Nicosia, Cyprus. Europe’s efforts to strengthen competitiveness and economic resilience were discussed on Thursday during a meeting of the Eurochambres presidency. The meeting was held at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) and included senior leaders of the European chambers network and officials of the Republic of Cyprus.
Meeting context and participants
The gathering took place less than a month into the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and followed earlier exchanges between the Cypriot government and Eurochambres. Discussions centred on advancing Europe’s competitiveness agenda.
Opening remarks
President Nikos Christodoulides opened the meeting and highlighted the role of chambers of commerce and industry in supporting enterprises and strengthening Europe’s economic resilience.
Keve president’s remarks
Keve president Stavros Stavrou welcomed participants to Nicosia and described the meeting as taking place at a defining moment for Europe’s economic future.
He said global competition is intensifying, citing large-scale industrial strategies in the United States, long-term state-led policies in China, and fast-moving reforms in other economies. Stavrou said Europe can no longer rely on incremental change to remain competitive.
“Competitiveness is about strategic choices,” he said, adding that it concerns whether Europe remains a place where companies invest, innovate and grow, whether talent stays, and whether entrepreneurship is encouraged rather than constrained.
Role of Eurochambres
Stavrou also highlighted Eurochambres’ role, noting that it represents more than 20 million businesses across Europe.
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