Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute CEO Zacharias Siokouros urged the European Union to adopt a long-term, targeted institutional framework to strengthen coastal resilience, replacing short-term project-based approaches. He made the call during a meeting in Nicosia on February 20, 2026.
Call for long-term governance beyond funding cycles
According to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Siokouros delivered his remarks during a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.
Siokouros said coastal resilience should be built through initiatives with lasting implementation capacity, including long-term monitoring, applied research, and skills development. He added that governance platforms should remain active beyond specific EU funding periods to keep maritime strategies effective over time.
Siokouros said future EU strategies for islands and coastal communities would be assessed based on whether they limit fragmentation and promote strategic investments across Europe’s coastal regions.
Complex coastal pressures and Cyprus-specific constraints
The institute said the EU was also being urged to ensure its maritime strategies reflect complex coastal pressures linked to demographic, environmental, and geopolitical realities.
Siokouros cited the continuing illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus and the presence of British Bases as factors that hinder integrated coastal planning on the island.
Role of Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute and Cyprus Marine Foundation
The meeting highlighted the creation of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute as a Centre of Excellence for Research, Innovation, and Technological Development, describing it as a strategic move to support long-term goals.
Participants heard that the initiative has led to a research and innovation ecosystem supporting public and local authorities in strengthening the blue economy.
Siokouros said the Cyprus Marine Foundation serves as a collaborative cluster bringing together industry, academia, and the public sector to shape the future of the maritime sector.
What steps do you think the European Union should take to ensure coastal resilience initiatives remain effective beyond funding periods?
