London: Issues related to hybrid threats, cybersecurity, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the strengthening of strategic cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom will be at the center of the Cyprus Forum London, which is taking place at the High Commission of Cyprus in London.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the event, organised for the third consecutive year, aims to serve as a high-level platform for dialogue on developments shaping Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Europe. The forum is co-organised by the Cyprus High Commission and Oxygen for Democracy, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom, in the context of Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The first part of the forum will focus on the growing challenge of hybrid threats and their impact on European and regional security, democratic institutions, and societal resilience. Opening remarks will be delivered by the High Commissioner of Cyprus to the United Kingdom, Kyriacos Kouros, and the Ambassador of the European Union to the United Kingdom, Pedro Serrano, while keynote addresses will be delivered by Cyprus' Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas, and the UK Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty.
Discussions will focus on the evolving nature of hybrid threats, cyberattacks, interference in state functions and critical infrastructure, including underwater communications cables, as well as disinformation and ways to protect democratic societies. The first panel, titled 'The evolving nature of hybrid threats through history and the present day,' will feature Jonathan Allen, Director General for Defence and Security at the UK Foreign Office, Daniel Markic, Director of the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre (EU INTCEN), along with academics and security experts.
The second panel will examine hybrid operations and interference in state functions and critical infrastructure, with the participation of experts from Chatham House, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The third session will focus on the impact of hybrid threats on democratic societies and social cohesion, with the participation of former EU Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides, as well as representatives from civil society and academia.
Particular emphasis is expected to be placed on strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom, developing joint resilience mechanisms, and exchanging best practices in addressing modern security threats. According to the organisers, the forum aims to contribute to the development of innovative responses to emerging challenges through dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of expertise.
This year's event will continue with a second session in London on 3 June. Cyprus Forum London is the expansion of the Cyprus Forum into the British capital - a public dialogue platform focused on Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, European policy, geopolitics, business, and the diaspora. According to the organisers, its objective is to bring together policymakers, academics, diplomats, business leaders, and representatives of civil society.