Cyprus swimming waters are the best in Europe after receiving a 100% quality rating by the EU’s environment watchdog.

Cypriot deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios has been trying to sway British officials towards including his country on the UK’s green list, following a recent improvement of the epidemiological situation on the island that could still be argued either way in London.

Deputy minister for tourism, Savvas Perdios will be travelling to London and Moscow in the coming days in attempt to push for tourist arrivals from Cyprus’ two biggest markets.

Cyprus has closed its airspace to flights from Belarus, joining a list of European Union nations imposing restrictions following the forced landing of a passenger jet in Minsk on May 23.

Cyprus' ministry of health placed Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Poland in the orange category upgrading them from the red category,  based on a new epidemiological risk assessment of countries. The new changes come into force Thursday, June 3.

Cyprus is closing in on its target of vaccinating 65% of Cypriots with a Covid-19 jab to reach herd immunity, as over half of the adult population has received a vaccine.

Further easing of Covid restrictions go into effect Tuesday in the Republic of Cyprus, with daily cases remaining very low but a night curfew still remains in place until middle of next week.

Disy retained is position as the largest party in the House after Sunday’s elections for new MPs although it saw its number of seats reduced, as did the other large party opposition Akel.

The Cyprus Institute and the French Institute have renewed their collaboration on issues of common interest, related to education and research.