Cyprus has positioned water security as a central pillar of European resilience policy, with the agriculture ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Costas Constantinou warning in Brussels that water has become “a strategic resource linked to resilience, security and stability”.

Addressing discussions held in parallel with the EU council of environment ministers, Constantinou said water policy now extends beyond environmental management into economic planning, climate adaptation and geopolitical stability, particularly for regions such as the Mediterranean which face accelerated climate stress.

“Water is no longer just an environmental issue,” he said, placing it firmly within the EU’s broader strategic agenda as rising temperatures and declining rainfall intensify structural pressures.

He cautioned that the Mediterranean basin is warming faster than the global average, with reduced precipitation and more frequent extreme weather events placing sustained strain on agriculture, energy systems and food security.

Cyprus presented its own water model as indicative of long-term adaptation to scarcity.

More than 70 per cent of domestic water supply is derived from desalination, while over 85 per cent of treated wastewater is reused, supporting irrigation and reducing dependence on overexploited aquifers.

Current desalination output across the island stands at approximately 245,000 cubic metres per day, with plans to expand capacity to 12 operational units by the summer period.

Reservoir levels remain significantly constrained, standing at approximately 22.7 per cent of capacity, equivalent to around 63 million cubic metres, compared with 25.1 per cent at the same point last year.

While recent rainfall has improved inflows, authorities continue to manage supply risks, including rotational water cuts in parts of Larnaca linked to operational issues at desalination plants.

Constantinou highlighted the role of public-private partnerships and digital systems in strengthening efficiency and transparency in water management, while also addressing the structural investment gap across the sector.

The discussions formed part of a strategic workshop on water under the EU’s global gateway initiative, aimed at mobilising private capital for water infrastructure projects in developing regions.

Despite rising investment requirements, private sector participation remains limited, with emphasis placed on risk-sharing mechanisms and targeted financial instruments to unlock funding.

He further stressed Cyprus’ geostrategic position as an interlocutor between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, arguing that coordinated action on water resources can support regional stability and sustainable development.