Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ role in shaping the European Union’s next long-term budget, a new EU strategy for islands and efforts to address depopulation in rural communities were the focus of talks on Thursday between President Nikos Christodoulides and European Commission Executive Vice President for cohesion Raffaele Fitto.
Fitto is in Cyprus to address Friday’s high-level conference in Paphos on strengthening the EU’s islands and coastal communities, organised by the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU in cooperation with the European Commission.
Budget and presidency talks
Welcoming Fitto to the Presidential Palace, Christodoulides thanked him for his support during Cyprus’ presidency of the Council of the European Union and described his contribution to negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework as crucial.
The president said Fitto’s role had been instrumental during the presidency, particularly on the multiannual financial framework, which he described as the biggest and most important issue. He added that Cyprus looked forward to continuing its cooperation with the commission beyond the end of its presidency.
Fitto said the Cypriot presidency had been a success and that significant progress had been made on the next EU budget, future cohesion policy and the bloc’s new strategy for islands.
He said cooperation would continue on the next multiannual financial framework and on upcoming initiatives, including the commission’s proposed “Right to Stay” strategy.
Conference on islands and coastal communities
Fitto is due to speak on Friday at a high-level conference in Paphos focused on strengthening the EU’s islands and coastal communities.
The event is being organised by the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU in cooperation with the European Commission.
Earlier this month, the commission unveiled its first comprehensive strategies for Europe’s islands and coastal communities, aimed at boosting their competitiveness, resilience, connectivity and long-term sustainability.
Right to Stay initiative
Fitto said the proposed “Right to Stay” initiative was designed to address population decline in rural, remote and inland areas by helping people remain in the communities where they live.
He later said the new islands strategy marked the first time the EU had adopted a comprehensive framework specifically addressing the challenges faced by island regions.
