Copenhagen: Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou held separate meetings with Dutch Minister Mona Keijzer and French Minister Val©rie L©tard, focusing on affordable housing challenges during a conference in Copenhagen. The meetings occurred on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference on Affordable Housing, organized under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to Cyprus News Agency, during the meeting with the Dutch Minister, Ioannou discussed the pressing housing challenges affecting EU member states. The conversation centered on measures being taken at the national level to address these issues. Both ministers stressed the necessity for more comprehensive actions at the EU level, aimed at providing financial and technical support to governments for developing housing policies.
The ministers expressed support for the ongoing process to complete the European Affordable Housing Plan. They also welcomed the European Commission’s intention to integrate affordable housing into the 2028-2035 Cohesion Policy. Ioannou informed his Dutch counterpart about Cyprus’ priorities for its EU Council Presidency in 2026, emphasizing the goal of laying a foundation for adopting a European affordable housing strategy, incorporating sustainable housing policies and best practices from member states.
In his meeting with the French Minister of Housing, Ioannou reiterated Cyprus’ focus during its upcoming Presidency on implementing the main pillars of the European Affordable Housing Plan. The discussion highlighted obstacles in housing policy implementation, particularly bureaucratic procedures and the role of state aid rules in fostering public-private sector cooperation.
Both Ioannou and L©tard agreed on the importance of a housing strategy that considers practical implementation aspects and adapts to the real needs of member states.