Brussels: Cyprus’ Commissioner for State Aid Control, Stella Michaelidou, participated in the annual High-Level Forum on State aid, hosted by the European Commission in Brussels. The forum featured European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera as the keynote speaker, who discussed the role of State aid as a tool to enhance European competitiveness.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Michaelidou proposed to the European Commission the simplification of State Aid regulations. She advocated for implementing simpler procedures and clarifying definitions and terminologies to make the regulations understandable for all competent authorities and Member States.
Michaelidou emphasized Cyprus’ goal to further promote and utilize the Block Exemption Regulations (BER), requesting consideration of Cyprus’ specific needs. She highlighted the protection offered by the State Aid Regulations to smaller Member States, such as Cyprus, and stressed the importance of the state aid toolbox in providing lawful aid. This is particularly significant for Cyprus due to the international political challenges in the region and the ongoing Cyprus problem.
The European Commission representatives reportedly congratulated Michaelidou for her statements and her efforts to promote the Exemption Regulations at the forum.