Paphos, Cyprus. Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said on Friday that the European Commission’s new strategies for islands and coastal communities provide comprehensive frameworks to address the structural disadvantages faced by those regions across the European Union.
Speaking at a high-level conference in Paphos, Keravnos said the event held symbolic significance for Cyprus as it marked the conclusion of the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Strategies for islands and coastal regions
Keravnos said the two strategies formed coherent policy frameworks that recognised challenges facing islands and coastal communities, including small market size, dependence on transport links and the high costs associated with connectivity.
He said the strategies also offered a practical basis for policies and measures aimed at addressing disadvantages linked to geographical isolation and strengthening the European Union’s economic and territorial cohesion.
Reference to Cyprus presidency
Addressing European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, Keravnos thanked him for his cooperation and support throughout the Cyprus presidency.
He said recognition of the island dimension had featured prominently during the informal meeting of EU cohesion ministers held in Nicosia on June 4 and 5.
Concerns raised by ministers
According to Keravnos, ministers at that meeting stressed that Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion and security could not be achieved if some regions continued to face permanent structural obstacles limiting their development prospects and preventing them from fully benefiting from the opportunities offered by the single market.
Right to Stay strategy
Keravnos also highlighted the importance of the European Union’s emerging Right to Stay strategy, which seeks to ensure that citizens can remain and build their futures in the places where they were born rather than leaving because of economic or social pressures.
He said people must be able to remain, prosper and develop in their islands and coastal communities, and that this required equal access to infrastructure, services and connectivity, as well as local economies capable of creating quality jobs and fully using each region’s comparative advantages.
Coastal communities and local pressures
Keravnos described coastal communities as areas of exceptional natural beauty and of significant economic and geopolitical importance for Europe.
He said they served as pillars of the blue economy and maritime connectivity while also facing the direct impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
Referring to Fitto’s visit to remote communities in Cyprus on Thursday, Keravnos said the visit had shown the reality of ageing populations, young people seeking opportunities elsewhere and local communities struggling to remain viable.
