On June 5, 2026, EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy met in Lefkosia, Cyprus, to discuss citizens’ right to stay, island challenges, and cohesion priorities, with participation from EU officials and representatives.
The Informal Meeting of Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy of the European Union was held on June 5, 2026, in Lefkosia, Cyprus. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Makis Keravnos, Cyprus Minister of Finance, with the participation of Mr. Raffaele Fitto, European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.
The gathering included delegations from the 27 EU member states, EFTA countries, the European Parliament, the General Secretariat of the Council, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank, the European Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee.
During the first session, participants discussed the principle of the “right to stay” and emphasized safeguarding citizens’ right to live, work, and build their future in their home regions. It was highlighted that mobility should be a choice rather than a necessity. The importance of Cohesion Policy in enhancing competitiveness and creating opportunities was also underlined.
In the second session, ministers addressed challenges faced by EU islands, stressing the need for targeted policies and investments to improve resilience, connectivity, and equal development opportunities in island regions.
Minister Keravnos highlighted that Cohesion Policy is a key priority of the Cyprus Presidency, emphasizing its role in EU competitiveness, resilience, and social cohesion. He also noted the significance of the “right to stay” debate in Cyprus, where ongoing occupation issues prevent many citizens from living and working in their birthplaces.
Regarding island challenges, he called for targeted policies considering the structural issues faced by island regions. The EU Islands Strategy will be presented for the first time on June 26, 2026, at a high-level meeting in Pafos.
Photos from the event are available on the Cyprus Presidency’s Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/203754422@N03/albums/72177720334037261/.
