Cyprus’ Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides has stepped up efforts to position the country within the EU–India innovation and technology partnership, following his participation in the EU–India Forum held in New Delhi on 6–7 February.
The closed, invitation-only forum followed the 16th India–EU Summit and the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, focusing on translating political agreements into operational cooperation in security, technology, connectivity and climate.
Skourides was accompanied by Hraklitos Iosifides, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Cyprus High Commission in India, and Nicolas Kyriakides, President of the Cyprus Forum.
More than 200 senior policymakers, industry leaders and experts from India and all 27 EU member states took part in discussions covering maritime security, Indo-Pacific cooperation, semiconductors, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, digital transformation and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.
The dialogue placed particular emphasis on strengthening trade and investment following the FTA, enhancing security cooperation, deepening collaboration on emerging technologies and improving mobility and talent flows.
During the forum, Skourides held meetings with EU and Indian officials to explore opportunities for Cyprus to strengthen its position in innovation, research and technological development. These discussions are expected to feed into the upcoming visit to India by Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou, as well as Skourides’ participation in the India AI Impact Expo 2026 later this month.
A key theme of the forum was artificial intelligence, including interoperable standards, AI governance and Europe’s competitiveness. Deputy Director-General of the European Commission Maria Cristina Russo highlighted the need to leverage AI in science and strengthen cross-border collaboration between Europe and India.
India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said several EU companies operating in India had achieved growth exceeding 1,000-fold, stating that “if you want to scale big, India is the game.”
Skourides said Cyprus must translate strategic dialogue into concrete outcomes.
“Cyprus is uniquely positioned at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to act as a trusted innovation and technology gateway. As Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with a clear focus on digital autonomy, sovereignty, and trustworthy AI, our responsibility is to move decisively from dialogue to delivery.
“Our objective is clear: to transform strategic partnerships into tangible economic growth, scientific excellence, and high-value opportunities that reinforce Cyprus’s role as a regional hub for innovation and global collaboration.”
On the sidelines of the forum, Skourides met EU ambassadors, defence and technology experts, Indian space officials and industry representatives to discuss cooperation in AI, biotechnology, defence systems, semiconductors and space technologies.
Discussions also addressed talent mobility, research collaboration and the development of interoperable AI standards aimed at strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty.
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