The results of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU have proven that islands are not at the periphery, but at the heart of the European project, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said on Friday.“I am so proud of a
Speaking in Pafos at the closing of the High-Level Conference on “Empowering EU Islands and Coastal Communities”, Raouna said she was proud of what had been achieved during the Cyprus Presidency.
"I am so proud of what we have achieved together,” she said.
Raouna said the conference marked the final major event of Cyprus’ six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU, describing it as a Presidency that had worked with responsibility, dedication and a results-driven approach.
She said Cyprus had acted as an “honest broker” and had delivered results for the European family and its citizens, in areas ranging from security and defence to competitiveness, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, enlargement, energy, migration and social cohesion.
Referring to the conference, she said its discussions contributed to a stronger European vision for island communities and coastal territories.
“The message is clear: by working together, we can transform ambition into action and deliver lasting benefits for our citizens and our economies,” she said.
Raouna thanked Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto for his support in developing a dedicated European strategy for islands, as well as Commissioner Costas Kadis for advancing a comprehensive strategy for Europe’s coastal communities.
She said the two strategies underlined the principle of cohesion, which remains fundamental to the European project, noting that “no community and no citizen” should be left behind.
For islands and coastal communities, she added, this commitment is vital and their needs and aspirations must remain central to the European agenda.
Raouna also said that Cyprus had worked throughout its Presidency to ensure that the Mediterranean dimension received the attention it deserves, “not as a side note, but at its heart.”
The Mediterranean, she said, is not only a shared sea, but a crucial strategic space for Europe’s economic prosperity, energy security, connectivity, environmental sustainability and geopolitical stability.
As an island state at the crossroads of three continents, Cyprus understands first-hand both the challenges and the opportunities that come with its connection to the sea, she added.
Raouna expressed confidence that the Irish Presidency, also an island member state, would carry forward the momentum and continue building strong partnerships for thriving coastal and island communities.
She also thanked the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency for its work in organising more than 300 high-level events across Cyprus during the 181 days of the Presidency.
In the first half of 2026, the Republic of Cyprus held the Presidency of the Council of the EU for a six-month term, as part of a Trio Presidency along with Poland and Denmark.
