Nicosia: Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Yiannis Panayiotou, engaged in a pivotal discussion with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs regarding the priorities of the forthcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday afternoon, focused on the future of employment within the European Union.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Minister emphasized the significance of this meeting with Li Andersson, Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, and MEPs Konstantinos Arvanitis and Angelika Winzig. He described it as “useful and constructive” for addressing the employment challenges and opportunities within the EU. Minister Panayiotou remarked on the importance of close cooperation with the European Parliament, particularly the Committee on Employment, as Cyprus prepares for its upcoming presidency.
During the in-depth discussion, Panayiotou outlined the Cypriot Presidency’s priorities concerning the future of work. These priorities include focusing on quality jobs, enhancing professional skills, ensuring social security, and promoting the mobility of workers within the EU. He also reaffirmed the shared understanding of the need to enhance social dialogue and collective bargaining to better regulate the labor market and link economic growth with social cohesion through employment.
Panayiotou highlighted the positive trajectory of the Cypriot labor market, attributing it to good practices that have facilitated full employment conditions in the country. He expressed optimism that the continued implementation and strengthening of European policies would maintain this positive path for Cyprus and other EU Member States. He concluded that the success of the upcoming Cypriot Presidency would be instrumental in achieving these mutually beneficial goals.
Li Andersson, MEP and Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, expressed her gratitude to Minister Panayiotou for hosting the delegation. She emphasized the importance of discussing Cyprus’s priorities and collaborating on shared goals that impact workers across Europe. Andersson also mentioned the delegation’s visits to the Department of Labour Inspection and the Centre for Support for families with children with autism, highlighting the EU-funded work being done in Cyprus.
Andersson concluded by expressing anticipation for continued cooperation during Cyprus’s EU Presidency, emphasizing the concrete work and collaboration opportunities between the EU and Cyprus.