Nicosia, Cyprus. One in five Europeans and one in four children live in poverty, Deputy Social Welfare Minister Clea Hadjistefanou-Papaellina said on Friday, outlining Cyprus’ efforts to strengthen European social policy during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union.
She said Cyprus had sought to promote a more social, inclusive and people-centred Europe and to help shape policies addressing people’s needs.
Social policy priorities
Hadjistefanou-Papaellina highlighted progress towards a European anti-poverty strategy, a housing initiative, strengthened implementation of the European Child Guarantee and progress on the EU strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities through 2030.
She said tackling poverty was not only a matter of social justice but also an investment in Europe’s future, competitiveness and social cohesion.
Informal council meeting
Referring to the informal employment and social policy council held in Nicosia in February, she said participants discussed these issues and adopted conclusions encouraging investment in children to improve their welfare and social integration.
Role of smaller member states
The deputy ministry’s permanent secretary, Yiannis Nicolaides, said the results of Cyprus’ EU presidency showed that all member states were equal.
He said smaller member states could make a substantive contribution to progress across the EU when they were properly prepared, worked systematically and could effectively perform the presidency’s mediating role.
Nicolaides said Cyprus had demonstrated this capacity and created conditions for stronger participation in future EU processes.