Baghdad:The European Union Energy Council convened in Luxembourg, where Cyprus' Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michael Damianos, emphasized the importance of ensuring affordable electricity, enhancing energy security, and promoting a fair and flexible energy transition.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Minister Damianos engaged in two trilateral meetings alongside Greek Minister for Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou. These meetings were held with European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen and Darragh O'Brien, Ireland's Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, as well as Minister for Transport. The primary focus of these discussions was the progress on the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection, known as the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).

During the council, Minister Damianos stressed the necessity for the energy transition to yield tangible benefits for citizens and businesses by significantly reducing energy costs and maintaining the competitiveness of the European economy. He also highlighted the importance of respecting national differences and addressing the needs of all EU member states. Furthermore, he underlined the need for better coordination and preparation among member states to handle potential disruptions in energy supply, especially looking ahead to winter 2026-2027.

Minister Damianos advocated for realistic energy policy targets beyond 2030, emphasizing the importance of energy storage, robust electricity grids, and the development of interconnections to ensure energy security and a seamless transition to cleaner energy sources. He welcomed recent advancements in the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection. Additionally, in discussions regarding electricity network charges, he called for greater transparency and more effective grid usage while respecting national taxation competencies.