ECR Group 1st Vice-President Władysław Ortyl took part in the external meeting of Conference of Presidents  of the European Committee of the Regions in Nicosia, and met the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. The meeting took place in the framework of The Presidency of the Council of the European Union held by Cyprus.

"Competitiveness, control of illegal migration, security, and defending cohesion policy during the negotiations on the next MFFare the key priorities outlined by the Cyprus Presidency that are fully aligned with those of our political group ", said Mr Ortyl. The meeting with the President of the Republic was also the occasion to tackle the topic of competitiveness which "cannot remain an abstract Brussels slogan: it must translate into less bureaucracy, more innovation, and targeted investments that allow regions to grow, adapt and lead". Focus was also on migration as local and regional authorities need stronger support to face its consequences. "We need to have a clearer EU-level action to address root causes and secure external borders", Mr Ortyl added. 

Members had also the chance to visit the Green Line that de facto divides  the country’s capital, making it the only divided capital in the EU. The ECR First Vice-President underlined that “the ECR Group condemns the occupation of the island and will support every effort for the reunification of Cyprus". During the Conference of Presidents, members met with the Mayor of the occupied city of Famagusta, Mr Simos Ioannou,  who shared the story of their displaced community. Mr Ortyl drew a parallel with his own region of Podkarpackie that borders Ukraine. "I cannot help but reflect on how the experience of a divided Cyprus resonates today with the reality faced by Ukrainians, whose country has also been attacked and whose significant parts remain under occupation. 

This geopolitical context reminds us that questions of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the consequences of occupation are not abstract or historical — they are painfully current, including here in Cyprus. It also reminds us that accepting division imposed by force is never a neutral act, and that solidarity, consistency and respect for international law are essential for Europe's security", Mr Ortyl concluded.