Nicosia, Cyprus. EU ministers expressed broad support for ensuring that every European citizen has the opportunity to live, work and build a future in their home region if they choose to do so, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said on Friday after the first session of an informal meeting on cohesion policy in Nicosia. He said the discussion centred on the “right to stay”, aimed at making mobility within the European Union a choice rather than a necessity.
Support for the right to stay
Speaking at a press conference at the Filoxenia conference centre, where he chaired the meeting as part of Cyprus’ presidency of the Council of the European Union, Keravnos described the discussions as “particularly productive and interesting”.
He said ministers supported the principle that every citizen of the European Union should be able to live, work and create in their own place if they choose.
While noting that free movement within the single market remains one of the European Union’s greatest achievements, Keravnos said it was also important to maintain a meaningful balance so that citizens are not forced to leave their regions in search of opportunities.
According to Keravnos, ministers agreed that cohesion policy and targeted investments can support regions, create opportunities and make the right to stay a realistic and sustainable option for citizens across the bloc.
Focus on island challenges
Keravnos said the second part of the meeting was set to focus on the challenges facing islands ahead of the presentation of the European Union’s first strategy for islands.
He announced that the strategy will be formally presented on June 26 during a high-level meeting in Paphos, co-organised with the European Commission.
“The islands of the European Union face particular and complex challenges,” Keravnos said, adding that despite recognition of their unique characteristics, significant gaps remain in how those challenges are addressed through European Union policies and funding mechanisms.
Commission position
European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto said the right to stay was a key priority for the European Commission and formed part of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines.
