EU Ocean Pact top priority of Cyprus EU Presidency, President tells Nice event

Cyprus will make the implementation of the the EU Ocean Pact a top priority during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has said. 

The President was speaking at the European Commission’s side event at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference entitled 'The European Ocean Pact: aligning domestic, regional and international ocean governance' in Nice, France on 9 June.

Meanwhile, according to information, addressing the same event, French President Emmanuel Macron, noted that if we want to fight illegal and uncontrolled fishing, if we want to defend our science, we must protect our exclusive economic zones.

According to the same sources, he said that we must not compromise when the territorial sovereignty of some of our partners is threatened and referred to “our Greek or Cypriot friends”.

He continued by saying that "we must protect our territorial waters and these maritime areas everywhere" and added that "the security and defense effort made by all Europeans, accompanied by the Commission, must incorporate the ocean element into its dimension."

In his intervention, President Christodoulides noted that the European Ocean Pact is our Union’s comprehensive strategy to protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy, and support the well-being of coastal communities. Cyprus, he added, an island EU Member State, fully supports its objectives, and applauds the President of the Commission and Commissioner Kadis, for this strategic initiative.

"There is an undeniable reality we are facing. Ocean health is deteriorating due to climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Cyprus, surrounded and blessed by the beauty and richness of the Mediterranean Sea, is witness to this challenge: rising sea levels, extreme weather, coastal erosion, and warming waters," he continued. 

The Ocean Pact, he said, offers a strategy to reverse this trend through collaboration between Member States, regions, and stakeholders. 

"Recognising this urgency, Cyprus has led initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East, uniting scientists and policymakers on a regional action plan. We also support a dedicated sea basin strategy for the Eastern Mediterranean, given its ecological and economic importance" the President added. 

He went on to say that "this is why we are proud to commit today to better protect our coastal and marine areas, through expanded Marine Protected Areas, contributing significantly towards the protection of 30% of European Seas".

Furthermore, he said that Cyprus joined the call for a pause on any deep-sea mining activities under the remit of the International Seabed Authority, until a robust regulatory framework is in place and until sufficient scientific evidence are available to guarantee that there will be no adverse impact to the marine environment.

The Pact, he added, also aims to strengthen international ocean governance. "Cyprus proudly joined in ratifying the BBNJ Agreement and supports EU efforts against illegal fishing, ensuring fair competition for European fishers."

The President said that the Pact places an emphasis on coastal communities. "With 40% of Europeans – and nearly all Cypriots – living near the sea, these communities are vital to our society and economy. By empowering them and promoting blue innovation, we can unlock the ocean’s full potential" he went on to note.

"With the Ocean Pact, the EU takes a strong stance for the oceans and a sustainable blue economy. Cyprus, holding the EU Presidency in the first half of 2026, will make its implementation a top priority," the President of Cyprus concluded. 

(Source: CNA)