Cyprus Minister of Finance, Mr. Makis Keravnos, addressed the importance of the right to stay for European citizens and regions during a high-level event in Brussels, emphasizing cohesion, regional disparities, and future EU strategies.
Cyprus Minister of Finance, Mr. Makis Keravnos, spoke at a high-level event in Brussels launching preparations for the EU’s “Right to Stay” strategy. He highlighted the significance of ensuring that every European citizen can live with dignity, security, and opportunity in their home region.
Mr. Keravnos acknowledged the challenges faced by regions across Europe, including economic stagnation, demographic decline, brain drain, and access to services. He emphasized that cohesion policy should transform the right to stay into tangible benefits through investments in jobs, infrastructure, education, and essential services.
The Minister noted that regional disparities are exacerbated by the green transition, digital transformation, climate change, and global economic competition. Cyprus will host an informal ministerial meeting on cohesion policy on June 4-5, 2026, focusing on island regions and their specific challenges.
He called for the right to stay to become a guiding principle in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), ensuring that policies are place-based, responsive, and promote convergence across all territories. The goal is to empower regions and foster fairness, dignity, and the long-term strength of the EU.
Mr. Keravnos concluded by emphasizing that the success of European integration should be measured not only by mobility but also by the confidence of citizens to choose to stay in their homeland.
