President Christodoulides pledged to make cutting red tape a centrepiece of Cyprus’s EU presidency, vowing to make Europe “faster, simpler, smarter” to compete in an era of global competition and technological change.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Christodoulides said Cyprus will push a simplification agenda that reduces burdens particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises, “the backbone of our economy.”
The presidency will work hand in hand with the European Parliament “to conclude key files that cut red tape,” he said.
“In today’s world, only a more competitive Europe can be a more autonomous Europe,” Christodoulides declared. “Economic strength and strategic strength go hand in hand.”
Europe faces intense geoeconomic competition, strained supply chains and accelerating technological change, he said. “Our response must therefore be pragmatic, focused, and firmly rooted in the real economy.”
Invest, innovate, produce, scale, lead
“Competitiveness is the ability to invest. To innovate. To produce. To scale. To lead,” the President said. “We must make Europe faster. Simpler. Smarter.”
Cyprus will focus on delivering “more and better for our businesses and individuals” through the simplification push, he said.
“But competitiveness is not only about removing obstacles,” Christodoulides added. “It is also about building capability.”
That means completing and strengthening the Single Market, deepening capital markets through the Savings and Investment Union—which remain “central to European integration”—and prioritising the modernisation of industries.
Cyprus will champion “Europe’s ability to innovate and produce the technologies of tomorrow, while advancing hand in hand the green and digital transitions,” he said.
Brain drain warning
The simplification drive comes as Europe loses talented young people to competitors, Christodoulides warned.
He recalled visiting the US last year—from Silicon Valley to Houston and New York—to attract investment in key sectors.
“I was struck that in the greatest American companies the talented humanpower were Europeans,” he said. “We simply cannot afford to lose our talented young people. We need to create the conditions for them to return, do business and innovate in Europe.”
Digital and energy autonomy
Beyond cutting red tape, Europe needs to strengthen its digital and energy autonomy as “a strategic imperative,” Christodoulides said.
This requires diversified supplier networks and routes, affordable and predictable energy prices, modern infrastructure and strong interconnections.
“Now is the time for a true Energy Union,” he declared.
Competitiveness must be inclusive, benefiting all regions including island, peripheral and less-connected areas, the President said. “Connectivity is essential.”
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