Nicosia: The Cyprus Presidency concluded its work with the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), held in Luxembourg Monday. Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Papaellina and Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Marinos Mousiouttas, speaking at a press conference, referred to the areas of social policy and employment, highlighting as key outcomes the promotion of initiatives to combat poverty, protect children and workers, strengthen social cohesion, and advance important European legislative files.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Papaellina emphasized that the Presidency focused on enhancing the social dimension of the European Union, aiming to translate European policies into tangible benefits for citizens. Key priorities included combating poverty and social exclusion, promoting social inclusion, and ensuring access to essential services and high-quality long-term care, especially for children, young people, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
During the Cyprus Presidency, initiatives were promoted in social inclusion, support for persons with disabilities, child wellbeing, and equality through high-level meetings and other initiatives. Papaellina stated the results reflect the objective of building a more inclusive European social model, with Cyprus now handing over the baton to Ireland, expressing confidence in the continuation of this work.
She highlighted that the Council approved conclusions on preventing and combating cyberviolence against girls, emphasizing the protection of minors in the digital environment as a priority. The European Union is urged to fully utilize its legislative framework, including the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, to address online risks.
The Deputy Minister also mentioned efforts on implementing the first European strategy to combat poverty. Despite progress, poverty remains a significant challenge, affecting one in five Europeans and one in four children. Addressing poverty requires an integrated approach combining employment with social services, education, affordable housing, and targeted support measures.
Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Marinos Moushouttas focused on empowering people and equipping them with tools to face digital and green transitions, labour market developments, and demographic challenges. He underscored the promotion of policies for a more social, inclusive, and competitive Europe, emphasizing quality jobs, skills investment, and stronger worker protection.
Moushouttas noted the significant achievement of reaching an agreement on revising rules coordinating social security systems after nearly a decade of negotiations. The agreement enhances Member States’ cooperation, provides legal certainty, and facilitates the lives of millions of citizens working across EU countries.
The Minister highlighted the need to adapt European rules to new labour market realities, such as cross-border telework and digitalisation opportunities. Discussions also covered the 2026 European Semester and revision of employment and social policy guidelines, stressing that EU competitiveness must align with social cohesion through investment in people, skills, and lifelong learning.
Today’s Council proceedings examined worker protection from climate change effects, particularly exposure to extreme temperatures, job quality, and the gender dimension of employment. Progress was made on revising the Directive on protecting workers from carcinogens, mutagens, and substances toxic to reproduction, and on the Traineeships file.
Moushouttas added that during the Cyprus Presidency, initiatives were promoted on fair employment, skills development in a changing labour market considering artificial intelligence developments, and fair labour mobility. As Cyprus hands over the Council Presidency to Ireland, significant progress has been achieved in critical areas of European employment policy, with confidence in the continuation of this work.