The European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, paid a two-day official visit to Cyprus last week, during which he had meetings with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou and bilateral contacts with ministers, while he was a keynote speaker at the "Maritime Cyprus 2025" shipping exhibition.
In his meeting with Mr. Christodoulides, the Commissioner discussed, among other things, the issues of his portfolio and "the priorities of Cyprus in the fields of infrastructure, transportation, shipping and tourism, but also issues of defence and further improvement of cooperation between Cyprus and the EU". As he said, "with the President we discussed policies that will be at the center of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU, such as the strategies we are preparing in a series of infrastructures and we will present them in the next period and I see a common approach to all issues, infrastructure, transport and tourism."
In the context of his visit to Cyprus, Commissioner Tzitzikostas gave an interview to Fileleftheros, pointing out, among many other things, that Cyprus maintains a leading role in European shipping events, as it is a strong maritime power. He expressed his belief that Cyprus, with its strategic position and maritime dynamics, will continue to play its key role.
In the meeting you had with the President, Mr. Christodoulides said that "it is the first time that we see, especially in the shipping sector, the European Union claiming the role it must play". What is this role?
I believe that when the shipping world looks towards the European Union, it sees stability and excellence. And at the same time, it recognises that European shipping is synonymous with safety, security and sustainability.
And in all this, Cyprus, which is a strong maritime power, has a leading role.
I am also extremely proud that the European Union has consistently defended international law and is leading the way in a number of challenges we face, from environmental protection to safety and responsible practices.
That is why we demand that a level playing field be maintained, to ensure that all operators, regardless of their flag or origin, adhere to the same standards and regulations. Our approach supports fair competition and, more importantly, helps to close loopholes that could otherwise be exploited to the detriment of competitiveness and security, especially now that shipping is becoming increasingly economically and geopolitically important.
At the beginning of 2026, therefore, I will present two closely related strategies: the European Ports Strategy and the Industrial Maritime Strategy, with which we will shape the European Union's maritime landscape for the coming years. And this is exactly what President Christodoulides was referring to, as Cyprus with its strategic position and its maritime dynamics will continue to play its key role.
President Christodoulides also said that he looks forward to working with you, as Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, especially during the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, as shipping will be, he said, one of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency. What priorities does the European Commission have for shipping and transport in general?
Shipping is a cornerstone of the European economy, connectivity and Europe's global influence. That is why President Christodoulides' commitment to give priority to shipping during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union is very important and I am ready to work closely with him and the Cypriot Government, to achieve the results we want.
Our common goal is a sustainable, safe and competitive maritime sector, but also an overall reliable transport system and network, which is the main arteries of the Common Market and unites places, people and businesses.
In practical terms, this means strengthening resilience, investing in innovation and digital transformation, focusing on defence and security, and ensuring fair competition.
Similarly, we have common goals in tourism, where we want to achieve the balance between development with more benefits for local communities and businesses and the protection of our natural and cultural heritage. We will therefore work closely together so that the Cyprus Presidency promotes the strategies we are preparing for European shipping, ports, military mobility and the first European strategy for tourism. All three of these strategies will contribute to strengthening our competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy, which are particularly important in today's volatile global environment.
Which projects in your areas of responsibility in Cyprus will receive support from the European Commission in the coming period?
It is now clear that the European Commission recognizes the importance of modern transport infrastructure for the competitiveness, sustainability and improvement of the daily lives of all our fellow citizens.
That is why the European Commission's proposal for the next EU budget (2028-2034) doubles funding for transport and infrastructure projects, which will go from €25.8 billion to €51.5 billion.
I am therefore sure that Cyprus will receive significant European funds for transport infrastructure projects.
To date, we have already supported 24 projects in Cyprus, with a total funding of €103.4 million. Among them, more than €87 million for the Nicosia Southern Perimeter Motorway, and just over €2 million for the Limassol Port.
The Port of Limassol also received €101 million for offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) and onshore natural gas facilities. Cyprus will also receive support from the Social Climate Fund, as early as 2026. The Fund is designed to support vulnerable social groups and Cyprus is expected to receive over €131 million. We are, therefore, already in close cooperation with Cyprus on the measures and investments planned by the country for both transport and energy.
New Regulation on Short-Term Rentals
How is the Commission managing the great debate that is taking place in many countries of the Union about over-tourism in some popular areas, which - combined with short-term rental accommodation - is exacerbating the housing problem for millions of Europeans and making living more difficult?
Tourism in Europe continues to grow. In the first half of this year, we recorded an almost 4% increase in overnight stays compared to 2024. And as arrivals and overnight stays increase, we are observing phenomena of unbalanced tourist flows.
And the goal is we manage to effectively balance these flows, both between destinations and between seasons.
So, in no case do I ignore the concerns of residents in popular tourist destinations. On the contrary, I take them very seriously. And these issues will be at the heart of the first common European strategy for tourism, which I will present at the beginning of next year.
We are currently looking at all the data to see how we will operate and what means we will use to achieve a better balance between popular destinations and areas waiting to be discovered by visitors. The key to success is strong and empowered Destination Management Organisations, which must work closely with municipalities, businesses and residents.
Digital tools can also help destinations plan and manage visitor flows in a smart and sustainable way. As far as the current housing crisis is concerned, the causes are many. Short-term leases, under certain circumstances, may affect the availability of housing.
That is why the new European Union Regulation on Short-Term Rentals, which will come into force in May 2026, will provide the framework for full transparency and effective management on this issue.
In parallel, the European Commission is working on the first European Affordable Housing Plan, which will support Member States, regions and cities in addressing structural challenges, unlocking public and private investment, and ultimately improving access to affordable housing for all.
Dual use - for civil and military needs - of transport infrastructure
In conjunction with SAFE, the Commission is strengthening the structures and framework for military mobility within the EU. How far can these relevant EU strategies go and what is the ultimate goal of the Union's shift towards the defence and armaments sectors?
We live in an increasingly unstable and polarised world and Europe must adapt to this reality, be ready to defend itself and its citizens, and military mobility is key to this goal.
And this becomes even clearer with the European Commission's proposal for the new European budget, where resources for military mobility are increased tenfold from €1.7 billion to €17 billion.
However, the first thing I would like to point out is that military mobility is just as much about civil transport as it is about military transport. Upgrading our ports, for example, will not only provide the flexibility troops need to move quickly, but will also open up new opportunities for commercial activities.
For this very reason, the European Union's investment in transport infrastructure must always take into account dual use, both by citizens and by the military. However, we must also look beyond infrastructure.
Agreeing on common rules and procedures, together with improved coordination, will also speed up military movements, while at the same time keeping the impact on civilian transport to a minimum.
Before the end of the year, I will present a package on Military Mobility, which will cover all these issues, and even more. Our goal is never to provoke conflict, but to prevent it. And, at the same time, to ensure prosperity and security across Europe. Cyprus, due to its strategic geographical position, will have a leading role in achieving these goals.