Cyprus Times

Pourgouridis: Local and Regional Authorities are Pillars of European Resilience

Published February 9, 2026, 17:11
Pourgouridis: Local and Regional Authorities are Pillars of European Resilience

The Head of the European Commission's Representation in Cyprus, Panikos Pourgouridis, emphasized the critical role of local and regional authorities in strengthening European resilience during his speech at the Conference of the Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions in Nicosia. He highlighted that these authorities are not merely implementing bodies, but essential pillars for addressing crises, maintaining social cohesion, and enhancing citizen trust, especially in a geopolitically unstable environment. Mr. Pourgouridis referred to the challenges facing the European Union, such as the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and hybrid threats, and stressed the importance of unity among member states. He pointed out that the territorial dimension of European policy is more important than ever, as geopolitical developments have direct impacts at the local level, such as migration flows and increased energy costs. Furthermore, Mr. Pourgouridis highlighted the role of the Committee of the Regions in transferring European decisions to the daily lives of local communities and strengthening democratic legitimacy. He emphasized that Cyprus plays a significant role as a factor of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and as a crisis management hub. As examples of Cyprus's contribution, the AMALTHEA Maritime Corridor for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and the ESTIA national plan for evacuating foreign nationals from crisis areas were mentioned. Mr. Pourgouridis underscored that in such operations, local authorities play a crucial role in managing ports, the supply chain, and temporary accommodation.

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