Nicosia: Panicos Pourgourides, Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, outlined the EU's key priorities in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape during his keynote address at the Conference of Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions, held on Monday in Nicosia. Welcoming participants under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, Pourgourides stressed that local and regional authorities are not merely policy implementers but essential pillars of European resilience, helping manage crises, maintain social cohesion, and strengthen public trust. His address covered a range of interconnected issues, including the geopolitical environment, migration management, the housing crisis, Cyprus's path to Schengen accession, and the Cyprus problem.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Pourgourides noted that the EU operates in an increasingly hostile geopolitical setting, characterised by Russia's war against Ukraine, ongoing instability in the Middle East, and rising hybrid threats such as disinformation. Unity among member states remains the Union's strongest strategic asset, he said, as reflected in sustained support for Ukraine, multiple sanctions packages, and a firm commitment to international law and a credible enlargement policy.
He highlighted Cyprus' role as a stability actor in the Eastern Mediterranean, pointing to the AMALTHEA maritime corridor for humanitarian aid to Gaza and the national ESTIA plan, through which Cyprus served as a reliable evacuation hub for foreign nationals from crisis zones.
On migration, Pourgourides said the EU's priority remains reducing irregular arrivals through partnerships with third countries, tackling root causes, combating smuggling networks, and implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum. He acknowledged that returns remain a structural challenge, with the EU-wide rate standing at roughly 27% in 2025. Cyprus, he added, has faced intense pressure due to its geography but has achieved tangible results, receiving pound 290 million in EU support for the 2021-2027 period and operational backing from the EUAA, Frontex, and Europol, with over 200 personnel deployed on the ground.
On housing, he noted that prices across the EU have risen by approximately 60% and rents by around 20% over the past decade, disproportionately affecting young people and families. Regarding Schengen, Pourgourides said Cyprus is working towards technical readiness in close cooperation with the Commission, with substantive discussions expected following the adoption of the country report in spring 2026. Any accession would be fully aligned with Cyprus' Act of Accession and the Green Line Regulation, he added.
On the Cyprus problem, he reaffirmed the EU's longstanding support for a comprehensive settlement under UN auspices, based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, noting that the EU stands ready to contribute actively to both the process and the future implementation of a solution for the benefit of all Cypriots.