Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides played a pivotal role in advancing Cyprus’ position during the EU-India Forum held in New Delhi on February 6-7. This forum aimed to enhance the EU-India Innovation and Technology Partnership, a crucial initiative for both regions.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Accompanying Skourides were Heraklitos Iosifides, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Cyprus High Commission in India, and Nicolas Kyriakides, President of the Cyprus Forum. The event, which was hosted by India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and organised by the Ananta Centre, attracted more than 200 senior policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from across India and the EU.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
The discussions centred around vital themes including Security and Defence, Technology, Connectivity, and Climate and Energy. These topics align with the recent India-EU Summit and the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to transform political commitments into actionable outcomes.
Jaishankar described the advancements discussed at the Forum as a potential “game changer”. Key conversations encompassed maritime security, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. The focus on technology also included discussions on semiconductors, AI governance, and the importance of developing interoperable standards for ethical AI use.
Throughout the event, Skourides engaged with leaders from both the EU and India to explore how Cyprus can strengthen its contributions to innovation and technological development. Notably, he highlighted the importance of Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will focus on digital autonomy and trustworthy AI.
In a forward-looking statement, Skourides underscored Cyprus’ unique position as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, asserting the island’s role as a trusted innovation and technology gateway. He expressed a clear objective: to translate strategic partnerships into tangible outcomes that foster economic growth and scientific excellence.
Future collaborations were also on the agenda, with plans for Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou to visit India and Skourides set to participate in the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in February 2026. These initiatives aim to create an operational India-Cyprus innovation engine, facilitating talent mobility and investment pathways.
Sessions at the Forum included significant discussions on AI governance, trade architecture, and the convergence of security and defence, reflecting the growing recognition of the need for cross-border collaboration in these areas. Key figures such as Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, and Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission, reinforced the importance of leveraging AI for competitive advantage and innovation.
As the forum concluded, the emphasis remained on transforming dialogue into action, with the EU and India poised to deepen their strategic ties in the coming decade. The collective aim is to ensure that growth opportunities are maximised, with Cyprus firmly positioned as a key player in this evolving landscape.
