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Government in close coordination on energy planning, Spokesperson says 

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.

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.

New Decrees For Blue Card And Foreign Students: Key Changes And Implications

The Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance has announced a series of new measures aimed at addressing the increasing demands of Cyprus’ labor market. These initiatives are designed to attract highly skilled professionals from third countries and broaden employment opportunities for foreign students in select fields, as outlined in the recent Decrees published in the Official Gazette of the Republic.

Attracting Skilled Professionals

One of the key updates is the introduction of a minimum annual salary for foreign professionals, which has been set at €43,632, 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Cyprus. This salary threshold applies to individuals coming to work in sectors such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), pharmaceuticals for research purposes, and maritime industries (excluding skippers and crew).

Expanded Employment Options For Foreign Students

The new regulations also provide an update on the employment rights of foreign students. From December 2024, students from third countries will be able to work in Cyprus, with the new rules replacing the previous March 2024 start date.

Students studying ICT who have completed their first academic semester will be eligible to work in occupations related to their field of study, thereby gaining practical experience while pursuing their education.

In response to critical sector shortages, the regulations also clarify the specific occupations and salaries that Blue Card holders—third-country nationals—will be eligible for in Cyprus. The Blue Card, in line with the European Directive, allows highly skilled professionals to live and work in EU member states.

Strengthening The Labor Market and Economy

These updates are expected to bolster the supply of specialized workers in key sectors, addressing existing gaps and promoting the continued growth of Cyprus’ economy. At the same time, the new measures offer foreign students enhanced opportunities for professional development, facilitating their seamless integration into the country’s workforce.

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