Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michalis Damianos said on Monday that Cyprus was focusing on stronger energy security, more investment in energy networks and pressure on the European energy market ahead of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Brussels.
He said the situation in Cyprus had fully returned to normal and that all activities were continuing without problems, including those linked to the European Union. He added that all informal councils scheduled to take place on the island from April to June would go ahead as planned.
Damianos said Cyprus remains safe and stable and would continue to be part of the solution in any crisis affecting the region or the European Union.
Referring to the council agenda, he said the discussions were taking place at a time when energy prices were moving higher. He said the European Union was facing a difficult period because of its dependence on fossil fuels and its exposure to external shocks.
He said the package on energy networks would be central to the discussions. He added that the necessary investment was estimated at 660 billion euros and said that amount could not be covered by public resources alone, meaning private investment in energy infrastructure would also have to be considered.
The minister said ministers would also discuss affordable energy and developments in Moldova and Ukraine, adding that more investment in energy would strengthen both security and competitiveness.
Asked whether the war could overshadow discussions on implementing REPowerEU, Damianos said the issue was not on the agenda and that he did not expect it to come up during the day.
On developments in energy markets, he said the reaction would depend on how long the crisis lasted and how events unfolded. He added that the issue was expected to feature further in European Council discussions.
Damianos also said energy policy has two main dimensions, security of supply and energy prices, and that the two issues should be examined separately, noting that stronger supply security can in some cases also lead to higher prices.
According to the council agenda, ministers are expected to discuss the European Grids Package, namely the Commission’s proposals to revise the existing regulation on trans-European energy infrastructure and the directive on permitting, both presented on 10 December 2025. The Commission says the package is aimed at strengthening cross-border connectivity, supporting electrification and speeding up permitting while improving the resilience and security of cross-border infrastructure.
The council will also review progress on the action plan for affordable energy, which the Commission presented a year ago to help bring down energy costs. During the exchange of views, ministers are expected to outline measures already taken under the plan and examine ways to reduce energy costs further in the short term.
In the same context, ministers will also exchange views on advancing mutual energy security through integration and on lessons learned jointly from Ukraine and Moldova. Moldova’s Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, are also due to take part in the discussion