Parents’ names to become optional on biometric ID cards

Parents’ names will return to Cyprus’ new biometric identity cards, while members of the public will also be given the option of obtaining a version omitting them.

The interior ministry announced the move on Friday, after receiving guidance from the European Commission, which had confirmed that issuing different types of identity cards within the same member state is not prohibited, although it does not encourage the practice because of concerns over uniformity and easier border controls....