Loucas Fourlas: The energy autonomy of the EU and why Cyprus must become a secure energy centre

DISY and European People's Party (EPP) MEP Loucas Fourlas characterises Cyprus's contribution to the new European Energy Strategy as a significant challenge to which the country must respond quickly and adequately.

Emphasising that the quantities of hydrocarbons in Cyprus are of great importance for strengthening the energy security of the EU, Fourlas, in an interview with InBusinessNews, declares that what is required is a realistic and properly designed plan, so that Cyprus will become a secure energy centre that will have a central role in the extraction and distribution of natural wealth.

In this way, as he points out, the country will stand out within the European Union and will reap economic and political opportunities and benefits, through which it will consolidate its position in the diplomatic foreground, something which is of great importance.

At the same time, recognising that the private sector plays a very important role in the country’s economy, Loucas Fourlas urges entrepreneurs and those who wish to be active in the field of business, to be well informed about the economic support programmes involving European funds and offered by the EU.

How do you intend to contribute to the effort to strengthen the economy of Cyprus with your presence in the European Parliament?

Through the constant highlighting of the need for energy security and, why not, EU energy autonomy.

The contribution of Cyprus to the new European Energy Strategy is an important challenge to which we must respond quickly and adequately.

The hydrocarbon quantities of Cyprus are of extreme importance for strengthening the EU's energy security.

What is required is a realistic and properly designed plan, so that Cyprus becomes a secure energy center, which will have a central role in the extraction and distribution of natural wealth.

In this way, our country will be promoted within the Union and will gain economic and political opportunities and benefits, through which it will be established in the diplomatic foreground, which is of great importance.

The private sector is a key factor in the economy. What specific actions do you intend to take to boost businesses operating in the country?

Undoubtedly, the private sector plays a very important role in the country's economy. We must support this by promoting financial aid programmes from European funds, especially those for small and medium-sized enterprises.

But this alone is not enough. I will focus on informing about current programs and more that will be in the near future.

At the same time, I encourage entrepreneurs and those who wish to be active in the field of business to refer to the official EU website, where there is a list of funding programmes implemented through the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 by sector and group.

It also provides important information and plans for innovative business grants for young people who want to be active.

What is an economic policy that you consider a "red line," so something that you would not support or vote for?

Look, the economy and work space is constantly changing, and so is our world. What does not change is focus on people.

We want a people-centred Europe and economy, where citizens will be able to improve their standard of living as they adapt to new conditions and trends.

This is exactly what I attempted with the European Year of Skills as its Rapporteur. Automation, robotics and artificial intelligence are advancing rapidly, dramatically changing the nature and number of jobs available. By extension, also the economy and its variables. An equally important factor is climate change.

Traditional energy industries, and the millions of people employed in them, will see an inevitable restructuring.

New jobs will be created in alternative energy, cyber security, new technical processes, product design, waste management and reuse.

Therefore, having before us the challenges of the times, we must respond with competence and seriousness.

What do you consider to be the biggest problem of Cyprus that prevents its further development and the rise of its GDP?

No one should forget what the country went through a decade ago and that many of our compatriots were wronged by losing the efforts of a lifetime. Today our country has largely recovered, thanks, once again, to its people.

The drive for further progress, however, must not be weakened. The biggest problem for Cyprus that is preventing its further development and the rise of its GDP, is the ongoing division of our country.

Imagine what Cyprus would be like in sectors such as tourism, construction, services, trade and investment, if the Cyprus issue had been resolved.

What, in your opinion, is the sector of the economy that is underperforming and do you think should be strengthened further?

Talking to the farmers, I believe that it is a sector that needs support, as it has traditionally played an important role in the economy of Cyprus, however in recent years it has been downgraded.

In the EU, various changes are being promoted regarding the sector so, taking into account the specificities of Cyprus, we must help so that our farmers can harmonise and keep up with the new era in the field of cultivation.

This can be achieved with funding and support by providing agribusiness financing for the new technologies and infrastructure that will be required.

In addition, there should be education and training programmes to familiarise them with modern practices and technologies, through which they will improve their efficiency and competitiveness.

Creating necessary convergences regardless of political groups

Apart from the political group to which you belong, with which other political formations in the European Parliament will you seek cooperation?

The European People's Party, to which I belong, remains the largest political group in the European Parliament, and this is because it advocates development, prosperity and business, which is continuously developing.

Our aim is to create the necessary convergences, regardless of political groups, to ensure a majority to create a stronger and more confident Europe.

A competitive and democratic Europe, where people can build a prosperous future in a trustworthy environment.

I want to note that in the previous term, we had excellent cooperation between all the Cypriot MEPs on serious issues such as the opening of the closed city of Famagusta or the management of the pandemic and I hope that we will be just as united now.

What advice would you give to the newly elected, so that they are heard more in the European Parliament?

I do not consider myself the right person to give advice, but of course I will help where and where I am asked.

The European Parliament is the only body where the representatives are voted by the citizens and it must continue honest dialogue with the aim of making the EU even more people-centred and even better.

Therefore, what I have to say is work, work, work, away from populism and petty political expediency.

(Source: InBusinessNews)