Address of the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Ioannou, at the Directors General of Civil Protection meeting

The Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Ioannou, addressed the Directors‑General of Civil Protection meeting, on 15 April 2026. The full text of his address is as follows:

It is a pleasure to welcome you to Lefkosia. As we enter to the second half of our Presidency of the Council of the European Union (ΕU), I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the constructive cooperation and shared commitment that have guided our work thus far.

This spirit of collaboration is particularly important at a time when Europe is facing an increasingly complex and interconnected risk environment. Climate driven disasters, hybrid threats, and instability in our wider region remind us that solidarity and preparedness remain essential pillars of our collective security. In this context, the Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism continues to demonstrate the tangible value of European cooperation.

Building on this shared commitment during our Presidency, we have been facilitating the important discussions on the future of the Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, including cross-sectoral crisis support, civil-military coordination, and health emergencies. These exchanges are essential for shaping the future direction of European crisis management, and I welcome the constructive engagement of all members states and participating countries. I am confident that today’s discussions will further benefit from the valuable operational perspectives to be shared.

At the same time, we are advancing our Presidency priorities in the area of preparedness and resilience, including work on public-private cooperation, the protection of critical entities, and preparedness for high-impact, low-probability events. These efforts complement broader European discussions and contribute to strengthening the resilience of our societies and critical systems, reflecting our shared commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking approach.

A key development during our Presidency is the establishment of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS). In this context, Cyprus has taken note of the reference made by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address last September, regarding the development of a European firefighting hub in Cyprus, with a potential role in supporting the wider region. Co funded by the EU and coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), this facility will further strengthen the Union’s aerial firefighting capacity and serve as a regional hub for rapid deployment. CRAFS is scheduled to be officially inaugurated at the upcoming European Council, marking a tangible step forward in enhancing collective preparedness and resilience.

In this spirit, Cyprus continues to underline the strategic importance of engagement with our neighbourhood. Crises do not respect borders, and strengthening the resilience of neighbouring countries contributes to the overall safety and stability of the Union.

As we move through our Presidency, Cyprus remains committed to fostering a safer and more resilient Europe. I thank you for your cooperation and wish you a productive meeting.

Thank you.