The Joint Communiqué of the 3rd Intergovernmental Summit between Greece and Cyprus, held in Athens, reaffirms the crucial role of Intergovernmental Meetings in strengthening cooperation between Greece and Cyprus and contributing to ensuring stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As noted, the framework for bilateral cooperation is broad and multi-level, covering institutional, defence, economic, energy and educational sectors, while constantly deepening in response to contemporary challenges, with results that have a practical impact on the daily lives of citizens and their relationship with the state.
The Cyprus issue
With regard to the Cyprus issue, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed their commitment to the joint effort to restart talks with the aim of achieving a solution for the reunification of the island on the basis of the agreed framework of the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and expressed their expectation that Turkey will contribute substantially to the resumption and conduct of talks within the agreed framework, in order to achieve progress in Euro-Turkish relations -Turkish relations in accordance with the conclusions of the European Council.
At the same time, the two leaders expressed their support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in the context of the Good Offices Mission entrusted to him by the UN Security Council, in view of the convening by him of the next informal enlarged meeting, and underlined the particular importance of the EU also playing an active role, through its Special Envoy, in the context of the existing UN process.
Improving citizens' daily lives
With regard to the issues addressed at the 3rd Summit, the Joint Communiqué notes that particular emphasis was placed on cooperation to further improve the daily lives and quality of life of the citizens of both countries.
In the field of education, it was agreed to exchange know-how and good practices in critical areas such as linking education to the labor market, reinforcing the importance of vocational education in both countries
In the field of health, cooperation on preventive screening programs was agreed upon, while in the important area of hospital operations, particularly emergency departments, it was decided to strengthen cooperation to improve the functioning of hospitals, especially EDs, which is directly linked to the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the healthcare provided.
In the field of transport, it was decided to take coordinated action to improve road safety. This is an issue that concerns both Greece and Cyprus and is part of the EU's Strategic Framework for Road Safety 2021-2030, which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, approaching the long-term "Vision Zero" by 2050.
In the field of justice and crime prevention, it was decided to exchange know-how in the important area of judicial reform and speeding up the administration of justice with the aim of strengthening citizens' confidence in the institution of justice and the rule of law, while cooperation was agreed upon to create a united front against economic crime in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, with the need for effective monitoring of flows, use of information, and control at the source of crime being a common priority for Greece and Cyprus.
Housing policy
In addition, Greece and Cyprus agreed to cooperate on the major issue of housing policy, with common technical specifications, pilot actions in areas of tension, and a coordinated presence at EU level to strengthen social and affordable housing.
Disaster risk assessment
In the key area of natural disaster risk assessment, cooperation was agreed through the use of new digital tools for natural disaster risk assessment that enable the timely identification, forecasting, and mapping of risks from phenomena such as fires, floods, earthquakes, or extreme weather events.
In addition, the establishment of a European aerial firefighting center based in Cyprus (Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station/CRAFS), which will operate as the EU's Eastern Regional Aerial Firefighting Center, and bilateral cooperation was agreed upon for the exchange of know-how in the management of aerial firefighting operations, fleet management, operational planning, and international cooperation within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU.
New Pact for the Mediterranean
The importance of the New Pact for the Mediterranean, adopted by the European Commission in October 2025, as the key framework for strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood, was also emphasized, with Greece and Cyprus agreeing to work closely together to implement it, especially with the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.
Digital policy, innovation, and cybersecurity
It was decided to deepen cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in public digital policy, innovation, and cybersecurity, which strengthens the role of the two countries as digital hubs in the Eastern Mediterranean, while promoting joint participation in European high-tech initiatives.
It was also agreed that Cyprus would participate in the transnational AI Gigafactories initiative together with Greece, as a reference point for Digital Europe in the Mediterranean, as well as deepening cooperation between the two countries on cybersecurity and public service interoperability, with the aim of creating a unified Mediterranean digital governance ecosystem. Cooperation in space technology and programs was also agreed upon through the signing of two Memoranda of Cooperation by the relevant ministries.
Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the EU
With regard to Cyprus' assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, the two countries agreed to consult and communicate on a number of issues of concern within the EU.
At the same time, in view of Cyprus' full integration into the Schengen area, Greece will represent Cyprus in the issuance of Schengen visas in 19 third countries. In this context, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries signed a Joint Declaration.
“Greece and Cyprus underlined their commitment to contribute as strong pillars of security to stability in the region and that they remain steadfastly committed to promoting peaceful cooperation and good neighborly relations, with respect for international law and the law of the sea. The next steps were discussed regarding deepening existing trilateral cooperation formats in the Eastern Mediterranean, such as through the recent meeting of the 3+1 format to promote economic and energy interconnection projects that are critical to prosperity," the Joint Communiqué notes.
Finally, it was agreed that the next Intergovernmental Summit will take place in Cyprus in 2026, with an agenda to be determined jointly.
(Source: CNA)
