Cyprus EU Presidency placed particular emphasis on investing in young people, empowering teachers and promoting inclusive, learner-centred education systems, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Athena Michaelidou said Monday, pointing out that the Presidency delivered on key commitments set out in its programme, through negotiations and close cooperation with Member States and European institutions.
Speaking after the conclusion of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels the Minister said that it was ‘a very important Council’, during which a series of decisions were adopted in the fields of education and youth.
Minister Michaelidou stressed that education and youth policies are central to shaping the future of the European Union. She also made special reference to the agreement on the partial general approach for the Erasmus+ programme for the 2028-2034 period, describing it as one of the Cyprus Presidency’s most significant achievements.
She explained that Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport and that, over the past 40 years, it has provided study, training and volunteering opportunities to more than 16 million people.
Michaelidou said that the agreement reached reflects the determination of Member States to make the programme more accessible, effective and sustainable for future generations.
She noted that this constitutes a clear example of the Cyprus Presidency delivering tangible results on issues that directly affect citizens.
During the Council meeting, conclusions on ‘Teachers in the Age of AI’ were also adopted, with the Minister noting that they represent the Council’s first initiative specifically dedicated to the relationship between artificial intelligence and education.
Cyprus Minister also noted that as artificial intelligence transforms societies and economies, European education systems are being called upon to adapt in order to support both the digital transition and Europe’s long-term competitiveness and strategic autonomy. She underlined, however, that technology cannot replace the human dimension of teaching.
She stated that teachers remain at the heart of the learning process, contributing to the development of values, critical thinking and skills.
The Minister further noted that the Council conclusions send a clear message that Europe’s digital future depends both on technological development and on the empowerment of teachers and education systems.
The Council also held discussions on strengthening basic skills and advancing the European Education Area. Michaelidou stated that skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability and active citizenship are considered essential both for personal development and for the functioning of resilient democratic societies.
She said that education systems must prepare learners not only for the labour market, but also for lifelong learning, active participation and the challenges of an evolving international environment.
At the same time, she stressed that European cooperation, through the European Education Area and the Union of Skills, can contribute to the creation of more competitive, resilient and inclusive education systems.
On youth policy, Michaelidou stated that the Cyprus Presidency had worked towards strengthening the meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes, emphasising that Europe must be built together with young people and not only for them.
She highlighted that ministers’ discussions focused on the growing challenges faced by young people, including the rising cost of living, housing difficulties, mental health pressures and inequalities in access to opportunities.
The Minister stated that there was broad agreement that the EU’s post-2027 Youth Strategy should be based on youth-centred policies, ensuring the participation of young people at every stage of the process, from policy design to implementation and evaluation.
In this context, she noted that two key texts were adopted: the resolution on the EU Youth Strategy Work Plan, which updates the implementation framework for the next policy cycle, and the resolution on the outcomes of the 11th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue.
Michaelidou stated that the second resolution advances specific recommendations made by young people through three European Youth Conferences, aimed at guiding policymaking at both European and national level.
‘The Cyprus Presidency worked to promote a simple but important principle: Europe is stronger when it is built together with its young people,’ she said.