Nicosia: One month before Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Deputy Minister of Culture Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou outlined the nation’s cultural priorities in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA). She highlighted the strategic importance of culture as a unifying force between European member states, especially through the new “Agora EU” programme.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Dr. Kassianidou emphasized the significance of the “Agora EU” programme, which boasts a budget of £8.5 billion. This initiative is designed to replace and integrate the previous “Creative Europe” programme with the “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values” (CERV) programme, aiming to foster democracy and other core principles across Europe. She further stressed the necessity of addressing the “open wounds of history,” such as the illicit trafficking of cultural goods-a persistent issue for Cyprus-and called for enhanced European cooperation.
In her remarks, the Deputy Minister detailed Cyprus’ role in the upcoming Presidency, noting that the country is tasked with advancing several EU-related issues. Completing the Presidency trio following Poland and Denmark, Cyprus inherits a number of ongoing matters that require resolution or further progress. The initiative will be tied with the Culture Compass, an effort spearheaded by the Commissioner for Culture, Glenn Michalef, which has received positive feedback at recent councils.
Dr. Kassianidou also outlined Cyprus’ commitment to promoting cultural rights and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. She invited her counterparts to an Informal Council of Ministers in Cyprus scheduled for March 6, 2026, to discuss these issues. She highlighted the long-standing cultural repercussions of the Turkish invasion on Cyprus, drawing parallels with the current challenges faced by Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
Addressing the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on creative industries, Dr. Kassianidou expressed concern over the potential replacement of human creators by AI. She advocated for EU-wide legislation to protect creative rights without stifling innovation, emphasizing the need for a balanced legal framework to protect intellectual property.
The Deputy Minister also touched on media freedom and journalist protection, underscoring the need for safeguarding truth in media and ensuring journalist safety, especially in conflict zones. Cyprus will bring forward the European Media Freedom Act (MFA) during its Presidency, as the nation chairs the relevant committee.
Dr. Kassianidou concluded by affirming that the Presidency is a dynamic process focused on coordinating and promoting common European issues over national interests.