Europe must invest in its future, Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nikodemos Damianou said on Wednesday, noting that digital competitiveness, research, innovation and space are not isolated sectors, but lie at the heart of Europe’s strategy for sustainable growth, resilience and strategic autonomy.
Speaking to EU-accredited journalists currently visiting Cyprus, Damianou presented the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency in the fields of digital policy, research and space. ‘As Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are facing a period of growing geopolitical pressures, rapid technological change and intensifying global competition,’ he said.
‘Europe is called upon to strengthen its competitiveness, safeguard its digital and technological sovereignty and prepare the Union for the challenges of an increasingly volatile international environment, while at the same time remaining open to the world and faithful to its values,’ the Deputy Minister stressed.
Damianou underlined that ‘the message is clear: Europe must invest in its future. Digital competitiveness, research, innovation and space are not isolated areas; they form the core of our strategy for sustainable development, resilience and strategic autonomy.’
After outlining the current context and the overall direction towards achieving strategic autonomy, Damianou focused on the three main pillars on which the Cypriot Presidency will be built. The first pillar is strengthening Europe’s digital capabilities and technological leadership, ‘through investments in modern digital infrastructures, secure connectivity, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, fully aligned with European values.’ He also highlighted the need to secure funding for the digital transformation.
The second pillar, according to the Deputy Minister, is ‘enhancing cyber resilience and building a safe digital ecosystem. Cyber threats are increasing and are now directly affecting national security and critical infrastructures.’
‘Our priority is to protect networks, ensure the proper implementation of cybersecurity legislation and create a safe online environment, particularly for children and young people,’ he pointed out.
The third pillar is ‘activating digital diplomacy and strategic partnerships. Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation.’
‘In a connected world, digital partnerships with trusted third countries are crucial for security, competitiveness and shaping global standards,’ he said.
According to Damianou, Europe’s competitiveness is not limited to the digital domain alone, but research and innovation are fundamental pillars of economic resilience and technological leadership. ‘Our goal is to strengthen the entire innovation ecosystem, reduce disparities between Member States and support start-ups and SMEs,’ he stressed.
‘We place particular emphasis on developing Europe’s capacity in artificial intelligence, data infrastructures and high-performance computing, as well as on linking technology with scientific excellence,’ he added.
‘Finally, space represents the next technological frontier for Europe. We will work to ensure the sustainability and security of European space programmes, with predictable funding and a harmonised framework for innovation, cybersecurity and sustainability in the space sector,’ he noted.
Responding to journalists’ questions on pressure from the United States regarding the application of European legislation to large platforms, Damianou stressed that, fully following the Draghi and Letta reports, Europe has entered a period of pragmatism.
‘This is not an attack on our regulatory framework and environment. It is not about US or European technology; it is about creating a framework in which everyone who wishes to provide these services must comply with the same law,’ he explained.
‘Digital sovereignty does not mean protectionism,’ the Deputy Minister added, pointing to the need for a change of direction and greater autonomy. ‘Eighty per cent of Europe’s cloud services are provided by entities outside the EU – this is not about excluding anyone, and the United States must engage in this dialogue,’ he concluded.