Geadis Geadi calls for more EU funding for Cyprus and other European islands

Nicosia, Cyprus. Elam member of the European Parliament Geadis Geadi on Thursday called for more European Union funding for Cyprus and other European islands. He spoke during a plenary discussion on EU strategies for islands, coastal communities and outermost regions.

Calls for targeted support

“Islands are not merely a geographical detail. They represent a reality characterised by economic and social challenges. We in Cyprus, the European Union’s easternmost island state, are acutely aware of this,” Geadi said.

He said Cyprus’s geography means residents face higher transport costs, increased expenses for individuals and businesses, and limited air connections.

“The European strategy for islands must transform obstacles into opportunities, because true European solidarity requires specialised funding, energy interconnections, improved transport, the strengthening of local authorities, better air and maritime connectivity, and measures to address demographic challenges,” he said.

Geadi added that protecting islands also means protecting European heritage and historical traditions.

“No European citizen, whether on an island, in a coastal community, or in an outermost region, should be considered a second-class citizen,” he said.

Commission outlines island strategy

Earlier on Thursday, European Commission Vice President for cohesion Raffaele Fitto said he was “very pleased” that the commission had responded to a longstanding call from the European Parliament by adopting strategies for islands, coastal communities and outermost regions.

“Together, these strategies provide, for the first time, a more comprehensive framework for territories facing specific geographical, economic, and demographic challenges,” he said.

Fitto said island communities face challenges linked to insularity, distance from mainland markets, dependence on maritime and air connections, higher transport costs and limited economies of scale.

He said the commission’s islands strategy was built on four pillars that take these factors into account.

The first covers economic development, connectivity, competitiveness and innovation. The second addresses energy, climate and the environment.

The third focuses on people, population decline, ageing, brain drain and housing, while the fourth addresses security and crisis preparedness.