Cyprus House Speaker attends Visegrad and Cohesion Friends meeting in Bratislava

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Annita Demetriou, attended a meeting of the Visegrad Group (V4) and the 'Friends of Cohesion' in Bratislava on November 12-13, 2026. The summit focused on negotiations for the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, with participants advocating for continued robust funding for Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.

Demetriou emphasized the need for €5.2 billion in additional funding for cohesion, intended for states with a Gross National Income below 90% of the EU average. She highlighted Cyprus's specific structural challenges as a small, isolated island state, including limited connectivity and high transportation costs. During bilateral meetings with counterparts from Malta and Lithuania, she also provided updates on the Cyprus problem, citing the ongoing 52-year occupation and recent agreements regarding the opening of new crossing points.

Addressing the plenary, the Speaker called on the EU to demonstrate the same level of support for Cyprus as it provides to Ukraine. She argued that the Union should address regional inequalities and ensure the MFF reflects the needs of island nations, cautioning against 'double standards' regarding security and defense funding. The meeting served as a pivotal platform for member states to align their positions ahead of critical budget negotiations.