A high-profile delegation visiting Cyprus is seeking to strengthen Lebanese banks’ operations and business involvement on the island as it seeks the help of foreign lenders to finance trade with the EU, say bankers.

Cabinet approves the legal framework covering the privatization of state-owned organizations amid protests by the employees of the affected organisations.

Nicosia municipality has come to an agreement with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in the north of the capital regarding the Mia Milia water treatment plant, which will lead to the project completion in 2014.

Cyprus Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Zeta Emilianides says she will announce new schemes aiming at employing 5,000 youths for a period six months to acquire work experience.

Ukraine has designated four airlines that will conduct scheduled flights between Ukraine and Cyprus, after the lifting of limitations to the number of airlines that conduct scheduled flights between the two countries.

Cyprus’ public sector environmental protection expenditure for 2012 is estimated at €89.3 million or 0.50% of the GDP, according to data the Cyprus Statistical Service released recently.

Cyprus’ economy contracted 1.0% in the last quarter of the year on a quarterly basis, flash data showed recently, leaving a yearly contraction of 5.3%.

Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz praised the efforts of both sides in Cyprus who revived the peace talks after a 2 year stalemate, expressing his hope this would facilitate energy projects in the region.

The Ministry of Communications and Works aims to further improve Cyprus’ air connections with third countries and increase the competitiveness of Cyprus’ tourist product.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is paying the Vatican City an official visit.