Category: Cyprus News Agency

‘The EU wishes to have a presence and an active role in the UN Secretary-General’s initiative on the Cyprus issue at all stages,’ government sources said following the meeting between the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, on Thursday afternoon in Brussels, directly linking progress on EU-Turkey issues with parallel developments on the Cyprus issue. On its part, a European source told CNA that President Costa made it clear that there are other factors in the equation as well, noting that Turkey is a candidate country for accession and that, because of this, more criteria are taken into consideration, such as the rule of law and the economy.

The government sources also said that, during her visit to Brussels, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, will also meet with Costa.

Initially, regarding the part of the discussion concerning the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, a government source said that during the meeting President Costa congratulated the President of the Republic ‘for the excellent work carried out by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, as well as for the high level of cooperation that existed throughout the duration of the Presidency.’

According to the same source, particular reference was made to the substantial progress achieved on issues of high political importance and great complexity, as well as on issues that had remained open for years and on which the Cypriot Presidency managed to advance significant deliverables. The President of the Republic thanked President Costa for the cooperation and support, stressing that the Cypriot Presidency approached its mission with seriousness, consistency, and full awareness of the responsibility it had undertaken.

In addition, the government source told CNA that the President of the Republic told President Costa that he feels proud of what the Cypriot Presidency achieved, noting that this effort was approached as a national mission. The course of the Presidency, the commitment to its goals, and the results recorded reflect the institutional adequacy and credibility of the Republic of Cyprus at the European level.

The government source added that from the EU side there is a clear understanding that the EU-Turkey agenda cannot develop separately from the Cyprus issue and from Turkey’s obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus and the EU, and that President Costa made it clear that any progress on EU-Turkey issues is directly linked to corresponding progress on the Cyprus issue.

According to the government source, President Costa informed that he had two communications with the UN Secretary-General, within the framework of supporting the European effort towards the UN Secretary-General’s initiative, and that the EU supports the UN Secretary-General’s initiative and wishes to see substantial progress on the Cyprus issue.

It was underlined that the EU wishes to have a presence and an active role at all stages of the process, from the beginning, in a way that substantially supports the effort for the resumption and progress of negotiations, within the framework defined by the resolutions of the UN Security Council. In addition, the Turkish side is showing interest in the EU-Turkey agenda, with emphasis on specific issues such as the Customs Union, visa liberalisation, and SAFE.

It was further stressed that the aspect of the EU acquis is fundamental to the process and can act as a catalyst for achieving progress on a series of substantive issues. The position conveyed by the European side, according to the government source, is that the EU wishes and seeks to be present, active, and substantially involved in the process from the initial stage, making use of its role as the institutional framework within which the process will operate.

A European source confirmed the good atmosphere of the meeting and the discussion, with President Costa reminding that there are other factors in the equation as well, noting that Turkey is a candidate country for accession and that the criteria taken into account are therefore broader, such as the rule of law and the economy. In addition, the European source confirmed Costa’s two recent communications with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during which they referred to the Cyprus problem.

Regarding the rest of the meeting’s agenda, President Costa congratulated the President of the Republic on the ‘successful Cyprus Presidency,’ personally thanking President Christodoulides ‘ for the important progress made against a challenging political backdrop’.

Today’s discussion at the European Council was also part of the agenda, regarding both the review of the Presidency expected to be presented by President Christodoulides, as well as the structure of the discussion concerning competitiveness and the ‘One Europe, One Market’ plan.

The publication of the 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard once again places Cyprus under the European spotlight. As the European Commission’s principal comparative tool for assessing national justice systems, the Scoreboard evaluates the efficiency, quality and independence of justice across all 27 Member States.

For Cyprus, this year’s findings present a mixed and, in some respects, concerning picture. A comparison with the 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard reveals that while important reforms continue to reshape the judicial system, several key efficiency indicators have deteriorated. The estimated duration of both civil-commercial and administrative proceedings increased during the latest reporting period, while the backlog of pending civil and commercial cases also grew. At the same time, Cyprus continues to record exceptionally high clearance rates, modest increases in judicial expenditure and ongoing progress in the digitalisation of justice. These developments suggest that Cyprus remains firmly engaged in a process of judicial modernisation, however, they also highlight the continuing gap between institutional reform and practical outcomes.

Cyprus Continues to Struggle with Judicial Delays

The most persistent concern highlighted by the Scoreboard remains the length of judicial proceedings. In the category of civil and commercial litigation at first instance, Cyprus continues to be among the slowest-performing jurisdictions in the European Union. Figure 5 of the Scoreboard places Cyprus near the bottom of the EU ranking regarding the estimated time required to resolve litigious civil and commercial cases, with only Greece appearing to perform worse.

A comparison with the previous edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard in 2025 reveals that Cyprus has not merely maintained its position among the slower-performing Member States but has, in certain respects, experienced further deterioration. In civil and commercial litigation at first instance, the estimated disposition time increased from approximately 520 days in 2023 to nearly 580 days in 2024, while Cyprus remained the second-slowest jurisdiction in the European Union after Greece. The deterioration is even more pronounced in administrative proceedings, where the estimated time required to resolve cases almost doubled, rising from approximately 400 days in 2023 to nearly 800 days in 2024. These developments suggest that the latest Scoreboard does not simply reproduce earlier findings but highlights a worsening of judicial delays in key areas despite ongoing reform efforts.

The picture is similarly concerning for administrative justice. Cyprus remains among the Member States requiring the longest time to resolve administrative disputes at first instance. Figure 7 places Cyprus within the group of countries experiencing the greatest delays, alongside Malta, Portugal and Slovakia.

When examining proceedings across all court instances, Cyprus again appears among the slowest jurisdictions in Europe. In both civil-commercial and administrative litigation, the cumulative duration of proceedings remains substantially above the EU average. These findings indicate that, despite extensive reform efforts, the effects of recent legislative and institutional changes have not yet translated into a significant reduction in overall case duration.

A comparison with the 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard reveals a notable deterioration in the estimated time required to resolve administrative cases at first instance. Whereas the previous edition reported a disposition time of approximately 400 days in 2023, the 2026 Scoreboard records a figure approaching 800 days for 2024. This sharp increase suggests that, despite ongoing judicial reforms, administrative justice in Cyprus experienced renewed delays during the latest reporting period.

Positive Signs in Case Resolution Rates

Not all findings are negative. One of the most encouraging indicators concerns Cyprus’ clearance rate – the ability of courts to resolve cases at least as quickly as new cases enter the system.

In the broad category of civil, commercial, administrative and other cases, Cyprus records one of the highest clearance rates among EU Member States. Likewise, in litigious civil and commercial cases, Cyprus appears at the very top of the European ranking. The Scoreboard also notes improvements in administrative proceedings, where the number of resolved cases increased significantly. According to the European Commission, this development was partly attributed to the consolidation and withdrawal of 2,724 cases, as well as the operation of the Administrative Court established in 2015.

However, a comparison with the 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard reveals that these positive developments have not yet been translated into a reduction of the overall backlog of cases. While Cyprus already recorded one of the highest numbers of pending litigious civil and commercial cases per 100 inhabitants in the 2025 edition, the 2026 Scoreboard shows a further increase in unresolved cases. The number of pending civil and commercial disputes rose from approximately four cases per 100 inhabitants in 2023 to around four and a half in 2024, placing Cyprus among the Member States with the largest outstanding caseloads.

This apparent contradiction highlights the central challenge facing the Cypriot justice system. Although courts are now resolving cases at an impressive rate, they continue to struggle with the accumulation of long-standing backlogs and the volume of incoming litigation. As a result, improved clearance rates have yet to produce a corresponding reduction in pending cases or a significant improvement in the overall duration of proceedings. The 2026 findings, therefore, suggest that judicial reforms are beginning to enhance the courts’ capacity to process cases, but that their full impact on efficiency remains to be seen.

Digitalisation: Progress, But Not Yet Among Europe’s Leaders

The digitalisation of justice remains a central objective of EU policy. The 2026 Scoreboard dedicates extensive attention to the use of digital technologies, electronic case management systems, online filing procedures, videoconferencing and electronic communication between judicial institutions.

Cyprus continues to demonstrate moderate progress in this area. The country performs reasonably well regarding procedural rules permitting the use of digital technologies in court proceedings and online services for initiating and monitoring cases.

However, a comparison with the 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard suggests that Cyprus’ overall level of digitalisation has remained broadly stable. While the country retains a solid middle-ranking position among EU Member States, it has not yet achieved the level of digital integration observed in several northern and eastern European jurisdictions. Of particular significance is the relatively limited availability of secure electronic communication tools between courts and external actors compared to many of the leading Member States.

Judicial Resources Remain Limited

The Scoreboard also highlights continuing structural resource constraints within the Cypriot justice system. Although public expenditure on courts as a percentage of GDP increased slightly between the 2025 and 2026 editions of the Scoreboard, Cyprus remains the lowest-ranking Member State on this indicator. The modest increase in funding, therefore, appears insufficient to alter Cyprus’ relative position within the European Union.

Similarly, while the number of judges per 100,000 inhabitants has increased over time, Cyprus continues to remain below many European jurisdictions that perform more effectively in terms of case resolution and procedural speed.

Most strikingly, despite a small increase in judicial expenditure, the latest data show worsening delays and growing backlogs in several categories of cases. This suggests that the effects of additional investment have yet to translate into measurable improvements in court efficiency and case management.

A System in Transition

The overall picture emerging from the 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard is neither one of failure nor one of complete success. Cyprus continues to rank among the slowest judicial systems in Europe in several key efficiency indicators. Long proceedings and substantial backlogs remain major challenges that directly affect citizens, businesses and public confidence. At the same time, the Scoreboard demonstrates that important foundations for improvement have now been laid. Clearance rates are improving, institutional reforms have fundamentally restructured the court system and digitalisation efforts continue to expand.

The challenge now is ensuring that legislative ambition is matched by practical results. Only then will Cyprus be able to move from being a country known for judicial delays to one recognised for an efficient, modern and accessible justice system.

This six-month period has given us the opportunity, through actions and decisions recognised by all, to be proud of our country, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday in Brussels.

In his doorstep statements arriving at the European Council meeting, President Christodoulides noted that this is the last European Council during the Cyprus EU Presidency. ‘I am truly proud of our country. I am proud of the results we have achieved over these six months. We have exceeded every expectation,’ he said, referring to some of the achievements of the Cyprus EU Presidency.

He recalled that ‘we had in many cases referred to three main objectives within the framework of our Presidency slogan for a more autonomous European Union, open to the world.’

‘We spoke about the need to strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European Union in all sectors, and I am pleased because there have been very significant developments in the field of defence and security,’ the President added.

Just yesterday, he said, ‘we closed the file concerning military mobility, the precursor to a kind of military Schengen of the European Union,’ while 18 member states moved forward with SAFE programmes.

‘We moved towards an Energy Union. We advanced in strengthening competitiveness by promoting and completing many files related to simplifying European Union procedures, which will bring enormous economic benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises in the European Union,’ he also said.

Within the framework of strengthening strategic autonomy, he said, ‘we achieved, after many years, very significant developments in enlargement policy’ concerning Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro.

The second objective, he recalled, was improving the daily lives of European citizens. ‘And I am pleased because we made significant progress on issues relating to health, airline passenger rights, education, and culture,’ he said.

President Christodoulides also noted that the Cyprus EU Presidency closed a file that had been under discussion for more than 10 years concerning the social security systems of member states.

Regarding the third objective – an EU open to the world – the President expressed satisfaction that, also due to the crisis in the region, ‘we brought the European Union much closer to the wider Middle East.’ ‘There is no longer any doubt that the wider Middle East region is a region of strategic importance for the EU,’ he added.

He further stated that during the Cyprus Presidency, many trade agreements were concluded – with India, with the countries of Latin America, ‘we have closed the file for the agreement with the United States’, while negotiations have begun with the United Arab Emirates.

‘We have closed the issues concerning the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union that had remained open since Britain left the European Union. There are so many achievements,’ he added.

President Christodoulides also noted that during participation earlier in the European People’s Party summit, he received congratulations for the Cyprus Presidency from the President of the Commission, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the EPP, and several of his counterparts in the European Council who come from the EPP.

He thanked all those who contributed ‘to this very important moment for our country,’ the Deputy Minister for European Affairs and her associates, and members of the Council of Ministers, ‘all those who presented our priorities to the competent committees of the European Parliament.’

‘And I am pleased, I repeat, that this six-month period has given us the opportunity, not with words but with actions, with decisions recognised by all, to be proud of our country,’ he stressed.

‘The EU has an important role to play in the Middle East’

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Asked by a journalist about the situation in the region, he said the situation is much better than it was before. ‘What we need to do now is to make sure that whatever is signed is going to be implemented’, he said.

In response to another question on the Middle East and the role of Europe following the agreement between the US and Iran, President Christodoulides said that the most important thing is for this agreement to be implemented in practice.

‘And here the European Union has an important role to play, and especially from our point of view, we also have a particular sensitivity regarding Lebanon, a country neighbouring the Republic of Cyprus. I am in constant contact with the President, to ensure stability and the territorial integrity of Lebanon,’ he said.

Accession path of Ukraine

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Asked whether more chapters for Ukraine will be opened by July, President Christodoulides noted that the Ukrainian President has requested a bilateral meeting with him to discuss the opening of all clusters related to the accession process.

‘From the Cyprus Presidency side, we are ready to do so. We are discussing with several member states, including the new Prime Minister of Hungary, who also participated in the first European People’s Party summit as Prime Minister of his country, to see whether the conditions exist to proceed,’ he added.

From the Cyprus Presidency’s side, ‘we are ready to close some other important files, which we will also discuss in the European Council, and until the very last day we will continue working with the same dedication.’

China – Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)

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Asked about China and the discussion expected on global macroeconomic imbalances, and whether new tools might be proposed, the President said that the most important outcome of the discussion on China is for the European Union, as 27 member states, to have a common approach towards China.

‘Because clearly, we are stronger when we negotiate as ’27’ than when each member state negotiates separately,’ he said.

President Christodoulides stressed that in this Council, ‘the big issue tomorrow concerns the Multiannual Financial Framework.’ ‘We have received congratulations from the President of the Commission, and it was also repeated at the European People’s Party, for the fact that we have matured the discussions, we have matured the file concerning the MFF, which reflects the EU’s new priorities, ensuring important areas such as cohesion funds, the Common Agricultural Policy, and others that are important for European citizens,’ he added.

He noted that the ‘major goal’ is completion by the end of 2026. ‘If we do not have a political decision and completion of negotiations by the end of 2026, I believe that in 2027, with elections in several member states, the situation will be clearly more difficult,’ he noted.

In response to another question on the MFF regarding new own resources and whether the European Council is ready for an in-depth discussion on both packages, he said: ‘We must enter into an in-depth discussion, because if this discussion does not start, especially on the issue of new revenue sources, we will not be able to reach a conclusion.’

He said this was ‘a key component’ of the overall architecture of the MFF.

The University of Cyprus has secured a place among the world’s leading universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027, ranking 525th globally and first among all evaluated institutions in Cyprus.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the University of Cyprus said that among the evaluated institutions in Cyprus, it ranks first overall and holds the top national position in the indicators of Academic Reputation, Citations per Faculty, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, International Research Network, and Sustainability.

“This performance highlights the breadth of the University of Cyprus’ academic, research and societal contribution. Its distinction across indicators related to research impact, international collaboration, recognition by the academic and professional communities, graduate outcomes and sustainability reflects the University’s overall strength and international orientation”, is is noted adding that this year’s ranking highlights the University of Cyprus’ strong presence on the international academic ‘map’ and, at the same time, confirms its significant impact on higher education, research and innovation in Cyprus and the wider region.

“The University of Cyprus continues to invest in research excellence, high-quality teaching, student support, internationalisation, innovation and meaningful engagement with society. Through its academic programmes, research activities and strategic partnerships, the University of Cyprus contributes to the development of Cyprus as a regional centre of education, research and innovation”, the press release concludes.

In another press release, the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) said that for the second consecutive year, it has confirmed its place among the world’s leading universities by securing its position in the QS World University Rankings, placing in the 701-710 band globally.

CUT noted that it ranks among the top 8% of the 8,808 universities evaluated worldwide, and among the top 53% of universities included in the final ranking.

It is also noteworthy that only 1,504 universities, representing approximately 17% of all institutions assessed, succeeded in being included in the ranking.

The QS World University Rankings is considered one of the three most prestigious international university rankings, alongside the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking).

The press release further highlights that CUT, as a relatively small university with fewer than 5,000 students, had to meet not only the general eligibility criteria applied to all universities but also the specific requirements for small-sized institutions. This, it says, further underscores the significance of the university’s achievement and distinction.

According to the press release, this year’s results highlight internationalisation, research activity, sustainability, and the quality of the learning environment as CUT’s main competitive strengths.

The European Union possesses one of the most advanced and credible standardisation systems in the world, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michael Damianos said Thursday, adding that maintaining this leadership cannot be taken for granted.

The Minister was speaking at the 18th Common Session of the General Assemblies of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Electrotechnical Committee for Standardization (CENELEC), that takes place in Cyprus.

Cyprus, he said, “is particularly pleased to host this high-level gathering at a time when Europe is facing profound economic, technological and geopolitical transformations”.

“Bringing together leaders and experts from across the European standardisation community provides an important opportunity to reflect on how standards can continue to support Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in a rapidly changing world” he added.

The Minister noted that Europe’s capacity to shape standards is a matter of economic resilience, industrial policy and, increasingly, strategic autonomy.

“The European Union possesses one of the most advanced and credible standardisation systems in the world. However, maintaining this leadership cannot be taken for granted. It requires continuous adaptation, institutional agility, and accelerated processes capable of matching the pace of innovation” he pointed out.

In particular, he went on to say, in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductors and clean technologies, the speed of standardisation increasingly determines Europe’s ability to remain competitive and technologically sovereign.

At the same time, Damianos said, standardisation must remain an open, inclusive and democratically grounded system.

“The meaningful participation of SMEs, industry, consumers and academia is essential to both the legitimacy and effectiveness of the European model. The challenge for Europe is therefore clear: to reconcile transparency, trust and sustainability within a system that is fundamental to the functioning of the Internal Market” he said.

In a broader sense, Damianos added, standardisation has become a key instrument of geo-economic influence.

“The ability to shape international standards directly affects market access, technological dependencies and global competitiveness. Against this backdrop, the European Union must strengthen its role as a global rule-setter in standardisation through a coherent voice, strategic coordination and a reinforced presence in international standardisation fora” he said.

Referring to Cyprus, he noted that as a Member State situated at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Cyprus fully appreciates the value of connectivity, cooperation and common rules.

“Standardisation is one of the most effective tools through which Europe promotes these principles, while supporting innovation, trade and sustainable growth” he concluded.

President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday that there will be announcements from the European Commission regarding the appointment of a new EU envoy for the Cyprus issue.

In his doorstep statements upon his arrival for the European Council meeting in Brussels, and asked by a journalist on the matter, President Christodoulides said that ‘we will have a new appointment by the European Commission.’

‘We discussed some names today, following previous discussions, and very soon the President of the Commission, after completing the necessary internal procedures, will proceed with announcements,’ he said.

In response to another question regarding his earlier meeting on Thursday with the President of the European Council, António Costa, President Christodoulides said they discussed three matters.

He said they discussed the results of the Presidency and that Costa conveyed congratulations for the fact that a small member state proved in practice that it can deliver very significant results.

The second issue was the Republic of Cyprus becoming a full Schengen member. ‘We are expecting, we have completed all the preparatory work, very soon to have the political decision, so that our country can become a full member of the Schengen area,’ he said.

He noted that the third issue was the Cyprus problem, with the President of the Council informing him about two telephone conversations he had recently with the UN Secretary-General, ‘during which he conveyed the clear message that any progress in EU-Turkey relations presupposes Turkey fulfilling its European obligations, including of course its Cyprus-related obligations’.

‘There is a desire from the European Union to see progress in EU-Turkey relations. This depends exclusively on Turkey, starting from the Cyprus issue,’ he added, expressing satisfaction that there was cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union. ‘This dialogue will continue so that conditions are created to move to an expanded meeting, during which the resumption of talks will be announced,’ he said.

In his opening doorstep remarks, while referring to the achievements of the Cyprus EU Presidency and the country’s upgraded standing, he said these further strengthen both internal and external factors of national power. ‘They help us address internal challenges and at the same time strengthen our diplomatic tools regarding our number one priority, which is the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the role the European Union can play,’ he said.

He noted that he had ‘a very good meeting with the President of the European Council’ and that he had the opportunity to speak earlier with the President of the European Commission on the sidelines of the European People’s Party meeting. ‘I am pleased because she is in constant contact with the United Nations, with the UN Secretary-General, whose personal envoy will visit Brussels around the end of June,’ he added.

‘The European Union is here, the European Union is present to play a leading role in the resolution of the Cyprus problem,’ President Christodoulides said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced. María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology

Date 18/06/2026

Station

TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Highest

Lowest

Nicosia (Athalassa)

36

18

30

Larnaka Airport

34

24

41

Limassol

29

20

51

Pafos Airport

27

19

71

Frenaros

32

21

35

Prodromos

26

16

38

Polis Pafos

32

18

37

University of Cyprus ranks 525th globally and first in Cyprus in the QS World University Rankings 2027

The University of Cyprus has secured a place among the world’s leading universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027, ranking 525th globally and first among all evaluated institutions in Cyprus.

Among the evaluated institutions in Cyprus, the University of Cyprus ranks first overall and holds the top national position in the indicators of Academic Reputation, Citations per Faculty, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, International Research Network, and Sustainability.

This performance highlights the breadth of the University of Cyprus’ academic, research and societal contribution. Its distinction across indicators related to research impact, international collaboration, recognition by the academic and professional communities, graduate outcomes and sustainability reflects the University’s overall strength and international orientation.

This year’s ranking highlights the University of Cyprus’ strong presence on the international academic ‘map’ and, at the same time, confirms its significant impact on higher education, research and innovation in Cyprus and the wider region.

Commenting on the results, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, said:

‘This recognition reflects the collective effort, dedication and high calibre of the University of Cyprus’ academic, research, administrative and student communities. Our position in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and our recognition as the leading university in Cyprus underline the University’s substantial contribution to education, research, innovation and society. As the country’s leading public university, we will continue to work with responsibility and a forward-looking perspective to generate and transfer knowledge, educate future generations, strengthen international partnerships and actively contribute to sustainability.’.

The QS World University Rankings assess universities worldwide through indicators that capture, among other areas, academic recognition, employer reputation, research impact, employability, international research collaboration and sustainability.

The University of Cyprus continues to invest in research excellence, high-quality teaching, student support, internationalisation, innovation and meaningful engagement with society.

Through its academic programmes, research activities and strategic partnerships, the University of Cyprus contributes to the development of Cyprus as a regional centre of education, research and innovation.

A meeting of the EU Law Network was held in Brussels with the aim of improving the effective implementation of European Union law across Member States.

According to a press release issued on Thursday by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, the meeting took place on 15 June and was co-organised by the European Commission and the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. It was co-chaired by the Republic’s Law Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission.

The EU Law Network serves as a forum for cooperation and knowledge exchange between the European Commission and the competent national authorities of the member states on matters relating to the transposition and implementation of EU law into national legal systems.

According to the statement, discussions focused on the Commission Communication entitled ‘A Simpler, Clearer and Better Applied EU Rulebook’, which highlights the need to create a simpler, clearer and more practically enforceable regulatory framework capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

It was noted that, despite the existence of ‘better regulation’ tools, citizens, businesses and public administrations continue to face complex or unclear rules, delays in the implementation of EU legislation and increased bureaucracy. These issues affect the uniform application of EU law across member states, the smooth functioning of the Single Market, competitiveness and legal certainty.

Within this context, the meeting focused on the simplification and enforcement of EU law, the strengthening of the Single Market and the promotion of better regulation.

According to the press release, interventions by the Law Office highlighted the connection between these issues and the Cyprus Presidency’s priorities regarding legislative simplification, with the objective of developing clearer and more easily applicable rules while simultaneously strengthening competitiveness and the rule of law.

The statement added that the member states and the European Commission agreed on the need for closer cooperation in implementing the objectives set out in the Communication, both during the process of aligning national legislation with EU law and at the stage of addressing infringements of EU law identified by the Commission.

Following the signature of the Joint Declaration on the EU legislative priorities for 2026 and of the One Europe, One Market Roadmap, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have worked closely together to effectively deliver on the identified priorities. Progress will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. The June 2026 Progress Review marks the first monitoring exercise on the implementation of both documents. The institutions reaffirm their commitment to this process and to the timely and effective delivery and implementation of the Joint Declaration and Roadmap.

For more information

One Europe, One Market Roadmap – Progress Review

One Europe, One Market Roadmap – Legislative programming and monitoring annual cycle

One Europe, One Market Roadmap webpage

Quote(s)

‘We have made a commitment: to complete the Single Market by the end of next year. This is our One Europe, one Market roadmap. Today’s progress report shows that we are well on our way. We have discussed how we can deliver on this promise to our citizens and business even faster. Together, we will unlock the full power of our 450 million people-strong Single Market.’

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

‘When we signed the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap in Cyprus, we agreed on more than a plan – we agreed on concrete action. This has been the guiding principle of the Cyprus Presidency over the past six months, as we have worked relentlessly to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness, resilience, and prosperity, with our citizens and businesses at the heart of every proposal. Today, we are proving that our joint commitment was not just words. We are delivering on our priorities, tracking progress closely, and ensuring that the roadmap we set together continues to drive real results for Europe.’

Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus as the Rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union

‘Europe has the talent, the capital and the ideas. Our task now is to remove the barriers that prevent companies from turning that potential into growth, innovation and investment. The One Europe, One Market Roadmap is our determination to swiftly deliver on all the key initiatives that will drive Europe’s competitiveness. The European Parliament will keep up the pace, while ensuring that the quality of our legislation matches the ambition of our goals, so that companies can innovate, scale up and thrive in Europe.’

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament