Cypriot MEP Loucas Fourlas is urging the UK government to reduce university tuition fees for Cypriots and other EU citizens studying in the UK. During a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, he emphasised the importance of education in building a stronger and more autonomous Europe.
Fourlas stated, “A stronger and more autonomous Europe cannot be built only with defence and geopolitical strategies, it is built with knowledge, with young people, with equal opportunities in education.” This statement underscores his belief that educational access is crucial for the future of Europe.
Highlighting the burden of increased tuition fees since Brexit, Fourlas pointed out that EU students now face “endless fees” compared to their British counterparts. He expressed concern that education appears to be used as a tool of exclusion, suggesting that it should not suffer due to geopolitical tensions.
On February 17, Fourlas plans to visit London as part of the education committee, aiming to advocate for the reduction of these fees. He addressed the European institutions directly, stating, “If the United Kingdom wishes to re-examine its relationship with the European Union, and this relationship cannot be one-sided, it must give something back as well, and a tangible good-will step is the reduction of tuition fees for European students.”
Since the UK left the European single market at the end of 2020, tuition fees for EU citizens have soared. While British students pay an average of £9,535 (€10,922) per year for undergraduate degrees, some UK universities are now charging EU students up to £38,000 (€43,529) annually.
During the session, Fourlas also took issue with the EU leadership’s comments on recent geopolitical developments, questioning why they seemed to overlook Cyprus. He specifically challenged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, and European Council President Antonio Costa, who were all present. Fourlas remarked, “You said that you will not accept any violation of the rule of law in Venezuela, Gaza, Iran, Greenland, even in Africa. Why did you forget Cyprus?”
His remarks followed von der Leyen’s address, which focused on the importance of Greenland in global politics, reiterating the need for respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. Fourlas’s comments reflect a call for greater awareness and action regarding Cyprus and its challenges within the broader EU context.
