President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the significance of an EU Energy Union, noting its potential to bolster competitiveness.

Arriving at the Annual General Meeting of the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB) in Nicosia on Tuesday afternoon, the President was asked about energy costs and the Republic’s progress on the matter. He noted: "We discussed this recently at the informal European Council. There are immediate solutions—for which the Commission President has presented a package—but beyond that, a comprehensive solution must be found, which can be achieved through the Energy Union of Europe."

"An energy union will also strengthen our competitiveness. Within this framework, and in view of our upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, we are advancing specific legislation. Our long-term goal, agreed upon by the 27 member states, is to achieve this energy union, which naturally includes the Republic of Cyprus."

When a journalist pointed out that the European Commission President stated that the only way for the Union to become resilient and self-sufficient is to transition away from fossil fuels—and asked if this excludes Cyprus's plans to utilize its own natural gas—President Christodoulides replied:

"I have said many times, since my time as Foreign Minister, that natural gas is a bridge solution to reach the final goal."

"Natural gas is currently used by many member states, but it is not a permanent solution. It serves as a bridge to achieve the objective mentioned by the Commission President," the President concluded.

Source: CNA (ΚΥΠΕ)