The priorities of Cyprus’ Presidency were presented to the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) by the Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, Michalis Damianos, together with the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Nikodimos Damianou, on Tuesday morning in Brussels.
The Minister thanked the members of IMCO for the opportunity “to present our priorities and participate in a constructive dialogue at a crucial moment for the future of the EU,” emphasizing that the Presidency attaches particular importance to cooperation with the European Parliament and that today’s discussion is part of this spirit of openness and institutional partnership.
According to Damianos, Cyprus is taking over the Presidency “at a time of profound transformation for Europe,” where “geopolitical uncertainty, intensifying global competition, and rapid technological change are putting increasing pressure on our economic model.” As he stressed, these developments “directly affect the functioning of the Single Market” and “require a clear, coordinated, and forward-looking European response.”
Presenting the political vision of Cyprus Presidency, he stated that it is summarized in the motto “An Autonomous Union, Open to the World,” meaning one that is “competitive, resilient, and capable of acting decisively,” while remaining “open, rules-based, and firmly anchored in our shared European values.”
According to the Minister, competitiveness is built through “a strong and well-functioning Single Market,” which “removes unjustified barriers, ensures effective enforcement of rules, and provides a predictable framework for businesses and consumers.” For this reason, he said, “strengthening and completing the Single Market is a central political priority of the Presidency.”
Damianos described the Single Market as “Europe’s greatest economic achievement” and “one of its strongest strategic assets,” noting, however, that “its full potential continues to be limited by fragmentation, uneven application of rules, and administrative complexity.” As he explained, the Cypriot Presidency will focus on “following up on the Single Market Strategy, improving enforcement, and preventing the creation of new barriers” so that “citizens and businesses can fully benefit from the freedoms it offers.”
Referring specifically to the posting of workers, he emphasized that “the diversity of national declaration requirements continues to create unjustified barriers to the free provision of services.”
The proposal for an electronic declaration, he said, aims to “reduce the administrative burden through a single digital interface,” while fully safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring effective enforcement.
He assured that the Cypriot Presidency “will work pragmatically to advance discussions and facilitate compromises, in close cooperation with the European Parliament.”
Turning to the issue of consumer protection, the Minister stressed that it is a “cornerstone of the Single Market.” He noted that it is “imperative to ensure a high level of protection,” as this “directly strengthens public trust in the internal market and boosts its competitiveness.”
He also referred to the 2030 Consumer Agenda, presented to Parliament by European Commissioner McGrath, saying it is “expected to address the challenges we are called upon to face in the field of consumer protection, as shaped by geopolitical developments and technological progress.”
Cyprus Presidency, he said, “will actively promote the 2030 Consumer Agenda by bringing relevant Council Conclusions to the COMPET Council,” while “safeguarding vulnerable consumers, especially minors, and upholding high standards of protection and information will remain key priorities in the coming months.”
In the same spirit, he emphasized that “trust in the Single Market requires effective enforcement and fair competition throughout the Union.”
Common rules, he said, must be “applied consistently and decisively, both online and offline,” so that “consumers are protected and compliant businesses are not undermined by unfair or deceptive practices.” To this end, he said, it is necessary to “strengthen cooperation between national authorities, improve market surveillance, and make better use of digital tools” to “ensure product safety and a truly level playing field.”
Referring to the digital transformation of the Single Market, he stressed that it “creates additional challenges for consumer protection, particularly online,” noting that “the protection of minors and the fight against deceptive and manipulative practices are issues of growing concern.”
Although the European Union already has “a strong legislative framework,” he emphasized that “effective implementation and further reflection are necessary.” He assured that the Presidency “will contribute to these discussions in a way that strengthens consumer trust while preserving the unity of the Single Market.”
In conclusion, Damianos placed particular emphasis on simplification and better regulation, stating that the Presidency will continue to promote “clear, proportionate, and well-designed rules” that “enable businesses, especially SMEs, to innovate and grow,” while ensuring a high level of protection for consumers. He characteristically underlined that “simplification is not deregulation; it is a prerequisite for competitiveness, fairness, and trust.”
Addressing the Chair and members of the IMCO Committee, he concluded by saying that Cyprus Presidency approaches its term “with a strong sense of responsibility, openness, and cooperation” and is “committed to working closely with the European Parliament, and with the IMCO Committee in particular, to deliver a Single Market that is fair, competitive, and resilient, serving consumers, businesses, and citizens across the Union.”