Brussels: Minister of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus, Costas Fytiris, presented the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first half of 2026 to the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), assuring members that the Presidency will focus on safeguarding the Union's interests and enhancing its independence through increased competitiveness.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Fytiris began by thanking the JURI Committee for its role in the co-legislative process. He emphasized that the Cypriot agenda centers on protecting citizens, combating discrimination, and strengthening equality and social rights. The Presidency aims to support democracy and effectively fight crime while ensuring the Union's interests and independence.
The Minister highlighted the 'package on the protection of adults' as a key focus, aiming to finalize negotiations on a Regulation to protect vulnerable adults in cross-border situations. Fytiris expressed optimism for achieving a general approach at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in March to commence trilogue negotiations.
Addressing the Regulation on mutual recognition of parenthood, Fytiris acknowledged its sensitivity and committed to prioritizing substantial progress on the Regulation for recognizing parenthood established in other Member States within the EU. He outlined a strategy focusing on jurisdiction and applicable law provisions, critical for consensus within the Council.
On personal data protection, Fytiris praised the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as a landmark for the EU and stressed the importance of the new regulation on enforcement procedures. He assured that the proposed GDPR amendment within the Omnibus package for small and mid-cap enterprises will not deregulate the Regulation's substance.
The Cyprus Presidency also plans to advance discussions on the Digital Omnibus package for the digital sector, recently proposed to introduce changes to EU legislation, including the GDPR.
Fytiris concluded by emphasizing Cyprus's role as an 'honest broker' amid Europe's challenges, expressing hope for close cooperation with the European Parliament to deliver optimal results for citizens and bolster the Union's economic resilience.