EU high-level conference on island and coastal strategies concludes in Paphos

On June 25-26, 2026, the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council hosted a high-level conference in Paphos titled 'Strengthening the EU's islands and coastal communities.' The event marked the conclusion of the Cypriot Presidency. President Nikos Christodoulides and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela were among the attendees. During the conference, European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto presented the strategy for islands, while Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis presented the strategy for coastal regions. The initiatives include 13 key actions aimed at addressing climate change, demographic pressures, housing affordability, and tourism dependency. The strategies intend to guide the allocation of EU resources to enhance economic competitiveness and sustainability. Participants also toured urban infrastructure projects in Paphos funded by the European Union to observe the tangible impact of EU membership.