Ap. Tzitzikostas: “It is unacceptable that in 2026 there is an EU member state under occupation”

“The motto of the Cypriot Presidency for promoting a truly autonomous EU, open to the world, is truly in line with the goals of the current Commission and is more relevant than ever, as we are faced with profound changes in the international order,” emphasized the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism in the debate in the Plenary of the European Parliament, representing the European Commission in the presentation of the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency, in the presence of the Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

Mr. Tzitzikostas stressed that “it is unacceptable that in 2026 there is an EU member state that continues to be under occupation,” adding that “a comprehensive, fair and sustainable solution for Cyprus remains an absolute priority for the EU.”

The Commissioner underlined that the two main issues that will concern the Cypriot Presidency of the EU are the security and defense of Europe, areas in which historic steps have been taken over the last twelve months, as he characteristically stated.

Referring to the steps that must be taken in the coming period, Mr. Tzitzikostas noted that the EU must immediately step up its efforts and turn its initiatives into concrete actions:

– First, with the implementation of the SAFE program and the rapid approval of the package of measures for military mobility and the defense plan.

– Second, by maintaining our support for Ukraine.

– Third, with the full implementation of the pact on migration and asylum and the agreement on the proposal for the return of migrants.

“A top priority of the Cypriot Presidency must also remain competitiveness, with a simultaneous reduction of bureaucracy, bridging the innovation gap, reducing carbon emissions and dependencies on non-EU countries,” stressed Mr. Tzitzikostas.

Indeed, the Commissioner stated that the ten packages of measures to reduce bureaucracy, together with three more that are to be presented, “could reduce recurring administrative costs by 11.9 billion euros, with significantly positive results for businesses and citizens.”

“We must also further improve our greatest asset, the single market. Because we need clear political deadlines, the Commission will soon propose the roadmap for the single market up to 2028,” he added.

Among the initiatives undertaken by the EU, the Commissioner stressed that the law to strengthen and enhance the competitiveness of European industry will be announced on 29 January 2026 and will contain important issues, such as ‘Made in Europe’, public procurement, the conditions for foreign direct investment in key strategic sectors, etc.

Also, regarding the new EU strategies for ports and shipping, for which he is responsible, he underlined that they will be presented next February.

Mr. Tzitzikostas placed particular emphasis on social policy in the context of the Cypriot Presidency, stating:

“We share the emphasis that the Presidency places on leaving no one behind by improving the daily lives of European citizens, especially with regard to their purchasing power, housing and quality jobs, issues that are among the top priorities of the Commission today. That is why the presentation of the new action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights is being planned, while already with the package of measures for networks, which we presented last month, and our initiative on energy corridors, we aim at access to cheaper energy for all. Also, emphasis is placed on regional cohesion with the European strategies for coastal and island areas, while in the spring I will also present the first unified European strategy for tourism.”

The Commissioner also referred to the need to promote European policies in health, as well as the need to strengthen the EU’s partnerships worldwide, starting with the Pact for the Mediterranean, and with an emphasis on the EU’s role in the Middle East, as well as in trade.

Concluding his speech, Mr. Tzitzikostas referred to the new Multiannual Financial Framework, emphasizing the need to support competitiveness and to shield the EU against future crises, and called on the Cypriot Presidency to promote it as a priority.

The Commissioner thanked Mr. Christodoulides for the excellent organization of the visit of the College of Commissioners to Cyprus last week and expressed his certainty that the Cypriot Presidency will be successful for all of Europe. (20/01/26)