The president of the Eurogroup and Greece’s Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, during today’s meeting in Nicosia with Parliament Speaker Annita Dimitriou, highlighted that “Greece and Cyprus are at the forefront of developments in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean” and constitute “a force of credibility, stability and growth.” For her part, Ms. Dimitriou stated that Cyprus is moving “steadily and responsibly” in addressing challenges, emphasizing the need for guidance from Europe and strengthening synergies between member states.
Pierrakakis: Housing and digital euro at the center
The meeting took place at the Parliament Speaker’s office in Nicosia, with the presence of Greece’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Konstantinos Kollias, as well as other official representatives.
Mr. Pierrakakis is in Cyprus to participate in Nicosia, on Friday and Saturday, in the informal meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council 2026.
Within the framework of the informal ECOFIN meeting, the Cypriot Presidency will host on Friday, May 22, a Eurozone group (Eurogroup) session under its president, Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis. The session will address recent macroeconomic developments, housing sector competitiveness issues, as well as progress in discussions on adopting the digital euro, with the presence of European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Chair Aurore Lalucq.
Annita Dimitriou: “We are steadily and responsibly moving forward to address all issues”
During statements before the meeting, the Parliament Speaker congratulated Mr. Pierrakakis on his new duties, emphasizing the importance of economic stability, sustainability and resilience in Europe, both for the European economy and member states.
As she noted, “Cyprus throughout this period has proven precisely that it can respond and constitute a member state with growth rates and competitiveness,” adding that these elements must continue to be strengthened.
Ms. Dimitriou also noted that “we are steadily and responsibly moving forward to address all the issues we face, we need guidance from Europe and certainly synergies between member states to see exactly how we respond,” emphasizing the need for a unified European approach.
Meanwhile, she praised the fraternal bonds between Greece and Cyprus, noting that the two countries have further strengthened their cooperation in recent years through a common front against regional and European challenges.
The Parliament Speaker also expressed gratitude for Greece’s long-standing support for the Republic of Cyprus, particularly on security and sovereignty issues, noting that Greece’s recent response and that of other member states to strengthen Cyprus’s defense highlighted the importance of European solidarity.
She also referred to the resilience of the Cypriot economy, saying it records growth rates higher than the European average, despite geopolitical developments and their impacts on tourism and inflation. She also noted that “affordable and sustainable housing constitutes a central priority of the Cypriot Presidency, as well as better utilization of European financing instruments.”
Pierrakakis: “We both made leaps greater than the wear”
For his part, Mr. Pierrakakis thanked the Parliament Speaker for the hospitality, noting that “Greece and Cyprus are at the forefront of developments both in the Eastern Mediterranean and in Europe overall and prove that Hellenism is a force of credibility and stability, but also of growth and strategic perspective.”
He also mentioned that the two countries have recorded significant progress in recent years, emphasizing that “we both made leaps greater than the wear, overcoming the existential crisis we were called to face,” while adding that performance in growth, investment and exports is moving in a positive direction.
The Greek Minister also highlighted the need for further strengthening cooperation in energy, technology and the European role of both countries, noting that “we must do even more regarding energy, technology and our role, our overall footprint within Europe.”
He also referred to the economic impacts of the Middle East crisis and measures being taken at European level to support member states, emphasizing that Greece and Cyprus are responding with stability and responsibility to the challenges Europe faces today.
In closing, Mr. Pierrakakis wished Ms. Dimitriou success ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, as well as to the Democratic Rally, “the party of Glafcos Clerides, which played such a catalytic role in bringing Cyprus to the heart of Europe,” as he said.
