On Thursday, the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament approved the ratification bill for the agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Serbia regarding the status of the military forces of the two countries, establishing the legal framework governing the temporary presence of military personnel from one country on the territory of the other.

Thirty-eight Members of Parliament voted in favor, while 13 AKEL MPs abstained.

The agreement, which was signed on December 10, 2025, in Nicosia, regulates the status of military personnel during joint activities and addresses a range of practical and legal issues that may arise during their stay in both countries.

The agreement includes provisions on matters such as medical care, driver’s licenses, the possession of weapons, and other matters related to the operations of the armed forces when they are temporarily stationed on the territory of the other contracting state.

Cyprus and Serbia conduct joint military exercises and exchange expertise in both Cyprus and Serbia as part of a bilateral cooperation program. The annual cost of these exercises amounts to approximately 70,000 euros, according to the Ministry of Defense.

DISY MP Charalambos Petridis noted that the long-standing bonds of friendship between the two countries are deepening further in the areas of defense and security, and for this reason, this cooperation should be approved.

Ratification of Agreements on Cyprus’s New Status as an Associate Member of CERN

On Thursday, the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives unanimously approved two ratification bills that pave the way for the Republic of Cyprus to transition to the status of an Associate Member State of CERN, maintaining its participation in Europe’s leading nuclear research organization, but without proceeding to full membership at this time. The two bills were passed unanimously with 48 votes in favor.

These two bills ratify, on the one hand, the agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and CERN granting the status of Associate Member State, which was signed on August 22, 2025, and, on the other hand, the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the organization, which was signed in Geneva on March 18, 2024.

According to the report of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Cyprus has been participating in CERN since 2016 as an “Associate Member with a view to becoming a full member.” However, following the completion of the planned five-year period, the organization’s evaluation showed that further investment and strengthening of research infrastructure are required for the country to meet the conditions for full membership.

Based on the results of the evaluation, the Council of Ministers decided in May 2025 to transition the Republic to Associate Member status, through a new agreement signed in August of that year, which was to be ratified by August 2026.

During the debate in the Plenary, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and DISY MP Giorgos Karoullas stated that his party would vote in favor of the two bills, as the Republic of Cyprus must maintain and strengthen its participation in CERN, which he described as a leading organization for technological research and scientific innovation that promotes peaceful scientific research and cooperation among European countries.

He emphasized that Cyprus’s full integration must be a strategic choice for the country’s universities, research and technology centers, and young scientists. At the same time, he called for an assessment and a new strategy, noting that, although Cyprus acquired associate member status in 2016 with the prospect of full membership, a new association agreement is currently being discussed because the necessary conditions for full membership have not been met.

He asked what the government has done in recent years to meet the criteria, what has become of the committee and the roadmap established three years ago for full membership, and whether CERN remains interested in Cyprus’s accession as a full member. He also noted that, since Cyprus pays approximately one million euros annually in membership dues, the greatest possible return on that investment should be sought.

AKEL Parliamentary Spokesperson Giorgos Loukaidis stated that criticism of Cyprus’s progress at CERN is justified, but argued that it is directed at the government of Nicos Anastasiades. As he said, AKEL had sent letters and voiced criticism, pointing out that since 2016, when Cyprus acquired associate member status, its participation has remained limited, and the opportunities offered to the academic community and Cypriot researchers—many of whom already work at the organization—have not been fully utilized. He added that greater emphasis and support should be given to the country’s participation in CERN.

In response, Mr. Karoullas noted that a committee involving the University of Cyprus had been established in 2015 and that between 2016–2023, significant steps had been taken toward full membership, though he argued that efforts had waned since 2023.

Source: CNA