Cyprus’ geopolitical location and its good relations with neighbouring countries make it a “stable pole” in the region, well positioned to facilitate discussions on EU maritime protection strategies during its upcoming Presidency, European Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis said on Friday.

“Cyprus’ upcoming EU Council presidency is very important, and for this reason many activities and initiatives will be developed in connection with the EU’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries portfolio,” he said.

These will include measures to combat illegal fishing, a strategy for island and coastal communities, an initiative to monitor the state of the ocean, and a ten-year plan to ensure the sustainability of fishing and aquaculture in the EU, Kadis added.

“You understand how relevant and significant a strategy concerning coastal and island areas is for Cyprus,” he said.

The strategy, currently being prepared under the coordination of European Commission Vice-President Rafael Fito, aims to identify the challenges faced by coastal and island areas and draft proposals to address them.

“The next step is for these measures to be included in the EU’s financial instruments to ensure the necessary funding to support these areas,” Kadis said. “I consider it very important that this initiative will start from Cyprus.”

Kadis also pointed to the European Maritime Days, which will be held in Limassol, as a way to bring together the public, policymakers, and professionals in the maritime sector.

At the institutional level, a meeting of EU fisheries ministers is scheduled to take place during the Cypriot EU Presidency.

At this meeting, the Commission will present the results of an evaluation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. Based on these findings, ministers will decide on any necessary adjustments to the framework.

In addition, a meeting of Mediterranean ministers, including representatives from EU and third countries, is planned. The outline of the ten-year sustainable fishing strategy is expected to emerge from this gathering.

“[In this meeting, Cyprus has] precisely the role of a state that has good relations with the neighboring regions, (…), and that can play the role of a stable pole,” Kadis said.

He described cooperation between the Commission and Cypriot authorities as “excellent,” adding that given current geopolitical developments, the EU aims to bolster support.

“We want the European Union to feel secure, which is why many of the measures, and the emphasis that will be given in the coming period, will concern security and defence issues, and it is an area in which Cyprus can also benefit and which is of particular interest to it.”

Emphasising the Commission’s readiness to cooperate with the Republic, he confirmed that the entire College of Commissioners will be in Cyprus in January to provide their expertise for the Cyprus presidency framework.