Five Cypriot MEPs have stressed the need to protect EU funding for Cyprus, particularly in agriculture and cohesion policy, while raising concerns over a proposal to shorten the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, in written statements to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
Loucas Fourlas and Michalis Hadjipantela of DISY, Giorgos Georgiou of AKEL, Costas Mavrides of DIKO and Geadis Geadi of ELAM responded to a common question sent by CNA to all Cypriot MEPs on Cyprus’ priorities, potential budget cuts and President Nikos Christodoulides’ proposal for a shorter MFF.
They highlighted Cyprus’ island status, geographical isolation and the consequences of the ongoing Turkish occupation as factors requiring particular consideration in EU funding decisions.
Fourlas: Funding for agriculture and migration
————-
Loucas Fourlas, of the European People’s Party (EPP), said his group opposed proposed cuts affecting farmers, local authorities and researchers, calling for a 10% increase in the EU budget and a doubling of Erasmus+ funding.
“Doing more with less is a myth,” he said.
For Cyprus, he prioritised agriculture, fisheries, SMEs and infrastructure, while seeking dedicated funding to address irregular migration in frontline member states. He stressed that Cyprus’ geographical position, ongoing occupation and migration pressures warranted special budgetary treatment.
On shortening the MFF, Fourlas noted that EU treaties require a minimum five-year duration and instead favoured a stable framework with a substantial mid-term review and flexibility during crises.
Hadjipantela: Agriculture, healthcare and occupied properties
————
Michalis Hadjipantela, also of the EPP, highlighted the need to protect agricultural funding, particularly given Cyprus’ water shortages and rising production costs, alongside support for energy security and migration management.
He prioritised healthcare investment, including his initiative to establish a European Agency for Rare Diseases.
“My personal challenge is the establishment of a European Agency for Rare Diseases,” he said.
Hadjipantela also referred to his initiative to secure financial support for legitimate title deed holders of properties in the Turkish-occupied areas.
He called for fair funding allocations reflecting the needs of small island states and favoured retaining a longer MFF, warning that shorter cycles could create uncertainty for farmers, businesses and programme beneficiaries.
Georgiou: Protect cohesion and social funding
————–
Giorgos Georgiou, of AKEL and The Left group, warned that increased military spending could weaken cohesion and agricultural funding, which he described as essential for Cyprus.
He called for resources for local authorities, rural communities, farmers, SMEs, social housing and infrastructure, taking account of the island’s geographical isolation and the continuing occupation.
“Social cohesion and rural development cannot be the first casualties of increased military spending,” he said, calling for guarantees against cuts to social and development programmes.
Georgiou also supported fairer contributions from major economic interests to EU funding.
On the proposed shorter MFF, he cited the five-year minimum under EU treaties and warned of uncertainty for long-term projects, favouring stronger mid-term review mechanisms instead.
Mavrides: Infrastructure, housing and greater EU support
————
Costas Mavrides, of DIKO and the Socialists and Democrats (S and D), argued that a reduced EU budget would undermine funding for essential policies, including those benefiting Cyprus.
“A reduced budget cannot meet the basic priorities of European citizens,” he said, citing affordable energy, housing and living standards.
For Cyprus, he prioritised infrastructure, social policy, agriculture, defence, housing and the green transition, particularly projects of energy and geopolitical importance.
He argued that Cyprus’ geographical isolation, island status and continuing Turkish occupation generated additional costs, justifying proportionately greater EU support and tailored funding arrangements.
Regarding the proposed shorter MFF, Mavrides called for an assessment of its practical and political feasibility, noting that the existing framework allows long-term planning and revisions during unforeseen crises.
Geadi: No across-the-board cuts
————-
Geadis Geadi, of ELAM and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), called for protecting agricultural and cohesion funding, while prioritising Cyprus’ energy interconnections, infrastructure, migration management, security and family support.
“Cyprus must seek clear guarantees that its needs will not be downgraded in a general redistribution of European resources,” he said.
He opposed across-the-board cuts, stressing that allocations should reflect each member state’s particular circumstances.
Geadi also rejected additional EU tax burdens on citizens and businesses and warned against concentrating more funding powers in the European Commission at the expense of member states.
On shortening the MFF, he called for an assessment of whether greater flexibility would outweigh the risk of financial uncertainty, stressing the need for stable and predictable funding.