Brussels: European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, underscored the strategic importance of the seas in bolstering Europe's autonomy and food security during an event organized by the Cyprus Forum Brussels at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union. According to Cyprus News Agency, Commissioner Kadis, in his address titled 'Seas of Opportunity: Strengthening Europe's Strategic Autonomy and Food Security in an Open World', emphasized the critical timing of the Cyprus Forum Brussels 2026, coinciding with Cyprus's six-month Presidency of the Council. This period places Cyprus centrally in high-level discussions addressing the EU's strategic challenges, aiming for an autonomous yet globally engaged Europe. The Commissioner pointed out the EU's identity as a maritime union, boasting nearly 70,000 kilometers of coastline and the world's largest collectively held exclusive economic zone. He highlighted how the seas connect European economies to global market s and host essential transport and energy infrastructure, supporting nearly 40% of the population living within 50 kilometers of the sea. These maritime spaces are pivotal to the EU's security and resilience amid global competition and disruptions. Kadis clarified that strategic autonomy does not equate to isolation but involves the capacity to act and collaborate from a position of strength. This autonomy hinges on Europe's cohesive management, protection, and development of its maritime spaces. He noted that the blue economy currently sustains around 5 million jobs and generates over 250 billion pounds in gross value added annually, spanning sectors like maritime transport, fisheries, and emerging fields such as offshore renewable energy. Despite their potential, Kadis warned of threats from fragmented governance and environmental pressures that could undermine maritime opportunities. He stressed the need for cohesive European actions in managing oceans, which are simultaneously economic drivers, climate regulators, and geopolitical spaces. Highlighting the European Ocean Pact, a key deliverable of his portfolio, Kadis noted its adoption last June and presentation at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. The Pact integrates ocean-related policies, ensuring objectives across trade, transport, energy, industry, security, and the environment are harmonious. The Pact promotes integrated maritime spatial planning, balancing investment certainty with ecological protection. It strengthens the link between ocean health and economic resilience across maritime activities. Kadis emphasized the significance of resilient ports and sea routes for Europe's global value chain position, the growth of offshore renewables for decarbonization, and the maritime sector's role in monitoring and safeguarding infrastructure. Fisheries and aquaculture, he stated, are vital to food security, employment, and cultural heritage, especially in coastal regions. With 70% of seafood consumed in the EU imported, boosting sustainable domestic production is a strategic necessity. The Ocean Pact aids in integrating fisheries into the broader maritime framework. Kadis reiterated that Europe's ambitions extend beyond borders, relying on a rules-based international order. The EU invests in international ocean governance, from implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to addressing plastic pollution. Innovation and investment, he noted, are central, with technologies like AI and ocean robotics revolutionizing sea management. Initiatives like BlueInvest channel scientific advancements into market solutions, supporting European maritime startups. Ultimately, Kadis affirmed, Europe's maritime future hinges on its coastal and island communities, which face unique challenges yet act as hubs of innovation and resilience.