Cyprus and Greece sign Memorandum of Cooperation on long-term planning

Cyprus and Greece have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Long-Term Planning (Foresight), the Cypriot Foreign Ministry announced.

It said the creation of a Long Term Planning Unit in the Presidency is a strategic initiative that is part of the Annual Government Planning for 2025 and aims to strengthen the capacity of the Public Administration to monitor, analyse and prepare for medium and long term developments, using scientific tools, data and policy scenarios.

The cooperation between Greece and Cyprus includes  the transfer of know-how, training of Cypriot officials through joint workshops and training activities, as well as the development of a framework for cooperation in European programmes and policy scenarios.

The creation of a Long-Term Planning Unit represents a substantial investment in the country's governance, aiming to strengthen strategic insight and the foundation for informed decision-making. Through cooperation with Greece, operational capabilities are strengthened and a shared commitment to institutional modernisation is promoted. Preparing for the future is seen as an ongoing institutional obligation towards future generations, the press release added.

Furthermore it is noted that this initiative is an investment in knowledge and in the development of early warning and policy planning tools to enhance the collective preparedness and capacity of both countries to integrate forward thinking into their decision-making processes.

The Memorandum was signed by the Special Secretary for Long Term Planning of the Greek government, Yannis Mastrogeorgiou, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece, Stavros Avgoustidis, following the decision on cooperation taken at the 2nd Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit.

On the Cypriot side, the Secretariat for the Coordination and Support of the Government Programme, under the political supervision of the Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, will be responsible for the coordination of the initiative.