Nicosia: Cyprus, located at the EU's periphery, understands the role of municipalities and regions in addressing major challenges, including housing, social cohesion, and the green and digital transition, Cypriot Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou said on Tuesday. Speaking to the press during the 238th meeting of the Bureau of the European Committee of the Regions held in Nicosia in the context of Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union, he said Cyprus' EU presidency would highlight the importance of local governance in implementing European priorities.
According to Cyprus News Agency, 'As Cyprus assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union, we reaffirm our commitment to a stronger, more resilient and people-centred Union,' he said. He added that a stronger Union starts from within and has a common denominator, the fact that it must advance social cohesion and that no one is left behind and acts on behalf of all of its citizens.
Ioannou said cooperation between the European Committee of the Regions and the Cyprus Union of Municipalities would contribute to strengthening preparedness and resilience for cities and coastal regions through digital innovation, research and blue development. He added that the Cypriot presidency would continue to highlight the role of local authorities in turning European policies into tangible results for citizens, reinforcing democracy, solidarity and sustainable development.
President of the European Committee of the Regions Kata Tutto described the institution as a bridge between European legislation and local implementation. 'We are the voice of cities and regions in the European Union in the decision-making procedure.' She said the Committee represents diverse local realities across Europe, from islands and rural communities to metropolitan areas, and plays a crucial role in implementing EU decisions.
'What we are doing is we try to make European legislation work, because we are change managers,' she noted. Tutto stressed that local leaders must manage multiple transitions simultaneously, including digital transformation, energy transition, demographic change and industrial transformation, while maintaining citizens' trust. 'In the times of growing uncertainty, there is a need for stability, and that also puts more and more responsibility on the shoulders of local leaders,' she said. She added that cooperation among local, national and European leaders is necessary to ensure citizens' safety and stability.
Andreas Vyras, President of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus, welcomed the Committee's meeting in the country. 'We are very happy that, as a Union of Municipalities, we host the Committee of the Regions, in our country,' he said. He added that cooperation with the Committee allows Cypriot local authorities to share their experience and strengthen preparedness for natural disasters. 'And I'm sure that with what we will discuss today, what we will see in the afternoon, that everyone from us will be more wise to face all these challenges in the future,' he said. Vyras noted that issues such as earthquakes and floods have become increasingly important for municipalities.
Head of the Cypriot delegation to the Committee of the Regions Eleni Loukaidou said the Committee is a consultative EU body representing citizens at local level. She explained that it issues opinions on more than 70% of European legislation, as many EU decisions directly affect local governance and implementation.
Local government reform in Cyprus and the financial autonomy of municipalities were also raised during the discussions. Vyras said the reform implemented in recent years marked progress but did not fully meet expectations. 'Certainly, a current issue is the reform. What was implemented was an important step forward, but not where we want to reach,' he said. He stressed that financial and administrative autonomy for municipalities remains a core principle. 'A real European local government cannot exist without autonomous resources and the necessary administrative autonomy.'
He added that the Committee of the Regions could help municipalities present European best practices to the central government and parliament. Interior Minister Ioannou said the government has already identified weaknesses in the legislation governing state grants to municipalities, noting that fixed funding provisions lose value over time despite increases in support. 'We are in consultations now to see the formula for how the grant will be allocated and how it will increase either based on inflation or other data,' he noted. Ioannou confirmed that legislative change is needed. He added that the government aims to correct the issue through cooperation with the Union of Municipalities and expressed confidence that the necessary reform could be approved either by the current parliament or the next one, describing it as a reasonable and justified request.