Nicosia: Cyprus' Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, stressed the urgent need for affordable housing across Europe while pointing out the unique vulnerabilities and opportunities facing coastal and island communities, in a speech delivered Tuesday during the 238th meeting of the Bureau of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus amid the ongoing six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Ioannou welcomed CoR members to the Cypriot capital and praised the committee as a bridge between EU policies and local realities. The CoR, he noted, embodies European democracy by amplifying the voices of regions, cities, and citizens, especially crucial in an era of overlapping crises.
Ioannou highlighted that local governments stand at the forefront of challenges including social cohesion, sustainable development, resilience-building, and the green and digital transitions. Under the Cyprus Presidency's motto of "An Autonomous Union. Open to the World," the Minister outlined ambitions for a more independent, resilient, and competitive EU, one that remains cohesive internally while engaging globally. He positioned the CoR as essential to this vision, arguing that true strategic autonomy depends on resilient societies, cities, and regions.
The Minister focused on housing, which Ioannou described as a core priority for the Cyprus Presidency. "Access to affordable and suitable housing is not merely an economic issue: it is a matter of social justice, cohesion and quality of life. It strengthens the resilience of our societies and contributes to the stability required for a strong and autonomous Europe," he said. Ioannou pointed out the role of local governments and the CoR in shaping EU policies on housing, noting that successful implementation of European strategies hinges on active municipal and regional participation. This, as he said, aligns with broader Presidency goals of strengthening social and territorial cohesion, sustainable development, and democratic engagement.
Ioannou also stressed the need for sustainable development and resilience of islands and coastal communities. The Interior Minister reaffirmed Cyprus' commitment to deepened institutional cooperation with the CoR, viewing it as key to a Europe that projects strength externally while prioritising internal solidarity and citizen proximity.