Deputy Minister of Research Nicodemos Damianou has called for increased public funding and private investments in cybersecurity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), during an informal EU telecommunications ministers’ meeting.
The call aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to bolster resilience against growing cybersecurity threats.
The meeting also saw the ratification of the ‘Warsaw Call on cybersecurity challenges’ Joint Statement by EU member countries, aimed at strengthening the approach to cybersecurity threats with a focus on prevention, response, and recovery.
Damianou emphasised the importance of advanced cybersecurity tools and skilled workforce training to address the evolving threats.
Additionally, the ministry of research noted that “discussions at the council emphasised the need for enhanced cooperation among EU member states, more effective information sharing, and aligned crisis management at national and European levels.”
During the meeting, the council reviewed the revised text of the Cybersecurity Blueprint recommendation, which is designed to manage the entire lifecycle of cybersecurity crises, not just focusing on the response phase.
This revision aims to provide a more comprehensive framework for effectively dealing with cybersecurity issues.
Discussion also centered on the significant economic impact of cyber-attacks and the subsequent need for additional investments by Member States to enhance resilience.
The Draft Council Recommendation on the EU Blueprint for cybersecurity crisis management (Cyber Blueprint) was presented as a clear, simple, and accessible document that outlines the EU’s framework for managing cyber crises.
Additionally, proposals for creating a common investment fund were explored.
This fund is intended to enhance funding efficiency and reduce administrative burdens, supporting a more agile response to cybersecurity threats.
The council also discussed strategies to make the cybersecurity sector more appealing to young scientists and to facilitate career transitions through enhanced training opportunities.
On the sidelines, ministers discussed further development of civilian and military cooperation to effectively tackle emerging cyber threats at EU and NATO levels during a working lunch.
Additionally, Damianou met with Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy of the European Commission, which discussions focused on the upcoming Cyprus presidency of the EU Council in 2026.
Priorities include the development of digital infrastructure and increased private investment.
Topics such as protecting minors’ access to digital content and bridging the skills gap were also addressed.
Finally, in talks with his French counterpart, Clara Chappaz, Damianou exchanged views on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in these areas.
