EU ministers discuss the right to stay during cohesion policy meeting in Nicosia

On Friday, EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy gathered in Nicosia for an informal meeting chaired by Cypriot Finance Minister Makis Keravnos. The session focused on the concept of the "right to stay," aiming to ensure that mobility within the European Union remains a matter of choice rather than economic necessity. Ministers expressed broad support for policies that allow citizens to live, work, and build futures within their home regions through targeted investments. While acknowledging that the free movement of labor is a cornerstone of the single market, officials emphasized the need to balance this mobility with regional development. The meeting was attended by representatives from member states, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank, and other key EU institutions. Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Raffaele Fito was specifically acknowledged for his contributions to the dialogue. Following the cohesion policy discussions, the agenda shifted toward the development of the EU's first-ever strategy for islands.