the definition of package travel and excludes certain linked travel arrangements from its scope. Coverage applies to services sold as a single product, including combinations of transport, accommodation and additional services. This revision standardizes how travel products are classified and clarifies rights and obligations for both providers and consumers at the point of purchase.

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Enhancing Transparency And Consumer Rights

New rules require providers to disclose key information before and during travel, including payment terms, visa requirements, accessibility conditions and cancellation policies. These disclosures aim to reduce disputes and improve consumer awareness. Defined refund timelines include a 14-day period for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances and up to six months in cases of organiser insolvency. The measures address gaps identified in earlier versions of the directive.

Ensuring Accountability And Trust In Travel Services

Organisers must implement complaint-handling systems and provide clear information on insolvency protection under the updated framework. These provisions aim to improve accountability across the travel sector. Previous disruptions, including the collapse of Thomas Cook and travel restrictions during COVID-19, exposed weaknesses in refund processes and consumer protection. Updated rules respond to those issues.

Implications For Cyprus And The Broader Industry

Tourism accounts for approximately 14% of Cyprus’s GDP, with package travel playing a central role in visitor flows. Major operators such as TUI and Jet2 provide structured travel offerings that support demand. Such operators contribute to revenue stability and help extend the tourism season by securing transport and accommodation in advance. Greater regulatory clarity may support continued sector growth.

A Model For Future Consumer Protection

Clearer rules on vouchers, refunds and insolvency protection now apply across the European Union. These measures aim to reduce consumer risk in cross-border travel. Implementation across member states will determine the impact on both consumers and travel providers. The framework may influence future regulatory approaches in the sector.

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